5 UNDER 5K; Vancouver Based Jewelry • Vicki Duong

I thought about doing this post as a holiday gift guide, but honestly I would be happy getting jewelry all year round. I also wanted to take this opportunity to feature brands with a smaller following because Instagram famous brands like Mejuri don’t need influencers to promote them. Brands like theirs do fine marketing on their own and are an easy option if you’re looking for something to gift if you want to pick out something easily recognizable and sure to impress.

However, if you’re anything like me you want to be able to give gifts that the recipiant will not only love, but perhaps not think of purchasing for themselves. I also love a gift with a fun fact so if you decide to pick up any jewellery from the following brands you can also share that the piece is ethically produced, locally designed and handmade in the Vancouver area.

Bianca Barr

The story of how I got my Bianca Barr hoop earrings was like a meeting a stranger success story. I was at a birthday party where I only knew a small handful of people and happened to be sitting next to this woman with the most amazing pair of brass hoops. I then proceeded to do that thing where you go, “What brand are those? Where did you get them? Are they still available?” to which the answers were, “Bianca Barr, Woo To See You on Main Street. Yes, I just bought them this week.” I went the very next day to buy them in gold and I get complimented on them every time I wear them.

Okay, so that more so tells you the story of how I ended up with these earrings instead of about the brand, but I just really like that story.

Bianca Barr is a Vancouver based designer that specializes in handmade jewellery and hand printed clothing. Her goods are available at both Woo To See You locations and Zebraclub on South Granville. She also pops up at the occasional market/fair, most recently Shiny, Fuzzy, Muddy.

Style pictured is the Dazzle Earrings.

Milaya Designs

Who doesn’t love a crystal moment? When gift giving it might seem easier to go to the mall or a department store and just pick up any piece of jewelry but don’t forget about Etsy! Etsy is a great way to connect with makers that don’t have many wholesale accounts yet or perhaps are selling their handmade creations as a side hustle like Milaya Designs.

Based in Vancouver, Milaya Designs offers a variety of chains so when you check out you have your choice between gold and silver plated, as well as sterling silver and 14k gold filled. With a large variety of types of crystal pieces available you can pick between dainty or bolder pieces such as a simple collar or a large hanging pendant. Milaya Designs are also available at Giving Gifts and The Basement if you’re in the Vancouver area.

Style pictured is the Aurora Necklace.

Jen Ellis Designs

My Jen Ellis Cisco ring is one of the only pieces of jewellery that I never take off. The other two being a bar in my ear that I often forget about and a diamond toe ring that I am pretty sure is stuck on my toe forever. I was first introduced to Jen Ellis Designs while I was interning at a local boutique that carried the line and I was always so amazed by the affordability of Jen Ellis Designs. This ring that has legitimalnly become a part of my hand is less than $30 CAD and it has never tarnished. All of her pieces are either sterling silver or gold filled.

With a few stockists in the Vancouver area, such as Bird on a Wire and El Kartel, a Jen Ellis piece is not only easy to find, but even easier on your wallet.

Style pictured is the Cisco Ring.

Miriam de Langley

My Miriam de Langley stacking cuff is another piece I own that I always get compliments on whenever I wear it. It has a beautiful hand hammered texture and layers so nicely with other jewellery. I also like that there is an option to buy the stacking cuffs in a set of three or on their own. There is also a section on the site devoted to materials and sustainability so a Miriam de Langley piece is sure to impress anyone looking for sustainable jewellery.

Looking through their online stockist it seems that unfortunately the only Vancouver store that carried Miriam de Langley is now closed (the same store that I ended up buying my piece) but fret not because all of her pieces are also available online.

Kara Yoo Jewelry

Alright, full disclosure. I don’t actually have any Kara Yoo Jewelry, but it’s on the top of my “jewelry brands to purchase” list and I wanted to included it so I could drop a not-so-subtle hint of what my favourite pieces are if anyone happens to be holiday shopping for me. While I may not have any Kara Yoo pieces I have friends that do and they rave about the line. One of the stand out praises I always hear about Kara Yoo Jewelry is that because it is gold filled and not gold plated the pieces stay true to colour and there is no tarnishing whatsoever. Kara Yoo is sold at a variety of retailers in Vancouver, including Much & Little and Front & Co.

Style pictured is the Shimmer Choker.
(PS: if anyone is actually shopping for me this holiday season this is the choker I want. Yellow gold, please and thank you.)

Bianca Barr

Milaya Designs

Jen Ellis Designs

Miriam de Langley

Kara Yoo Jewelry

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