We surround ourselves with the warmth of home here at Gordons Gold Jewellers, from our welcoming smiles to new and returning customers, to the sight of our baby grand piano as you enter the store.
Allow me to share with you the story of the first time Duane invited me to meet his parents and family. It was Christmas. He had made a homemade cheesecake for my first Christmas dinner together with his family. In addition to their table filled with his mom’s traditional dishes, their home was always filled with music. I vividly recall Duane’s sisters playing the piano while we all joined in singing the carols.
Duane’s mother took me through their home, proudly showing me works of art she or Duane had completed over the years. She was an artist who loved working in oils and water colour, and she had been Duane’s earliest teacher in the arts that would encompass his whole life. She taught him the effects of light on objects to be painted and what direction shadows would cast. She gave me a clay bowl Duane had made when he was a child, as she showed me his paintings and drawings – I think she had kept all her children’s creations.
Duane’s parents are no longer with us, but through our traditions that they are remembered. To this day, Duane still creates a varying array of cakes for many events. Birthdays, parties, gatherings of friends at Thanksgiving and – of course – Christmas. These creative cakes are as unique as the individuals they are made for. You may know Duane often inquires with the party’s hosts what their favourite beverage or candy is, and then proceeds in creating inspired cakes around that answer, always to the amazement of the revelling guests!
After winning his first National jewellery design award in 1992, Duane was asked during an interview where he had learned his skills. I still find it very humorous remembering his answer, “School of hard knocks,” and the interviewer asking, “Where’s that?”
Of course Duane’s innate skills were inspired by life experience. He has learned from many, including a most memorable and inspiring drafting teacher, although he began under his mother’s tutelage – a mother who recognized and fostered creativity in her children.
These assists honed Duane’s creative nature into the multi-national award-winning designer he is today! Duane is multifaceted, like a fine gem (I can say this, as he is my husband). From his upbringing in music, art and sports to investing his time with his many interests, Duane gains inspiration. He is inspired by events, conversations, and especially people. This, with his desire to astound, is his way of giving of himself.
When he works with clients, helping them select items of jewellery, the clients always perceive he is involved and invested in what they have to say and praise how he helped them to select the perfect gift. Duane and I have much in common, and we look forward to seeing each of you this Christmas.
We invite you to view many new jewellery arrivals, from Ponte Vecchio eighteen karat yellow gold, to Les Georgettes bracelets made in Paris, to carved pearls by Galetea!
Please visit this month’s Blog to share your traditions with our family and to try out one of Duane’s yummy treats at www.gordonsgold.ca.
KEY LIME PIE
450 ML sweetened condensed milk
The zest of 4 or 5 limes
½ cup of freshly squeezed lime juice
2 pinches of salt
2 lg. egg yolks (slightly beaten) the acid from the limes will cook the egg yolks
Pie shell options: premade flake pie crust, graham cracker, shortbread shell- follow the baking instructions. (Or make your own)
In a stand mixer, beat egg yolks and add sweetened condensed milk, (medium-for 2 minutes) add salt, zest, lime juice and mix for 2 minutes, after mixing pour filling into cooled pie shell. Chill pie for 2-3 hours before serving.
Top with meringue if you wish & enjoy!!
Recently during our ladies night at the store, I used frozen sweetened pastry tart shells and piped them with vanilla custard. (2 dozen shells)
You have heard the wisdom of the old adage, “it takes a village” – well, at Gordons it takes Team Gordon to create the magic! Duane and I have invested in the most extraordinary selection of jewellery for our clients, bringing in highly sought after and coveted brands from across Canada and around the world! Gordons’ clients rely on their familiar sales advisor to help navigate the extensive possibilities to best fulfill their desires with Hearts On Fire, Tacori, CanadaMark, Maevona, Gabriel & Co. Stephen Webster, Ponte Vecchio, Lazare, FireCushion, Madani, Les Georgettes, Italgem, Midas and more…
Rosanne Gardiner is the Head Buyer here at Gordons, a tremendously important position. Rosanne delivers the magic on special orders, along with researching trends and bringing only the most important finds to Gordon’s displays for our clients each season. Preparation is a key component in bringing the right products to the counter and it takes time, and brilliant foresight to be ready with just the right mix of Platinum, yellow, rose and white golds – along with gorgeous silver and fun metals for treasure and heirloom seeking clients.
Platinum is the most noble of metals and highly sought after throughout generations. Currently, the choice or preference in whether to suit your style wearing yellow, rose or white gold, is highly subjective. Chic and fashionable white gold collectors are now adding a rose gold layer to their repertoire. Other fashionistas are becoming fully engaged in the yellow gold revival and also mixing in a white or rose gold layer!
Layering is in vogue and chic; take note of this fine gold and diamond choker necklace, paired with a draping cascade of favourites. Multipurpose items hold a position of high importance to each of us in the thought that “if I can wear it a lot, it’s worth more to me”, and holds genuine intrinsic value.
We invite you to revisit the classics, as classics are timeless and true at Gordons. Clients walk into Gordons and ask for Tacori, a brand that delivers on bringing our Gordons’ clients a contemporary heirloom; in this, Tacori rules! Handcrafted the old fashioned way, and having the touch of forty hands, Tacori is made in California and adorns the engagement finger of many of our brides. Tacori and Gordons have a new VIP treatment for our Tacori couples, this being Tacori Journey’s; coupling travel with your Tacori purchase!
Duane and Rosanne were recounting just why Gordons sells so many engagement rings here in London and why people travel distances from Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton, Stratford, Kincardine and Windsor to purchase their engagement rings with us, and summary analysis indicates it is because of the breadth of selection, price and exceptional service here at Gordons. We are so honoured and proud to be the number one destination for bridal couples and provide these couples with engagement rings they are proud to wear for the rest of their lives!
Gordons has been honoured as a Hearts on Fire (HOF) Hall of Fame member, our glowing badge of pride, made possible only by our clients’ desire for this superlatively cut diamond – and they asked for it by name! We are very thankful for the loyalty of our clients and the success this has brought to our business.
As you celebrate the special occasions in your life we invite you to visit Gordons! We are here to serve up the most delectable treasures in diamond jewellery! For truly edible treats visit our Gordons’ blog, where we share just how well paired good food and jewellery are for your life celebrations in this month’s issue of “From Duane’s Kitchen”. Written by Loretta Gordon-Bock CEO Gordons Gold Jewellers. We hope you enjoy this delicious recipe by Duane!
“Nona loves Duane’s Bruschetta”
Bruschetta
3 Roma Tomatoes Cored & Diced ¼ cube
½ Med Sweet White Onion Diced ¼ cube
1 Clove of Garlic Finely Chopped
½ Cup of Finely Chopped Basil
¼ Cup of Finely Chopped Parsley
¼ Olive Oil
1/3 Cup of Fresh Graded Parmesan Cheese
Mix the above ingredients together in a bowl. Spread this on top of a baguette or flat bread and place in the oven at 375 degree Fahrenheit. Cook for 12-15 minutes or until edges of bread start to brown. Remove from oven, cut to serving size pieces and drizzle with balsamic glaze. Plate and serve.
When you enter Gordons Gold Jewellers, you will be immediately captivated by our display of birthstones. June is celebrated by both alexandrite and pearl. Rare and precious alexandrite exhibits the phenomena of colour-change. Often described by gem aficionados as “emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite is the very rare colour-change variety of the mineral chrysoberyl.
Originally discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains in the 1830’s, it is now found in Sri Lanka, East Africa and Brazil. This fine material is exceptionally rare and valuable, and the level of colour-change affects its overall value. As illustrated, a single stone’s change in colour can range from deep purplish-red to intoxicating bluish-green.
As the second birthstone for June, the luxurious pearl is associated with wisdom and has long been a customary gift of femininity and birth – a true sign that spring has arrived! It is also a time of year when foresight is essential at Gordons Gold Jewellers. This is the point where trends and sought-after colours are set in motion, and by design are ordered for trend-ready clients and Christmas displays. It seems unusual to be enjoying lovely spring weather, while also thinking of and preparing for our clients’ gift-giving needs in December.
Additionally, the spring finds Duane putting thought into what to give at Christmas from his kitchen. Every year, he plants a small garden to nurture through the spring and summer months, consisting of various basil plants, like pepper basil, purple basil, lemon basil, sweet basil and sage, along with other herbs, and his choice selections of peppers and jalapenos. Each spring, this measure of effort goes into foodie gifts for his family.
Planting now, Duane knows just what he will be preparing at harvest. His hot sauce and dried rub are processed as a labour of love and thoughtfulness. Duane also visits farm roadside markets to supplement his small garden’s yields, as we have a growing family of rabbits that enjoy nibbling in our garden each year. Thus, I remind Duane to plant enough for us, and the rabbits too!
After daily nurturing, weeding and watering his small patch of green, Duane is fully invested in the fruits of his labour, and his resulting hot sauce and dry rubs are favourite family treats.
Planning is essential – enabling Duane to harvest and clean every hot and sweet pepper, before gently placing them overnight in his smoker over wood chips of choice blends of mesquite, hickory, apple and cherry woods. After a length of time to reach the desired appeal, these smoked peppers are blended with ciders and vinegars to evolve, and then strained making use of every component. The highly-sought-after “liquid heat” is strained and bottled as Duane’s hot sauce, while the valued solids are meticulously dried, ground to a fine powder and sieved to use neat or added to Duane’s dry rub.
Duane’s attentiveness to his garden, as well as his goldsmith bench, is incredibly prolific. This same attentiveness is shared by all dedicated Gordons team members who take great care in preparing for your gift-giving all year through!
To discover some of this month’s exciting items of jewellery, and see what’s new from Duane’s Kitchen, visit our website and blog at www.gordonsgold.ca.
Below this article is a mouth watering dessert to kick start your summer, something sweet from all of us here at Gordons Gold, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did !
FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE TORTE
FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE TORTE
Ingredients
12 oz. chopped bittersweet chocolate
1 cup of heavy cream
½ cup of butter
4 large eggs
¾ cup of sugar
1 ½ oz. of strong coffee
1 tsp. vanilla
Preheat oven to 225 F. Spray an 8 inch spring form pan with cooking spray and line the side and bottom with parchment paper and cover the outside with foil. Put chopped chocolate, butter, cream, and coffee in double boiler at medium heat. Slowly whisk together once the chocolate and butter is melted. When this is all blended together remove from heat and allow to cool. In a mixing bowl combine eggs, sugar and vanilla and beat until it almost doubles in volume. Slowly fold egg mix in cooled chocolate mix, 1/3 at a time until fully blended making sure it stays airy. Pour into spring form pan and place in the center of the oven for 2 ½ to 3 hours, test with a tooth pick to check that it’s done. Let cool at room temperature for 1 hour and refrigerate for 3 or 4 hours before serving.
Garnishes
Raspberry coulee and whipped cream
1 package of fresh or frozen raspberries that have been thawed out, pour into a blender with a ¼ cup of sugar and puree, pour through a fine sieve to remove seeds transfer to a bottle and chill.
Gemological Institute Of America | All About Gemstones. (n.d.). Retrieved May 29, 2017, from https://www.gia.edu/
May’s birthstone is EMERALD! Which is a bluish green to green variety of beryl, a mineral species that includes aquamarine.
Emerald 4.42ctw set with 2.15 ctw Diamond 18k white gold bracelet by Gregg Ruth.
DID YOU KNOW:
–Ireland is the Emerald Isle.
–Seattle in the US State of Washington, is the Emerald city.
–The colour green is known to relieve stress and eye strain.
EMERALD: The first known emerald mines were in Egypt, dating from at least 330 BC into the 1700s. Gem experts differ on the degree of green that makes one stone an emerald and another stone a less-expensive green beryl. Some people in the trade tend to give the name “emerald” to any green beryl coloured by chromium.
But to most gemologists, gemological laboratories, and coloured stone dealers, it is more correct to call a stone green beryl when its colour is “too light” for it to be classified as emerald. Even among that group, however, there’s a difference of opinion about what’s considered “too light.” At Gordon’s Gold we are are a part of The American Gem Society and we only consider an exact degree of green to truly be an Emerald. We have breathtaking stones from Emeralds to Alexandrites, we have something for everyone.
Visit: Gemological Institute of America Inc. for more information.
“Gemological Institute Of America | All About Gemstones.” GIA. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2017.
