- Story by Sean McIntyre

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication

Asked about his pastimes, Brad Leith speaks of hobbies in quotation marks. It91裸聊视频檚 inevitable, really, for someone who logs about 75,000 kilometres of air miles annually.

91裸聊视频淢y 91裸聊视频榟obbies91裸聊视频� are associated with my day job,91裸聊视频� says Brad, the designer at Duncan91裸聊视频檚 Impeccable Jewellery. 91裸聊视频淭he process of our unique creations requires me to travel substantially and allows me to see locations most 91裸聊视频榯ourists91裸聊视频� would never venture to.91裸聊视频�

Whereas many people preserve souvenirs from distant and exotic locales on shelves or walls in their homes, Bard91裸聊视频檚 treasures are displayed at Impeccable Jewellery91裸聊视频檚 downtown Duncan showroom. Step into the quaint Craig Street boutique to behold 70-million-year-old fossils or shards of volcanic rock that spewed through space following an eruption on the moon. In one display case are the remnants of a meteorite that collided into Eastern Europe nearly 15 million years ago. The emerald green rock was discovered in Bohemia (modern day Czech Republic) during the mid 18th century and has since become a valued stone among jewellery makers because of its distinctive translucence.

Brad91裸聊视频檚 specimens are artfully arranged into eye-catching pendants, breathtaking necklaces and beautifully subtle earnings.

Nearby is a find Brad discovered during a tour of European auction houses. Roman glass was commonly used for ceremonial and decorative purposes across much of Europe in ancient times. When Brad happened upon a lot that included intact pieces and an assortment of broken artifacts, he couldn91裸聊视频檛 resist placing a bid. He won, and the result is an historic treasure repurposed as stylishly modern accessories that conjure the earliest days of civilization.

91裸聊视频淢y concept is that there aren91裸聊视频檛 many items that can91裸聊视频檛 be made into incredible and impeccable jewellery, and I find these items wherever I travel,91裸聊视频� he says.

Some discoveries emerge from extensive research, others are the product of chance. With time to spare between trade shows in Hong Kong and Bangkok, Brad once headed for Cambodia91裸聊视频檚 Angkor Wat, one of the world91裸聊视频檚 largest religious monuments. While travelling to his destination through northeastern Thailand, he found himself with a long wait for his next bus in a dusty and congested border town. He headed to a nearby beach, where he met an awe-inspiring sight.

91裸聊视频淚 was literally the only person on that beach,91裸聊视频� he recalls. 91裸聊视频淚 walked its entire length, and the shells that I was pulling off the beach were magnificent. I91裸聊视频檝e never seen shells in such abundance that were so magnificently beautiful.91裸聊视频�

Each of the shells contained a distinct collection of naturally formed crystals unlike anything he91裸聊视频檇 seen before.

After Brad crossed into Cambodia and toured the sprawling temple complex at Angkor Wat, he found even more glorious artifacts to behold. It91裸聊视频檚 in places such as this, he says, amid timeless ruins and inspiring early architecture, that creativity emerges.

91裸聊视频淲hen I see these monuments of civilization, they give me the inspiration to fuel our design approach,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淎s a designer, you change as you have that emotional feeling.91裸聊视频�

Brad hasn91裸聊视频檛 always been an avid treasure hunter and globetrotting gem finder, but the Southern Ontario native has been travelling for much of his professional life. Prior to pursuing his creative tendencies, he worked as a jewellery wholesaler. He91裸聊视频檇 travel across the country, from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland and back, twice a year, selling products to 300 stores.

Much of his time was spent supplying jewellers with a consistent and predictable product. While the quality was certainly consistent, Brad found little excitement in the homogeneity of the products he supplied. Electing to taking the giant leap into jewellery design about 20 years ago, he hasn91裸聊视频檛 looked back.

With a fondness for Impressionism, Brad is drawn to subtle variations in colour. In a sense, every stone he selects will speak to him through its distinctive hue. His task is to work with the stone91裸聊视频檚 innate expression as he strives to create a masterpiece unlike any he has made before.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e always tried to make the stone the star,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淚 think that when you make the designer the star, you often get something that no one would wear. To me, what we design is wearable art. For us, to see the faces of people when we finish or recondition a product is what it91裸聊视频檚 all about. It91裸聊视频檚 always a thrill for me.91裸聊视频�

The shop in downtown Duncan has become the crowning achievement in a journey to make pieces that marry unique stones, inspired design and a craftsman91裸聊视频檚 eye for quality.

91裸聊视频淲e design every piece, we pick every stone, import it and sell it. Lots of people do one of these or maybe even two, but very few do the whole process,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淲e do just about everything, and we do things that are different. We distinguish it from mass-produced product and get the opportunity to achieve some really interesting results.91裸聊视频�

Brad91裸聊视频檚 design work is complemented by custom projects for clients in addition to restoration and repair services undertaken at the downtown location, where Impeccable Jewellery has grown to become a familiar landmark in a vibrant downtown core that values friendliness and service.

Brad says he91裸聊视频檚 thrilled to be part of downtown Duncan91裸聊视频檚 remarkable resurgence as a prime shopping destination. In a competitive marketplace, where small-town downtowns are in a constant battle with generic big box stores, Leith says, a personal touch and attention to detail is what has helped Duncan91裸聊视频檚 downtown thrive.

91裸聊视频淵ou have to get off the highway to get here, and I think that91裸聊视频檚 why this downtown has preserved a little of the old feeling,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淭his is the best downtown business association that I91裸聊视频檝e ever been involved with. They work very hard at making the downtown successful. I think it91裸聊视频檚 a testament to them and a testament to the merchants that are down here. We all have the same mentality 91裸聊视频� we emphasize service over anything else.91裸聊视频�

You can see more about Brad and .