Captive Atelier

A one-woman brand made by me (Jade) from my home studio in Montréal .

I am a fine jeweller and skilled carver with over 16 years of experience creating jewellery in Montreal, Canada. Captive Atelier is named after Michelangelo Buonarroti’s Prigioni sculptures which depict figures mid-emergence from solid blocks of marble, still bearing marks of the artist’s hand, a reminder that process is inseparable from the final concept. I am driven by the belief that jewellery should be felt as deeply as it is seen, bringing to the wearer a sense of sensory grounding through weight, texture, and sentiment.

The Ruin texture has been a guiding theme throughout many collections. Rocky, jagged edges evoke landscapes or forgotten ruins, contrasted against smooth surface planes to create a harmonious balance within each piece. Primarily using the lost-wax casting process, each piece is carved by hand in my home studio, preserving the intimacy and delicacy of the object.

Alongside Captive, I work professionally within the jewellery industry and have extensive experience with gold, silver, and platinum. I take on custom commissions that align with my ethos and style, and often refashion heirlooms into contemporary, cherished everyday pieces.

I pay meticulous care and attention to each stage of making, from design and carving through to polishing to a mirror finish. To me, jewellery is primarily a sensory experience—a way of engaging with the world and, in turn, reflecting oneself into it.