Jewelry that lives with you

I’m Nancy, and I make jewelry you reach for without thinking. Pieces you put on in the morning and forget about, until someone asks about them. Hand-knotted pearls and sterling silver, made to be worn often, stacked freely, and lived in.

I’ve worked in fine jewelry for over 30 years. I learned by watching, listening, and doing, the old way. Over time, I became the person people trusted with their heirloom pearls, restringing pieces passed down through generations. I stepped away for a while to explore other paths, but I always found my way back to the bench.

And back to pearls.

Pearls have always meant something to me. They are my birthstone and my first love, but it goes deeper than that. They begin as a tiny irritant, and over time become something beautiful. I love the way they feel against my skin, their soft glow, their imperfect shapes. No two are ever the same, and that is exactly the point.

Each piece is made by hand in my home studio in Ontario’s wine country, atop the Niagara Escarpment, using 925 silver from Italy and materials from Canadian suppliers I trust. Nothing mass produced. Nothing overdone. Just honest materials and thoughtful work.

I make stackable pearl, gemstone, and silver bead bracelets and hand-stamped charms called Love Drops. Pieces that hold initials, names, dates, and small moments you want to keep close.

Jewelry that becomes part of your everyday, and over time, part of your story.

Made to be worn, loved, and one day passed on.

JEWELLERY CARE

I believe jewellery is meant to be worn every day, not saved for someday. My pieces are designed to be lived in, stacked, and cherished. A little care goes a long way in keeping them beautiful for years to come.

EVERYDAY CARE

Pearls: Pearls are organic gems that warm to your skin and develop character over time. They're surprisingly durable, but they do need a little love.

• ✅ Wear them often. Pearls actually benefit from the natural oils in your skin—they keep the pearls lustrous and prevent them from drying out.
• ✅ Put them on last. After your makeup, perfume, hairspray, and lotion. Pearls are sensitive to chemicals and acids, so let everything else dry first.
• ✅ Wipe them down after wearing. Use a soft, damp cloth to gently remove any oils, sweat, or residue. This keeps them glowing.
• ❌ Don't wear them in water. Remove your pearl jewellery before swimming, showering, or doing dishes. Water weakens the thread over time and can damage the pearls.
• ❌ Avoid harsh chemicals. Perfume, hairspray, lotions, and cleaning products can dull the lustre of pearls. Put your jewellery on last, take it off first.

Sterling Silver: Sterling silver develops a beautiful patina over time—a mark of being worn and loved. Some people prefer the aged look; others like to keep it bright and polished. Both are beautiful.

• ✅ Wear it often. The natural oils in your skin actually help prevent tarnish. The more you wear your silver, the better it looks.
• ✅ Store it properly. Keep your silver jewellery in a cool, dry place (like the muslin bag it came in). Air and moisture cause tarnish, so storing it in an airtight bag or container helps slow the process.
• ❌ Don't wear it in water. Remove your silver jewellery before swimming, showering, or exercising. Chlorine, salt water, and sweat can accelerate tarnish.
• ❌ Avoid harsh chemicals. Remove your jewellery before cleaning, gardening, or using beauty products.

CLEANING YOUR JEWELLERY

For Pearls:

• Use a soft, damp cloth to gently wipe down your pearls after each wear.
• If they need a deeper clean, use lukewarm water and a tiny drop of mild soap (like baby shampoo or dish soap). Gently wipe each pearl, then rinse with clean water and pat dry with a soft cloth.
• Never soak pearl jewellery. Water can weaken the thread and damage the pearls.
• Never use ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, or harsh chemicals. Pearls are delicate and can be damaged by aggressive cleaning methods.

For Sterling Silver:

• Use a the jewellery polishing cloth included in your package to gently buff away tarnish. This is the easiest, safest method. Do not use silver dip on pearl jewellery.

If you have any concerns, worries, or questions about how to clean your jewellery, send me a message at hello@thepearlbench.com and we can have a chat.

STORING YOUR JEWELLERY

Pearls:

• Store your pearls flat (not hanging) in a soft pouch or lined jewellery box. Hanging them can stretch the thread over time.
• Keep them away from other jewellery to avoid scratches. Pearls are softer than most gemstones and metals, so they can be scratched by harder materials.
• Never store pearls in airtight containers or plastic bags for long periods. Pearls need a little moisture to stay lustrous. If they dry out, they can crack.

Sterling Silver:

• Store your silver in a cool, dry place, ideally in the muslin bag it came in or an airtight container with an anti-tarnish strip.
• Keep silver away from moisture and air to slow tarnish.
• If you're storing multiple pieces, keep them separated (in individual pouches or compartments) to avoid scratches.

WHEN TO REMOVE YOUR JEWELLERY

I design my pieces to be worn every day, but there are a few times when you should take them off:

❌ Before swimming (chlorine and salt water damage pearls and accelerate silver tarnish)
❌ Before showering or bathing (water weakens thread and can damage pearls)
❌ Before exercising (sweat accelerates tarnish and can weaken thread)
❌ Before applying lotions, perfumes, or hairspray (chemicals dull pearls and tarnish silver)
❌ Before cleaning, gardening, or doing dishes (harsh chemicals and abrasives can damage your jewellery)
❌ Before bed (gives your jewellery a rest and prevents tangling or breakage)

The rule of thumb: Put your jewellery on last, take it off first.

RESTRINGING & REPAIRS

At some point, your hand-knotted bracelets will need to be restrung. I will supply the pearl silk and labour free of charge for the lifetime of the piece, as long as the bracelet was purchased from The Pearl Bench.

You're responsible for:

• Shipping both ways
• Replacement of any missing parts (charms, beads, clasps, etc.)
• Any repairs beyond normal wear and tear (e.g., damage from chemicals, water, or improper care)

What "normal wear and tear" means: Pearl silk naturally weakens over time with regular wear. I'll restring your bracelet free of charge if the thread breaks or stretches due to normal use. However, if the bracelet is damaged due to improper care (exposure to water, chemicals, perfume, etc.) or physical damage (crushed, pulled apart, etc.), repair costs may apply.

Why I offer this: Hand-knotted pearl jewellery is meant to last for generations, but the thread will eventually wear. I want your pieces to be heirloom-quality, so I'll restring them for you-no charge for labour or pearl silk, ever.

📧 Please contact me at hello@thepearlbench.com for further instructions.

A NOTE ON PATINA & CHARACTER

Sterling silver naturally tarnishes over time. Some people love the aged, vintage look; others prefer bright, polished silver. Both are beautiful.

If you like the patina, leave it. If you prefer it polished, use a the jewellery cloth include with your purchase to bring back the shine. There's no right or wrong, it's your jewellery, and it should look the way you want it to.

Pearls also develop character over time. They may develop tiny surface marks, slight colour shifts, or a deeper lustre. This is normal and part of what makes pearls so special. No two pearls are ever the same, and they only get more beautiful with age.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any concerns, worries, or questions about how to care for your jewellery, send me a message at hello@thepearlbench.com and we can have a chat.

I'm here to help your pieces last for years, and even generations. 

STERLING SILVER

Silver that's 92.5% pure. The remaining 7.5% is typically copper (though the composition can vary), which makes the silver strong enough for everyday wear. Sterling silver is also known as 925 silver. In Canada, it is not mandatory that sterling silver be stamped with a hallmark or silver stamp. While many pieces are hallmarked (especially imported silver), unstamped silver can still be genuine 925 sterling. I source all my sterling silver from trusted Canadian suppliers and guarantee that every piece is real,  925 Italian sterling silver.

Why it matters: I use 925 Italian sterling silver in all my work because it's durable, hypoallergenic, and develops a beautiful patina over time. It's real silver, sourced from trusted Canadian suppliers.

GEMSTONE BEADS

All gemstone beads are purchased through reputable gem dealers in Canada and India and are graded AA or AAA (the highest quality available). Variation in colour, size, and natural inclusions are to be expected - and are part of the beauty of natural stones.

Why it matters: No two gemstones are exactly alike. The inclusions, colour shifts, and unique characteristics are what make your piece one-of-a-kind.

HAND STAMPING

The process of hitting a metal letter or design stamp with a hammer so that it leaves an impression on sterling silver. I create all hand-stamped jewelry by hand - no stamping or engraving machine is involved - so there will always be variation in alignment and spacing.

Why it matters: The beauty of this process is that each piece is as unique as its wearer. Slight imperfections are the mark of handmade work, not flaws.

BAROQUE PEARLS

Pearls with an irregular, non-spherical shape. Shapes can range from slightly ovoid to distinctly curved, pinched, or lumpy.

Why it matters: Baroque pearls are prized for their individuality. No two are exactly alike, which makes them perfect for jewellery that feels personal and one-of-a-kind.

KESHI PEARLS

Often referred to as "happy accidents" in the pearl world. Keshi pearls are formed when an oyster rejects and spits out the implanted nucleus intended to form a cultured or freshwater pearl. Despite the lack of a nucleus, the oyster continues to deposit nacre, resulting in a keshi pearl.

Unlike most cultured pearls (which have a bead nucleus), keshi pearls are composed entirely of nacre. This gives them exceptional lustre and a unique, radiant glow. They're known for their distinctive, irregular shapes and can be found in a variety of colours - white, cream, grey, and even more exotic hues like blue, green, and gold.

Why it matters: Since keshi pearls are not nucleated, they're considered more natural than other cultured pearls. They're also lighter (no heavy nucleus), making them comfortable to wear. Each keshi pearl is truly one-of-a-kind.

FRESHWATER PEARLS

Pearls cultivated in freshwater mussels (rather than saltwater oysters). Freshwater pearls are known for their soft lustre, natural colour variations, and affordability compared to saltwater pearls. They come in a wide range of shapes (round, oval, button, baroque) and colours (white, cream, pink, lavender, grey, peacock).

Why it matters: Freshwater pearls are durable, beautiful, and meant to be worn every day. I hand-select every pearl for its lustre, shape, and colour.

RONDELLE

Refers to the shape of the bead. A rondelle bead is disc- or donut-shaped and wider than it is tall.

Why it matters: Rondelle beads add texture and rhythm to a bracelet design. They catch the light differently than round beads, creating visual interest.

CHATOYANCE

An optical phenomenon in which a band of reflected light (known as a "cat's-eye") moves just beneath the surface of a gemstone.

Why it matters: Gemstones with chatoyance (like tiger's eye, moonstone, and some sapphires) have a mesmerizing, shifting glow that changes as you move.

LABRADORESCENCE

The iridescent property of labradorite, caused by light diffracting off closely spaced layers of calcium- and sodium-rich feldspar. As the stone is turned, flashes of blue, green, yellow, and red are visible across properly oriented surfaces.

Why it matters: Labradorite is known for its "flash" - the sudden burst of colour that appears when light hits it just right. No two pieces flash the same way.

FRENCH WIRE (BULLION)

A tightly coiled, flexible wire used to finish the ends of pearl strands where they attach to the clasp. French wire protects the thread at the most vulnerable point (the loop through the clasp) and creates a refined, nearly invisible finish.

Why it matters: French wire is the gold standard for heirloom-quality pearl jewellery. It's a traditional technique I learned over 30 years in the fine jewellery industry, and it's what I use on all my clasp bracelets.

HAND-KNOTTING

The process of tying a small knot between each pearl on a strand. Hand-knotting prevents pearls from rubbing against each other (which can damage their surface over time) and ensures that if the strand breaks, only one pearl is lost - not the entire bracelet.

Why it matters: Hand-knotting is a mark of quality and craftsmanship. It's time-intensive (each knot is tied by hand), but it's the right way to string pearls if you want them to last for generations.

CHARMER CLASP

A sterling silver oval clasp with a built-in loop at the top, designed for easy one-handed fastening. The loop serves as a natural grip for fastening and as the perfect attachment point for personalized love drop charms.

Why it matters: I use charmer clasps on all my clasp bracelets because they're easier to fasten, more secure, and more beautiful than traditional lobster or spring ring clasps. They're also designed to last, no elastic to stretch out or break.