Our Story
Designers Findings was created by Viola So who has been designing and making jewelry in Toronto since 1993. As a jeweler, Viola understood the frustration that came with not being able to find high quality gemstones for making distinctive jewelry. Reflecting on this, Viola decided to travel overseas to gemstone sources and hand-pick the stones that she would use in her jewelry.
Viola ventured to Tucson, the biggest gem market in the world, and brought back beautiful amethyst, labradorite and turquoise beads. She then traveled to southern China and visited the pearl farms there. Viola made contact with pearl farmers and was offered high quality fresh water pearls at excellent prices. Other designers found out about the pearls and gemstone beads Viola had collected, and they started buying from her.
Viola was delighted to sell her stone collections to other renowned jewelers because she believed the jewelry industry in Canada as a whole could grow much bigger than what it was if everybody worked together in an open-minded fashion. Viola began exhibiting her stone collection alongside her jewelry at wholesale trade shows. As the reputation of the company spread and the demand for her gemstone collection grew, a wholesale showroom was opened in downtown Toronto in August 2003. Today Viola travels regularly overseas on buying trips and new gemstones are added to the showroom every month. The product group carried in the store has also expanded to include hand carved jadeite pendants; precious stone beads; semi-precious stone beads; faceted semi-precious set stones; fresh water pearls; silver findings; heavy gold plate findings; jewelery making tools; as well as the beloved gemstone crystal specimens.
Designers Findings is very pleased to utilize the Internet to share its passion about gemstones and jewelry making with the public. If there are particular types of gemstones that interest you, please let us know so that we can incorporate your needs into our upcoming buying trips. Please drop us a line with your comments, or better still, register with us so that we can notify you of the latest additions to our inventory.
At Designers Finding, we are dedicated to
Finding Quality Gemstones for the Discerning Designer!
Testimonials
Hi Viola and Tracy. I would like you both to know that I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Designers Findings. Tracy has always been a great help to me and is always friendly, knowledgeable and ready to assist in any way. I have found the service to be wonderful, and easy. I have never had any problems ordering on line or in person. Your products are of the highest quality and there is a very wide variety to choose from. Continued success.
From Cleo Ferraro of Artisan Designs By Cleo on May 18, 2010
You have unusual stones with reasonable to excellent quality.
From Tina Osborne on 14 July 2010
Over the years of shopping at Designers Findings, I have found the service to always be dependable, pleasant and open. The employees at Designers Findings genuinely care about their customers, provide strong attention to detail, and are always willing to listen to our company needs and do custom orders. The knowledgeable staff, vast selection of outstanding products, fine quality gemstones, organized showroom and fair prices make it easy for a designer to have a stress-free shopping experience. I was overwhelmed with the quality and outstanding workmanship of every item purchased. The website is easy to navigate and I am always being kept up to date on new inventory arrivals. Thank you again for all of your support and dedication as well as your all around excellence and impeccable customer service. I would strongly recommend Designers Findings to my colleagues and other bead enthusiasts.
From JET. Designs
January 10, 2011
I received my order and all I can say is: Thank You! Those clasps will add a nice finishing touch to my jewellery. Thanks to you for offering something different in Canada and at good price!
From Marie-Dominique Podrez
October 18, 2011