NEWS

Cindy Johnson will be at the annual Gift Giving Show at Old Fort Henry on December 4th (5-9pm) and the 5th & 6th (10am-5pm) this year. Admission is only $5.00 and gives you access to all sorts of great gift ideas! Visit The Gift Giving Show for more details .

55Plus Spotlight

Limited Edition Pewter Christmas Ornament at Renaissance Fine Jewellery
It's something extra special that people give with joy, send all over the world and collect each yuletide season. Renaissance Fine Jewellery has unveiled its 2005 limited edition pewter Christmas ornament.

The second in the Renaissance line by goldsmith Cindy Johnson, the annual ornament continues the tradition started by Kinnear d'Esterre Jewellers nearly 30 years ago. A talented designer, Cindy created Kinnear d'Esterre's last six holiday ornaments and collectors eagerly anticipate the one-of-a-kind Christmas treasure she creates as owner of Renaissance Fine Jewellery.

This year's unique collectable is of a polar bear sitting on an iceberg looking up at the starry night. Cindy herself designed and hand carved the master model.

Engravable, it comes boxed and wrapped for $17, taxes included. Perfect as a hostess gift or a secret Santa present, it's just the right gift to let someone know you're thinking of them.

Renaissance Fine Jewellery also offers custom design services. Customers seek out Cindy to craft one-of-a-kind pieces from gold, platinum, silver and an array of gemstones.

Additional services include repairs, estate restorations as well as appraisals by former 30-year Kinnear d'Esterre gemologist Florence Kimberley.

Renaissance Fine Jewellery is open Wednesday-Friday, 9 am to 3 pm or by appointment. It's located on the main level of LaSalle Mews in downtown Kingston. 766-1418

55Plus Press Release

Today's most trusted custom jeweller in Kingston
Customers trust Renaissance Fine Jewellery to craft their heart's desire from gold, platinum, silver and an unimaginable array of gemstones.

Cindy Johnson, Renaissance's talented owner, earned her reputation for distinctive jewellery design while working as Kinnear d'Esterre Jewellers; sole goldsmith. For six years, Cindy safeguarded Kinnear d'Esterre's status as Kingston's most trusted custom jeweller. When the owners of the Kingston landmark announced they would be closing after nearly 100 years, customers pleaded with Cindy to continue her exceptional work.

She has not let them down. In July of 2004, Renaissance Fine Jewellery opened its doors at the LaSalle Mews in downtown Kingston.

The tradition of excellence, quality and exceptional customer service continues.

Kinnear d'Esterre tradition of excellence, quality and service lives on,
"I'm the owner, I'm the goldsmith; the person who does the designing and restorations. When you come in, you're consulting with the person who's doing the work."

Elsewhere, that's usually not the case. “In many cases, you’re talking with a salesperson who doesn’t know anything about the work,” Cindy points out. “At most places, your jewels actually leave Kingston” for repair.

“Regardless of dollar value, many pieces are irreplaceable in terms of sentimental value,” she adds. When you come to Renaissance Fine Jewellery, you know your cherished pieces are in safe, expert, talented hands.

Cindy sits with customers to get a thorough understanding of their vision and then creates a formal design from the notes and thumbnail drawings. From sketch to finished creation, she uses modern equipment to enhance the traditional handcrafting techniques.

Bridal Bracelet is a unique, cherished heirloom
Her signature creation is the Bridal Bracelet. This beautiful heirloom includes something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Each one is handmade in 14-karat white or yellow gold and set with a beautiful sapphire in the center. It can easily be transformed into a child’s ID bracelet, using its engravable plate, and passed on to the first child and each subsequent child as a family treasure.

In addition to the custom creation of one-of-a-kind pieces, Cindy is acclaimed for her expert repair and restoration of antique jewellery.

Services include repairs, estate restorations and custom designed pieces as well as appraisals by former 30-year Kinnear d'Esterre employee, Florence Kimberley.

Come in to Renaissance Fine Jewellery, at LaSalle Mews, today. (613) 766-1418 .

Press Release

Kinnear d'Esterre Jewellers is gone, but their tools, skills, andexpertise live on in the capable hands of their former employees. Florence Kimberley (Graduate Gemologist) and Cindy Johnson (Designer \Goldsmith) announce the opening of their own separate business's Kimberley Jewellery Appraisal and Renaissance Fine Jewellery.

Florence Kimberley has announced that after thirty years with Kinnear d'Esterre will offer her services to the public, insurance companies, lawyers, auctioneers, independent jewellery stores, and goldsmiths as an independent appraiser. Florence has received diplomas from the Gemological Institute of America in diamond grading, coloured stones, and gem identification. While working for Kinnear d'Esterre she continued her education with the American Gem Society and achieved the title of Certified Gemologist Appraiser, the highest designation in the jewellery industry. Kimberley Jewellery Appraisal operates locally and possesses a completely portable gem lab making it possible for Florence to work, by appointment, at a clients home, office or store, eliminating the risk and expense of shipping jewellery.

Cindy Johnson, former Kinnear d'Esterre goldsmith of six years, has received a Fine Arts diploma from St Lawrence College and graduated from Georgian College's Jewellery/Metal Technology with honours. She has also gone on to study Advanced Gem Setting at the Gemological Institute of America. With twelve years experience in designing and fabricating jewellery Cindy's new store, Renaissance Fine Jewellery, will offer expert services in jewellery repair, restoration and custom design. Cindy also plans to keep Kinnear d'Esterre's twenty-six year Christmas tradition alive by annually releasing a fine pewter ornament. In the near future she hopes to hold one day clinics in which she will generate modern custom designs using the gemstones from client's existing jewellery.

Renaissance Fine Jewellery and Kimberley Jewellery Appraisal are now open in Downtown Kingston at:

303 Bagot Street (in the LaSalle Mews)
Suite 5B
Kingston, Ontario.

To contact Cindy Johnson or Florence Kimberley please call: 766-1418 .