Whatever you celebrate this season, the best gifts are the ones that mean something. They're chosen with a particular person in mind, they feel good to open, and they're still being worn and loved years from now.
This year's guide is built around exactly that kind of gift. We'll start with earrings, which may be the most forgiving and most loved gift in all of fine jewelry. We'll spend some time with andalusite, a gemstone with a wonderfully surprising history that deserves to be better known. And we'll finish with a collection of pieces under $2,000, because beauty shouldn't depend on the size of a budget. Along the way you'll also find a few of our favorites: a playful gold charm, a stackable diamond band, and a tribute for the people we carry with us.
Order early. The garnet earrings ship in 1-3 business days. The huggies, teddy bear charm, cremation bracelet and andalusite pieces are made to order in 1-3 weeks, depending on the piece. Place your order soon to have it in hand for the season, and write to us at info@fineandflux.com for timing on anything else.
Why earrings are the easy yes
A ring can be a wonderful gift, and we make plenty of them. But a ring asks a few questions before it's even wrapped. What size is she? Which finger? Does it mean something you didn't intend? Even the most thoughtful giver can end up second-guessing, and a ring that doesn't fit has to wait for a resizing before it can be worn.
Earrings skip every one of those questions. There's no size to guess and no hidden message to decode. A pair that suits her style simply works, from the first time she tries them on. They sit close to the face, where they catch light and get noticed, and they're easy to wear every day or to save for something special. They're equally right for a partner, a mother, a sister, a friend or yourself, and they make just as good a gift whether you've known someone for ten months or ten years.
If you're ever unsure, a smaller, classic pair is the safest gift in the shop, and a one-of-a-kind pair is the most memorable. Here are two of each kind that we'd be happy to give.
Himalayan Garnet & Diamond Earrings
One pair. Only one.
These earrings were handcrafted by our founder, Dominique Flux, and they exist as a single pair, from her own exclusive collection. When you give them, you're giving something no one else will ever have.
The stones are what make them special. Two pear-cut Himalayan garnets, one in a light orangy-pink and the other in a softer pink, were chosen as a complementary pair rather than a perfect match. The slight difference between them is part of their charm, like two sisters who share a family resemblance. Each stone is set in a bezel, a continuous rim of gold that wraps around the gem and holds it securely, and each is framed by a sparkling halo of natural diamonds. The teardrop shape of a pear cut is flattering and a little playful, and the gold keeps it all warm and grounded.
Garnet takes its name from the Latin word for pomegranate seed, a nod to its deep, jewel-like color, and it's the birthstone of January, which makes these a natural gift for anyone born that month. And because they're ready to ship in 1-3 business days, they're the easiest piece in this guide to get under the wire.
- 1.33 ct Himalayan garnets, pear cut
- 0.2 ct natural SI1 diamonds
- Solid 14K yellow gold
- Ready to ship in 1-3 business days, free worldwide shipping
- $3,900 CAD
Diamond & Gold Huggie Earrings
Classic, comfortable, made for every day
If the garnets are the pair you give for the wow, the huggies are the pair you give for the years. A huggie is a small hoop that sits close to the earlobe, hence the name, and it's one of those rare designs that works with absolutely everything: a T-shirt, a winter coat, a wedding dress. It's the pair that goes in every morning and never needs a second thought.
Ours are set with natural diamonds, about 0.18 ct in total, and handcrafted in Montreal in solid gold. You can choose 14K, which is slightly harder wearing and perfect for everyday life, or 18K, which has a higher gold content and a richer, deeper color. Both come in yellow, white or rose gold, so you can match the metal she already wears most.
For a gift with a little more personality, the huggies can also be fitted with removable charms. We have a version with removable pearls, and you can write to us to design your own combination, so the pair can be dressed up or down depending on the day.
- About 0.18 ct natural SI1 diamonds
- Solid gold: 14K (yellow, white or rose) at $1,900, or 18K at $2,200
- Handcrafted in Montreal, free shipping worldwide
- Made to order, 1-2 weeks
- From $1,900 CAD
To customize them or add removable charms, write to info@fineandflux.com.
The Teddy Bear Charm
Playful, polished, and made to be kept
This little bear has real presence. It's cast in solid 14K gold with a sandblasted finish, and the polished stitching details catch the light against the matte surface. The heart at its center is a natural VS diamond of about 0.1 ct, or a ruby if you prefer color. The clasp is removable, so it moves easily from one chain to another and can be taken off whenever you like.
- Solid 14K yellow, rose or white gold
- 20 x 18 mm
- Made to order, 2-3 weeks
- $3,900 CAD
Want a different gemstone for the heart? Write to us at info@fineandflux.com and we'll personalize it.
The Bezel Diamond Wedding Band
Stack it, layer it, wear it alone
A semi-eternity band set with small, round natural diamonds in delicate bezels, about 0.33 ct in total. It's slim enough to stack and sparkly enough to wear on its own, and it sits comfortably beside an engagement ring. It's a lovely gift for an anniversary or a milestone, or a gift to yourself, and a particularly easy one when you already know the size.
- Solid 14K white, rose or yellow gold
- 3.2 mm wide, natural SI1 diamonds
- Sizes 4 to 10.5
- Handmade in Montreal, free shipping worldwide
- $2,500 CAD
Dreaming of a full eternity band or a different thickness? Contact us at info@fineandflux.com.
The Birthstone Cremation Bezel Bracelet
For the ones we carry with us
The holidays can be a tender time, when we feel the absence of someone as much as the joy of the people around us. This bracelet is a touchable tribute. A small solid gold bezel holds your loved one's ashes, joined by five gemstone charms in their birthstone or in diamond, all on a delicate paperclip chain. Initials or a symbol can be engraved at no extra charge.
- Sapphire in any color, diamond, emerald or ruby
- 5 gemstone charms and 1 solid gold compartment for ashes
- Adjustable chain, 6.5 to 7 inches
- Handcrafted in Montreal, free shipping worldwide
- Made to order, 2-3 weeks
- $4,000 CAD
Looking for a specific stone shape or a special combination? We love bespoke adjustments, so write to us at info@fineandflux.com.
A name with a mistaken address
Andalusite is named after Andalusia, the sun-soaked southern region of Spain. There's just one problem: that's not where it came from. When the French mineralogist Jean-Claude Delamétherie described and named the mineral in the late 1790s, he believed his specimens came from Andalusia. They had actually been found much farther north, near El Cardoso de la Sierra in the province of Guadalajara. The name was already in the scientific literature by the time anyone noticed, and it stuck. Today every andalusite carries the name of a place it wasn't born, which we find rather romantic.
A stone that shows you more than one color
What makes andalusite truly special is a property called pleochroism. In simple terms, the crystal shows different colors depending on the direction you look at it. A single andalusite can flash olive green, golden brown, orange and even a reddish tone as it moves in the light, which is why the stone has such a warm, ever-changing glow. It isn't a color-change stone in the way some gems are; the colors are all there at once, and which one steps forward depends on your angle. A skilled cutter orients the stone to bring out as much of that contrast as possible, and a setting that lets light in from different sides keeps it lively. It's a gemstone that rewards a second look.
A talisman long before it was a gem
Andalusite has an older, quieter history as a protective charm. One variety, called chiastolite, forms with dark carbon inclusions arranged in a natural cross, visible when the crystal is sliced. These stones became known as cross stones, and from the 16th and 17th centuries, pilgrims returning from Santiago de Compostela in Spain carried them home across Europe as amulets and souvenirs. The clear, faceted andalusite used in fine jewelry is a different face of the same mineral, but it shares that sense of being a stone that people have treasured and kept close for a very long time.
Beautiful, and made for wearing
Andalusite is also a practical choice. It rates up to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which makes it durable enough for rings and earrings that are worn often, and it's mined mostly in Brazil and Sri Lanka. While the mineral itself is found in many places, crystals clear enough to be cut into gems are much less common, which is part of what makes it feel like a discovery. At Fine & Flux we love to set it in petal-shaped settings that wrap the stone and show off its colors, and we're proud to have a whole collection devoted to it.
Why it makes such a good gift
Most people have never owned andalusite, and many have never even heard of it. For someone whose jewelry box already has the classics, a piece of andalusite is something genuinely new: a conversation starter, a story to tell, and a way to add a warm, unexpected color to a collection. Here are three ways to give it.
Andalusite Petal Earrings in Gold & Enamel
Delicate, detailed, and full of color
These teardrop earrings feel like a small garden. A pair of andalusite gemstones is wrapped in enameled petals, and the whole design is finished with natural diamonds and freshwater pearls. Enamel is powdered glass fused to metal at high heat, a centuries-old technique that gives color a soft, lustrous depth you can't get from stones alone. Together with the warm tones of the andalusite, the effect is rich and a little romantic, and they move beautifully when worn.
- About 0.18 ct natural SI1 diamonds, 7 x 9 mm freshwater pearls
- 14K yellow, rose or white gold
- Handcrafted in Montreal, free shipping worldwide
- Made to order, 2-3 weeks
- $2,800 CAD
Andalusite Eternity Hoop Earrings
For the one who loves a statement
These are our boldest andalusite earrings, and they're meant to be noticed. The hoops are extra chunky, lined with two-toned andalusite from end to end. Instead of the usual prongs, each stone is held in tiny petals of gold, an approach that creates a woven pattern when you see the hoops in profile. It's the kind of detail that shows how much thought goes into a Fine & Flux design. With about 6.5 carats of andalusite in total, they bring plenty of color and presence, and no one else in the room will have a pair quite like them.
- About 6.5 ct andalusite, sold as a pair
- Solid 14K yellow or rose gold
- Handcrafted in Montreal, free shipping worldwide
- Made to order, 1-3 weeks
- $3,500 CAD
The gemstone type and carat weight can be customized: write to info@fineandflux.com.
Oval Andalusite Petal Ring
Jade, bronze and rose in one stone
For the ring lover who prefers color to convention. A 2-carat oval andalusite sits in a petal setting that curves around the finger, and as it catches the light it reveals layers of jade, bronze and rose. It's a ring that looks different from one moment to the next, which is exactly the point of the stone. A free ring sizer is included, which takes the guesswork out of the size question we mentioned earlier.
- About 2 ct natural andalusite
- 14K yellow, rose or white gold, sizes 4 to 9.5
- Handmade in Montreal, free shipping worldwide
- Made to order, 2-3 weeks
- $2,500 CAD
There's more to discover in the Andalusite Petal Collection, including an eternity ring and an oval bezel ring with citrine, and every piece in it can be personalized.
We believe that fine jewelry shouldn't feel like a locked door. Fine & Flux is a women-owned business, and from the start we've wanted to make room for every kind of gift giver and every kind of budget: the student marking a graduation, the friend treating a friend, the parent buying their first meaningful piece, the person who simply wants to feel special on an ordinary Tuesday. A gift doesn't have to be expensive to be remembered. It has to be chosen with care, and it has to be beautiful.
So we've gathered some of our favorite pieces under $2,000 CAD, each one made with the same attention as everything else in our studio. There's no lesser tier here, only a different starting point. (Our diamond huggies above start at $1,900, and they belong on this list too.)
Tiny White Sapphire Studs
Small, sparkling and endlessly wearable. White sapphire belongs to the same mineral family as ruby and blue sapphire, and it's one of the hardest gemstones there is, so these studs are built for every day. A perfect first fine-jewelry gift, or the pair that finally replaces the old ones.
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Diamond Charm Bracelet in Gold
Bezel-set diamond charms on a gold chain, with the delicate, personal feel of a bracelet that's worth keeping. All of our bracelets can be personalized with charms, birthstones and engravings, so it can easily become a gift that says exactly who it's for.
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Gold & Pearl Charm Bracelet
Natural freshwater pearls and yellow gold, a timeless pairing with a soft, luminous glow. It's an elegant gift for a grandmother, a bride-to-be, a teacher, or anyone who loves classic jewelry that never goes out of style.
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Micro Pave Diamond Gold Wedding Band
A slim, stackable semi-eternity band of diamonds set in gold, lovely on its own or layered with other rings. Complimentary engraving and free shipping come with our gold rings and stackables, and if you don't know the size, we'll gladly send a ring sizer express.
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The Crown Pendant in Gold
A small gold crown set with a gemstone, shown here with a blue iolite. It's a gift for the person who deserves to be treated like royalty, and a sweet reminder to wear their own crown a little more often.
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Star Shaped Pearl Necklace Choker
Pearls and a little starlight, in a playful choker that suits a teen, a friend or a sister. It's our most accessible gift in this guide, and it's no less special for it. There's also a mother-of-pearl version starting at $350.
VIEWMaking it easier to say yes
Whatever your budget, you'll get the same warm welcome from us. If you'd like to spread out the cost, ask us about our 0% interest payment plans. If you'd like to make a piece truly personal, we can add charms, birthstones or engravings, or design something from scratch. And if you're not sure where to start, we'd be glad to help you choose, by email at info@fineandflux.com, by phone at 514-805-2293, or in a private consultation.
Shop from home, or visit us
Everything above is available to order online, with free shipping worldwide on the pieces that include it. If you'd like to see jewelry in person, or design something entirely your own, you can book a private consultation. Our showroom is open Tuesday to Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM, at 1255 Blvd Robert-Bourassa, Suite 302, Montréal, QC H3B 3J5.
Happy holidays from all of us at Fine & Flux.