Artistic Jewelry Design is owned and operated by Boris Kolodny, MA, Gemologist, and Fellow of the Canadian Gemological Association. Boris has been involved in jewelry design and manufacture for over 40 years, and has intimate knowledge of gems and gem materials acquired over many years of hands-on experience. Boris apprenticed with such prestigious jewelry designers as Nicky Senater and Bill Hedwig.

As an accomplished gem cutter and designer, to date Boris has published 8 unique gem cut designs. His gem cut, CLOSE TO PERFECTION, was chosen as one of 12 best in the world in 1993.

  All stages of jewelry and gem design, manufacture, gem cutting and stone setting are done on our premises. Model making in wax, gold or silver is an integral part of the manufacturing process, and is done in house. Our work is done in accordance with the highest European standards.

Inspiration for our work comes from a variety of sources. Valery Varemzaiden, who was an avant-garde sculptor and jeweler in Israel, was a great influence. Valery apprenticed with the famous Israeli sculptor Igael Tamarkin, who recently received an Order of Israel. Boris was fascinated watching Valery's creative process as he showed him how he made jewelry. Bill Helwig — the master of the Grisaille method of enameling, an accomplished jeweler, and a prolific writer on the subject of enameling — was Boris's mentor at the State University of Buffalo. 

For his gem cutting skills, Boris is grateful to his first teacher, Don Goodger. Don was one of the presidents of the Canadian Gemological Association and North York Faceting Guild and an accomplished gem cutter, educator, as well as a wonderful human being. He was always there to answer all of Boris's questions, and his knowledge is legendary. Thank you Don!

Many artists have continued to inspire our work throughout the years, including Benvenuto Cellini, Peter Carl Fabergé, René Lalique and various other Art Nouveau jewelers.

All the photographs of gems and jewelry on this website are unaltered. With every gemstone, great care is taken to provide the most accurate description concerning its color, inclusions or defects, and, when available, its origin.