OUR STORY
Opal Jewellery Studio + Gallery is a shared creative space on Gabriola Island, home to artists Taylor Haigh and Nina Turczyn. Within its walls, traditional metalsmithing meets contemporary design, and every piece is thoughtfully handcrafted with intention and artistry.
Inspired by the natural world and the cosmos, the studio’s work reflects flowing water, shifting tides, and starlit skies—translated into silver, gold, and luminous gemstones. Each creation honours the balance between organic form and refined craftsmanship.
The gallery showcases the evolving collections of both artists, offering visitors a glimpse into their distinct styles and shared dedication to beauty, quality, and meaning.
Opal is more than a workspace—it’s a reflection of collaboration, creativity, and the timeless art of jewellery making.
TAYLOR HAIGH
I’m Taylor Haigh, an artist, jeweller, and tarot creator based on Gabriola Island, BC. My journey in the arts began early—I graduated high school as the recipient of multiple art scholarships and went on to study art history, photography, and design. Coming from a creative family—an architect father and a graphic design instructor mother—art and design have always been a part of my world.
During my years in school, I also spent a decade working on the front lines with marginalized and addicted communities in Vancouver and Victoria. This work gave me a deep understanding of the importance of self-care and mental well-being, but it also took a personal toll. Through my own healing process, I found myself drawn back to art as a tool for reflection and restoration. Merging my background in the arts with my technical drafting skills, I began illustrating tarot decks that emphasize self-care and personal growth. These decks blend bold, graphic design with supportive, introspective messages, offering a practical yet meaningful approach to self-reflection.
My journey into jewellery design came as an extension of this creative exploration. Under the mentorship of Gabriola-based jeweller Nina Turczyn, I honed my skills in traditional metalsmithing, working with silver and gold to bring my visions to life. Inspired by my own artistic path, as well as the structural precision of my father’s architectural work and the bold simplicity of my mother’s graphic design, I developed a signature style that balances organic forms with refined detail. Following a period of healing from front-line traumas, I felt motivated to create a line of jewellery that was not only beautiful to look at but also felt otherworldly—pieces that evoke a sense of magic, connection, and timeless elegance.
Whether through tarot or jewellery, my work is about creating intentional objects that inspire self-reflection, empowerment, and a deeper connection to oneself. Each piece is crafted with the belief that art, in all its forms, has the power to heal, transform, and bring a little more beauty into the everyday.
Third Empress is my personal line of jewellery and is made on site at OPAL Jewellery Studio + Gallery. To see my work, click the link below.
NINA TURCZYN
My journey into jewellery began in childhood, learning at my mother’s bench. She was a goldsmith herself, and we studied and worked together in Doha, Qatar, where I first discovered the quiet discipline and joy of working with metal. At the same time, my father — an architect, photographer, and artist — gave me a deep appreciation for design, light, and structure. Growing up, my life was full of art and design, a foundation that continues to inform everything I create.
I went on to earn a degree in design and built a career as a graphic designer and illustrator, honing my eye for form, balance, and storytelling through visual language. Those years in design continue to shape the way I approach jewellery — with a sensitivity to line, proportion, and the power of an object to communicate meaning.
Over time, my path led me back to the bench. I studied stonesetting in Belgium, opened and ran my own boutique studio in Canada, and eventually became head instructor at Argentum Jewellery School in Victoria, BC. Teaching others deepened my connection to the work and reaffirmed my belief in the value of jewellery made by hand.
My pieces have been exhibited in major galleries & museums across Canada and worn by clients who value quality, story, and individuality. Now based in Xàbia, Spain, Nina Alexandra is the next chapter in my journey — a collection shaped by the places I’ve lived, the people I’ve met, and the milestones that mark a life.
Every piece is handcrafted in small batches in our studios in Spain and Canada. Inspired by art, history, and the richness of experience, each design carries the mark of the maker — intentional, imperfect, and full of character — creating a lasting connection between the work and the wearer.
This is jewellery made to travel with you. To honour where you’ve been, and to celebrate where you’re going next.