About the Artist
What is Slate Jewelry?
It is a balance between refined and bold. Introvert and extrovert. Beauty and imperfection. Christine handcrafts metalwork pieces of wearable art that strike a balance between classic minimalism and luxurious details. Outside of the usual jewelry categories of “fine” or “fashion,” Christine’s work stands on its own, giving voice to her organic “modern relic” design style. Influenced by movement and texture, history and surrealism, her work blends modern lines with a sense of found objects.
Christine Rio is a Canadian designer, with over 12 years experience crafting jewelry in her home studio in Victoria, BC. She is the founder and metalsmith behind her contemporary jewelry brand, Slate Jewelry, officially launched in 2016 at Vancouver Fashion Week.
She has participated in several international art jewelry exhibitions including Artistar Jewels, Milan Jewelry Week, Automaton 20.21, and Romanian Jewelry Week.
Christine holds a degree in Classical Studies, with a focus on Greek and Roman history, from the University of British Columbia. While mostly self-taught, she has pursued additional courses from the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco, along with classes led by noted local jewelry makers.
International Exhibitions:
Cluster Contemporary Art Jewellery, London UK 2024
Milan Jewelry Week, Italy 2022
Romanian Jewelry Week, 2022
Artistar Jewels, Milan Italy 2019
Milan Design Week, Italy 2019
Professional Memberships:
SNAG: Society of North American Goldsmiths https://www.snagmetalsmith.org/
VMAA: Vancouver Metal Arts Association https://vancouvermetalarts.com/
Press
InStore Magazine, May 2021 Volume 20 Issue 5, “Sway” earrings
Tatler's Magazine - April, May, June 2019
Tatler's Treasure Hunt
April: SPECT earrings
May: Hydra collar
June: Pandora earrings
Trends Magazine
July - December 2018
"Timeless Accessories" by Sarah Murray
Switch Magazine, Dec. 14, 2016
"Slate creations Jewelry doesn't follow all the rules and dogmas of "sacred art Goldsmith ', but one thing for sure: each piece is unique and beautiful in its kind,"
The Advice Sisters, Dec. 4, 2016
"each is truly a beautiful original"
Elle Canada, September 2016
"the pieces have an intriguing, rough-around-the-edges quality."
Populist, September 2016
"Unlike anything you’ve seen (with their rough-around-the-edges appeal) these pieces speak for themselves and definitely are a cause for conversation."
CTV Morning Live, March 2016
Host Keri Adams tries on "Torn" on CTV Morning Live .