Gail Stefanek is a Canadian gemstone carver whose work explores the subtle relationship between raw natural materials and sculptural form. Born on Vancouver Island, she grew up surrounded by the rugged coastline, forests, and mineral-rich landscapes of British Columbia—an environment that later became central to her artistic sensibilities. For over twenty years she has carved gemstones into unique wearable pieces, refining a practice that bridges craftsmanship, intuition, and material-led design.

Her introduction to carving began through a friendship with well-known gemstone carver Thomas McPhee, whose mentorship helped shape her early approach. McPhee’s influence encouraged Stefanek to honour the inherent qualities of the materials she works with: the contours, fractures, transparency, inclusions, and subtle structures embedded within each crystal. Rather than forcing a stone into a predetermined shape, she allows the natural form to guide the design. In this way, every carving becomes a dialogue between artist and material.

Stefanek’s artistic process is quiet and meticulous. She begins by observing the stone’s geometry, colour shifts, and internal features, envisioning how light will travel across carved surfaces. Working slowly with grinding tools, abrasives, hand-finishing techniques, and polishing stages, she reveals patterns and shapes already present within the crystal. Her pieces are designed to be worn, but they retain the quality of small sculptures—objects to be held, turned, and appreciated from all angles.

In addition to stone, Stefanek works extensively with Precious Metal Clay (PMC), a material she finds uniquely suited to forming fluid, seamless shapes. PMC allows her to develop metal components that echo the curves of her carvings, binding gemstone and metal into a unified form. The resulting pieces often feel organic and contemporary at once—minimal, elegant, and deeply connected to the stones that inspired them.

Over the decades, her work has been collected by those who appreciate gemstone artistry, handcrafted jewelry, and the quiet sophistication of sculptural adornment. Though understated in presence and deeply rooted in craft, Stefanek’s work contributes to a long tradition of West Coast artists whose practices grow directly out of the land they inhabit.

Today, she continues carving from her studio in British Columbia, shaping each stone into a piece that respects its origins and reveals its character. For Stefanek, gemstone carving is less about imposing form and more about listening—letting the crystal determine its own final expression.

“The natural shape of each crystal guides my carving. I begin by studying the stone—its contours, colour, texture—and let those qualities determine the form. Precious Metal Clay allows me to create fluid, seamless settings that complement rather than dominate the gemstone. My goal is to enhance what is already beautiful and let the material speak for itself.”

Training & Mentorship

• Mentorship and early inspiration from gemstone artist Thomas McPhee
  
• Over twenty years of practice working with gemstone carving and Precious Metal Clay
  

Collections

• Private collections throughout British Columbia and Canada