I gained an appreciation for shiny, pretty things early in life. As a child, I'd poke around my mother's room in search of some sparkly pieces to accent the wardrobe I'd picked out for my weekly dress-up ritual. I later came to appreciate the artistry of jewellery; the imagination and the mechanism that can morph liquid metal into a three-dimensional butterfly.

Montreal jewellery designers' imaginations are as lively as they come. They find inspiration in everything from flower arrangements to the solar system, which is the reason they've developed such a loyal following among both locals and visitors. According to Sabrina Dinucci of Aqua Skye, "Montreal is very individualistic and most designers here don't follow any particular trend. If you go to Toronto, everyone is wearing the same type of thing."

These four boutiques feature local talent and offer something for every taste.

© Aqua Skye

Aqua Skye
If you follow this two-floor, downtown store's philosophy that "jewellery is not only an accessory to your wardrobe but the focal point of your look," then this is the place for you. Lydia Lukides' otherworldly coral reef necklace and Rusky's bloom chokers with vibrant silk flowers dangling from Italian glass beads are just a few of the exquisite, asymmetrical pieces on display. You can make purchases from the ever-changing selection starting June 1.

Argent Tonic
Aaron Maya extended the family business in Taxco, Mexico - silver capital of the world - to include the "jewellery bar" in Montreal he opened in 2002. Every piece in his collection is still made in Taxco and, naturally, includes the metal, along with semi-precious stones, wood, Murano glass and shells. He lets the natural shapes and colours of the materials he selects guide his creative process, creating stunning pieces - like the wide sterling silver mesh bracelet with three centered aquamarine stones - that are bold but sophisticated.

Aaron Maya lets the natural shapes and colours of the materials he selects guide his creative process.

© Argent Tonic

Freitag
The streamlined silver Vespa parked inside sets the tone for this uber-hip shop's collections. The edgy, rocker-style Harakiri collection features pendant earrings with layers of thin silver chains, and Stephanie Lapierre's delicate pieces are made out of crystal beads suspended from wisps of wire. There's also a great selection of leather and silver wrist cuffs, chains and rings for guys who like some metal with their ensembles.

Galerie Noel Guyomarc'h Bijoux d'Art
For the last decade, Noel Guyomarc'h has been showcasing the work of dozens of jewellery designers, both local and international. Many of the artists experiment with unusual materials, including resin, vinyl, felt and acrylic, making for some very inventive creations. The gallery's current exhibition, Luzia Vogt & Nathalie Luder, runs until June 23.

Voyeur
If your taste leans more towards the classic, this place offers some of the best deals in town. You'll find designer lines made from titanium, stainless steel and Italian sterling silver. A beautiful contrast of wood and silver are featured in a collection from Montreal designer Pierre Brouillette. Also worth checking out is the shop's extensive line of tribal jewellery. Originating from Afghanistan, Nepal, India and Thailand, these detailed pieces look like they've been excavated from an archaeological expedition. Though not quite considered antique, some are as old as 90 years.