Gastown jeweller looks back on 10 years

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For Dane Stevens, jewelry is a family business.

So, when the Vancouver entrepreneur, along with business partner Keith Seabrook, founded the jewelry company Cavalier in Gastown in 2013, they did so with the aim of building on Stevens’ lengthy family history in the industry. While also building something new.

We caught up with Stevens to learn more.

Q: For those who aren’t familiar, what is Cavalier?

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A: Cavalier is a fine jewelry boutique in Gastown (217 W Hastings St.), and a reflection of my family’s tradition of sourcing natural gemstones from around the world. It’s a place where each engagement ring can tell a story of adventure. People new to Cavalier may be interested to know we operate a full-time buying office in Thailand as this plays an essential role in our operation — we are constantly sourcing and recutting our gems to enhance their natural beauty for the Vancouver market. I’m proud to say we offer one of the largest and finest selections of gemstones in North America.

Q: What makes it unique?

A: Cavalier in many ways isn’t just about jewelry; it’s about the journey of each gemstone and creating an atmosphere where clients feel comfortable to make meaningful purchases. Our engagement rings are a blend of tradition and innovation, from the lessons passed down through my family, mixed with input from the client. We’re dedicated to seeking out the finest gems on behalf of our customers from places like Sri Lanka, Colombia and Myanmar.

Q: The shop is celebrating 10 years this year. How has the business evolved?

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A: Keith Seabrook and I started this version of Cavalier itself just over a decade ago, but the greater legacy it carries is much richer. My family has been in the business for almost 50 years and Cavalier is an extension of that knowledge and commitment. Each year since we opened we’ve seen tremendous growth in the custom bridal market, but it’s all rooted in the foundation laid by the two generations before us. I’m very grateful to see how Cavalier has been able to carry on those fundamentals around quality and service, and stay on trend by building rings our clients wear daily.

Q: Engagement rings are a big part of your business. What interesting trends are you seeing?

A: Absolutely. We’re constantly researching trends and working closely with our in-house designer, Juliana, who has a way of bringing our gems to life through her designs. On the retail side of the business, we do see more couples increasingly keen to shop together, but of course, still valuing the element of surprise. Today, our clients are seeking unique gemstones with an element of customization that speak to their lifestyle and story. It’s about creating something meaningful and timeless that can be worn daily.

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Q: What can we expect to see from Cavalier in future? 

A: As a team and a brand, Cavalier has been able to evolve and offer the engagement rings our clients envision, while maintaining a genuine and inviting in-store experience. Cavalier was built on referrals. With that foundation, we can confidently scale and explore retail expansion into other markets in Canada, and refine our buying operation in Thailand. We are seeing growth and opportunity in Asia with a focus on our fine gemstone collection from our Thai office, so we will continue to put our energy into the areas which are showing the most upside to the business and our customers alike.

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