Designer Spotlight: Borguesse Mozaffarian

Six Generations of Jewelry Expertise Meets Canadian-Inspired Design

While employed at Kimberfire, Borguesse was given an exciting challenge: design our first-ever ready-to-wear line of jewelry. Coming from six generations of jewelers, she brought both heritage and fresh perspective to the project — and the results speak for themselves.

Though Borguesse has since relocated to sunny Arizona, the team stays in close contact with her. She generously took time to answer our questions about the collection, her design process, and what makes these pieces special.

What’s the moment that pulled you into jewelry design?

Despite my best efforts, I think jewelry is in my blood. My family has been in the jewelry industry for six generations, but I didn’t feel a personal connection until I took a jewelry class one summer in high school. That experience completely changed my perspective — and the rest, is history.

What was the creative brief/vision behind this ready-to-wear collection, and how did it fit Kimberfire’s brand?

When I joined the Kimberfire team, Jonathan shared his vision of launching the brand’s first-ever ready-to-wear collection. We agreed that the line should embody everything Kimberfire is known for: elegant, high-quality pieces with an option for customization. I started with timeless, classic silhouettes and added some subtle twists that made the collection uniquely ours.

Who did you envision wearing these pieces? Did you have a specific lifestyle or person in mind?

These pieces were designed for everyone. Their classic aesthetic makes them versatile — perfect as meaningful gifts or for everyday wear. Whether you prefer a minimalist, dainty look or love to layer and stack, the collection offers flexibility. The necklaces are adjustable in length to wear however suits you best!

What inspired these designs?

Nature has always played a big role in my creative process. I grew up in British Columbia and spent several years living in Nova Scotia before moving to Toronto, so I’ve always felt connected to the landscapes around me. The pieces in this collection are meant to reflect that — from the constellations in the night sky to the smooth river pebbles you’d find on a walk through the woods. These small details are familiar sights to so many Canadians, and I wanted to honour them in a subtle, but special way.

What did you learn during your time at Kimberfire that influenced your approach to this collection?

So much — more than I could fit in one answer! At the end of the day, this line was a collaboration of the whole team. Coming in fairly fresh-faced to the company, there was a lot of guidance and sharing different ideas between me, Jonathan, and the other consultants. Each person came from a different background of the industry, so they were able to offer so many insights that I wouldn’t have thought of on my own.

What jewelry-making techniques do you have hands-on experience with, and how did that technical knowledge influence your designs for this collection?

I received my BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing from NSCAD University, where I learned traditional jewelry-making techniques such as casting, stone setting, enamelling, and so much more. There are a lot of things that need to be considered when designing a high-quality piece of jewelry, beyond just the aesthetics. Seemingly small things like the weight of a pendant, position of the bails, types of chains, clasps, etc. can make or break the whole design. Understanding the technical side allowed me to design with both beauty and function in mind.

Walk us through your workflow. What changed mid-way, and why?

My process always starts with sketching — lots of messy, freeform drawing to get ideas out of my head and onto paper. I refine the silhouettes I’m most drawn to before moving into the CAD stage. As a visual thinker, seeing the designs in 3D is extremely important, as it often reveals things that aren’t obvious in a flat sketch.

From there, we produce prototypes and wear-test them to evaluate things like the scale of the studs or how a necklace moves with the body. (There’s nothing more annoying than a pendant that flips backwards in my opinion.)

Finally we can manufacture the final pieces, but the work doesn’t end there. In true Kimberfire spirit, every item goes through a rigorous quality checking process before being approved for sale to the public.

Style the collection: everyday and formal.

For an easy day-night look, I love a good jewelry stack. I would style the Petite Constellation Necklace worn short, paired with the Pebble Necklace on a longer setting. My ears are double pierced, so the Pebble Earrings are a great first hole option, and the slightly smaller Constellation Earrings are perfect seconds. 

For a more formal look, I would choose a set. The Constellation Necklace and matching Constellation Earrings will add the perfect sparkle to any attire. Luckily, diamonds go with everything!

Do you have a favourite piece from this collection, and what makes it special to you?

The Pebble Necklace! I wear mine almost every day, and there is an emerald set on the back to represent my mother’s birthstone.

What are you doing now, and where can readers follow your work?

At the beginning of 2025, life took an exciting turn — I relocated to Arizona with my fiancé. I’ve since transitioned out of sales and currently work with a luxury resale company, authenticating fine jewelry and watches. When the opportunity arises, I am looking forward to doing more design work!

Favourite gemstone cut, and why?

Marquise. I have 3 of them on my engagement ring, and the first piece of jewelry my fiancé ever gifted me was a marquise diamond pendant, also made by Kimberfire. I guess you could say I am the president of the marquise fan club.

Jewelry piece you never take off?

I have a permanent gold bracelet on my left wrist that is a memento of a trip we took a few years ago. All of my other jewelry comes off at least on a weekly basis for a good cleaning!

Shop the Collection

Explore Kimberfire's ready-to-wear collection, where timeless design meets Canadian-inspired details. Each piece is crafted with the same attention to quality and craftsmanship that Kimberfire is known for.