Since 1974 Metamorphosis has been creating unusual, one-of-a-kind, handcrafted, custom made jewellery.

“For me it started out as a hobby. I was always interested in art and painting then a friend of mine introduced me to lost wax casting. It started from there. Friends of friends would commission jewellery from me.

James Morton is renowned for his highly personalized, custom made jewellery. (see press)

Metamorphosis Timeline:

Metamorphosis the Jewellery Workshop

Yonge and Bloor, Downtown Toronto
11a Charles St. West
Opened Feb. 1974, Closed Feb. 1996

This was a very unusual retail shop. It’s decor, a subterranean grotto, complete with water elementals, was inspired by classical Greek mythology. (Ovid’s Metamorphoses) Metamorphosis has always been a trend setter. The jewellery was inspired by mythological and mystical symbolism from almost every tradition. This shop had a very informal and creative atmosphere. People would be milling around, checking out the various displays and then at the same time glancing over a counter view the open workshop. In the workshop were several jewellery benches with James and other artisans working. Spontaneous conversation would arise leading and developing into long lasting relationships. In the twenty two years of creating custom jewellery at this location, Metamorphosis never advertised, Just word of mouth, friends telling friends.

Metamorphosis the Jewellery Gallery

Yorkville, Downtown Toronto
29 Bellair St.
Opened Jun. 1994, Closed Jun. 2004

Only three blocks from the Charles St. shop, James opened this second location, to showcase a new style that he had been developing over the last several years. This new style one could only describe as being contemporary art nouveau jewellery. Art nouveau was a very fluid style that in the 1890’s flourished in France, England and Germany. James likes to describe his contemporary art nouveau as “spirit moving through matter” The Bellair St. location had a very interesting cliental. Over the next ten years James created jewellery for musicians like Alannah Myles, Hugh Dillon from the Headstones (Headstones Ring), and Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones. Also actors like James Spader, Omar Epps and Christopher Lloyd. James was even commissioned to help create a line of pendants (MyTime) for the actor/painter Anthony Quinn, reproducing some of his more famous paintings as a line of jewellery.

Main and Danforth, Toronto’s East End
72 Dawes Road
Opened Jun. 2004

Metamorphosis newest location -72 Dawes Road is located in one of Toronto’s historic lost villages, Coleman’s Corners. Two blocks east of Main St.. Just north of Danforth. Close to the Subway, and with easy parking.  

After 30 years Metamorphosis still specializes in unique and contemporary custom jewellery.

Working in a full range of precious metals and stones, James has developed many specialized fabrication techniques such as photo etching, hand engraving, electroforming, as well as his own unique modelling techniques for lost wax casting.

When people ask James why he has never produced a line of jewellery for mass production, he always answers, “I prefer creating custom made jewellery because I get to see the big smile on a persons’s face when they pick up there order. Jewellery is a very personal thing, and that’s also the way I like to do my business, on a one-to-one basis.”

Whether you have a photo, a rough sketch, or just a concept. Or perhaps you have a collection of old gold or stones you would like to have remodelled. METAMORPHOSIS "We make Ideas Real"