Melanie's Story
“You have to find what sparks a light in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world.”
- Oprah Winfrey
The Story of Melanie Stones
Whether it’s clients, businesspeople, or simply curious minds seeking inspiration, one question keeps coming up: How did a young woman, destined for a brilliant career in science and engineering, walk away from it all to create a high-end jewelry brand?
The story of Melanie Stones is one of instinct, a quiet inner voice that she finally chose to follow. It’s a story of courage, creativity, and pivotal encounters. A story that reflects its founder: remarkable and inspiring.
Deep roots, a soul drawn to art
Originally from Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Mélanie Pilote is the eldest of three sisters. A top student from a family of teachers, she excelled in school and quickly became her parents’ pride.
But from an early age, her love for art and creativity was undeniable. At four years old, she began classical ballet and explored a wide array of artistic activities. She spent precious time with her grandmother learning sewing, knitting, macramé, and the secrets of a good recipe.
Every Saturday morning, an artist friend of her father’s taught a small group of eight girls—including Mélanie—various visual art techniques. The group would come to be known as Le Club des 8. By the age of eight, Mélanie was already leading the art class for her third-grade peers.
And then, there was her joy in helping others feel their best. She spent hours styling her friends’ hair, and by age thirteen, confidently declared to her parents that her dream was to become a hairdresser.
A clear path… until the great pivot
The expected path was university and science—and her academic discipline led her toward engineering. She earned two scholarships and began a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. She quickly realized this wasn’t her calling. She pivoted to actuarial science, earned a second bachelor’s degree at Université Laval, and began a consulting career in pension asset management.
She has no regrets. Her love of mathematics and the discipline she developed through consulting would serve her well—though she didn’t know it yet. Still, that small voice remained.
The one whispering that she was meant to build something truly special.
An entrepreneurial awakening
At 40, Mélanie became the mother of a little girl named Estelle. At the time, she was in a relationship with an entrepreneur, which gave her a firsthand glimpse into the world of business. A spark was lit: “Why not become an entrepreneur myself?”
She began a deep personal journey, guided by a branding expert. After six weeks of introspection, she finally put words to what had always moved her: the ability to recognize true beauty.
The leap of faith
It was the summer of 2014. Mélanie left her job, trading security for the unknown. She enrolled in an intensive 13-week entrepreneurship program and decided to go all in, with unwavering faith in her vision.
During a visit to the Fabergé exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, she felt something shift. Seeing the precious stones sparked a deep emotional connection.
On January 8, 2015, the moment of clarity arrived: she founded Melanie Stones Jewelry, a brand dedicated to fine gemstones and the beauty and symbolism they hold. Her first bracelets were created... right in her kitchen.
A unique signature, a well-earned success
Mélanie pays meticulous attention to detail, hand-selecting each pearl and stone herself. Every piece is crafted with passion, precision, and intuition. Today, she designs high-end jewelry made with pearls and gemstones sourced from around the world—each one specially cut for Melanie Stones in collaboration with top jewelers and gemologists in Montreal.
Her creations accompany the most meaningful moments in her clients’ lives, jewelry they proudly wear, day after day.
A brand born of instinct, driven by excellence
Melanie Stones has become a standout name in Québec’s fine jewelry scene. Each piece is made to order, crafted with care, love, and a relentless pursuit of perfection.
Mélanie will never forget the words her father once said when she was trying to describe her personality: “Mélanie, you always want to offer perfection.”
And that’s exactly what she does.
Day after day, piece by piece.