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

Whether they are clients, business professionals, or simply curious individuals who enjoy discovering success stories, many wonder how a young woman, destined for a career in science and engineering, could leave everything behind to become an entrepreneur and create her own jewelry brand.

The story of Melanie Stones is a reflection of its founder—remarkable and inspiring.

At the heart of this great adventure lies an instinct, a small inner voice pushing her to go further, to move forward against all odds. It is a journey of courage and meaningful encounters. This strong foundation has made Mélanie Pilote the founding president and designer of the jewelry company Melanie Stones for over 10 years.

Originally from Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, the eldest of three sisters was expected to set an example, and this top student quickly made her teacher parents very proud of her academic achievements.

From a young age, Mélanie displayed a highly developed artistic sense. At just four years old, she began classical ballet and took part in countless activities that allowed her to express her creativity. She holds precious memories of the moments spent with her maternal grandmother, learning the fundamentals of sewing, knitting, macramé, and cooking.

Saturday mornings were long dedicated to visual arts. An artist and friend of her father taught Mélanie and her friends various artistic techniques. Eager to share her passion for the arts, Mélanie took charge of her third-grade class’s visual arts lessons every Friday.

Then, there was the joy of helping others look and feel their best. Mélanie spent hours styling her friends' hair, to the point that, at the age of 13, she announced to her parents that her dream was to become a hairstylist! This was not part of the plan for someone who had excelled in every academic subject. The expected path was university and science.

With two scholarships in hand, Mélanie began a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. She quickly realized that she had no real interest in engineering work and decided to pursue actuarial studies at Université Laval instead. Determined and diligent, she completed a second bachelor's degree and launched a consulting career in actuarial firms.

Mélanie proudly states that she has no regrets about her career choices, as she has always loved studying mathematics and taking on challenges. Moreover, the discipline required in consulting allowed her to develop skills that are extremely valuable to her today.

From a young age, she had the feeling that she was meant to accomplish great things, push her limits, and do something "special" with her life.

At 38, she met the man who would become the father of her daughter—an entrepreneur. By his side, she discovered the world of entrepreneurship and soon asked herself, "Why don’t I start my own business?

She then began reflecting on what kind of business she would like to create, but one thing was already clear—she wanted to build a brand.

Mélanie met with a branding expert who helped her identify what truly drives her in life. This six-week journey led her to discover the essence of her identity: the ability to recognize true beauty.

It’s the summer of 2014, and Mélanie is wondering how she can move forward with this gift she has discovered within herself.

A young mother to Estelle, who was two years old at the time, Mélanie kept telling herself, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained!” Determined to go all in, she decided to leave her job—and the security it provided. She enrolled in a thirteen-week entrepreneurship program, deeply convinced that her efforts would pay off and that she would succeed.

Let’s be clear: Mélanie showed remarkable perseverance and resilience, never once doubting her project. Her intuition and artistic talent gave her wings, and she threw herself wholeheartedly into this new adventure.

It was instinctively, during a visit to the Fabergé exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, that she discovered how deeply the stones adorning these fabulous eggs resonated with her.

On January 8, 2015, Mélanie founded her company, Melanie Stones Jewelry, and began by designing fine stone bracelets in her kitchen.

Mélanie devotes meticulous attention to the stones and pearls she selects one by one when creating her jewelry. She pours her expertise, passion, and heart into every piece she designs.

Starting from nothing, she now creates high-end jewelry made from stones and pearls sourced from all over the world, cut exclusively for Melanie Stones in collaboration with the finest jewelers and gemologists in Montreal.

Her clients entrust her with the creation of jewelry that marks the most important moments of their lives.

Mélanie’s jewelry stands out for its beauty and exceptional quality. Her clients are thrilled and often share how proudly they wear their pieces every single day!

Melanie Stones quickly established itself as a high-end jewelry brand of exceptional craftsmanship, designed in Quebec.

Each Melanie Stones piece is made to order, created with both intuition and meticulous attention to detail. Mélanie takes great care to personalize each of her designs.

A true enthusiasm for Mélanie’s jewelry has emerged.

She always keeps in mind a phrase her father once told her when she was searching for what defines her personality: “Mélanie, you always strive for perfection.”

And that is precisely what she dedicates herself to, day after day—creating perfect jewelry for her many clients, who take pride in wearing Melanie Stones creations.