#Jewelry #Collection #Stories #Kristina #Wysh #Collective #Gem #Gossip #Jewelry #Blog
Today’s featured jewelry collector is Kristina of Wysh Collective. She is based out of Canada and not only is she a jewelry obsessor/fan, she also sells antique and vintage pieces. Another aspect she specializes in is creating bespoke and one-of-a-kind pieces, like incredible engagement rings. I’m excited to take a peek inside her jewelry box and get to know her story through jewelry — let’s take a look!
“I have been collecting jewelry for as long as I can remember. The first pieces I ever got were from my Nana’s tiny collection. Nothing fancy, but I would have been about 6 or 7. I remember a little pair of 10k gold ruby dangly earrings. The first pair of earrings I remember buying myself were when I was 8 years old. They were from the local pharmacy, sparkly purple and straight out of the 80’s! My other grandma later gifted me a little sapphire ring from a trip to Australia and a locket with photos of her and my Grandpa in it. I now have that hanging on my Horseshoe Talisman piece.”
“Some of my favourite antique motifs would be Butterflies, Horseshoes and any type of fob with a romantic inscription, I am a sucker for love. I also love collecting buckle rings! Jewelry is a passion for me because I love the stories behind it. Thinking about the history, the meaning of pieces passed down through generations. Every piece carries a little bit of its former owner with it and I love that. Even in modern day pieces, I love those with a story to tell! Through birthstones or inscriptions, it can mean as much in 100 years from now as it does today.”
“My favourite places to find antique jewelry are in my travels. The first place I go when I venture to a new place is the nearest antique or vintage store. Spending hours digging is my favourite thing to do. I went to my first OMBAS show in Miami in 2020 and that was a huge life changing experience for me. Seeing everything under one roof, all of the dealers and the buzz in the room was electrifying for me. I cannot wait to go back!”
“I have a few pieces in my collection with great stories behind them. The first is my Los Angeles Kings pendant. My husband won the Stanley Cup in 2014 with that team and of course the guys all got their amazing rings from Tiffanys and the ladies received these beautiful Tiffanys pendants to commemorate the experience. Its not a piece I wear often but it will always hold a special piece in my heart. Another piece that I am sure has a story to tell, is a silver ring I have stamped with JAR on the inside. It is very reminiscent of his very early work in the 70’s, and I found it at a vintage shop in Denmark. I like to imagine it was one of his first pieces he worked on in Paris that ended up in Denmark. It has the hallmarks of the materials he used and the style he did at the time! Alas, I have tried to have it verified with no luck. So I will keep on dreaming!! The other really special piece to me is my Vintage Cellini Rolex from the 70’s. I have wanted to find a Rolex from the year I was born for many years and when I came across this one, I knew it was meant to be mine.”
“The home office that I run my business WYSH Collective out of is my jewelry storage area. It’s filled with jewelry and many other treasures including some beautiful pairs of shoes that sit on the shelves as ‘art’ because they are too painful to actually wear! Lol. I also have a really great little jewelry safe from Gardall that houses some of the extra special items. It’s white with gold embossing and pink felt on the inside. Perfectly girlie and so darn pretty.”
“My most recent find is a gorgeous antique coral pin from Ishy Antiques in the UK! He is such a gem and I always love finding special pieces from him. I’m thinking about turning it into a hair barrette or possible a pendant, but it will stay as is until I can make my mind up. My most sentimental piece and something I wear everyday is my hidden birthstone ring. It’s a signature piece from my WYSH jewelry line. It has my 2 boys names inscribed on the inside of the band along with each of their birthstones embedded on the inside by their names. I wear it alongside my wedding ring and it is with me always.”
