Jewelry Collection Story – Cyndi of TheFabNab – Gem Gossip – Jewelry Blog

“I started collecting jewelry about 12-13 years ago. I’ve always been fascinated with all things jewelry related, and I even went through a phase of making jewelry from semi-precious beads, back in the day when those were all the rage.

But as for getting into the precious metals and stones, I started quite small actually… dipping my toes in with collecting antique stick pins. Even a dozen years ago, they could be had for a song (if only this were still true today) and so I would see their potential, after having them converted into more wearable items like a ring or a charm that I could rock on a daily basis and on a small budget. In fact, it’s still one of my passions to this day, reimagining a pin or brooch into something totally fresh and new. It’s actually  the foundation of my Lucky Numbers + Talismans collection, taking existing Edwardian and Art Deco components and reinventing them to create a capsule collection of certain lucky numbers that are meaningful and truly emblematic of the wearer. I’m a believer in destiny numbers and drawing upon their luck and bringing that good juju forth.”

“I definitely find myself gravitating to certain design elements over and over again. Something about them just draw me in and so I’m a total sucker for anything celestial, the moon and all the stars, particularly the H.Stern Genesis line, which I think they’ve done such a stellar job of recreating the antique stars, if you’ll pardon the pun. But of course, nothing beats a true antique star ️ filled with charming old mine cut diamonds, glimmering within a darkened silver setting atop gold. Just perfection, really. Finding antique diamond wings make me feel like I can literally fly and I’m also continually enthralled by the Egyptian revival movement! Give me a juicy winged scarab and all the golden snakes in that gleaming, brushed buttery gold, please. And of course, I can never pass up a diamond encrusted pocket watch. I’m absolutely obsessed with their incredible beauty, down to the most miniature details.”

“I think what truly speaks to me about jewelry, beyond just the superficial glitter and beauty, is the personal connection it can connote. The idea behind being gifted or gifting that perfect  piece for a special occasion really means that you truly will think of that moment each and every time you wear the piece. It becomes talismanic, to me, anyway, and feels almost like a layer of love that protects and shields you. Even if it means gifting that one special piece to yourself. I mean, how amazing to reward yourself for achieving a goal or to commemorate a personal victory and be able to be reminded of that on a daily basis? Nothing more empowering than that, in my mind.”

“It’s so hard to try to pick just one, but lately I feel naked without my Victorian era ruby spike that I had converted from an antique brooch. To me, it represents strength, courage, fidelity and loyalty… in short, all the things I aspire to be and to have. Continuing in my bid to constantly find inspiration in the old and make fresh again what is stale, I’ve recently started recreating this style, again from existing Art Deco pins, and turning them into spikes. New skins for the old ceremony, as it were. As the original Victorian ones are rarer than hens’ teeth and quite out of reach financially when they are to be found, I’m very happy to be able to offer these re-dreamt up pieces to the discerning collector who needs an edgy bit of toughness in their neckmess, as well as an item that can be their daily talismanic reminder that they are strong, they’ve got this. We all do. We’ve just got to dig deep and find our inner badass goddesses.”

“When I first started collecting, it was definitely EBay and my local antique shops, as that’s all I really knew at the time. One place I was lucky to explore early on was the famous Paris Flea, as it’s our most favorite city of all time and a place we started going to even before I started actively collecting jewelry. Over time, you learn the tricks of the trade, which is really mostly about building relationships with other dealers and finding the hidden gems of local shops as well as the spots to find all the special things a bit further away abroad. I think discovering Portobello was my all time favorite jewelry moment, especially as by that time, I’d made such wonderful friends via IG prior to going to London that I felt so welcomed and taken care of. I’ll never forget the extraordinary kindness of Ishy of @IshyAntiques, as he was ever the gentleman in showing me the ropes my first time around. Like so many others, I just adore him to bits and I cannot wait until our little jewelry gang can reunite at our trade shows again. And speaking of trade shows, they are what have brought into my life some truly amazing humans, actually. The Hillsborough Show, which is local to me is where I met my girls Cristina and Nicole @treasuresforliesel at our beloved Lenore Dailey’s booth. And my I met my trade show partners in crime Lindsey @parkavenueantiques and Laurie Geller @laurie.Geller at my first Vegas show. And of course, the Miami show is where I got to meet you and totally geeked out over that moment when you chose an opal ring from me… will never forget that. Jewelry and IG is what brought us together but what keeps us together, even though we’re far apart , is our mutual unending support, love and laughter. Couldn’t really do any of this without it.”

You can follow her here –> @thefabnab