September 17, 2020
A PEEK INSIDE THE HEART OF HESTIA
THIS MONTH CHRISTY WRIGHT INTERVIEWS OUR FOUNDER, YASEMIN MUTLU, EXPLORING HOW WE ARE CREATING CUSTOM PIECES IN OUR NEW NORMAL, OUR COMMITMENT TO ETHICAL AND MODERN HEIRLOOMS AND OUR DRIVING FORCES OF LOVE, LUCK AND STYLE.
Hestia is the female-founded Canadian brand that’s revolutionizing the world of fine jewelry. Interesting, as jewelry is perhaps one of the most personal of personal belongings; it can represent love, fidelity, even future generations.
That’s precisely what influenced Hestia, starting with its dynamic name. “Hestia is the ancient Greek goddess who oversees the hearth, home and family,” says designer Yasemin Mutlu, who is also the brand’s Creative Director. “Hestia resonated with us and is in sync with our commitment to create jewelry that is beautifully crafted and affordable; pieces with personal meaning that can be cherished now and passed down as family heirlooms.”
And Mutlu knows firsthand what it takes to craft quality jewelry. The Turkish-born Canadian began her career as an advertising executive but, inspired by her Mediterranean roots and her passion for collecting jewels, decided to pursue her dream of designing jewelry. She enrolled at The Gemological Institute of America where she studied gemmology and diamonds before returning to Toronto and establishing the Hestia headquarters.
One of Hestia’s many points of difference is that the brand truly connects with its clients. And this was especially evident during the pandemic when Hestia crafted one of their most stunning custom pieces. “A client approached us at the height of the pandemic and asked us to create a personalized pendant,” says Mutlu. “She’d been thinking about it for years but the stressful times were a catalyst for a piece that would be sentimental and soothing.”
The Hestia team worked closely with the client, assessing her wants and, in the process, realized that they shared many common traits: a love of spirituality, a passion for gemstones and pride in Canadian provenance.
To make the client’s vision a reality, Mutlu carefully sourced Bloodstone from BC’s West Coast. This indigenous stone, which is revered for its healing and protective properties, was set in a handsome gold frame to form a remarkable pendant. A labour of love, it was handcrafted at the height of Covid19, which caused many delays and timing issues. Nonetheless, the team fulfilled the client’s desire for a piece that spoke to her sentimentality and superstition.
The custom pendant and chain, like all Hestia jewelry, was designed and handcrafted in Toronto with provenance. “All of our diamonds and gemstones are graded and conflict-free,” says Mutlu. “As a brand, we are also very sentimental and focused on creating jewelry that brings happiness, joy and luck.”
Hestia offers seven collections from Neo Classic (precious gemstones inspired by Palladio’s architecture) and Star (featuring baguette-cut diamonds) to bespoke items. What’s more, any piece from any collection can be personalized to commemorate a special occasion, and with “everyday luxury” in mind, Hestia prices range from $140-$2,000.
But perhaps the most exciting thing about Hestia is that it is a cool Canadian brand that ticks all of the jewelry boxes – it’s fine jewelry that’s both contemporary and timeless; millennial and mature; luxurious and accessible; and, most importantly, proudly made in Canada with a commitment to ethical responsibility.
Written by CHRISTY WRIGHT