Glittering Valentine’s Day Gift Guide From Orijin Jewelry (Win!)

After recently being featured in British Vogue and Complex Canada, Toronto-based Orijin Jewelry continues to create impactful, meaningful, and timeless jewelry pieces—all while giving back to up-and-coming local artists, and individuals in marginalized communities. We chatted with founder Candice Mayers, and got her top picks for perfect Valentine’s Day gifts! —Noa Nichol

Hi Candice! Please tell us a bit about yourself to start.

I was born in Zimbabwe and moved to Canada when I was 18 years old. I am a mom to two little boys, an educator and a yoga and meditation coach. I am passionate about using my tools and platform to create meaningful connection, healing and change.

When and why did you launch your jewelry brand, Orijin? What niche were/are you aiming to fill?

While on a family trip in 2020 I brought some lettered beads with me for my kids and created a bracelet with the words OM. I later got it cast into real gold as a reminder to stay grounded and connected with the flow of the universe. I would wear it while teaching yoga and quickly got a lot of people asking how they could get one. I realized that people wanted to be able to invest in high quality pieces that were affordable and that would become heirlooms. In the fall of 2021 Orijin was born.

We love that you drop a new jewelry collection every full moon; how did this come about?

We wear jewelry to express ourselves and as we become more creative with that expression we want to feel connected to the pieces we wear. The moon is associated with the femine and intuition, so it reflects how we feel about ourselves. Each full moon brings expression and creativity, I bring that energy to a new collection that will hold different meanings for different people.

We know that Orijin is a big fan of giving back! What are some of the ways in which you support the community at large?

Representation in wellness is important and I want to give back to the community that I am a part of. A portion of the proceeds from our Wellness Boxes (which includes: a custom blended tea, a morning meditation and a bracelet) go toward the Rise Well Fund, creating more equity in wellness by investing in the education of communities that have been traditionally marginalized within the wellness industry.

OK, Valentine’s Day! Why do you think jewelry makes the perfect gift, for and from absolutely anyone and everyone? (Let’s push past of that old notion of love being from man to woman already!

Valentine’s Day is no longer only about romance, it’s about spreading love! Jewelry is timeless, it is not only the perfect gift to give special people in your life but it is the perfect gift to honour you. As a pick-me-up or a celebration, we all deserve something special that will last forever.

That said, what are your top Orijin recommendations for Valentine’s Day gifts that mean, well, more?

Our custom-made birthstone rings and pendant are definitely a top pick for any occasion. Each piece is custom made with your choice of between two and five birthstones. You can choose the birthstones of anyone in your life, a group of girlfriends, your pets, your family and have it made in either 10-karat yellow or white gold. The Little Lunas are tiny crescent moon studs that celebrate the grounding beauty of the moon. They’re perfect worn alone or as an addition to an ear stack and available in white and yellow gold. The Essential Pendant can be made personal by engraving your own initial or the initial of a loved one on a round disk, and it comes with an 18-inch curb link chain. The Paperclip Chain is perfect for the silver lover; the Herringbone Chain is sophisticated and perfect addition to any outfit. Finally, the Essential Pearl is a great gift idea.-Pearls are making a big comeback this year! Choose between two sizes, on a 14 karat gold backing.

orijingold.com

Win! A $100 Orijin Jewelry Gift Card!

Congrats Lana R. of Barrie, ON, who will receive a $100 Orijin Jewelry Gift Card! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.