For Kelty Pelechytik, the journey to opening her fine jewellery business has been anything but conventional. Growing up in Edmonton, she always knew she wanted to work with her hands, so after high school, she moved to Montreal where she became fascinated with woodworking and landed an apprentice role with a local carpenter. From there she pursued other creative roles, assisting at an art gallery in Brooklyn, and later with a specialist in antique frames. During lunch with a friend one day, she was introduced to the idea of jewellery making and immediately knew it was her next adventure.
She took a stone-setting class and began learning from mentors, but what interested her most was the raw materials. She found a deep thrill in sourcing rare, one-of-a-kind diamonds and fine gold which ultimately launched her career as owner of Kelty Pelechytik Fine Jewelry in 2019. Pelechytik doesn’t create jewellery with any one person in mind. Instead, she sources what she loves, forms it, and then trusts that the right person will find the piece. Her clientele tend to be independent women who buy fine jewellery for themselves instead of waiting for the item to appear as a gift.
Her work has been featured in The New York Times as well as The Wall Street Journal—career milestones of which she’s proud. Her most recognized work is her “lover’s eye” items where she uses portrait-cut diamonds (flat, see-through stones resembling sheets of glass), and collaborates with an Australian artist, Robyn Rich, who hand paints a miniature “lover’s eye” to set behind the diamond. This historic practice was once cherished by royal families as a way to keep their secret lovers close to their hearts.
Though her work is rooted in luxury, Pelechytik is passionate about aiding those who are disadvantaged and often spends her free time providing meals to unhoused individuals, giving people rides to appointments, or lending a compassionate ear to those needing to be heard. As a mother, she also believes in giving back to local youth sports groups, allowing children the chance to thrive in spite of financial barriers. This generous approach to both her craft and her community reflects her authenticity and her drive to create a more beautiful world.
