Pyrrha Jewelry

From their Vancouver studio, using techniques that evolved from trial and error and a disregard for rules, Canadian jewelry designers Wade Papin and Danielle Wilmore craft the heraldic wax seal talismans that have become the Pyrrha signature. “Jewelers traditionally try to make everything look perfect, say Danielle and Wade, “but we like to show the maker’s hand. We celebrate the original cracks in the waxes.”

The pair designed the Pyrrha wax seal jewelry collection after they came across a box of 19th century wax seals. “Making jewelry out of them was inspired by a desire to give the fragile seals new life and permanence.” say Danielle and Wade. The handmade, thoughtful pieces are a striking contrast to the glut of overseas factory made, mass produced jewelry that is so common in their industry. Wade and Danielle explain, “everything seems to be cranked out at a staggering pace and then left for dead. Because we live in such a throwaway society, it’s necessary to create some things that can be kept."