T. Anthony Jewelers has been in Carillon Point since 2020. It was the peak of the pandemic when Tyler and Kellie Sholdt moved their business from Seattle to Kirkland, so they opened up quietly and have remained somewhat of a hidden gem. Since then, Kirkland locals, Woodmark Hotel guests, and longtime clients have enjoyed spending time in the artful and welcoming jewelry studio with a lake view.
With a focus on custom pieces - particularly bridal - Tyler serves as the Principal Designer while Kellie manages marketing and operations. Tyler’s family has been in the jewelry business since 1935, so he grew up learning the trade. When Tyler struck out on his own in 2008, T. Anthony Jewelers was an appointment-only custom shop on the 14th floor of a Seattle high-rise, so he and Kellie have been enjoying the experience of a retail storefront where customers new and old can just walk in. A fun trend the pair has noticed among younger customers is that they’re “self purchasing” fine jewelry to mark their special occasions, or even just for fun. They don’t feel they have to wait for a partner or other family member to gift them high quality jewelry.
When a client wishes to commission a bespoke piece of jewelry, they generally come with some style inspirations, preferences for types of metal and stone, and a budget. “It’s a partnership,” Tyler says. He has 25 years of relationships with vendors, so he’s able to borrow a small selection of stones to present to a client for consideration in their design. Tyler creates the designs in a CAD (computer aided design) program, then clients can review them from every angle. The ability to send images electronically means T. Anthony can work with anyone, anywhere. Kellie says, “Tyler really is an artist, so people love the look of his designs and want to collaborate with him.” After a client approves the design, U.S.-based bench jewelers bring it to life; casting the design in the chosen metal, setting the stones, and finishing each detail to perfection.
One recent challenging commission that Tyler worked on was that of a client who wanted to create a diamond tennis necklace to celebrate a 50th birthday, and specified the necklace should contain exactly 50 carats of stones, and be exactly 18” long. Figuring out the perfect design was a feat of architecture and engineering, and the client was thrilled with the result.
Quality is top of mind for Tyler, and he is stringent in ensuring that a ring, necklace, bracelet, or earrings are not just beautiful, but have the structural integrity to stand the test of time. Sometimes clients purchase diamond studs or a solitaire ring, and come back at significant milestones to upgrade the diamonds. T. Anthony Jewelers will take back the original stone at the price paid by the client, and apply that to a new, larger stone for the setting.
Tyler and Kellie love working directly with clients, who are typically commemorating happy moments and want their jewelry to feel special and personal. The couple uses the term “everyday heirlooms” to describe stunning fine jewelry that is eminently wearable. “This is one of the happiest businesses,” says Tyler, “People are marking special moments and we get to be a part of that. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Images:
Interior Shoot
Producer & Director: IAN THOMAS @ianschober
Photographer: BETHANY MARIE @bethanymarieco
Hair & Makeup Artist: LESLIE NICELY @leslienicely
Model: IZABELLAH CAREW ARNOLD @izabellahcarewarnold
Model: YADDER ARNOLD @yadderarnold
Beach Shoot
Producer & Director: IAN THOMAS @ianschober
Photographer: HANNAH ASPEN @hannah.aspen
Hair & Makeup Artist: ANNA DAWSON @makeupbyannadawson
Model: SARA KIM @sarkimxo
Model: AUSTIN BROWN @theaustinbrown1