Meet the Jewel: Mini Hay

Name: Mini Hay

Specialty: Window Displays, Design, Visual, Branding, overall assisting with anything creative.

How many years have you worked at Croghan’s? I started wrapping presents and helping at Christmas when I was probably 12. But full time, 6 years.

White Gold or Yellow Gold? Yellow!

What is your favorite jewelry brand? Single Stone and Temple St. Clair

What is your favorite gemstone? Sapphires, all colors!

What is your favorite piece of jewelry you own and why? My engagement ring. I have loved our antique English cluster rings for as long as I can remember. We get them from time to time, in all different gemstones, mostly emerald, sapphire and the occasional ruby or aquamarine. The first time I saw it with a diamond enter, I knew, if the day ever came, that’s the ring I would want if I got engaged. So anytime we got one in over the years, I would, probably not very discreetly, hint to everyone, “You know this is the ring I would want, if I get engaged!” We actually had one in stock this past summer and it sold immediately, so I thought, oh well it wasn’t meant to be. And then sure enough, when the day came that Walker proposed, he had my dream ring! It turns out that Walker asked for my Dad’s permission a few days after that ring sold, so Mom jumped on the phone with our favorite English jeweler and found one! It flew here in the last hurricane! I still can’t believe it’s mine, and that I get to marry Walker, that is if we ever go back to normal life!

Favorite piece of jewelry you have ever sold and why? The engagement rings that I have sold. It is such an honor to help someone find an engagement ring, it’s such an important step in life, and to be included is so exciting!

What is the best thing about working on Wonderful King Street? The camaraderie with all the other local shops, it’s like a little family. We all look out for each other and rely on each other.

Chocolate or Vanilla? Both!

Coffee or Tea? Both, I like them iced!

Sunrise or Sunset? This is a hard one, there is something so fresh and energizing and exciting about the morning and the sunrise, but there’s also nothing better than walking around and watching a lowcountry sunset. The colors are unbelievable.

Sweet or Savory? Savory, always.

Favorite night in? Cooking and eating supper with my family, there is always so much going on so it’s very entertaining. Also, watching an Alfred Hitchcock flick. I can never seem to get sick of Rear Window.

Favorite night out? Drinks with friends or gathering at a friend’s house! Oh, how I miss that right now!

Tell us a random fact people would be surprised to know about you: It’s a toss up-that I have fake teeth or that I had a Duct Tape company when I was in middle school. Oh! Or, that I love Taco Bell. Yikes!

What are your 4 favorite items on our site and why?

1. Victorian Seed Pearl & Diamond Heart Pin: I love seed pearls and I love hearts. I also think a pin is the most underrated piece of jewelry right now. It’s such an easy way to update a plain dress, or jazz up a jacket!

2. Seaman Schepps Medium Mousetrap Bracelet: I really, really like gold bracelets. I like them so much, that I usually wear all of mine at once. The Seaman Schepps Mousetrap is to me, the most iconic gold bracelet of them all. It’s genius! How smart, to take the spring from a mousetrap as inspiration. It’s such a clever design. This is like the ultimate bracelet to me.

3. Diamond Flower Stud Earrings: These earrings are such a great update on the classic diamond stud. I wear my diamond stud earrings just about every day, they go with everything, never fight or clash with your necklace and I think they really brighten up your face. I love the difference of shapes that create the flower; marquis and pears and I think the flowers are so feminine.

4. Single Stone Jane 2mm Band: Single Stone can do no wrong in my eyes. I love everything they make. The Jane band is the perfect band to add to your existing stack or update your engagement ring. It adds this really cool texture and warm color to pretty much any ring combination. This band is a great building block for your jewelry wardrobe.