How I Got Here: Elizabeth Wahler Pivots From Tech to Jewelry

By Karen Dybis | June 10, 2026

Longtime conservation advocate Elizabeth Wahler talks the talk and walks the (jewelry) walk when it comes to ocean stewardship—her brand Elyzian’s new Poisson Pendants are evidence of that.

The collection not only offers a bejeweled tribute to ocean creatures, it helps to protect those animals and their environment as well. Wahler is donating $500 from every Poisson Pendant sold during June—Ocean Action Month—to Oceana, an international conservation group.

“Whether in business, philanthropy, or jewelry, I have always believed our responsibility is to leave things better than we found them,” says Wahler, who serves on the Oceana board of directors.

On each Poisson Pendant, the sections of the fish’s body were all hand-carved from a single piece of colored gemstone. The parts are connected by 14k yellow gold links to form an articulated fish, which can bend and move like a real fish swimming.

Elyzian Poisson Pendant — *Elyzian released the first 10 styles in its Poisson Pendant collection ($1,725 each) on June 1, the start of Ocean Action Month.*

Wahler, who cofounded Newport Beach, Calif.–based Elyzian after working in tech for two decades, grew up in Southern California and attended Corona del Mar High School. Her family shared a love for the natural world, and also cared about philanthropy and community service.

“My father pioneered some of the earliest environmental pollution-control technologies, and his work helped improve air quality around the world,” Wahler says. “My mother—the true head of our household—has spent decades serving our community, and collecting exceptional gemstones.”

With her keen eye for color and rarity, Wahler’s mom, Valaree—the cofounder of Elyzian—taught her everything she knows about gemstones.

Wahler’s earliest jewelry memory relates to her mom’s love for gemstones: She remembers a local jeweler coming to the house with a beat-up black fanny pack full of treasures for her mother to browse.

When the jeweler would spread the loose gemstones across the table, Wahler felt captivated by colors that didn’t seem possible in nature: electric blues, vivid greens, and shades of pink that seemed to glow.

“I had no idea those afternoons would become the foundation for Elyzian,” she says.

Elyzian Blue Sapphire Ring — *Elyzian ring with 8 ct. Ceylon sapphire and diamonds in 18k yellow gold and platinum (price on request)*

While a student at California State University in Fullerton, Wahler worked in a fine jewelry store that carried such designers as Roberto Coin and Cathy Waterman. Her college major was anthropology and archaeology, with a minor in art history.

“Archaeology teaches you to appreciate craftsmanship, history, and the stories objects carry through time, and jewelry works much the same way,” says Wahler. “I’ve always been fascinated by the things people choose to keep. Whether it’s an ancient artifact uncovered centuries later or a grandmother’s ring passed through generations, the objects we hold on to often tell the story of who we are and what we value.”

After graduating from Cal State in 2004, Wahler became a technology entrepreneur. In 2006, she founded Kiére Media, which started LadyLUX, a lifestyle platform. Kiére expanded with the launch of DigitallyLUX, a service and ad-network business.

Amazon reached out to become a client, which proved to be a turning point in the company’s growth. Over the years, its other clients and partners included Shopbop, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, eBay, and Skillshare.

Elyzian Aurora Sapphire earrings — *Aurora statement earrings ($21,450) with 24.54 cts. t.w. yellow sapphires and 1.2 ct. t.w. diamonds in 14k gold*

Wahler says Kiére’s technology was ahead of its time, including an early image search capability and some of the first systems that let people shop directly from social media and video. The company also did Instagram analytics before it was commonplace, and developed CRM tools as well as one of the first global affiliate networks, connecting creators with brands they loved.

“What those years taught me is how I’m built,” says Wahler. “I’m a pattern reader—constantly observing, taking in signals from across all of life and integrating them into the right solution for the right audience at the right time.

“Technology changes constantly; human nature changes slowly. The ability to read both at once is the engine behind every company and product I’ve made, jewelry included.”

At its peak, the DigitallyLUX network included hundreds of publishers around the world, and though Wahler had “a wild and fun time” running it, she decided to wind down her involvement by 2022. That opened the door to Elyzian, which she established the following year. (Its name is made from her first name and her mother’s middle name, Anne.)

“My mother and I talked for years about creating something together. We shared a love of gemstones, beautiful objects, and the emotional weight jewelry can carry,” Wahler says. “Eventually we stopped talking about it and went for it. It was an opportunity to build something together and turn a lifelong passion into a business.”

Today, Elyzian is a fine jewelry house specializing in colored stones (particularly anything that looks like candy or glows, Wahler says). She’s welcomed hundreds of clients at Elyzian’s custom atelier—proof to Wahler that the jewelry industry, at its heart, depends on personal relationships.

“I am so grateful to every single customer who has supported us. When you are used to being the support pillar, it’s a weird and totally humbling feeling to have people show up and support you and your small business,” she says.

Top: Elizabeth Wahler worked in media and technology prior to launching Elyzian—a fine jewelry brand specializing in colored gemstones—with her mother. (Photos courtesy of Elyzian)