The story behind the sparkle

Meet the Founder:
Gia Huynh

Rooted in the traditions of Vietnam, Gia turned determination, family memories, and a love of beautiful sweets into Silky Gem — a crystal candy brand with a story worth sharing.

From starting over with a newborn to building something extraordinary.

Read Our Story Shop Silky Gem

A personal journey

Our Story

My strong work ethic is deeply rooted in the values instilled by my parents while I was growing up in Vietnam, despite our modest circumstances. They imparted the invaluable lesson that one must diligently work for both necessities and aspirations. These teachings continue to shape my character to this very day and I hope to pass that along to my son.

Coming from a background of adversity, marked by poverty and abusive relationships, I was never able to finish the 5th grade. I’ve always carried a sense of insecurity about my background and education. However, as I grew up and faced many life challenges, destiny took an unexpected turn. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself homeless with my 5-week-old baby. Despite these hardships, I worked tirelessly day and night to make something extraordinary happen. Eventually, destiny smiled upon me, and I founded Silky Gem. At that time, I was working in a nail salon, making $400-$500 a week as a single mom. I’d work from 9 AM to 7 PM at the salon, then return home to spend time with my son before staying up until 3 or 4 in the morning, crafting candies and creating content. I’ve emerged as a resilient and empowered woman. My hope is that my story will serve as an inspiration for other women to recognize their inherent worth and strength.

After three months of relentless effort, we finally had a breakthrough when we achieved a significant sales milestone, and from there, everything took off. In just 18 months, Silky Gem has sold over 2 million pieces of candy and more than 160,000 collection boxes, with our success reaching a global audience. We even received recognition from Cardi B for our candies.

Opening a crystal candy shop in Gaithersburg, Maryland, was another dream turned into a reality. The joy of reaching that milestone is immeasurable.

Founder-story photograph from the original Silky Gem About Us page

What drives us

Essentials for Success

Three of my most prominent qualities are my unwavering self-worth, boundless determination, and relentless drive. During a period of homelessness with my infant, I unearthed an inner strength that propelled me towards success. I am committed to spreading the message that one can achieve anything through sheer determination and a resolute mindset.

Guiding Lights

My family has played an instrumental role in guiding me through the challenging path of overcoming self-esteem issues. They have stood by my side throughout my entire journey, offering unwavering support and love. Furthermore, the experience of motherhood, and the presence of my son, has enabled me to develop a depth of character I never thought possible. They are the bedrock of my life, providing me with strength and a sense of purpose.

“My hope is that my story will serve as an inspiration for other women to recognize their inherent worth and strength.” — Gia Huynh

Rooted in Vietnamese tradition

The History of Vietnamese Mứt Rau Câu

Silky Gem crystal candies are inspired by Vietnamese Lunar new year traditions, passed down through generations.

These treats are used to serve our guests with tea or rice wine and are known to bring health, wealth and good fortune in the new year.

“Lunar New Year's treats were always a luxury for me as a little girl. I remember every year there was only one chance to eat this candy called " Mứt Rau Câu, Mứt Rong Sụn ". My mom and grandma would make it every year with others candied crystallized treats called "Mứt" as our family traditions was passed down from my grandmas - great grandmas over decades, We put all of our sweets in a tray to treat our guests to come visit for the new year, we like to treat them with sweet treats and tea as our tradition. But I remember the taste and how happy I was whenever I was able to get this special treat.

Traditionally our Mứt Rau Câu made from sea moss agar. Packed with lots of different nutrients. Sea moss after boiled down into liquid forms then add sugars and fruits for flavoring then sun dry for 5-7 days.”

These easy to make dried agar candies are found in many Asian countries. The Japanese wagashi form is called kohakutou, while in Indonesia it is agar agar kering. Thai version called kanom woon grop and Korean version called hobakdang.

“Combining the traditions of Vietnamese Lunar New Year Mứt Rau Câu and the Japanese Kohakutou art form, I hope these candies bring nothing but joy and luck for everyone who comes across them.”