Gem Junkies

Benjamin Guttery, of @thirdcoastgems, was in Idaho and we couldn’t resist the opportunity to record another podcast with him.  We sit down and learn about his 14-day excursion unearthing the Brazilian mines--from road trip woes to #birthdaygoals playing with gemstones straight from the source.  Pull up a chair and take a listen as we relive this one-of-kind mining experience.   00:00:00           ...

Getting to know you, getting to know all about Parle.  We sit town with another Parle team member, Marty Burns, who is one of our traveling sales consultants. As a child panning for gold in the Merced River, Marty was destined to be involved in the jewelry industry. We sit down and learning about his early beginnings in the jewelry industry and even tornadoes.    00:00:00                         ...

We went straight to the source to learn more about Montana Sapphire from the Rock Creek mountains of Montana.  We were honored to have a guided tour from Warren Boyd, of Potentate.  From the early findings, mining techniques to how they responsibly source Sapphires to ensure many years of sapphires to come.   00:00:00                             Who drank all the coffee? 00:47:50                 ...

“To shine, to gleam, or to be yellow or green.”  This week is all about the Midas touch --- GOLD! We explore the early history of gold, some fundamental basics, how it has become the metal of choice and of course, the lore behind it all. 00:00:00                             Take 1 to 11 00:39:00                             GOLD 01:42:00                             What does gold mean? 02:22:00   ...

Getting to know you, getting to know all about . . . Paul!  You’ve heard us reference Paul throughout other episodes so its time we put him in the hot seat.  Parlé wouldn’t be the same company without him because heck, he manages our whole production team.  We learn about his childhood passion for minerals and his journey into his role.  Don’t forget to email us at gemjunkies@parlegems.com or DM u...

Mexican Fire Opal is what is up for the week!  Yes, Jonathan and Brecken covered opal in 2 prior podcast episodes but thought it would be best to go into a little more detail about this mystical stone.  From Aztec lore to the very core of how this opal is formed.   [Warning: we experience some technical difficulties in the middle of the recording so we apologize for the intermittent sound quality....

It's been awhile but Gem Junkies is back!  Jonathan and Brecken talk about the heavenly world of Jade. As always, they'll cover the chemical compositions and Brecken favorite the lore and history among different cultures/civilizations. 00:00:00         Getting back into the swing of things 01:26:00         Intro to Jade 01:56:00         Two types: Nephrite and Jadeite 02:26:00         To...

We’re back after a brief hiatus but it’s going to be amazing, I should say phenomenal!  Rather than talking about one gemstone, Jonathan and Brecken talk about PHENOMENAL GEMSTONES!!   From the varieties of phenomenons to the components that allow the phenomenon to exist.     00:00:00                               Mickey isn’t real 01:21:50                               Returning to the basement a...

Ask and you will receive?  You all requested more interviews and Jonathan and Brecken come back with another special guest.  You can call him Leo Valentine, the Beyoncè of AGS but we know him as John Carter – President of the American Gemstone Society and owner of Jack Lewis Jewelers.  Learn about John’s early beginnings at Jack Lewis his transition into ownership and even some awesome gem junkie...

A Northern Californian taking the gemstone world by storm with her paintings.  Yes, PAINTINGS!! Jonathan and Brecken sit with Angie Crabtree. From her childhood memories to geodes, teaching to stumbling into the world of gemstones we get to better know the woman behind the canvas. 00:40:00               Introduction to Angie Crabtree 01:55:00               What inspired you to do this? 05:23:50   ...

Eureka!! We have diamonds!! Jonathan and Brecken finally talk about the #1 gemstone sold –Diamonds!  There’s a lot to cover when it comes to Diamonds so this episode will cover some lore, its history and even touch base on the subject Natural vs. Synthetic Diamonds.   00:00:00              Intro 00:41:00              Diamonds!!! 01:53:50              <Slight detour> Discover the best donuts...

Part III of the interview series from the Tucson AGTA Gem Fair.  Jonathan and Brecken interview fellow designer William Travis Kukovich. Transforming his life from a traumatic childhood to becoming a recipient of 17 AGTA Spectrum Awards. 00:00:00          How the podcast started? 00:48:00          Introducing William Travis Kukovich 01:26:80          Want to see the scar? 01:56:00          So you...

St. Patrick’s day is just around the corner and to bring in as much luck as possible we explore the lore behind lucky gemstones.  Crack open a beer, enjoy some laughs and discover the perfect gemstone to bring you the best luck!!    1:05:00                 Juicy Gem 2:49:00                 Green.  The color of St. Patrick’s Day and Luck 4:40:00                  Finding luck in Jade 5:24:00       ...

Jonathan and Brecken explore the world of Aquamarine.  The birthstone of March provides unique gemstone qualities and an expansive folklore behind it.  Who wouldn’t want to conjure people from the dead, carry a piece of mermaid treasure or ensure a life-long marriage?   0:25.0             Welcome!  We’re back in the basement!!                        (Reminisce about Tucson and meeting Gem Junkies ...

Jonathan and Brecken interview Danielle Miele of Gem Gossip.  From her early childhood memories with jewelry, how Gem Gossip started and even about her new role into motherhood.  0:35.00                  – Introduction with Gem Gossip 1:14.20                  – Starting out as a blog 1:36.20                  – What is your first memory of a piece of jewelry/gemstone? 2:59.00                  – If...

Tuscon was another great year and we were fortunate enough to interview THE Doug Hucker -- CEO of AGTA.  Take look into how it all with the AGTA Gem Fair, the lore behind the show and even define the term "ethically sourced". 0:46.0 - First memory of a piece of jewelry or gemstone 1:30.0 - What's your story? How did you get here? 5:41.0 - What direction are you steering the ship? 8:...

Back to talking about gemstones!!  Explore the wonders of Montana Sapphire.  Jonathan and Brecken discuss the early beginnings and the lore behind America's finest gemstone.

Jonathan interviews Brecken and puts her in the hot seat.  Reminisce through childhood memories and her journey leading into the world of jewelry.

Getting to know you, getting to know all about -- Jonathan!!  We've spent this past year talking about gemstones and thought you should get to know us a little more.  Get a personal interview about Jonathan--childhood memories growing up in the jewelry industry, being an SOB (not the SOB you're thinking) and some personal stories.

Starting off the new year with January's birthstone, Garnet.  While it provides the world a wide array of colors (except blue) Jonathan and Brecken explore the world of the red tones of the Garnet Family. From Biblical times to Greek mythology Garnet has made it stamp in history.

Jonathan and Brecken reflect on the past year--share more stories and look back on their favorite episodes.  In the Holiday Spirit, they also talk about how Parle is giving back to the jewelry community.  Stay tuned for the full episode for a special Parle surprise!!

This year marks 45 years in the jewelry business for Parle!! Jonathan and Brecken interview the man who started it all, Frank Farnsworth. It's a journey into the past--the first mining excursion, being on the road, how the industry has evolved and tips for future entrepreneurs.

Jonathan and Brecken discuss Zircons unique properties-- high doubling, high refractive index and even radioactive!!  (Don't worry it's not harmful to wear.) Even learn how to ward off phantoms and demons.  Intrigued? Come take a listen!! 

We talk gemstones- the science, the history, and the fashion of the industry. Hear from gemologists, jewelry designers, and jewelry enthusiasts as they delve deep into a world of color.

Brecken and Jonathan break out the purple quartz and their drinking goblets this episode to talk all about the sobering gemstone- Amethyst. This variety of quartz has been adorned by some of the most pious in history, making it quit a "pure" stone, but where is it from, and how does it get it's color? Well, just listen to find out!