The other day I asked a friend:
“If you could ask me three questions about my business — what would they be?”
These were hers. To be clear, she'd laugh at how formal I make them sound, but you know, trying to be "professional" here. 😂
And honestly? They’re good ones.
So I thought I’d answer them here.
But also read to the end, I let her throw in a personal one!
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Question: When you’re designing something meant to be worn every day — not just saved for “special occasions” — what standards do you refuse to compromise on, even if no one ever sees them?
Answer:
I always start with 14 karat gold.
There’s this idea that higher karat means better. It doesn’t. Not if you actually want to wear your jewelry every day.
18k and above is softer. Softer means it bends. Scratches. Warps. That’s lovely if you’re storing it in a velvet box. Less lovely if you’re living your life in it.
I design pieces to be worn — to the grocery store, to work, to dinner, on vacation. So durability matters more than bragging rights. That being said, the hue of 18k+ is different and if we are going for a more yellow look OR there is an allergy involved, we can definitely discuss a different metal.
Craftsmanship is a non-negotiable. I only work with small manufacturers in the United States — people I know personally. Every piece is handcrafted. If I wouldn’t wear it every day, I won’t sell it.
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Question: The Sumaku Collection feels playful and architectural at the same time. What does your design process actually look like from idea to finished ring — and where do you allow yourself to experiment?
Answer:
Just pencil and paper and a shape I can’t get out of my head.
From there, I collaborate with a CAD designer to refine proportions and structure. That’s where the technical precision happens — but the spirit stays mine.
Sumaku is a great example. It has clean lines and structure, but there’s movement. There’s personality. I like when something feels balanced but not predictable.
That’s where I let myself experiment — with scale, with spacing, with subtle asymmetry. Sometimes even with a little humor. Jewelry doesn’t have to take itself too seriously since clearly I don't take myself too seriously
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Question: How do you balance designing something that feels modern now while still knowing it should look just as right ten or twenty years from today?
Answer:
I don’t design for trends. I design for instinct.
If I have to convince myself something is “in,” it doesn't have staying power.
I tend towards classic, clean, and safe — but not boring. The trick is adding something slightly unexpected so it doesn’t disappear into a sea of basic.
Anyone can buy basic. That’s easy.
What I’m interested in is elevating the classics. Taking a simple band and giving it just enough distinction that you know it’s different — even if you can’t immediately say why.
If you can still look at it in ten years and think, “Yes. That’s exactly right,” then I’ve done my job
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Question: If you could have anyone famous wear your jewelery, who would it be and why?
Answer:
This is the easiest to answer. Michelle Obama. Not only do I respect her for her work ethic, making family a priority, and community values ---- she is discerning in all her decisions. So to have her want to wear art I create would be the ultimate compliment.
I also believe in my heart that the Obamas and the Parcels would be fast friends. 🤗
This is true: I dreamt the other night that I was Barack's personal jeweler and advised him on gifts for Michelle. In the dream, I, along with the children of staff members, were taken hostage for ransom. I said to the bad guys: Let the kids go, I'm the one you want, I am close the Obamas, we are friends and I'm their personal jewelry advisor. I was immediately let free. So maybe jewelers aren't as important as I thought. I mean, it's subjective really.
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