Each year I do a pre-Vegas Britt’s Pick spotlighting a jewel I’m really anticipating seeing at the shows. This year’s selection comes with an unfortunate caveat—it’s no longer available.
“Is it an issue that it’s already sold?” Parlé’s marketing director Stephanie Major asked when I inquired about the piece via email. That poses no problem for the lucky owner of the one-of-a-kind jewel, of course, but I must admit I lament that I won’t see it in person.
I still insist on featuring it, however, because it exemplifies both Parlé’s acumen for luxurious yet whimsical design and its exquisite offering of opals.
“A couple of years ago in Tucson, we were meeting with one of our Mexican fire opal vendors when he presented us with an incredible hand-carved opal rose,” Major tells JCK. “We were instantly drawn to it and knew we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Given the success of our brooch designs, it was a natural next step to transform it into a statement brooch.”
Though you won’t be able to get up close with Parlé’s rose brooch in Vegas, the Idaho-based opal specialist—headed by Jonathan Farnsworth, with his wife, Brecken, as creative director—will have plenty of additional pieces on hand, including another instant favorite, a Tyrannosaurus rex brooch.
“We call this dinosaur the Milliesaurus,” Major says. “The idea came from one of Jonathan and Brecken’s twin daughters, who asked one day, ‘Why don’t you make dinosaur jewelry?’ And honestly, why not? That question sparked the creation of the Milliesaurus.”
Like the rose, the Milliesaurus exemplifies Parlé’s playful approach to design, while highlighting an important aspect of the company—it’s family-owned, family-oriented, and just so darn easy to love.
And even more good news? There are more dinosaurs, including a triceratops. Seriously!
Be sure not to miss Parlé at the Luxury show in Las Vegas, booth #730.
Top: Rose brooch in yellow gold with Mexican fire opal, price on request; Parlé
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