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.] 00:24:00 Gemma and a little story time 03:05:00 Mexican Fire Opal introduction 03:47:00 Mexican Fire O...
Jun 21, 2019•23 min
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 Toughness vs. Hardness 03:03:00 Toughness scale of Jadeite and Nephrite 03:29:00 Jade is just a general term 05:24:00 Lore - Stone for the pain i...
Jun 14, 2019•29 min
00:00:00 Mickey isn’t real 01:21:50 Returning to the basement and what we’ve been up to 04:35:00 Phenomenal Gemstones (2) main types: Structure and Inclusions 05:04:00 Structure of phenomenal gemstones 05:24:00 Play of Color Our favorite gemstone – opal 06:11:00 Iridescence = Pearl 07:31:50 Ladradorescence = Ladradorescence 09:22:50 Adularescence = Moonstone 10:48:00 Moonstone Lore 13:01:00 Second Type of Phenomenon: Inclusions 13:09:00 Chatoyancy = Cat Eye + Alexandrite 14:52:00 Milk and Honey ...
May 17, 2019•29 min
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 banter. 00:00:00 Valentine Drive 00:45:00 Introduction to John Carter 02:01:00 What is your first memor...
Apr 20, 2019•54 min
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 Somehow I accidentally slipped into this 6:48:00 What is your first memory of a gemstone or jewelry? 08:14:50 Going to GIA to get a...
Apr 04, 2019•25 min
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 Discover the best donuts in the world 02:50:00 Back to our regular scheduled program 😊 03:24:00 The name! Where does it come from? 03:47:50 Earliest references of diamonds 04:31:00 4th Cen...
Mar 31, 2019•39 min
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 were 4 years old. What happened? 04:44:00 You said your brain rewired itself. 05:28:00 I can sculpt anything 06:11:50 I don’t write, I dr...
Mar 22, 2019•49 min
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 Luck in birthstones > Zodiac birthstone gemstone 7:41:00 Aquarius = Garnet 8:05:00 Pisces = Amethyst 8:23:00 Aries = Bloodstone 8:50:00 Taurus = Sapphire 9:26...
Mar 14, 2019•24 min
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 Junkie fans) 3:05.0 So aqua, in the barrel family (Birthstone and other barrel gemstones) 4:06.0 Where does the name Aquamarine come from 4:47.0 Gem...
Mar 07, 2019•25 min
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 your family in the jewelry/gemstone business? 3:13.00 – How did you get involved with jewelry? 6:05.00 – Substitute teaching, then what? 7:06.50 – Why Nashville? 7:46.60 ...
Feb 28, 2019•24 min
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? 8:06.0 - Elaborating on disclosure/transparency about gemstones 9:25.0 - What does the AGTA provide in regards to educ...
Feb 16, 2019•54 min
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. Go to link below for transcription https://www.parlegems.com/blog/the-finest-american-gemstone-montana-sapphire/
Feb 08, 2019•20 min
Jonathan interviews Brecken and puts her in the hot seat. Reminisce through childhood memories and her journey leading into the world of jewelry.
Jan 31, 2019•30 min
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 of) and some personal stories.
Jan 25, 2019•25 min
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.
Jan 10, 2019•19 min
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!!
Dec 20, 2018•24 min
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.
Dec 14, 2018•27 min
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!!
Dec 07, 2018•23 min
Gem Junkies are back!! Brecken shares her recent buying experience purchasing in Hong Kong. What a common day looks like being on the road and buying tips. The Holiday are here and they give a shopping guide to help select the perfect piece of jewelry to gift.
Nov 29, 2018•24 min
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!
Nov 08, 2018•22 min
Brecken & Jonathan are in a golden state of mind in this week's episode where they discuss November's birthstone, Citrine. Learn the recipe to a great new detox (just in time for the Holiday food fest!), how to get "more smarter," and all that other science-y stuff the Gem Junkies bring. Get into the ~Golden~ mood with us.
Nov 01, 2018•21 min
On this Halloween Special be careful of holding onto your gems too tightly, as they might turn on you. Brecken and Jonathan take us back to a time where gemstones would come alive, and possess secret powers- a time when science couldn't answer the ponderous sundries of coincidence and superstition. But were all of those ancients really crazy- or do some gemstones actually display some otherworldly gifts?
Oct 25, 2018•31 min
Brecken & Jonathan tackle another member of the Garnet family- this one turns green under pressure- the Grossular Garnet! Known to the jewelry industry as Mint or Tsavorite Garnet this beauty can rival that of Emerald, but how? Learn more about its well-timed discovery, the science behind its green glow, and what the jewelry market makes of this green goddess with this weeks episode!
Oct 18, 2018•20 min
This week Jonathan and Brecken talk about something truly phenomenal- Alexandrite. This two-faced gemstone has captivated the gemstone world by setting the standard for a true color-changing gem. The question is, how? Catch this show for the breakdown of science, lore, and the gemstone market, all about Alex! 00:00:00 Sorry Standford 00:30:00 We’re back and gators 02:13:00 A request for Alexandrite 02:43:00 What is Alexandrite? 03:17:00 187 years ago it was discovered 04:03:00 A royal gemstone 0...
Oct 12, 2018•18 min
Because of popular demand Gem Junkies explore the long and exotic history of Turquoise. A gemstone as old as time is sure to have been used for some weird stuff. Explore the lore and science behind this blue treasure and keep an eye out for a Turquoise on your next shopping trip- Brecken will be!
Sep 28, 2018•27 min
Gem Junkies are back from their venture into Tanzania to explore the mines of the gemstones featured in 'Sharing The Rough.' They recap their visit to the mines, the cutters, and the Maasai school, and of course the SAFARI! Join us for a fun episode, and get some insights on how the jewelry industry does business.
Sep 21, 2018•34 min
Wrapping things up in our own special coating of Nacre with our part 2 of the Pearl series. Brecken and Jonathan follow the life of a well-traveled Pearl, we also head to a very strange place to uncover the worlds biggest Pearl, all while discussing what makes this little organic gem so valuable. Join us for this epic journey into the sea of Pearls! 00:00:00 Your fly is down 00:41:00 Assembling furniture/A busy weekend 02:50:00 Back to Pearls . . .the worlds LARGEST pearl 04:00:00 Any mollusk ca...
Aug 31, 2018•30 min
Well, with the world as our oyster there is only one thing on our mind- PEARLS. Brecken & Jonathan begin to delve into this timeless, organic gemstone in their two-part series. In this episode, we learn how Cleopatra brings all the kings to the yard, how Oysters are responsible for these glossy beauties, and Jonathan discovers an easy way to cool off in the hot summer months. So gather around the campfire fellow junkies, and let's get gemmy! 00:00:00 Gonads 00:18:00 The world is our oyster =...
Aug 24, 2018•29 min
Finally, the track we have been teasing about- Brecken and Jonathan discuss a fiercely trending gem, and all of the death and destruction revolving around this impostor crystal. So come for the lore, and stay for the science as we breakdown Spinel in this week's episode of GEM JUNKIES.
Aug 17, 2018•27 min
Gem Junkies, Brecken and Jonathan spend this week chatting with friend, and beloved Instagram Jewelry Guru, Benjamin Guttery, a.k.a. THIRD COAST GEMS! We hear how Benjamin and Third Coast Gems came to be, get a hard lesson in consistency and perseverance in the social media game, and are given insights into the magic behind a great Instagram presence.
Aug 09, 2018•26 min
