Gem Junkies
Hosts Brecken and Jonathan are co-owners of Parle, a multi-generational, family-run jewelry brand that specializes in sourcing colored gemstones of extraordinary beauty, rarity, and value. Parle means "to speak", and they believe in the powerful stories behind jewels. Through inspiring interviews and fun conversations, they educate listeners about gems as well as the hottest topics and trends in the jewelry industry.
Episodes
December 18, 2023 • 28 mins
In this long-awaited comeback episode of our podcast, "Is Anyone Listening?", we enthusiastically announce our return from a brief hiatus! We're thrilled to be back on air, ready to dive into the fascinating world of gemstones once again. This episode is particularly special as we cover two distinct regions: the tropical paradise of Hawaii and our very own home state, Idaho.
First up, Hawaii! We'll explore the island's unique geol...
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May 11, 2021 • 28 mins
It’s been a while! Between (2) quarantines and a terrible case of a stomach bug, we’re back on track to bring you Florida and Georgia.
00:00:00 Name that bool
01:30:00 Long time, no chat
03:18:00 So Florida
05:07:00 Moonstone (For more details on moonstone check out our episode – “Phenomenon-phe-no-me-no-me-non !!!”)
06:45:00 Popularity
07:06:00 Florida state stone
10:41:00 State shell
12:11:00 Georgia – Qua...
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February 25, 2021 • 27 mins
Hello, 2021!! It’s already been off to a crazy start but we will kick things off with the continuation of our “Gems of the US” series. Up next we’ve got Connecticut and Delaware.
00:00:00 Rabbit hole
00:25:00 We’re back
01:45:00 Storytime – wallpaper
O3:00:00 Onto Connecticut and Delaware. Neither of which has a state gemstone.
04:12:00 Connecticut State Mineral = Almandine Garnet
05:10:00 The role that Garnet has in Connecti...
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December 17, 2020 • 34 mins
Up next on our journey exploring gemstones across the US we’ve got Colorado. Not only does Colorado have a state gemstone but it also has a state mineral we haven’t covered yet – rhodochrosite. Pull up a chair as we look into into this double-gemmy episode.
00:00:00 Notes
00:29:00 Colorado
01:10:00 The Charlemagne connection
03:52:00 Ranking in most hated states
05:30:00 Aquamarine
05:47:00 1880’s
08:20:00 The discovery at ...
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November 5, 2020 • 35 mins
Continuing with our series Gems of the US and up next we have California. A state that encompasses a plethora of gemstones we focus dabble about Spodumene, Tourmaline, and of coarse, it’s state gemstone--Benitoite. It's a big state so it is only fair to recognize these two influential gemstones.
00:00:00 Calimocho/ Kalimotxo
01:58:00 Cookie Monster + Wednesday Addams = Happy Halloween
03:24:00 This week –California
04:41:00 B...
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October 8, 2020 • 47 mins
Working our way down the alphabet which means we’ve got Arizona and Arkansas up next. These two states bring a plethora of gemmy goodness.
00:00:00 Deck issues
00:58:00 “The United States”
02:10:00 Arizona & Arkansas
03:02:00 Arizona = Turquoise
03:20:00 Rich history in Arizona
03:37:00 State neckwear
05:15:00 First mined in 200 BC
06:06:00 Turquoise legends
06:35:00 It’s found throughout the state
07:31:00 Native Ameri...
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September 10, 2020 • 30 mins
With so many people unable to travel beyond the US border and taking more local road trips we figured now was the perfect time to explore each state’s gemstone. To start things off we’re talking about Alabama and Alaska.
00:00:00 Who’s starting?
01:01:00 Alabama and Alaska . . . cue the states song
03:17:00 Alabama – Blue Star Quarts
03:26:00 Thought it would be something red
03:48:00 1990
04:04:00 But why?
06:23:00 How is i...
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August 31, 2020 • 41 mins
We’ve covered gold, silver, and platinum. But how do all of these different metals work within the components of jewelry design? We take you through each step of the process from molding to polish and talk about how these metals vary within each step of the process. To ensure we don’t overlook any details we brought in our production manager, Paul Hartman, to join in on the conversation.
00:00:00 Peeing in the pool
00:40:00 Al...
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August 14, 2020 • 30 mins
What is denser than a diamond and is extremely ductile? PLATINUM. Once tossed away to be believed un-ripened silver that noble metal has become a popular choice in jewelry design. Learn about its discovery and its out of this world origins.
00:00:00 Dubba-dub-dub-dub
00:14:00 The game plan with the podcast
03:50:00 Garden Woes
05:54:00 So Platinum. . . how did it get its name?
06:13:00 Platinum’s discovery
08:22:00 Platinum ...
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June 22, 2020 • 23 mins
Moonbeams and ocean reflections are just a few ways to describe the beauty of Moonstone. This week we explore the world of this translucent yet, opulent gemstone.
00:00:00 That’s an “I”
00:44:00 Moonstone
02:50:00 Why is it called moonstone?
03:43:50 The phenomenon, adularescence
04:31:00 What is moonstone?
06:36:00 Where does the name/word adularescence come from?
07:10:00 Quality factors
08:14:00 Moonstone has two cle...
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May 15, 2020 • 30 mins
We’ve been away for 6 weeks and we’re all excited to be back at the office! Take a seat as we recap about our quarantine experience and explore the ancient world of Lapis Lazuli. Being one of the oldest gemstones mined, it has an extensive involvement with history and folklore that will lure you in.
00:00:00 Has it really been 6 weeks?
00:29:00 The COVID experience
08:53:00 Ok, we’ve got a gemstone for you—Lapis Lazuli
09:30:00 H...
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March 21, 2020 • 23 mins
This week we're getting back to our roots and talking about a gemstone—chrysoprase. Its golden-green tone has a rich presence in history and folklore. We also explore its healing properties and its ability to be a beacon of courage through a time of change.
00:00:00 Social distancing
00:55:00 2020 has already had it's high and lows
06:38:00 What gemstone are we talking about?
06:58:00 The meaning of chrysoprase
07:37:00 Crystal ...
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March 13, 2020 • 31 mins
One of our goals with the podcast this year is to focus on career paths. Up next, is an interview providing another perspective in opportunities within the jewelry industry--journalism. We sit down with Brecken Branstrator, with National Jeweler, to learn a little more about her role as an editor and of course, talk about the name “Brecken.”
00:00:00 I’m so bossy
01:32:00 “Oh, you’re the other Brecken?
02:22:00 Brecken Branstr...
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March 9, 2020 • 33 mins
In honor of #womensinternationalday and #womenshistorymonth we sit down with Jennifer Markas to learn more about Women’s Jeweler Association (WJA). We dive into WJA’s history, its mission and get to know Jennifer up close and personal.
00:00:00 Are we ready?
00:16:00 We’re going to Disneyland
00:57:00 Introduction to Jennifer Markas of WJA
01:58:00 Where id WJA start?
05:06:00 A common misconception of WJA
06:57:0...
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February 27, 2020 • 26 mins
We’re back with another interview from Tucson at the JCK show and continue to delve into the world of career paths within the jewelry world. Behind every brand is a marketing team that helps bring life to its story. We sit down with Ben Smittee, of The Smithee Group, to get to know a little more about him and his passion supporting the future of the jewelry industry.
00:00:00 Worse topic ever
00:29:00 Ben Smithee
01:20:00 What d...
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February 14, 2020 • 34 mins
We regularly get asked, “What can I do with a GG? How do I obtain a GG?” We went straight to the source and sat down with Kimberly Overlin, the Dean of Students from GIA. We discuss the nuts and bolts about GIA (Gemological Institute of America), what it offers to students and review career paths that one can obtain.
(Recording took place on the show floor of the AGTA Gem Fair. Some of the background noise was able to get reduce...
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January 31, 2020 • 10 mins
2020 is in full swing and we thought it would be a good idea to give you an idea of things to look forward to from the podcast.
00:00:00 It’s Brecken!
00:06:00 Back from Hong Kong
05:43:00 What to expect this year
07:33:00 Delve into the world of less known/obscure gemstones
08:32:00 Speaking of Tucson . . .
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January 27, 2020 • 30 mins
We’ve been busy bees getting ready for trade show season but don’t worry Gem Junkies we haven’t forgotten about you!! For awhile we’ve teased about putting together an episode about birthstones and it’s finally come into fruition. From it’s early biblical beginning to its influence in the jewelry world we delve into its long history.
00:00:00 Take 2. Press Record.
00:24:00 Parle tradeshow line-up
01:28:00 Birthstones
01...
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January 3, 2020 • 38 mins
Hello 2020!! For the first podcast of the year we sit down with Craig Danforth from Jewelers Mutual. With all the jewelry received over the holidays we talk about the importance of acquiring a policy for your jewelry, the history of Jewelers Mutual and of course, we get to know Craig up close and personal.
00:00:00 Sea Legs
00:42:00 Introducing Craig Danforth
02:09:00 First memory of a piece of jewelry or gemstone
02:50:00 Take...
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December 12, 2019 • 35 mins
If you’ve been wondering who is often laughing in the background when we’re recording a podcast it’s me, Stephanie Major. Hey Gem Junkies, I’m the producer and marketing coordinator at Parle. We thought it might be time to step up to the mic and for you all to get to know a little more about me.
00:00:00 Hey, @spencerpratt
03:34:00 Happy Birthday Abbey
01:39:00 [Going down a rabbit hole] A look back of the past
02:29:00 The i...
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