A conversation with: Monique Pean

Woolly mammoths and walruses and dinosaurs, oh my! Jewelry designer Monique Pean has carved out an interesting niche, literally --  she digs in the dirt for unique fossils -- in the accessories market. Marissa Collections sat down with the seasoned globetrotter about her passion for prehistoric treasures and philanthropy. A retailer of fine jewelry and high fashion in Naples, Fla., Marissa Collections has begun conducting Q&As with new designers as the store adds them, and shares these with National Jeweler exclusively before posting the interviews on its jewelry blog at MarissaCollections.com. Marissa Collections: Describe your transition from finance to jewelry design. Monique Pean: While working in finance, my younger sister Vanessa passed away in a car accident at the age of 16. At that moment, I realized it was necessary to reevaluate what I wanted to do with my life. I decided to pursue a career that allowed me to combine my passions for design, art, travel and philanthropy. MC: Did any of your former skills apply to the next phase? MP: Very much so. I was able to use my financial skills to pursue an entrepreneurial path and properly establish and grow my brand. MC: What’s a typical day like? MP: Between designing, traveling for personal appearances and all of the other aspects that go into running a business, I find that each day is completely different. I love that I get to meet people with different backgrounds and experience so many new places. MC: Which came first, your love of travel or jewelry design? MP: I’ve loved both from a young age. My grandmother has an incredible Art Deco jewelry collection, and she always encouraged me to explore her jewelry box as a child and experiment with wearing multiple rings and bracelets at once. My father worked in economic development, so I was lucky enough to accompany him to over 40 countries, which got me hooked on travel. MC: Since travel is such a major component of your work, how does it affect your design process? MP: Each year I take a trip to a new destination to find sustainable materials and partner with local artisans to develop new collections. The geography and indigenous art of these areas are my core inspirations along with modern artistic movements and architecture. I’m working with artisans in the Arctic Circle, French Polynesia, Peru, Guatemala, Colombia and the Philippines. MC: What are some of your favorite destinations? MP: I keep returning to Japan, where I’ve collected many comfortable, sculptural pieces over the years. Others are Brazil, Egypt, Antarctica, Guatemala and South Africa. Pean's 18-karat recycled yellow gold fossilized walrus ivory Norske oval ring ($10,530)