CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
EditorsApr 30, 2014
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)
MC: Where haven’t you been that you’d like to visit?
MP: Madagascar for its culture and unique ecosystems; more than 90 percent of its wildlife is endemic.
MC: What are some other signature traits of your work?
MP: I’m known for distinctive and sustainable materials, most notably fossilized woolly mammoth, fossilized walrus ivory and fossilized dinosaur bone, as well as designs that have a modern influence. I would love for collectors to view my pieces as art, history, nature, luxury and fashion all in one. I aim to create heirloom pieces as wearable works of art that can be passed down for generations.
MC: Which material would you like to experiment with?
MP: My favorite part about being a designer is finding new rare materials like fossilized dinosaur bone, which hails from the Late Jurassic Age in the Colorado Plateau, the only source for agatized, fossilized dinosaur bone. This material is extremely rare because it has been petrified, which preserves the dinosaur’s original cell structure. Due to impurities in surrounding sediment, colors range from lavender to black with red, yellow, brown and blue. Their intricate patterns resemble abstract art.
MC: When was your first big break?
MP: Accepting a 2009 CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Vogue Fashion Fund award from Alber Elbaz. The support of the CFDA, Vogue and Anna Wintour has been invaluable.
MC: What’s one of your proudest moments as a designer?
MP: I’m honored that Michelle Obama and Natalie Portman have worn my jewelry. They’re not only beautiful, but admirable for their professional achievements. I appreciate their commitment to raising awareness of important global environmental and social issues. I would love to see them wear my jewelry again for a momentous occasion.
MC: What do you hear most from customers about your designs?
MP: My collection has been very popular with contemporary and modern art collectors. People with an artistic sensibility are drawn to my collection because they appreciate each piece’s craftsmanship, sustainability and unique materials and nature.
MC: Since you’re so dedicated to eco-friendly design, how has that niche evolved since you started?
MP: When I began, there were very few sustainable fashion lines. Sustainability wasn’t closely associated with luxury. It took a while for attitudes to change, but the green
movement has made enormous strides in the fashion world and environmentally friendly and sustainable luxury options are becoming more readily accessible. It’s exciting to see the shift in the consumer’s mindset. Our collectors greatly appreciate that we work to provide clean drinking water and basic sanitation to developing communities through the sale of each piece of jewelry.
MC: What’s new regarding your philanthropy?
MP: Proceeds from our 2013 jewelry sales are funding the construction of a clean water well and purification system in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region, as well as a water purification system in Nepal.
MC: What’s new regarding your philanthropy?
MP: Proceeds from our 2013 jewelry sales are funding the construction of a clean water well and purification system in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region, as well as a water purification system in Nepal.
More on Editors
The Latest
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
