Q&A WITH OWNERS MARY LEPPERT & SAMANTHA HURST LARKINS
Mary and Sam reflect as another milestone approaches this weekend!
WHAT DOES JEWELRY MEAN TO YOU?
Mary: Jewelry is an expression of self. And, a timeless piece that can tell a story or hold a memory.
Sam: Whether it's your wedding band, a strand of pearls passed down from a grandmother, or the piece you bought for yourself with that first bonus check at work—Jewelry can help define who you are, where you came from, and where you are going. It is a symbol of your memories and identity. Each day when you select a piece to wear, you carry that memory with you and in turn reveal your identity to the world.
WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THIS FIELD?
Mary: One of my brother's friends went to the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). I thought jewelry was just something that I loved. I didn't think it could be something that would be an integral part of my life.
Sam: For me, it was always about the creative process. Designing and creating is definitely my first love.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB AT METALMARK?
Mary: I absolutely love developing client friendships. As a jeweler, you essentially walk through life with people.
Sam: For me, it’s creating something from nothing, and all the elements that go into it — whether it's custom designing a piece with a client or building our brand and business. I love seeing the end result and knowing how each aspect came together to make it happen ... that’s pretty special.
HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO START METALMARK?
Mary: Sam conned me into it, but it only took me a minute or a day to say yes. She's doesn't think she's good at sales, but she is. ;)
Sam: I had the idea for a store that wasn’t stuffy. I wanted to create a place that was magical, approachable and rooted in client happiness ... but I really couldn’t have done it without Mary. She’s literally good at all the things I’m terrible at. Our partnership is what makes our business successful.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT OWNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Mary: Working with and growing alongside Sam and the ladies that work with us are my favorite parts of owning my own business.
Sam: Our team for sure. Our designer partners and staff are rock stars.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO ABOUT OPENING A CARMEL, IN LOCATION?
Mary: I’m so excited to bring a fresh new vibe of jewelry and a beautiful space to Carmel and Indianapolis.
Sam: More trips home! I love living in Denver, but opening the store in Carmel is an amazing opportunity to connect to my hometown and be with family more regularly.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THE TWO LOCATIONS OF CARMEL AND DENVER?
Mary: I think we opened Denver because we wanted to see if we could do it. Sure, I wanted to live in Colorado and Sam already lived there. But when I look back, I wanted to see if I could succeed outside of the city that supported me for so long. I guess I wanted to know if I was actually good at what I did.
Sam: We opened Metalmark in an up-and-coming neighborhood In Denver and really built a client base from nothing. Indiana made sense as the next step because we both have strong roots and an existing base there. Carmel was honestly the best/biggest surprise for me. Mary and I had been looking for spaces for some time in Indianapolis when our broker recommended we take a look at the building on Monon & Main Street. I haven’t lived in Indy in more than 10 years and I was mind blown by the growth in Carmel. It is an amazing, vibrant community and I feel so blessed to have landed there.
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT FAVORITE PIECE AT THE STORE?
Mary: There is a beautiful diamond estate ring at the store that I covet. I think it has an exquisite layout of marquise and baguette cut diamonds in the most fluid pattern that goes all the way around the finger.
Sam: I have a brand new bracelet in my Samantha Louise Jewelry collection that is 18K yellow gold and has tiny symbols all the way around. I call it my elements bracelet and I customize for clients with their own stones. The piece has some serious weight and feels very amazing to wear.
WHAT/WHO INSPIRES YOU?
Mary: The female jewelry designers of today and jewelry from the past inspire me the most.
Sam: Designers who really own their design identity. There is a lot out there and honestly most things have been done before. What’s inspiring to me is when a designer creates a look, stands by that look but then pushes the boundaries of where the brand can go.
FOLLOW MARY ON INSTAGRAM
@mary_metalmarkfinejewelry
FOLLOW SAM ON INSTAGRAM
@sam_metalmarkfinejewelry
