Marika Gems & Chicologie; The Joy of Entrepreneurial Neighborliness

Coming soon to my little corner of Old River, a magical gemological experience adds its unique charm.

The Stars, Sparkling Like Gems, Align

Marika Emerson, GIA GG, is in the right business. Through her work curating the Marika Gems vintage and antique fine jewelry collection, and her incredibly impressive wealth of knowledge used for her gemological services, a true love and well-invested passion shine through. I'm lucky to know Marika not just as a fellow entrepreneur, but as a friend. Through our friendship, I've come to realize Marika's perfectly paired with her career not just because she loves it, but because she is an absolute gem herself.

In December of 2024 Marika and I had dinner at Tartine Bistro, the beloved French restaurant below the Chicologie showroom. Over a pasta special I still dream about, we had one of those stars-align moments. I mentioned I was considering moving to the larger, soon to be available suite next to the showroom and she mentioned she was feeling ready to look for a showroom as the next step for Marika Gems. Four hours later, the idea of two friends and their two special small businesses (our businesses are also friends) becoming neighbors was a big new idea in both our minds. While I did choose to politely, respectfully, absolutely badger her with the idea that this was perfect for her, the bravery of taking that large leap so fast and so exceptionally in just two months is all Marika. Ultimately, Chicologie has remained where it is- but a one second walk to the left takes you to the Marika Gems showroom.

Marika Gems, In Her Own Words

"Marika Emerson is delighted to be bringing a new, one of a kind vintage and antique fine jewelry shopping experience to the greater Cleveland retail landscape. Her showroom space, located in the heart of Old Downtown Rocky River, is privately situated in a comfortable, diffusely sunlit suite, meticulously designed to allow shoppers to linger and explore a curated jewelry collection. Marika is a graduate gemologist (GIA GG) and jewelry appraiser and the showroom doubles as a gem lab where Marika provides by-appointment gemological and appraisal services. These include jewelry box and inheritance sort-throughs, gem identifications, appraisals and brokerage services, as well as consultations and developing custom designs with clients, which are fabricated locally by a private jeweler. Spring hours: Thursdays-Saturdays 10-5, also by appointment; always open online.

The showroom is located in a brick building which Marika Gems shares with luxury vintage showroom Chicologie and beloved Rocky River restaurant Tartine. The building, 19120 Old Detroit Road, is a perfect setting steeped in local history; at the time of its construction in 1921, it was Rocky River’s original City Hall. Step up the front stairs, past the double doors and through the foyer to Suite 4. Walking into Marika Gems showroom from the bustle of Old River’s downtown is a transition to a welcoming, carefully edited shopping experience. A sense of timelessness imbues the showroom, with luxurious details, ornate fixtures and antique furnishings. The jewelry collection rests in antique wood and glass showcases, one a conversion of an old jeweler’s scale, cleverly merchandised atop antique books with colorful titles. There is no “price upon request”- all prices are listed for ease.

The space is appointed with many thoughtful touches: hot tea, champagne or sparkling water for guests, comfortable seating, a library of gorgeous jewelry and gemology books which clients are welcome to peruse, and a full length mirror to see the impact of a piece of jewelry on an ensemble. As a gemologist and a lover of history, art and beauty, Marika sees it as her responsibility to usher pieces of jewelry which have survived previous lifetimes (sometimes centuries!) of ownership and wear to new owners who will treasure them, allowing the jewels to become a part of their own life stories. Marika has been sharing stories and images of incredible gemstones, famous jewels, and arcane, esoteric bits of jewelry history, as well as pieces available for purchase from her own collection, Marika Gems, since 2021 at @marikagems and www.marikagems.com"

Marika Gems X Chicologie

As I shared earlier, our businesses are also friends. With a neighborly friendship that would bring the late great Mr. Fred Rogers joy, we have the unique opportunity to amplify our shared vision of offering special, genuine, bespoke experiences with our clientele. You're all familiar with how much I love what I do, how much I love sharing it with you, and how grateful I am that you're all the other half of my greatest joy- spending all of my time with interesting, beautiful things and fascinating, wonderful people. That energy will be extended to you from Marika and the beautiful pieces in the Marika Gems collection. Expect a future full of special collaborations- but for now, every purchase made from the Marika Gems showroom during the grand opening will come with 15% off your purchase from the Chicologie Showroom during the same weekend. The Chicologie Showroom will hold its afternoon hours during all three days of the Marika Gems grand opening.