In the jewelry industry, people can stand out for making
unique products, possessing extraordinary marketing savvy, or for being shrewd
negotiators. But to me, Brooke Tivol McGrath stood out as being a sincerely attentive
and upbeat brand ambassador for Carelle, where she worked for nearly four years
as a marketing manager. I could always count on Brooke to quickly supply
merchandise for a photo shoot or images for a story, and do so with a genuine
enthusiasm that many lose in the rushed, day-to-day demands of the workplace.
So when Carelle recently shared the news of her passing from a rare and
virulent blood infection in January 2011, at age 28, I was stunned and deeply
saddened, as are many of those who were fortunate enough to know her.
Three generations of Tivols, from left: Grandmother Ruthie Tivol,
Brooke Tivol McGrath, grandfather Harold, and mom Cathy Tivol
Brooke Tivol McGrath was a fourth-generation member of the
jewelry industry with retail sales experience acquired at her family’s stores
in Kansas City. She also spent time working at Fabrikant before joining
Carelle.
To honor Brooke’s memory, Carelle has launched a collection
of leaf-motif designs in her name. Brooke routinely wore a pair of Carelle Rose
de France and rose gold earrings, believing that the leaf symbol was a
touchstone of the brand; for this reason, Carelle honors her memory with several
styles featuring the leaf motif. The first piece is an 18k rose gold leaf
pendant set with a 25 mm Rose de France disc with diamond accents that retails
for $7,000.
According to Meghan Greenberg, director of client relations,
“the curved outline of a leaf gently supports the translucent stone symbolizing
the delicate balance of life, and the soft color combination reminds us of our
dear Brooke.”
The Brooke Leaf pendant in 18k rose gold features a 25 mm Rose de France disc with diamond accents for $7,000. A portion of sale proceeds benefit the Carelle Scholarship
in Honor of Brooke Tivol McGrath.
Additionally, Carelle is partnering with the Women’s Jewelry
Association to establish a scholarship in Brooke’s honor, with a portion of
sale proceeds from the Brooke Leaf Collection funding the Carelle Scholarship
in Honor of Brooke Tivol McGrath. Anyone interested in making a donation can contact
Carelle or the WJA.
Adds Greenberg, “We miss Brooke dearly and hope to inspire
female jewelers to find the passion and clarity in their career path that
Brooke possessed.”
for Style 360 blog
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