Mark Patterson Fine Jewelry is a Newport Beach-based fine jewelry brand founded in 1985 in New York City by Mark and Josette Patterson. The brand reflects their creative partnership, and defines their design philosophy to create jewelry made ethically in their studio with the finest gemstones and the best quality in craftsmanship.

How long have you been married?

32 years

Tell us about your proposal and engagement ring

When Mark proposed he gave me an oval ruby and a few diamonds and told me to design my ring. Unfortunately the ring was stolen, I probably wore it for just a few months. Eventually Mark bought this marquise diamond with a pink overtone and told me again to design another engagement ring. I got upset at the setter for the way he finished the pave with the engraving but I still have it. I haven’t been able to wear it since I broke my finger. For our 10 year anniversary Mark gave me a 1.50 cts pear shape it was beautiful, I set it with ruby princess cut eventually I sold it to a customer who loved it and never bought another diamond. I love to stack bands, I have been doing it for 20 years. Once in a while I will wear an unusual stone that I would design for myself but again, I never keep them, my friends keep insisting on buying them from me.

What is so special about your spouse that is the reason she/he is the one for you?

We were studying at the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica when we met and we realized that we had the same interests.

How did you come about working together?

We started the business together from day one right after we got married.

How do you make it work for our couples who are considering getting into business together?

We had a rule that if we didn’t like a design that either one sketched we would simply trash it and start again. It is best not to fight over little things and jeopardize your relationship. Eventually with time we would do subtle changes to the sketches and realized that the design process has become a combination of thoughts between the two of us.

Aside from work, any tips for couples who are about to get engaged and really want the everlasting part to work?

Compromise is the key to an everlasting relationship.

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