ABOUT PARKIN & GERRISH
Parkin & Gerrish is an online destination for antique, vintage, and fine jewelry, founded in 2021 by Zuleika and Oliver Gerrish.
Meet the Antique Dealers
Parkin & Gerrish was founded by husband-and-wife team Oliver and Zuleika Gerrish. Together, they bring a rare combination of expertise, passion, and personal touch to every jewel they offer.
Oliver, an architectural historian, brings an eye for design, craftsmanship, and heritage. Zuleika, a qualified gemmologist and jewelry historian, brings deep knowledge of gemstones and a lifelong love of collecting.
As a family-run British business, their mission is simple: to curate antique and vintage jewelry of lasting beauty, chosen not only for quality but for the stories each piece carries.
Zuleika Gerrish BA (Hons) FGA DGA
Originally trained as an art historian, Zuleika Gerrish is the daughter of the late art dealer Michael Parkin (Motcomb Street, 1972–1999) and artist and dealer Diana Parkin. Immersed in the arts from an early age, she built her career working with art dealers, auction houses, and advisors. A graduate of Wimbledon School of Art with a BA (Hons) in History of Art from Oxford Brookes University, Zuleika has always been drawn to the stories behind objects of beauty.
Her journey into jewelry began in 2016 with an unexpected career shift. What started as a few part-time hours working for her mother-in-law, Olly Gerrish, at Grays Antiques soon evolved into a lifelong passion. Guided by Olly’s 45+ years of expertise, Zuleika came to view jewelry as miniature works of art, fascinated by the craftsmanship and hidden histories behind each piece.
Her curiosity quickly became formal study: she is now a qualified FGA (Fellow of the Gemmological Association) and DGA (Diamond Member), and is training to become an IRV (Institute Registered Valuer) through the National Association of Jewellers. Zuleika is also an associate member of LAPADA and CINOA, and a member of the Society of Jewellery Historians. Alongside running Parkin & Gerrish, she lectures in historic jewelry, sharing her expertise with new audiences.
Zuleika is married to Oliver Gerrish, an architectural historian, writer, and lecturer. Educated at Harrow School, he went on to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, before completing a Master’s degree at Cambridge University. Oliver has written for Country Life and other leading heritage publications, is a Trustee of the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust, and is the founder and host of the acclaimed “Voices from the Hall” podcast, which explores the history of Britain’s country houses through conversations with their custodians. He also leads tours and lectures for heritage organisations, sharing his deep knowledge of architecture, design, and history.
At Parkin & Gerrish, Oliver brings this wider cultural perspective to jewelry, helping to source exceptional antique and vintage pieces that link personal adornment to art and architectural heritage.
Together, Zuleika and Oliver founded Parkin & Gerrish in 2021 to bring beautifully curated antique, vintage, and heirloom jewelry to new generations of collectors. Their shared vision is rooted in history, sustainability, and craftsmanship — celebrating jewelry not only as adornment, but as art, heritage, and legacy.
They live in Britain with their two children and terrier, Tixall, who is very much part of the Parkin & Gerrish story.
ZULEIKA IS PROUDLY A MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING
Introducing Tixall
Every jewelry house needs a guard dog… ours just happens to prefer diamonds to bones.
“The charming thing about jewelry, especially antique jewelry, is that each piece sparks a great conversation. Whenever, I am at a party and I want to chat to someone I always spot their jewelry and ask. Perhaps their ring belonged to a beloved grandmother, great grandmother even. Or, a brooch was gifted for its special birthstone. Perhaps there is a hidden compartment within the ring... There is always a story to tell. So, let's find yours…
WE HAVE SOME LOVELY 5 STAR REVIEWS ON
The Story Behind the Parkin & Gerrish Logo
You might be wondering, “Why The Birth of Venus?”
When Zuleika and Oliver first began designing the Parkin & Gerrish logo, they turned to family heritage for inspiration. Both the Parkin and Gerrish family crests feature birds — an eagle for the Parkins and a racing pigeon for the Gerrishes. While birds initially seemed symbolic, they just didn’t quite take flight.
Then came a fresh idea.
The Gerrish family crest also includes a scallop shell, a timeless emblem of pilgrimage and journey. With Zuleika’s roots on the Norfolk coast, the shell felt deeply personal — and artistically powerful. Shells also hold a special place in the history of jewelry: associated with pearls, one of the earliest adornments worn for their natural beauty.
That led to the ultimate inspiration: The Birth of Venus.
As an art historian, Zuleika was drawn to Botticelli’s iconic depiction of Venus, goddess of love and beauty, rising from the sea on a shell. She embodies everything jewelry should celebrate — love, beauty, sensuality, and transformation.
And what could be more timeless than wearing nothing but a strand of pearls?
At Parkin & Gerrish, we hope every piece of jewelry evokes that same magic — beautifully wrapped, joyfully received, and forever cherished.