Meet
Marcilla Bailey
Jewelry has always been part of my story.
Meet Marci
I’m Marci Bailey, founder and creative force behind Marcilla Bailey.
I’ve spent more than two decades immersed in the world of jewelry—from earning my Graduate Gemologist diploma at GIA to working in retail, building a family jewelry business, raising three kids, and helping thousands of women find pieces they truly love.
But my love of jewelry started long before I knew it could become a career.
My parents were creatives and entrepreneurs who taught me early that the best work is the kind you genuinely care about. My dad traveled the world and often returned home with beautiful, unexpected pieces of jewelry for my mom. I was fascinated by the stories, craftsmanship, and personality behind them.
I just never imagined I’d one day build my life around them.
One Metro Ride Changed Everything
The summer after high school, I sat next to a woman on the DC Metro who was sketching a jewelry design.
I couldn't stop staring.
She told me she was designing jewelry for a client and suggested I go to GIA. I had absolutely no idea what GIA was, but I got off the Metro and immediately told my parents, “I know what I want to do! I want to go to GIA!”
I eventually earned my business degree from Bellvue College, then headed to the Gemological Institute of America in 2002.
I fell completely in love with jewelry—and happened to meet my future husband, Trey, along the way.
Bailey's Brought Us Home
After GIA, Trey and I began our careers at Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry in New Orleans. But family soon called us back to North Carolina and Bailey's Fine Jewelry, his family's business founded by his grandparents in 1948.
We jumped into everything.
I did bookkeeping, took in repairs, communicated with vendors, balanced cash drawers, cleaned bathrooms, helped with inventory, and sold jewelry.
Those early years taught me that jewelry isn't just about beautiful things. It's about people, relationships, trust, and making someone feel taken care of.
Learning, Growing & Becoming a Mom
Trey and I later helped open and operate Pandora stores from 2012 to 2017, diving into national advertising, merchandising, e-commerce, and a completely different way of connecting with jewelry customers.
Then life shifted.
We had three children—Weatherly, Ford, and Windsor—and from 2012 to 2019, motherhood was my biggest adventure. I stayed connected to Bailey's, but my kids came first.
I'm incredibly grateful I gave myself that time.
Finding My Voice
When our kids got older, I returned to Bailey's in a new way: social media.
I started taking photos, sharing jewelry I loved, and talking about diamonds, gemstones, and styling. What began as a few posts quickly became conversations with thousands of jewelry lovers.
And I realized something:
My favorite part of the jewelry business wasn't simply selling jewelry. It was helping women understand it.
Why Marcilla Bailey
I wanted to create a jewelry brand that felt different—a place where jewelry wasn't intimidating or overly serious, and where you didn't need to be an expert to belong.
A place to learn, ask questions, try something unexpected, and discover pieces that feel like you.
Because jewelry is more than metal and gemstones. It's the ring that tells a love story, the antique piece you reinvent, the necklace you wear every day, or the earrings that make an ordinary Tuesday feel a little more special.
Jewelry becomes part of our stories. And that's what I love most about it.
Jewelry Should Feel Personal
My superpower is understanding jewelry—the gems, proportions, craftsmanship, history, and all the little details that make a piece special.
But I also know that the most beautiful piece in the world isn't necessarily the right piece for you.
The right piece is the one that makes sense for your life.
Whether you're building your jewelry wardrobe, getting engaged, rediscovering your personal style, or simply looking for something special, I want you to feel confident exploring it.
No rules. No intimidation. Just great jewelry, expert guidance, and a whole lot of fun.
I love helping women express themselves through jewelry.
I love styling antiques in unexpected ways, giving old treasures new life, discovering incredible gemstones, and finding the piece that somehow makes an entire outfit come together.
Marcilla Bailey is my way of sharing that excitement.
It's my passion, my expertise, and my invitation to make jewelry a little more personal, a little more approachable, and a lot more fun.
I can't wait to see what becomes part of your story.
Peace, Love & Sunshine,
Marci
