Parks was originally located at 215 W Broad in Texarkana, Texas selling watches and fine diamonds. In August of 1978, Parks moved to a larger location across the state line at 115 E Broad, Texarkana, Arkansas. Bill has always been involved in community and jewelry organizations. He served on the board of directors for the Arkansas Jewelers Association and was a Sunday School teacher for youth at First Baptist Church, Texarkana.

Bill’s daughter, Diane began work selling class rings on the weekends and after school in 1976. Because of her love for jewelry, after graduation from ETSU, Texarkana she began working on her Gemology degree from the prestigious Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California. In May 2002, Diane was awarded the Graduate Gemology degree after completing courses in diamonds and diamond grading, colored stone identification and grading and pearl grading. In January, 2005, Diane was awarded the title of Certified Gemologist by the American Gem Society, a level reached by only 600 retail jewelers in the United States and Canada. Diane has served as the Secretary for the Arkansas Jewelers Association for several years and was on the buyers review committee for IJO last fall to select new vendors for the buying group.

Bill’s granddaughter Brittanie began working in 1994 gift wrapping at Christmas. She is currently the head buyer for the store and is working on her Gemology degree from the Gemological Institute of America. In 2003, Brittanie completed her Certified Sales Associate degree with the American Gem Society.

In July 1998, Parks joined the Independent Jewelers Organization, the largest buying group in the world to be able to get the best value for our customers. We travel to Antwerp, Belgium, the diamond capital of the world, every fall to get the most beautiful diamonds for our customers. In 2002, Parks became a member of the American Gem Society, an association of professional jewelers dedicated to proven ethics, gemological knowledge and consumer protection. October of 2003 brought a new chapter in the life of Parks Jewelers, moving to our current location at 2501 Kennedy Lane where we have been able to increase our store size and selection of exclusive lines such as the Arges Diamond Cut™ and the Three Diamond Marriage Symbol. Our goal since 1946 has been to provide the best values in fine jewelry with unparalleled service.