Jeweler, Author, and founder of Why Mom Deserves a Diamond contest.
To everyone who works for me at Gallery of Diamonds and Why Mom Deserves a Diamond, Inc. Happy 2016! After years of planning, we built our new and larger jewelry store headquarters in Santa Ana. Most of you painted, hauled, swept, and wired the devices together. We were on KCAL9 news twice. We were… Continue reading Thank you, Team
The human brain is awesome in the way it gives what is asked in earnest. Born as a tiny boutique in 1991, Gallery of Diamonds has grown steadily over the last twenty-three years. I remember the first sale of a gorgeous $200 bracelet. I also remember hiding my excitement because I didn't want the lady… Continue reading Think big. Think positive. Think purple.
Happy 23rd Diamond Day! Well, that was a few days ago but we are still celebrating. It was a magical day that had all the charm of the first Diamond Day in 1993. It is funny that contest panel judge, Su Wells, did not allow her picture to be taken, but she was interviewed by… Continue reading Random Thoughts of a Jeweler with a Mission
"Give your mom a hug!" This has become a commonplace expression that our jewelry store staff commands to the winners of the Why Mom Deserves a Diamond contest. For those that have ever been a winner or winning mom, please don't take anything for granted that takes place inside the walls of Gallery of Diamonds… Continue reading Give Your Mom a Hug!
After working for a diamond company for many years in the Midwest, I moved to California. I drove for days, and arrived in Orange County. While unloading my belongings, I saw a beautiful, dark-skinned girl with long hair. She said her name was Carmen. After some small talk we made our first date. The next… Continue reading The Story of Diamond Mike and Carmen
It is funny I never had the burning desire to be a diamond broker until I was hired at the Shane Diamond company in Louisville, Kentucky. I just received my degree from Indiana University and was ready for the world. None of my college classes taught anything notable about this miracle gem that was created… Continue reading The Embers of Encouragement
"The jeweler allows me to wear the sapphire blue lake on my finger, the emerald green leaves around my neck, and take the citrine sunset with me wherever I go. Jewelry has become my daytime link to nature in an office with no windows. And if I have to work late, there’s nothing like diamond… Continue reading Weekly Photo Challenge: The Citrine Sunset
A hurricane is stirring at my jewelry store. Next year will be the 22nd year of the Why Mom Deserves a Diamond® contest. The magma of a volcano is brewing. Letters of love will pour into our headquarters where they will be sorted and judged. As Diamond Day approaches, a platoon of excited gemstone winners… Continue reading Greatest Contest on Earth?
The fifty kids in this little booklet earned a garnet or the grand prize diamond to give to his or her mom. It was saddle-stitched with two staples and was a mere 16 pages. Today, hundreds of thousands of kids have had the opportunity to ponder and reflect why their moms are important in their… Continue reading Start a Tradition that Changes the World
Trust is earned. Trust takes time. Time cannot be rushed. I believe a history of returning happy customers who say they refer their friends is a great indication that you have earned trust. Most people are not diamond experts. In fact, many jewelry customers have never had the opportunity to enjoy the mysteries of a… Continue reading How do I find a jeweler I trust?
In life, as in art, the beautiful moves in curves. - Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/weekly-photo-challenge-curves/
As an adoptee that spent two decades searching for my origins, I have always had a reverence for the past. Maybe that is why I also have a passion for classic cars, historic buildings, and antique and estate jewelry at my jewelry store in Newport Beach, California. Every morning I wake to see this beautiful… Continue reading Reverence of the Past
The Why Mom Deserves a Diamond® contest has shown that the common denominator of everyone’s heart is our mother. The following expressions say, “I love my mother.” Each was written by mothers, fathers and essay winners whose origins trace to the far corners of the world. Positive words give us hope and comfort when they… Continue reading How do you say “I love my mother”?
The Arms of Love® trademark came into being by drawing a backwards “S,” then extending an arch to the left about two-thirds of the way down from the top. After much experimentation, the final drawing reminded me of the outstretched arms of a mother holding her child. The figure points to the negative integers of… Continue reading Evolution of Arms of Love