- Mark Schneider (designer)
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Mark Schneider is an award winning American jewelry designer based in Long Beach, California. He is known for his bold contemporary style with clean fluid lines.[1] He is particularly noted for his color gemstone designs and engagement ring collection.
Contents
History
Mark Schneider (designer)
Mark’s grandfather Simon Schneider emigrated from Russia to Los Angeles in the 1920’s. He had nothing but a collection of handmade cigarette cases to his name. Within months, he opened a fine jewelry store in downtown Los Angeles and started the legacy of the three-generation Schneider Family jewelry business.[2]
Simon’s sons, Max & Irving, followed in their father’s footsteps and opened jewelry stores in Long Beach in 1930. By 1945 their youngest brother Dave opened his own jewelry business, Dave Schneider Fine Jewelry,[3] which was located in the in the Insurance Exchange Building in downtown Long Beach, California. In 1961, Dave relocated the business to it’s current location off of 3rd street in a building he had built.
The wholesale business did the majority of its business selling low priced jewelry to the department store Montgomery Ward. In 1981 Montgomery Ward closed their account with Dave Schneider Jewelry, which put Dave Schneider in danger of going out of business.
That same year Dave Schneider passed away and left the business to his youngest son, Mark. Mark changed the direction of the business and used his knowledge of the jewelry industry and his passion for art to start designing jewelry. The 1980’s saw an increased popularity in designer jewelry[4] and color gemstone pieces, and Mark quickly gained recognition within the industry for his large, bold, modern style. Soon after, Mark began entering his jewelry in design competitions and won his first awards in 1991 - two DeBeers’ Diamonds of Distinction Awards.
Mark continued to win awards throughout the 1990s and increased his reputation in the industry for his colored gemstone designs.[5] It was not until 2002 that Mark officially started designing the engagement rings which his company, Mark Schneider Design, is most known for today.
Early life and education
Mark earned his Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Long Beach, where he studied art, jewelry design and business.
His fascination with jewelry and colored stones began in grade school with a gemstone collection. While in college, he enjoyed working with clay and metal, which further developed his love of jewelry design.
Awards
JCK Jewelers Choice Awards
- 2011[6]
- 1st Place, Tanzanite Jewelry over $10,000
- 1st Place, Pearl Jewelry over $10,000
- 2010[7]
- Contemporary Jewelry over $1,000 (1st Place)
- Best Bridal Design under $2,500 (1st Place)
- Best Bridal Design over $10,000 (1st Place)
- Men’s Jewelry over $1,000 (1st Place)
- 2008
- Men’s Jewelry Category over $3,000
- Earring Design over $10,000
Gemological Institute of America, Carlsbad
- 2008
- Best in Platinum Exhibit 2009-2010 – 1 Piece on Display
- Best of the Best Exhibit 2002-2003 – 11 Pieces on Display
Platinum Honors Award Winner
- 2010[8]
- Men's Wear
- 2009[9]
- Men's Wear
- 2005
- Men's Wear
- Business Day Wear
- 2003
Exquisite Tanzanite Ring - AGTA Spectrum Award 2003 – Platinum Guild International – Platinum Honors, Evening Wear - Casual Wear
- Evening Wear
- Bridal Wear
- Men Wear
- 2002
- Men’s Wear
- Bridal Wear
- 2001
- Evening Wear
- 2000
- Evening Wear
- 1999
- Bridal Wear
American Gem Trade Association – Spectrum Award Winner
- 2006[10]
- 1st Place Men’s Wear
- 3rd Place Business/Day wear
- 2005[11]
- 1st Place Men’s Wear
- 2003[12]
- 1st Place Casual Wear
- 2nd Place Evening Wear
- Honorable Mention Men’s Wear
- 2002[13]
- 2nd Place Men’s Division
- 2nd Place Bridal Division
- 2001
- 1st Place Division 1
- 1998
- 1st Place Division 1 – Over $10,000[14]
- 1994
- 1st Place Division 3, $2,000-$5,000
- 2nd Place Division 3, $2,000-$5,000
Smithsonian Institution
- Permanent Display 2001[15]
Platinum Guild International
- Featured Designer of the Year 2001
Tahitian Pearl Trophy Contest 2001
- Honorable Mention
American Gem Society (AGS)
- Excellence in Color Gemstone Design 2001, 2000
Signity
- Signity Colored Gemstone Design Award 2000
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
- Gem Exhibit 1999-2001
De Beers Diamonds – International Awards 1998
- One of 30 designers honored out of 2280
American Gem Trade Association
- Cutting Edge Award 1997
Jewelers of America (JA)
- New Designer of the Year 1996
De Beers – Diamonds of Distinction 1991
- Honors in Earring Design
- Honors in Ring Design
Professional Affiliations
Contemporary Jewelry Design Group (CJDG) The CJDG is a national organization dedicated to the promotion of creative jewelry design and committed to the highest standards of integrity and ethics in both business and design.[16]
- Member
- President 2008-2010
- Vice President 2006-2008
American Jewelry Design Council (AJDC) The AJDC is committed to raising the awareness of the jewelry industry, the art community, the media and the consumer about the aesthetic value of artistic fine jewelry. Members of the AJDC are dedicated to elevating the caliber of jewelry design through educational activities and to challenging professional designers worldwide to actualize their creative potential.[17]
- Member since 2003
- Treasurer 2010-2012
- Secretary 2007-2009
Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) The IJO is an elite group of retailers hand-selected for membership. It is an organization which only accepts jewelers with the highest ethical standards and superior professional integrity. IJO provides marketing and educational opportunities to over 1,000 members worldwide.[18]
- Member
- Supplier
American Gem Society (AGS) AGS members are knowledgeable and credentialed experts in gems and jewelry. They adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards.[19]
- Member
- Supplier
American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) The AGTA is an association of United States and Canadian trade professionals dedicated to promoting the long term stability and integrity of the natural colored gemstone and cultured pearl industries. The Association pursues its goals through the combined use of educational programs, publicity, industry events, government and industry relations, and printed materials for both the trade and consumer. The AGTA is well known in the gemstone and jewelry industries for maintaining the highest ethical standards.[20]
- Member
Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers Of America (MJSA) The MJSA is a network of jewelry designers, manufactures, and suppliers in the United States that provides resources, support, and communication to compete in the business environment.
- Custom Design Advisory Council
Downtown Long Beach Business Association (DLBA) The DLBA is a non-profit organization operating on behalf of the tenants and commercial property owners of the business improvement district. It is dedicated to the management, marketing, security, maintenance, advocacy, economic and community development of the assessment districts in cooperation with the City of Long Beach and the private sector. DLBA has been the voice of the Downtown Long Beach since 1937.[21]
- Board Member
The Long Beach Rotary Long Beach Rotary is the largest rotary club in Rotary District 5320, with approximately 325 members, all Long Beach business leaders. The objective of Long Beach Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise.[22]
- Foundation Board
- Member since 1985
Reference
- ^ Mark Schneider's Bridal Collection: Aligned with the Stars - CJDG Editorial
- ^ Brandon Roberts, "Mark Schneider - An Award Winner Stays in the Running", JQ International, January/February 2009
- ^ Dave Schneider Fine Jewelry Company Profile - Manta.com
- ^ 1980s in Fashion
- ^ Elena Donovan Mauer, Schneider Style JQ International, January/February 2010
- ^ 2011 JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards by JCK Magazine
- ^ JCK Jewelers Choice Awards by www.weddingrings.net
- ^ 2010 Platinum Honors - Men's Wear
- ^ 2009 Platinum Honors - Men's Wear
- ^ 2006 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Winners
- ^ Robert Weldon, G.G., "The Full Spectrum", Professional Jeweler Magazine, February 2005
- ^ 2003 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Winners
- ^ 2002 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Winners
- ^ Prize Winning Gems - 1998 AGTA Spectrum Award Winners
- ^ Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History News - February 5, 2002
- ^ About The Contemporary Design Group
- ^ About AJDC
- ^ Independent Jewelers Organization
- ^ About American Gem Society
- ^ About American Gem Trade Association
- ^ About Downtown Long Beach Business Association (DLBA)
- ^ About Long Beach Rotary
External links
- Official website
- Dave Schneider Jewelry
- Contemporary Jewelry Design Group CJDGjewelers.org
- American Jewelry Design Council (AJDC)
- Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO)
- American Gem Trade Association (AGTA)
- Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers Of America (MJSA)
- Downtown Long Beach Association
- The Long Beach Rotary
Categories:- American jewelry designers
- American jewellers
- Jewellery designers
- Jewellery
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