Christopher Slowinski is founder, president, and master jewelry designer for Christopher Designs, established in 1981 in New York. Born in Poland where his family owned a flower plantation, Christopher became inspired by oil paintings and influenced by advertising campaigns for jewelry that included nature and vibrant colors.

Longtime friends Thierry Bellisha and Haimy Mann believe “the special moments in life that take your breath away are few and far between.” It is this belief that fueled the creation of CrownRing in 1999. Thierry and Haimy believe that when a couple becomes engaged to be married, they are the king and queen of their wedding world, ready to reign over their new life together. Hence, the Crown name.

Uneek Jewelry, a Los Angeles-based brand founded by Benjamin Javaheri, the most awarded jewelry designer in the industry, blends the bold spirit of contemporary American culture with the delicacy and detail born of old-world metalsmithing and stone-setting disciplines.

Featuring sparkling bridal and diamond jewelry, Hearts On Fire is known as The World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond. Crafted with signature diamonds and 18K white gold, rose gold, yellow gold and platinum, Hearts On Fire has been a leading global designer of luxury diamond jewelry for more than 20 years.

Pairing innovative designs and craftsmanship with the finest precious metals and rare diamonds, Noam Carver engagement rings, wedding rings, and stackable bands are a stunning symbol of love and commitment.

For more than 40 years, Spark Creations has been a leading designer in color stone fashion. Featuring beautiful collections of colored gemstones and diamond jewelry, Spark is known for elegant designs and one-of-a-kind jewelry icons.

Founded by two brothers with a career in diamond cutting, Eli and Beny Aviram opened Spark Creations in 1972 in New York. First specializing in the finest diamond jewelry, they began to incorporate colored gemstones into their designs over the next 15 years before introducing their extensive colored gemstone collection. Today, Spark Creations is synonymous with brilliant colors and flawless cuts that showcase the beauty of premium colored gemstones and diamonds.

A chance meeting on the golf course was the start of Gary J. Long’s introduction to the jewelry business. As an enterprising junior high student, Gary was working at North Ridge Country Club in Fair Oaks as a golf caddie when he met Walter Merksamer of Merksamer Jewelers. The two hit it off, and Gary caddied for him throughout seventh and eighth grade.

Several years later, they reconnected at a grocery store where Gary was working as a bagger. Walter encouraged him to go into the jewelry business and offered him a job in sales. Gary accepted the offer, and his first day on the job was September 1, 1970.

Lecil Henderson is founder and jewelry designer of The Henderson Collection of North Carolina. Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Lecil first studied under his father, an account executive for a successful jewelry design firm. After completing his undergraduate studies at Wake Forest University, he followed his father into the business and created an Italian import division.

He soon ventured to Europe, where he studied under master artisans in Milan, Florence, and Venice. During his time abroad, he immersed himself in every aspect of the industry and developed a business plan to launch his own firm. Today, The Henderson Collection crafts unique, handmade, and comfortable jewelry lines for the modern woman, along with custom creations.