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Where The Past Meets The Present


Greg and Jeanne DeMark                                                                                         Email: Greg@demarkjewelry.com                     

CUSTOM JEWELRY - HANDMADE JEWELRY - VINTAGE JEWELRY



Greg DeMark


IN THE BEGINNING


Jewelry as a career and life long passion started with what seemed like a predetermined destiny.
As a teenager in the early 1970's, a family member worked with a large security company that specialized in the transport of important gems and jewelry. On numerous occasions I would go to his office in New York City where I was privileged to see world-class jewelry up close.
About the same time I met an incredibly talented Silversmith/Artist that offered to teach me the basics of Custom jewelry making and design. At this point I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life.
As luck would have it, while looking for a job in 1973 I found a jewelry store that was looking for Christmas help. I applied for the job and was hired. When the Christmas rush was over I was offered a permanent job along with the offer to take my Gemology courses from The Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This was an amazing experience but for the next five years I was doing appraisal work and sales, not Custom jewelry design.

A TIME FOR CHANGE


In 1978 I decided it was time to move on and at the same time get back to what I loved, creating jewelry. I opened my first store that year in the town I grew up in, Mt. Freedom, NJ. In addition to creating Custom and Handmade jewelry I began to take in trade Antique and Vintage Jewelry for study and sale. Antique Jewelry fueled my interest in the History of Jewelry Design and Creation. From these exciting jewels of the 1800's to the early 1900's I learned how jewelers worked using some tools similar to what we use today as well as tools that are quite primitive by today's standards. It was fascinating to think of the people that once owned these family treasures and how these tiny works of art brought them joy and happiness as well as marking milestones in their lives.

THE RESTLESS ARTIST


In 1981 a very good client offered to buy my store. Without hesitation I agreed and moved to Texas. I opened a store and stayed very busy doing custom design work. While in Texas I took numerous jewelry workshops held by Swest Inc. Learning new skills and techniques such as wax carving and lost wax casting.

A PLACE FOR INSPIRATION

As the oil economy of Texas started to falter I knew it was time to move on. In 1988 I moved to Colorado.
It is easy to have inspiration when you live in a place as beautiful as Colorado.
Rocky outcroppings and snow capped mountains against a sunny sky inspires me to create combinations of texture and bright polish finishes.
Winding Rivers are reflected in the wave and curve designs I create. The Golden Hue of the fall Aspen leaves and abundant wildlife is what makes my Rocky Mountains Designs come alive.


Please enjoy your visit to my online store and feel free to contact me at Greg@demarkjewelry.com with any special requests.