24K Club 2015 Annual Dinner Dance

The Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California
71st Annual Dinner Dance

Excellence in Service Award Honorees:
Mark Schneider of Mark Schneider Designs
Steve Weiss of Kirk Jewelers
&
Lifetime Service Award Honoree:
Peter Yantzer of the American Gem Society Laboratories

Mark Schneider

Since 1991, award winning designer Mark Schneider has been honored more than 74 times for his concepts, design and vision, including being named Designer of the Year by four different institutions.

Growing up in the jewelry business and working closely with his father, Dave, who was a traditional wholesaler, Mark learned not only a passion for jewelry, but also great business skills. Inspired by working with clay and metal in college, Mark transferred that love to jewelry design, eventually taking over his father’s business in 1981. In 2002, Mark began to design his exclusive bridal line, which he is most known for today. He is also known for his bold color pieces, many of which have been honored with design awards.

Mark’s jewelry is contemporary and is known for its simplicity and clean, fluid lines. He often finds inspiration in furniture design, architecture and the raw beauty of nature. His philosophy for jewelry is to create designs as wearable art.

Clients of Schneider Design Studio are individuals who not only recognize the value of jewelry, but also appreciate the desirability of collecting Mark’s work. He is intimately involved with every part of the process, from conception of his award winning pieces to the final touches that make his jewelry unique and distinguishable.

Mark is the only living designers to have a piece of jewelry on permanent display in the Smithsonian Institution Gem and Mineral Hall. He is also one of the most recognized American designers of our time.

From his bold color pieces to his unique bridal designs, Mark Schneider pushes the conventional ideas of jewelry design and constantly strives to challenge himself. His creative vision has been paramount in his contribution to the jewelry industry, specifically in contemporary design. His distinct perspective on jewelry making has earned him some of the most coveted awards and honors within the industry.

Over 74 Awards & Honors for Jewelry Design
Jewelry on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC
35 Time AGTA Spectrum Award Winner
AGTA Spectrum Award Judge 2004
Four time Designer of the Year Award Recipient by several industry organizations
3 consecutive Cultured Pearl Association of America International Pearl Design Contest award winner 2012-2014
2009 Finalist for the Saul Bell Awards
7 time MJSA American Vision Award Winner

Jewelry has been exhibited at: The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, The Forbes Galleries in New York, The Kent State University Museum, The San Diego Natural History Museum, The Gemological Institute of America, and coming soon to The Carnegie Museum.

Mark is affiliated with many industry organizations
Contemporary Jewelry Design Group – President 2008-2010 and Vice President 2006-2008
American Jewelry Design Council – Member since 2003, Treasurer 2010-2012, Secretary 2007-2009
American Gem Society – Member and Supplier
The Long Beach Rotary – Foundation Board Member

For more information about Mark and his designs, please call or visit us at:
www.MarkSchneiderDesign.com
www.Facebook.com/Mark.S.Design
800.452.5804

Steve Weiss

Steve Weiss, has been in the jewelry business essentially his whole life. His love of the business was passed down from his father who, himself was a jeweler in Chicago. Steve continued in his father's footsteps and began working for Kirk Jewelers in 1975. Steve's passion and love for jewelry grew as he learned from one of the best in the industry, Mike Golde. Mike hired Steve when he was 20 years old. Mike became his mentor and best friend.

Steve worked at the Fallbrook Square store in Canoga Park Ca. At that time, there were eight Kirk Jewelers in Southern California. Soon after, Steve was made manager of the Fallbrook Square store. After a few years, a new store opened in Thousand Oaks Ca and Mike asked Steve to be the manager of the Oaks Mall Store. After 20 years in the Mall, the store moved to Westlake Village CA. Steve was the Manager at the new store and the Golde's decided to close the other stores and have just one store.

Steve and Mike worked together almost every day. The two enjoyed their employees, customers and talking nonstop about football.

In 2006 Mike decided to retire and sold the store to Steve and his wife Andy. Mike still came in a couple days a week as a part-timer working alongside Steve.

Sadly, Mike passed away in October 2010. His legacy lives on at Kirk Jewelers

Last year, Steve decided to move the store to a brand new shopping center in Westlake Village. Selleck Developers had a vision of a center with restaurants and small businesses with a fountain and a meeting place for the families in the neighborhood to gather. The Shoppes at Westlake Village became the new home of Kirk Jewelers. Steve always wanted to see a home built from the ground up. He realized the dream with the new store that opened in January 2015.

Steve says his favorite part of the jewelry business is celebrating life's special moments with people, who over the years, some have become friends. He has customers who were original customers at the Fallbrook Square store, who's children and grandchildren shop with Steve.

Steve spends his spare time giving back to the community. He is a member and past President of the Jewelers 24K club of Southern CA. He is an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks. He serves on the board of the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce community foundation. He is also the past President of the Simi Riser Toastmaster Club. Steve also loves his drums.

Steve loves spending time with his family, wife Andy, Daughters Jessica, Ashley and Tamara with her husband Joe and the lights of Steve's life his two granddaughters, Mady and Emerson.

Peter Yantzer

Peter Yantzer has been with the AGS Laboratories (AGSL) since 1995, when he was asked to join as Executive Director of AGSL and Gemological Sciences.

Mr. Yantzer heads up the AGS Laboratories research and development team, and was instrumental in the development of the new AGS Cut Grade, which took five years of analysis and testing working with a team of diamond industry experts, optical physicists and mathematicians.

A Graduate Gemologist since 1972, Mr. Yantzer was with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) from 1972-1979 where he served as a staff gemologist and instructor, until he took over the position of director in 1976. Mr. Yantzer is a Certified Gemologist with the American Gem Society.