I was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. Land of the young at heart. As a little kid, I spent summers and weekends in my father's retail jewelry store working for money to go to the nearby arcade. I used to crawl all around the store looking for lost small stones in the carpet and proudly display my treasures that I had found. As I grew older, I realized they used to sprinkle the gems throughout the carpet to keep me busy. It worked... At 16 I began working more seriously in the business and learning everything I could from precious metals to untouchable diamonds.
In 2004, I went to the Gemological Institute of America also known as GIA. They are the, "World's Foremost Authority in Gemology". I went there to study gemology and earn my Graduate Gemologist degree. It was a phenomenal experience. Over 3,600 diamonds and gems later, I earned my degree. As a side note, I met my wife there too!
Back in Sarasota, I completed college at USF with a major in management and a minor in marketing. Meanwhile working full-time at my family's jewelry store and working the wholesale side.
I have now surpassed the decade mark in the industry and it is kinda scary! I am getting more and more aged and soon to be perfect!
