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Category Archives: Loren Designer. Jeweler. Goldsmith
Winner of Diamond Engagement Ring Contest Stood 28 3/4 hours to Win
Neal Tuley and Mark Loren pose after Ring Within Reach Contest
Neal Tuley, 24, of Lynchburg, Va., stood 28 ¾ hours without moving his hand off the diamond ring pedestal to win a $14,000 diamond engagement ring featuring a 1 ct. Mark Loren Designs’ exclusive Firelight diamond setting last weekend. A wedding videographer, who learned about the recent Mark Loren Designs Ring Within Reach Contest on the internet, Mr. Tuley proved to have stamina, determination and probably most importantly, a strong bladder, to win the contest held at Mark Loren’s store and gallery in Fort Myers. It started June 30 at 10:00 a.m. and ended the afternoon of July 1 at 2:45 p.m. Supported by a cousin and his grandparents from Sarasota, he beat out the runner-up contestant Bradley Williams, of Cape Coral, who went home with a pair of earrings for his wife as a consolation. Other contestants included Kelly Motley, of Fort Myers, and Brandon Lawrence, Deanna DeCesare, Brandi Sullivan, all of Cape Coral.
Each with their own unique love story, the 6 contestants were chosen from a field of 25 applicants based on their compelling stories by clients of Loren’s jewelry business. Some of the contestants plan to become engaged, others are currently married or celebrating an anniversary. Their stories are of lost love, hardship, destiny, respect and all things that make the wedding season romantic. The 3 male and 3 female contestants made it through the night and 2 dropped out by midnight leaving 4 standing, one more dropped after 12:00 p.m. on July 1, another dropped after 2:00 p.m. leaving Tuley and Williams to wait each other out.
“After we each consumed a cup of water, I could see Brad sweating and getting goose bumps all at the same time,” said Mr. Tuley. “I knew then that I had to keep still and focused. Then all of a sudden Brad slammed his hand down on the pedestal and said ‘I’m out,’ and walked toward the restroom. I couldn’t believe I had won!”
Mr. Tuley plans to ask his girlfriend to marry him next month and then tell her his story about how he got the ring as part of the surprise.
“Neal is a fine young man and we’re glad to help him get his wedded life off to such a special start,” said Mark Loren, award-winning jewelry designer and principal of Mark Loren Designs. “All of our contestants had great stories and they were just such good people, it was a pleasure to be awake with them all through the wee hours and to learn a little more about each of them. It was rewarding to see the human qualities as they were all bonding and were most supportive of one another – a great study in human dynamics for sure.”
The “Ring Within Reach” contest will be an annual event by Mark Loren Designs, a promotion in honor of June, the most popular month for brides and wedding planning. And with the mounting costs for weddings, it is a welcome opportunity for prospective contenders. According to a recent Money Magazine report, the average total price tag for a wedding last year topped $27,000 (source: TheKnot.com) marking the first uptick since 2008. This contest will help the lucky winner who cannot afford an engagement ring.
About Mark Loren Designs
Mark Loren Designs has offered custom designed jewelry, repairs and recreations of sentimental heirlooms for more than 25 years in Southwest Florida. His efforts have earned high praise by leaders in the jewelry industry and trade publications. Loren was named one of 39 of the world’s top jewelry artists in, Gemstones Masters: Major Works by Leading Artists. The artists in this juried collection were selected by jewelry curator, designer and president of the American Jewelry Design Council, Alan Revere.
His other recognitions include the International Spectrum Design awards, bestowed by the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), are considered the “Oscars” of the jewelry-design industry—and Loren and his design team have won several over the years for “outstanding jewelry design incorporated colored gemstones.” They’ve earned two AGTA Manufacturing Honors, awarded for combining elegant use of natural colored gemstones with techniques that can be used by mainstream manufacturers. They’ve also taken home two Platinum Honors prizes and won the International Pearl Design contest. Examples of his work can be found online at www.marklorendesigns.com, (239) 482-4664.
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Jewlery Designer Mark Loren joins teh Board of Directors of the Art of the Olympians Foundation
(Fort Myers, FL – November 18, 2011) — Fort Myers Jewelry Designer Mark Loren has joined the Board of Directors of the Art of the Olympians Foundation, a Fort Myers-based non-profit organization that celebrates the relationship between art and sport and inspires creativity in youth, among its guiding precepts. Based on the ancient tenets of the Olympic Games, where athletes nurtured their artistic as well as athletic abilities, Art of the Olympians was the dream of Olympian Al Oerter - a four-time discus gold medalist.
“Excellence in sport is at the heart of the Olympics, but channeling the discipline and energy required of Olympic athletes into artistic endeavors is something we see continually at Art of the Olympians,” said Board Member Cathy Oerter, who was married to Al Oerter for 25 years. “Mark may not have been an Olympic athlete, but he brings a passion of the arts and a drive for excellence in all things to this board.”
“I was not fortunate enough to meet Al, but I closely followed his efforts to establish Art of the Olympians,” Loren said. “Since the organization, along with the Museum and Al Oerter Center of Excellence became a physical reality, I have been impressed by the quality of the artwork produced by the Olympic athletes and showcased at the Museum. Along with Cathy and the other members of the Board, I believe in striving for excellence in life and in teaching children to aim for excellence in everything they do.”
Mark Loren is a Chicago born jewelry designer who has been transforming his ideas into heirlooms and his fascinations into fashion for more than 25 years. Mark’s inspiration soars across the world and through the centuries. Along with his team of expert artisans Mark has won scores of National Design Awards and has gained celebrity-like status with both industry critics and jewelry collectors.
The Art of the Olympians Museum and the Al Oerter Center of Excellence are located at 1300 Hendry St. Fort Myers, FL 33901. The Museum & Al Oerter Center of Excellence are open from 10 a.m. – 4p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information or directions call 239.332.5055.
In Recognition and Remembrance Fort Myers jeweler Mark Loren honors those who serve
(Fort Myers, Fla. – September 1, 2011) – It’s been ten years since this generation’s “day that will live in infamy,” September 11, 2001. As the world watched in horror, the World Trade Centers crumbled, taking thousands of lives and changing everyone who witnessed the events, forever. The heroes of September 11th are our everyday heroes – the men and women who serve – police, firefighters, paramedics and Red Cross personnel.
To honor those who serve, Mark Loren is offering free jewelry repair to first responders on Saturday, September 10th. Repairs will include battery replacements on watches, soldering, watch band repair, clean and checks on inset stones.
“The first responders put their lives on the line for us each and every day,” Loren said. “This is just our very small part in recognizing them for their service.”
Repairs will be offered at Mark Loren Designs (13351 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers) from 9:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.
About Mark Loren Designs
Mark Loren Designs is a jeweler and has offered custom designed jewelry, repairs and recreations of sentimental heirlooms for 25 years in Southwest Florida. His efforts have earned high praise by leaders in the jewelry industry. Loren was named one of 39 of the world’s top jewelry artists in the recently published book, Gemstones Masters: Major Works by Leading Artists. The artists in this juried collection were selected by jewelry curator, designer and president of the American Jewelry Design Council, Alan Revere.
His other recognitions include the International Spectrum Design awards, bestowed by the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), are considered the “Oscars” of the jewelry-design industry—and Loren and his design team have won several over the years for “outstanding jewelry design incorporated colored gemstones.” They’ve earned two AGTA Manufacturing Honors, awarded for combining elegant use of natural colored gemstones with techniques that can be used by mainstream manufacturers. They’ve also taken home two Platinum Honors prizes and won the International Pearl Design contest. Examples of his work can be found online at www.marklorendesigns.com.