(Fort Myers, Fla. – October 12, 2009) – Imagine walking into an office lobby and finding a small jewelry sack on one of the couch cushions. You’d probably assume it had fallen out of the pocket or purse of a previous visitor. This is exactly what Louise Montana, an administrative assistant at Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A., thought until she saw the bag’s tag reading:
“Congratulations! This gift is for you. Finders Keepers. “
“It was incredible,” Montana said, who found a beautiful Mark Loren Designs pendant inside the bag. She immediately called Mark Loren to find out if the gift was for real and he not only assured her it was, but that he would be dropping more surprises around Lee County in the coming months.
It’s all part of Mark Loren Designs 25th anniversary celebration. Through early spring, Loren and members of his staff will be placing small surprises around Lee County for residents and visitors to find. Baubles ranging in value from $100 to more than $4,000 in Mark Loren Designs’ black signature gift bags may be spotted in any business around the county.
“Restaurants, offices, the tube at the bank drive through, park benches, even your doctor’s exam room – they’re all fair game,” Loren said. “We want to involve and thank customers who have supported us over the years, and the businesses they own and work for. We also want everyone to have an opportunity to find one of our pieces wherever they dine, shop or do business.”
Loren said he came up with the idea after a man came into the shop to return a ring one of his customers had lost in May. Inspired by his honesty, Loren thought it would be nice if someone could find one of his pieces and keep it. Thus, “Finders keepers” was born. Giving away jewelry is something Loren has done before – both for his 10th anniversary and earlier this year for Mother’s Day. Creative promotions like this are part of the reason why Mark Loren Designs was recently named Gulfshore Life’s Philanthropic Business of the Year.
“Keep it, share it or wear it – the choice is yours,” Loren says. “Bragging to your friends and family is optional.”
In addition to owning a beautiful piece of jewelry, the lucky finders also win an invitation to attend a VIP event Mark Loren Designs is planning for the spring to unveil a new diamond cut. A signature piece worth $10,000 featuring the new diamond cut will be given away at the event.
Some pieces will be transported in Mark Loren Designs’ armored truck and some will be placed by Loren himself. In Montana’s case, Loren visited her office to inquire about a tax return as a “cover” to place the bag. Residents should keep their eyes peeled for the designer’s well-known black bags wherever they go.
“He was very sneaky,” Montana says. “I’ve never seen anything like this promotion. This isn’t just a little something. It’s very high end, like everything Mark does. I just can’t believe I’m the person who found it.”
About Mark Loren Designs
Mark Loren Designs is a jeweler and has been offering 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.
Signature Mark Loren Designs pieces in the jeweler’s well-known black bag and tagged “Finders Keepers” will be placed around Lee County.