Mark Loren Designs has been a fixture on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers for nearly 40 years. However, many may not know the story of how Mark Loren became a designer or what has inspired him through the years. Mark tells podcast host Jim Schaller that his interest in jewelry began in high school with a required art class, where metalwork and sculpture caught his interest. Teachers with jewelry skills and night classes also encouraged him. After he graduated from high school, he decided against pursuing a career as an eye surgeon to learn more about goldsmithing. He moved to Southwest Florida ..read more

Visiting the Diamond Market and Bourse in Antwerp, Belgium, several years ago was the perfect opportunity to learn about lab-grown and natural diamonds. Eighty to ninety percent of all rough and finished diamonds in the world pass through this tiny, exclusive six blocks of old Antwerp. In addition, I questioned, viewed and handled the new “Created” diamonds rapidly emerging into the world markets. Names for these diamonds include lab-grown diamonds, grown diamonds, synthetic diamonds, man-made diamonds, cultivated diamonds or cultured diamonds. All are correct as there currently is no definiti ..read more

Mark Loren recently talked to Charlie McDermott, host of the Good Neighbor Podcast, about founding, growing and supporting Mark Loren Designs. The company has been in the jewelry design business at 13351 McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers since 1985. In the interview, Mark, an award-winning designer, jeweler and goldsmith, expanded on his story. He talked about caring for the community and highlighted some of the special touches provided at his jewelry design and repair studio. Here are a few gems from the interview: His father encouraged him to go to trade school to pursue his interest in jewe ..read more

Mark Loren Designs created sterling silver and diamond artisan necklaces as gifts for 200 Southwest Florida moms this Mother’s Day. The artisan necklaces will honor mothers whose families have been adversely impacted by coronavirus. Jewelry pick-up will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 9 at Mark Loren Designs, at 13351 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers. To respect social distancing guidelines, recipients will drive into the parking lot and the gift will be handed to them inside their vehicles. Handmade by Loren and his team of jewelers, each artisan necklace features sterling silver in the shape o ..read more