Meet the Designers

Mark S. Mead

"I hope our customers enjoy the custom jewelry I create for them and are reminded of the two things that are most important...to love life and family."

• Artisan jewelry designer and experienced technician
• 34 years in the jewelry industry
• Associate of Arts, Jewelry Manufacturing, Paris Institute of Technology, Paris,Texas (1980).
• Co-owned retail store with his brothers in Bisbee, AZ. Sourced and cut native turquoise and other stones (1974-1979)
• Jeweler and Stone-Setter for jewelry manufacturing companies such as Prince Jewelry Co. (Baltimore,MD), Maui Gold Manufacturers (Maui, Hawaii), and Cornelis Hollander Designs, an award winning jewelry designer in Scottsdale, AZ.
• Co-founded Black Mountain Jewelry Co. in September 2005. Applies expertise in all phases of jewelry manufacture to handcraft heirloom-quality semi-custom and custom jewelry.
• While most jewelry companies concentrate on metal work and stone setting, Mark also applies his skills as an expert lapidary artist to creat unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Carla Vaughn-Mead

"Modern, abstract jewelry doesn't appeal to me. I like to see the evidence of the hand of the artist in their work and strive for that in my own."

• 18 years experience in art and jewelry business, including eight years as the Buyer for Beadbox, Inc. an International mail order bead catalog.
• Experienced with all aspects of mail order.
• Experienced with importing, exporting and sourcing of materials
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking and sculpture, MJSA, Rutgers University.
• Brings artistic and business background to Black Mountain Jewelry Co.