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John A. Christensen, G.G.
Currently:

Starting October 1st 2003, I have been employed at State Street Jeweler's in Geneva, IL. There I work in as the repair shop manager, CAD design, as well as carving wax models for custom work, all aspects of repair shop ordering and parts gathering.

I have been
working on building web pages since 1996.

Download my Resume in PDF Form

Summary of qualifications:
10/2003-
Present

State Street Jewelers
Geneva, IL
John Wears many hats at State Street Jewelers, and in the Community.

  • Manages the repair department at the store
  • Creates the Wax models and Computer Aided Designs (CAD) with Matrix for custom Jewelry
  • Secretary of the Geneva Lions Club
  • Lectures to Girl Scout Troops in the store monthly about Gemstones for their jewelry badge
  • Lectures on Gemstones and Custom Jewelry design at Museums, Jr. High, and High Schools

Assists with Sales, Customer Service, Custom Design,
Wax Carving, watch battery replacement, web site updates, computer related support, appraisals.

2000-2003

Jared the Galleria of Jewelry
Saint Charles, IL
Asst. Gen Mgr.


Managing +,- 20 employees,
Helped to set up 2 new stores in the Chicago area.

2000

Costello Jewelry Company
Glen Ellyn, IL
General Sales


Sales, Appraisals, Customer Service, Custom Design,
Wax Carving, watch battery replacement.

1992 - 1999

Gold Art Handmade Jewelry
Urbandale, IA
          
Owner

Started Gold Art as a retail business doing custom, made-to-order pieces and original designs, Appraisals that are state of the art, repairs, antique jewelry restoration. Steady increase in sales over 7 years, with a database of over 3000 loyal customers.

I have been the webmaster at www.goldart.net since May of 1996. I have developed an important web presence with this site, at that time generating 14% of my total gross sales. I am the World Internet representative for International award winning artist Michael M. Dyber.

I had a local area computer network at my store, and at home, that I set up & maintain, and have experience with digital photography & graphic manipulation.

1990 - 1992 Christopher's Fine Jewelry
Ankeny, IA
Owner of Shop facility


Handled all phases of repairs, custom work, Appraisals, production casting.
1983 - 1990 The Jeweler's Bench, Corp.
Des Moines, IA
Foreman


A 9 person trade shop, over 40 accounts, specializing in custom work, management, stone and materials buyer. Personally trained over 20 bench jewelers in all facets of repair, stone setting, and fabrication.

www.dyber.net

www.goldart.net

First Place and
BEST OF SHOW

Iowa Jeweler's Association 1999
 
First Place
Over $3000 (Cost of Materials)
Illinois Jeweler's Association 2003
 


Award Winning Jewelry and Web Design

Gold Art Handmade Jewelry - Michael Dyber

Michael Dyber / Gold Art
Web Site is a Winner!
We are honored to be selected by GemKey Magazine as one of the premier colored stone web sites. The following is from our notification:

"8 December 99
Dear Sirs:
Congratulations, you have received GemKey Magazine's "Best of the Web" Award for your excellent General Colored Stone website.

The award was given based on a combination of design aspects and usability. Your company's website scored high in these categories and was published in our magazine to serve as a reference guide to trade websites that are in a class of their own or a leading industry websites.

We hope this award helps to not only bring an increased number of visitors to your website, but also recognizes the effort made to create a superior website.

Warm regards,
Russell Shor,
Editor-in-chief, GemKey Magazine "

We appreciate this award very much!
John

Education:

1975 Graduate of Newton High School, Newton, IA
June 17, 1983 Jewelmont Corp. Golden Valley, MN Jewelry Repair

June 9, 1992, Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Home Study, Diamonds Course
August 24, 1992, GIA Home Study, Colored Stones Course
October 17, 1994, GIA Home Study, Diamond Grading Course
January 19, 1995, GIA Santa Monica, CA, Diamond Grading Graduate Course
September 4, 1996, GIA Home Study, Gem Identification Course
February 10, 1997, GIA Home Study, Colored Stone Grading Course
April 21, 1997, GIA Comprehensive Examination, Gemologist Degree
July 31, 1997, GIA Chicago, IL Gem Identification, Graduate Course
August 6, 1997, GIA Chicago, IL Colored Stone Grading, Graduate Course
August 6, 1997, Graduate Gemologist Degree (GIA)

May 2003, "World of Rolex" Training, Akron, OH.

2003-04 Illinois Institute of Art, Schamburg, IL, for Web Site Development

Awards received:

2003, 1st Place, Category: Over $3000 (cost of materials),
Illinois Jeweler's Association Design Competition

1999, BEST OF SHOW, Iowa Jeweler's Association Design Competition

1999, 1st Place, Category III, Iowa Jeweler's Association Design Competition

1999, "Best of the Web" GemKey Magazine, Colored Stones category

1998, 1st Place, Category III, Iowa Jeweler's Association Design Competition

1997, 2nd Place, Category III, Iowa Jeweler's Association Design Competition

The piece pictured at the top left of this page was one of the top 32 designs through JA at the International show in New York, February 2000.
Top right is the 2003 Winner.

In 1999, I had a very successful year, running my own operation. In January 2000, I relocated to St. Charles IL., then June 2013 to Maple Park, IL. I am currently working. I have been the foreman of a 9 person trade shop, Owner / Manager / Salesman / Bookkeeper / Buyer of a retail store, Asst. General Manager of a 6000+ sq. foot, multi million dollar jewelry store with over 20 people on the payroll.

I am in my element, in beautiful downtown Geneva, IL, working with a great staff of experienced professionals, and loving it! Stop in to the store and see me at State Street Jewelers, 230 W. State Street, or call 630-232-2085.

I have the experience of 30 years in the business, with 23 as a designer, owner, or manager. See my web design, and some finished jewelry pieces on this site, and at www.dyber.net

Email me at: info@johncdesigns.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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