About Images Jewelers
The ability of Images Jewelers to transform an idea – even an emotion – into a valuable and unique work of artistry is unparalleled. Design skills are married with craftsmanship and state-of-the-art equipment and techniques. The expertise of a Graduate Gemologist and a broad and intricate network of gem sources work in unison. the result: exquisite jewelry that is unique and precious.
Images Jewelers also carries the world’s most exclusive jewelry lines including Rolex at our showroom located next to the Christiana Creek Country Club at 300 E. Bristol Street in Elkhart, Indiana. Showroom hours are from 10:00am to 5:30pm Monday through Friday and from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Saturdays.
The Owners:
Bob Klose
B.A. Jewelry Design, Indiana University
Graduate Gemologist, GIA
Senior, Charter Member National Association of Jewelry Appraisers
Born and raised right here in Elkhart, Indiana. Graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a B.A. in Jewelry Design and Silversmithing. Studying under legends, Alma Ikerman and Helen Shirk. After graduating he began building his first jewelry studio in a 1900’s carriage house. On June 23rd, 1976 he founded “Metal Images” and in about one year changed the name of the business to “Images Jewelers”. When he started, the name “Metal Images” was appropriate because they produced sculpture and jewelry. As he soon discovered, the real demand was for custom jewelry; hence the name change. In 1979 the showroom and workshops were moved to a newly remodeled 4000sq ft building. In 1990, along with Steve Lennox and John Buechner, he founded a new gem and jewelry wholesale company at 8 S. Michigan Ave. This new division required travel to Thailand, Hong Kong and Europe to buy and sell the finest gems that could be found. In 1993 Images Jewelers moved to it’s current location where we have advanced our skills and equipment to allow us to design and manufacture almost any piece of fine jewelry. The original studio location was added on to and converted to a Blacksmith shop and knife making studio. Currently Bob is offering his one of a kind, high end knives in our Indiana showroom.
Steve Lennox
Mechanical Engineering, Rose-Hulman
Mechanical Engineering, USC
GIA Diamonds and Colored Stones
Steve has been with Images Jewelers since it’s incorporation in 1976. He has been Bob’s business partner since that time with his primary duty being shop foreman, while also being involved in jewelry design, sales, and buying gemstones. After Rose Hulman Institute of Technology with further studies at The University of South Carolina, Steve then entered the tool and die field as a designer. He has also spent time in Brazil dredging for diamonds and gold after receiving surface air delivery diving instruction from a French oil rig diver. Steve’s jewelry designs tend toward symmetry, as well as technically inspired designs.
The Sales Staff:
Nancy
Graduate Diamonds, GIA Graduate Colored Stones Program, GIA
Nancy is our lead sales person and has been in the jewelry industry for more than 25 years. Not only is she the showroom manager, she is also responsible for all front office activities, preparation of appraisals, maintaining our extensive sales history, and is specially trained to do all of our stringing of pearls and beads. We feel extremely lucky to have her on our team.
Shawn
B.S. Business Process, Indiana University
Graduate Diamonds, GIA
Graduate Colored Stones Program, GIA
As a graduate of GIA’s diamond and gemstone programs, Shawn personally seeks out the finest gemstones at the best value for our custom jewelry clients. With over 10 years of experience in jewelry retail, design, and manufacturing, the expertise he brings to the custom design process is immense – and the guidance he lends is sincere. A a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, he brings the knowledge required and also experience in managing teams while offering a superior service environment from which he learned in his previous years in the golf and hospitality industries. Nationally recognized with a 2014 Gemvision Design Contest award, which recognizes the best work of designers who use computer-aided drafting tools to create jewelry.
Alexis
Indiana University
Edge Retail Academy Graduate
Alexis is a true jewelry lover and style afficianado who we rely heavily upon on buying trips. Her acumen for social media and Search Engine Optimization trends keep us on the cutting edge of online marketing, a true gem and important addition to our team of experts.
Kelly
B.S. Management, Indiana University
Graduate Diamonds, GIA
Kelly Klose is the son of founder Bob Klose and comes to us with 6 years experience in the retail sector. Kelly has quickly become an integral part of leadership here at Images. Kelly currently leads our design team and is also the head of our web sales department.
The Jewelers
Chris
Chris is our head jeweler, in addition to being a design team member. He is an excellent repair artist ,an outstanding custom fabricator, and master stone setter. We have been greatly impressed with his skills and ability to never stop growing in the trade. We are truly lucky to have him and help us lead our staff of jewelers into the future of the industry. With over 25 years of jewelry and artisan work, Chris is highly skilled and his artistic ability is beyond measure. He is a true master of his craft.
Nicole
New Approach School for Jewelers
BFA in Fine Metals, Kutztown University
Our newest design team member joins us from her home state of Pennsylvania. From a young age, creating and crafting in a variety of mediums was a daily activity for her. By the time she reached high school, Nicole got her first introduction to the world of fine metals, which resulted in a strong passion and desire to pursue it as a career arose within her. After graduating from Kutztown University with a Bachelors of Fine Arts, it was time for Nicole to decide how to begin a career in the jewelry industry. Though she learned many skills, from fabrication to enameling, in college she was drawn to understanding how to be a professional jeweler and designer. Upon the recommendation of a family member, she attended New Approach School for Jewelers Graduate Bench Jeweler program to do so. There she learned the foundations of jewelry repair and stone setting skills required to get her foot in the door. By the end of this schooling, she was able to find a job in her home state and worked there for the next five years as a bench jeweler. At the end of this time period she desired a new challenge, which brought her to us.
Ben
Ben has spent the last 20 years specializing in the design and manufacture of fine jewelry. He is meticulous in his work and has the ability to create the most complex designs from start to finish.
The Office Staff:
Bryan
B.S. Business Administration
GIA Jewelry, Diamond and Colored Stone Fundamentals
Bryan started in the financial services industry where he was a financial advisor and office manager. He uses these skills to help Bob and Steve grow Images Jewelers to the next level by providing internal business analysis and helping with day to day operations, allowing Bob and Steve get back to their best skills, designing and selling jewelry.
Jerri
Holding the most important position in the office (head bookkeeper), she keeps our financial house in order through her over 30 years experience in accounting, business development, finance, and tax law.
Taylor
As office support, Taylor has a crucial role in making sure things run smoothly. We love working with her as she brings a true sense of joy to the workplace.