Nina brings extensive jewelry knowledge and experience to our firm. Her first job out of high school was as a jewelers apprentice where she did all the polishing and engraving for a large catalog showroom. She later learned jewelry casting and fabricating. After completing the Advanced Diamond Course in Santa Ana College, Nina soon became a diamond expert. She is familiar with every facet of the fine jewelry industry, including pearl stringing and custom design. Nina also has marketing experience in special events and planned promotions.

Watson was adopted in Indianapolis, Indiana and raised in New Albany. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Indiana University. He was a diamond merchant for an Indianapolis jewelry chain for ten years, then relocated to California to develop Gallery of Diamonds in 1989.

Watson is a member of the American Adoption Congress and is a GIA Gemological Institute of America-trained gemologist. He is currently the Director at Large of the GIA Orange County Alumni Association and the author of Adopted Like Me. Watson is the father of the WHY MOM DESERVES A DIAMOND® contest.

First learning of the contest in 2001 when her eighth grade daughter won a garnet, Judy decided to share her experience with her own students. Judy is a History and English teacher of seventh and eighth grade students. She holds a history degree from California State University at Fullerton and a Master's in Education from Pepperdine University.

"It has been enriching to see my students strive to find the right words to describe their mothers' in their lives. To be given the opportunity to praise "Mom" is appreciated by all my students."

Dr. De Marco began her love for teaching eighteen years ago as a ski instructor in the mountains when she was attending college. She received her Bachelor's Degree from California State Polytecnic University, Pomona. She continued her graduate studies in teaching at Claremont Graduate University, earning her multiple subject teaching credential and her Master's Degree. She has taught grade school for eleven years, and has been a fifth grade teacher for the last six years in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. In 2004, Debbra completed her educational goals at the University of Southern California earning her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Although she has accomplished a tremendous amount, her greatest accomplishment, she says, is being a mother. "Thank you for letting me be a part of such a wonderful experience!"

Doretta is the mystery person who types all those essays!

Doretta grew up in Arcadia, California. During her first typing session in junior high school, she cut her thumb on the electric typewriter return bar. She always wondered if she would get the momentum to type fast. Well, Doretta now types up to 85 wpm!
She raised her two children in Laguna Beach and  currently works in San Diego as an Administrative Associate.  When not typing, she enjoys golfing, walking on the beach, and reading.  

"It is a joy to get all of those words formatted for the final stages of publishing."

Claudio was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and lived in Sanremo, Italy for twelve years. He worked for 24 years as a computer consultant specializing in the graphic and advertising industries. He is also a Macintosh computer expert and a master graphic designer.

Because our Mother's writing contest requires extreme organization, Claudio makes sure operations run smoothly by programming software to keep track of details. Claudio is the designer of our famous WHY MOM DESERVES A DIAMOND® books.

Graciela was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. She is of the Native Apache tribes. She helps with customer support and has the important job of keeping our annual Mother's writing contest well organized.

Graciela helps with the daily functions of sales, marketing, quality control and customer repairs. She also has a radio and broadcasting background, and a Huntington Beach CERT and a FEMA certificate.

Sandra received her Bachelors degree in French and English from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and her teaching credential from California State University, Fullerton. She continued graduate studies in the areas of English as a Second Language, Linguistics, Special Education, and Reading. Sandra has taught from preschool to graduate school in her principal areas of expertise, foreign languages and English. She joined the teaching staff in the Saddleback Unified School District in 1989.

Sandra is currently a teacher at La Paz Intermediate School in Mission Viejo.

"It is with great pleasure and pride I have joined the panel of judges for this most worthwhile contest."

Little has participated in the contest every year since its inception and was an honored Diamond Teacher in 1994! Laura Little has taught English at Capistrano Valley High School for twenty years. She is the advisor for National Honor Society and Cougars for Character. She also teaches an etiquette class to elementary students through Saddleback College's College for Kids program. She was selected as Teacher of the Year for Capistrano Valley High School and the High School Teacher of the Year in 2005 for character education.

"My students include their winning of the WHY MOM DESERVES A DIAMOND® contest in their college resumes as an honor. After all, they are published poets."

Janey is a native of Southern California. She has trade experience in a variety of fields including jewelry. Janey makes sure the contest is a positive and rewarding experience for every mother and child. Her creative talent is an asset of our industry. Janey loves crafting and cooking. She especially loves to fish.

Janey's true passion is her children Ricky, Dominic, Pretties, Hayley, Michaela, and Zachary.

Janey understands what a gift it is to be a mom.

Willene is a retired English and History teacher who was born in Upland, California. She enjoys music (organ and piano) and now she spends many hours volunteering at her church. She accompanies music students at her former school. She also tries to spend time with her grandchildren whenever possible.

When not volunteering, one can find her at the beach, just reading and watching people.

Jennifer Ferrara has been teaching for 16 years in the Buena Park School District.  She has taught all grade levels, and is currently teaching sixth grade at Charles G. Emery Elementary School.  Jennifer received her Bachelors and Masters degrees from California State University, Fullerton.  She received Teacher of the Year from her colleagues in both 1995 and in 2002.  This is the ninth year that Miss Ferrara’s class has been participating in the WHY MOM DESERVES A DIAMOND® poetry contest, and her first year as a panel judge.  There is a poetry section located in her classroom where all the past Why Mom Deserves a Diamond® poetry books are located, which the children enjoy reading.  “Writing about the one you love most is so natural.  That is why every poem is truly a winner!”

Born in Gualan, Guatamala, Carmen came to the United States in 1985 after many years of teaching young students in her native country. Since our inception in 1991, Carmen has been responsible for the daily accounting and merchandise buying decisions for the company.

Carmen has proven many of her remarkable talents, such as hand selecting every gemstone prize in our famous WHY MOM DESERVES A DIAMOND® contest, and scheduling thousands of Orange County families to come and receive them.