Meet Our Team
Michelle Diamond-Reece
Michelle who is President has followed tradition, being a 3rd generation jeweler. She
gained great knowledge and experience as she grew up around the store. Michelle, now
majority owner, helps run the store alongside Joe Mares and Ellen Diamond. Michelle
has been an award-winning jewelry designer through the New Mexico Jewelers
Association for the State of New Mexico. In her free time, she loves to spend time with
her husband Jeff Reece as his companion on motorcycle rides, hiking and camping with
him and their dogs. Michelle also loves to express her creativity through cooking.
Joe Mares
Joe began his journey in the jewelry industry in 2002 and has experience in both wholesale and retail aspects of the business. Joe has made customer service his top priority at Mark Diamond’s Jewelers. He continues using the knowledge of watch repairs that was taught to him personally by Mark Diamond. Joe carries on the legacy as part owner and working alongside Michelle. Joe desires to keep the family tradition of being one of New Mexico’s premiere jewelers for the next 45 years. Joe is also an Accredited Jewelry Professional, certified through G.I.A. In his free time, he loves to golf and gives back to the community by coaching youth sports. Joe also loves spending time with his family and is privileged to work with his wife part-time.
Ellen Diamond
Ellen Diamond came from an entire family of jewelers. Her mother was the baby of ten children and eight of those children became jewelers throughout the state of Texas. After Ellen’s father died, Ellen and Mark Diamond’s moved to Albuquerque, (Yes… his name really WAS Diamond). Ellen and Mark started Mark Diamond’s Jewelers in 1973. Her love of the jewelry business and her clients keep her still active today. She loves to play golf and enjoys lunch out with the girls, and an occasional game of Mahjong.
Victor Nemudrov
Victor has been with Mark Diamond’s Jewelers since 1987. Victor began his jewelry apprenticeship in 1970 and has worked at a jewelers bench since then. He specializes in repairs and pave settings. Victor also enjoys making custom jewelry. Additionally, Victor has been machine engraving since 1967 and is also one of a few still practicing hand engraving.
Emilio Medina
Emilio is truly a “people” person. He is very easy going, super friendly with an open mind and open heart. Emilio is extremely talented artistically which gives him an edge for the creative ability to customize jewelry and help visualize any jewelry creation. Emilio is a full-time film student at the University of New Mexico as well as an asset to the Mark Diamond’s Jewelers team. In his free time, he loves to write, draw and watch sports.
Sydney Hallenbeck
Instead of my chosen field, I
ended up working, and voraciously learning about fine jewelry. In Athens, Georgia, I
took a position in a fine jewelry store that both my mother and grandmother had been
clients. I quickly became exposed to jewelry repairs, colored stones, and diamonds. I
learn very easily so I immersed myself into absorbing as much as I could on a daily
basis. My husband, Nick, transferred to Albuquerque in March, 2022. After researching
available jewelry stores to work with, I count myself fortunate to be accepted as member
of the MDJ team.
How everything started
1st Generation
Rebecca, my grandmother and the youngest of 10 children, immigrated to the United States. Of the 10 who immigrated 8 started jewelry/pawn businesses in various cities in Texas.
After World War II:
Mitchel Victor, my grandfather, went to work with two of Rebecca’s brothers. After a short while, Morris Zale came to my grandfather, Mitchel, and offered him the opportunity to leave the family business and open/manage a Zales store in Fort Worth, Texas.
Ellen Victor, soon to be Diamond, worked for her father, Mitchel, part-time all through college, thus learning the jewelry business!
1969'
Mark met Ellen, and she becomes a Diamond. Shortly after my parents met and married in Fort Worth, my grandfather Mitchel passed away.
Mark Diamond, my father, came to Albuquerque to visit his parents, and as luck would have it my father was in the right place at the right time. Running an errand for his mother, picking up her watch, he was offered a management position by the owner of a small, locally owned watch and Native American jewelry business.
Mark Diamond, my father, came to Albuquerque to visit his parents, and as luck would have it my father was in the right place at the right time. Running an errand for his mother, picking up her watch, he was offered a management position by the owner of a small, locally owned watch and Native American jewelry business.
1973'
Ellen and Mark opened Mark Diamond’s Jewelers in the Eastdale Shopping center located at Eubank and Candelaria: (I was a year old at that time)
1987'
In 1987 Victor Nemudrov, our bench jeweler, started working with us. Victor started as a jeweler in the 1970s and specializes in repairs and pavé setting. At this point Victor has worked with MDJ for almost 40 years and is a Wizard on the Bench.
In Loving Memory of Mark Diamond (1947-2016)
A Message From Mark Diamond's
Mark Diamond’s Jewelers celebrates over 50 years of family tradition in Albuquerque.
Mark founded Mark Diamond’s Jewelers with his wife, Ellen, after moving to New Mexico from Texas. With his engineering and artistic background, the blending of the two enabled Mark to tackle many of the technical aspects of the jewelry industry.
From repairing watches and jewelry, to sketching award-winning custom designs, Mark for many years was the hub of the business. Mark had a passion for cars and was active in the community supporting the Make-A-Wish foundation through the Rio Grande Corvette Club car shows. Mark loved fishing and traveling.
Today, Mark Diamond’s Jewelers continues the family tradition of offering the finest designer jewelry, engagement rings, and custom designs in New Mexico.
Your Custom
Design Partner
Unleash your imagination and embark on a journey to craft a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that
reflects your distinct taste and celebrates your cherished moments.
Some of our happy customers
Welcome Home
We look forward to welcoming you in our store, where our legacy becomes yours.
