JOSE HESS dedicated the majority of his life to his passion for jewelry design, a journey that stems back to his early teens when he worked as a goldsmith's apprentice. His adoration for the art form was born, and following a desire to learn more, he studied at the Gemological Institute of America and the Mechanics Institute of New York, where he ultimately earned his Jewelry Design Degree. Hess' professional accomplishments include numerous prestigious awards. He served as president of both The Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America, and the was the first American elected-president of the World Jewelry Confederation (CIBJO). He is a founding member of the American Jewelry Design Council. Additionally, the designer has shared his wealth of knowledge with students as an instructor at New York's acclaimed Fashion Institute of Technology. MAGDALENA HESS is an award-winning jewelry designer and philanthropist. She describes her passion for jewelry as an opportunity to tell stories through her designs. With over four decades in the jewelry industry, she says, Creating products that are meant to enrich people's lives is so extraordinarily rewarding. Educated at the Gemological Institute of America, Hess spent most of her career as creative partner at Jose Hess Design working side-by-side with her multi-award-winning designer husband, Jose Hess. She has traveled the world acquiring knowledge about the international jewelry industry.Hess served as Vice President of the Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) where she directed the organization's annual WJA Awards Gala which recognizes important women in the industry and brings together global leaders to celebrate women's talent. Today, Magdalena continues to maintain the integrity and quality the Hess brand has become synonymous with while opening it up to a new generation concerned with timeless style.