Mark Clodius

I was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin and started jewelry making in junior high and made it my profession during my 20's. I attended the University of Wisconsin (5yrs.) Relocated to Rockford in 1984, I became the first jeweler for K's merchandise when they opened. I co-founded Zavius Jewelers in 1990 and met, fell crazy in love with and married Monika in 1992. Upon leaving Zavius in 1999, Monika and I opened Clodius & Co. Jewelers in the fall of 2000. I enjoy wine, reading, and music among other things. I enjoyed sports car racing as a bachelor and placed second overall in a year long club series. We have two children, two dogs, one ferret and enjoy our busy lives.

Among my professional accomplishments are a life long study and love for minerals, gems, metallurgy, history of Jewelry (among others). In 2006 I won an International Diamond Grading Contest (it took two sudden death grade offs to achieve), hosted by Polygon International, a prominent jewelry trade organization. I have had original jewelry designs published, and have won ribbons in (most) of the juried art fairs I have participated in.