IndependentsFeb 18, 2022
New NC Retailer Donates $10K to Local Charities IndependentsFeb 22, 2022
Houston Jeweler I W Marks Announces Store Renovation
The updated space will have a bar, private viewing room, and seating lounge.
A rendering depicts I W Marks’ next renovation, highlighting the retailer’s brands like Alor and Suzanne Kalan.
Houston—I W Marks is planning a makeover.
The independently owned second-generation jeweler in Houston, Texas has announced it is undertaking a large interior renovation to be completed by the fall.
Owner Brad Marks said in a press release, “For the past 44 years, we have continually evolved and transformed the store to provide our customers the luxury experience synonymous with I W Marks, and we feel it is time to revamp the space once again.”
Founded in 1978 by Diane and Irv Marks, I W Marks was originally a 500-square-foot store. Today, it’s a 7,500-square-foot space.
The Marks’ son, Brad Marks, took over in 2008.
The store specializes in fashion fine jewelry from brands like Suzanne Kalan, Mattia Cielo, and Kimberly McDonald, as well as bridal jewelry from the likes of Michael M. They also stock luxury watches from Zenith, Oris, Raymond Weil, and IWM Watches.
I W Marks also has a thriving custom jewelry business with a team of in-house master craftsmen.
Houston architectural firm IdentityArchitects is spearheading the store renovation. It will feature a new layout with items organized by brand.
There will be a bar, a private viewing room, and a seating lounge. New light fixtures, furniture, and display cases will also create an elegant store feel.
The renovation includes an inventory revamp. Starting this month, I W Marks has been cleaning house with discounts up to 70 percent off.
It’s enlisted several new brands, such as Franck Muller, Carl F. Bucherer, Angelus, and Oris in the timepiece arena and Michael M, Konstantino, Mémoire, and Lashbrook for jewelry brands.
With many updates in its 40-plus years of business, the last renovation was five years ago.
Marks said, “It’s healthy for a business to evaluate every few years and make changes if necessary. We’re making dramatic changes to ensure we remain the top jewelry and watch destination in Houston for decades to come. We are very excited for the future of I W Marks.”
Related stories will be right here …
The independently owned second-generation jeweler in Houston, Texas has announced it is undertaking a large interior renovation to be completed by the fall.
Owner Brad Marks said in a press release, “For the past 44 years, we have continually evolved and transformed the store to provide our customers the luxury experience synonymous with I W Marks, and we feel it is time to revamp the space once again.”
This angle of the jeweler’s planned renovations showcases its selection of timepieces.
Founded in 1978 by Diane and Irv Marks, I W Marks was originally a 500-square-foot store. Today, it’s a 7,500-square-foot space.
The Marks’ son, Brad Marks, took over in 2008.
The store specializes in fashion fine jewelry from brands like Suzanne Kalan, Mattia Cielo, and Kimberly McDonald, as well as bridal jewelry from the likes of Michael M. They also stock luxury watches from Zenith, Oris, Raymond Weil, and IWM Watches.
I W Marks also has a thriving custom jewelry business with a team of in-house master craftsmen.
Another view of the space to be completed in fall 2022.
Houston architectural firm IdentityArchitects is spearheading the store renovation. It will feature a new layout with items organized by brand.
There will be a bar, a private viewing room, and a seating lounge. New light fixtures, furniture, and display cases will also create an elegant store feel.
The renovation includes an inventory revamp. Starting this month, I W Marks has been cleaning house with discounts up to 70 percent off.
It’s enlisted several new brands, such as Franck Muller, Carl F. Bucherer, Angelus, and Oris in the timepiece arena and Michael M, Konstantino, Mémoire, and Lashbrook for jewelry brands.
With many updates in its 40-plus years of business, the last renovation was five years ago.
Marks said, “It’s healthy for a business to evaluate every few years and make changes if necessary. We’re making dramatic changes to ensure we remain the top jewelry and watch destination in Houston for decades to come. We are very excited for the future of I W Marks.”
I W Marks is located at 3841 Bellaire Blvd in Houston.
It’s one of the latest independents to announce expansions or new store plans.
Chicago’s C.D. Peacock will open a new 20,000-square-foot store at an outdoor mall in the Oak Brook suburb this fall.
Lee Michaels is set to open a new store in the fall as well, a 10,000-square-foot location in a suburb of New Orleans.
Arkansas jeweler Sissy’s Log Cabin, meanwhile, will open a new store in West Little Rock this May, its sixth location overall.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
