Independents

Longtime D.C. Jeweler Brian Mann Dies at 70

IndependentsJul 19, 2024

Longtime D.C. Jeweler Brian Mann Dies at 70

Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.

Brian and Jessie Mann
Longtime Washington, D.C., jeweler Brian Mann (right) with his wife Jessie Mann, an artist who custom-paints porcelain Limoges Boxes, at a 2016 Jewelers of America member event. Mann, the longtime co-owner of David Mann Jewelers, died June 21 at age 70.
Washington, D.C.—Brian Parker Mann, the jeweler who co-owned and operated the store inside the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., died suddenly in June, just six months after retiring from the business he loved.

He was 70.

Mann was born May 2, 1954, in Washington, D.C., to the late Natalie Kaplan and David Mann. He had two older brothers, Conrad Mann and Evan Mann.

Their father, David, started the business that eventually became David Mann Jewelers in 1946 as a watch store and repair shop, later adding jewelry.

Brian’s wife of 48 years, Jessie Mann, told National Jeweler on Thursday that Brian started helping out around the store when he was a kid.

After David died suddenly in the mid-1960s, a gentleman was brought in to help the family matriarch, Natalie, run the business until Conrad graduated from college and took over.

Brian, younger than Conrad by six years, followed him into the business several years later.

“He loved everything [about the jewelry business],” Jessie said of her husband. “He loved helping people with their repairs, he did a lot of engraving in the store.

“He just loved the interactions with people the most.”

She added that he always said his customers, who were members of the U.S. military, were the “best customers in the world.”

In a 2011 article in Forbes, Brian recounted what surely was one of the most unforgettable days of his career—Sept. 11, 2001.

He described what it was like to be in the Pentagon on 9/11 and how doing business in the building changed afterward, sharing that Valentine’s Day became a “mini-Christmas” for the store.

He reiterated the importance of the love-focused holiday in a 2019 National Jeweler article about the impact of the month-long government shutdown on D.C.-area jewelers.

“We have always had a strong Valentine’s Day business; we always call it our little Christmas rush. Let’s hope for one again this year,” he said in an email to National Jeweler .

David Mann Jewelers was a longtime member of Jewelers of America.

Brian was on JA’s board of directors from 2010-2016 and on the board of JA’s political action committee, known as JAPAC, from 2012 to 2023.

He also served as president of Maryland-Delaware-Washington, D.C. Jewelers Association from 1996 to 1998.

“Brian was one of the most thoughtful people whom I have had the pleasure to work with,” JA Director of Public Relations and Events Amanda Gizzi said.

“He was a champion for our industry and for Jewelers of America. He was always the first to reach out to wish you well for special occasions or holidays.”

Brian Mann with his cat, Sweetpea
Brian Mann with the family’s rescue cat, Sweetpea. The longtime Washington, D.C. jeweler loved cats, as well as collecting watches and watching movies.


On a personal level, Brian enjoyed collecting watches and watching classic movies, as well as watching the modern independent films his daughter, movie producer Lauren Mann, makes.

He also loved cats.

“He was a wonderful husband, a wonderful father,” Jessie said. “[He was] thoughtful, kind, and honest—a very honest person. Everybody who met him liked him.”

Brian and Conrad retired at the end of 2023, with the store officially closing on Dec. 22, 2023, after 78 years in business.

Brian is survived by his wife, Jessie; his daughter, Lauren; his son, Alexander Parker Mann and his wife Anne; and his brothers, Conrad and his wife Sondra, and Evan and his wife Claire.

Services were held in late June in Rockville, Maryland.

Contributions in Mann’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association.

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New President

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

Jewelers of America’s new logo
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

Christies regent kashmir sapphire and regal Burmese ruby
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat Ruby

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

Diamond earrings held in gloved hand
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft Recovered

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

Emmanuel Raheb CEO of Smart Age Solutions
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More Jewelry

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Pomellato Nudo High Jewelry Campaign
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic Design

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

Jamie Singleton, Bill Brace, Rebecca Wooters, Bill Luth
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid Turnaround

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

Sothebys Watchcheck
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair Services

The auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.

Swarovski lab-grown diamond Galaxy earrings
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024

The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy