Industry Technology Visionary Jeff High Dies at 60

Lafayette, La.—Industry visionary Jeffrey Lynn High died on Sept. 5 surrounded by family and friends at his home in Duson, a small town in Louisiana.

High, who was diagnosed with liver cancer six weeks ago, was 60.

His family remembers him as a loving husband, father, inventor, entrepreneur, friend, and mentor to many.

He also had a deep love for God, spreading his joy and enthusiasm for life wherever he went.

High had a long career in the jewelry industry centered on inventing, designing, and creating CAD/CAM and photography technology for jewelry designers.

In 1990, he founded jewelry technology company Gemvision, headquartered in Davenport, Iowa.

At Gemvision, he worked with businesses all over the world, said his family, adding that many regard his company and products as having revolutionized the jewelry industry.

Stuller acquired the company in 2009.

In 2012, the High family moved from Bettendorf, Iowa, to Lafayette, Louisiana, where High worked for Stuller as its chief innovation officer.

On Monday afternoon, Stuller shared a statement on High’s passing, with company founder Matt Stuller describing the late jeweler as a “powerful visionary.”

“Jeff and I spent countless hours talking about the future,” he said.

“I loved his commitment to the industry and his natural slant towards technology. Jeff was always tinkering with gadgets and never quite satisfied with anything he touched ... Jeff’s work at Gemvision and Stuller will influence all of us for decades to come. We are forever grateful for our time with Jeff, although it was far too short.”

In 2014, High and his wife of 40 years, Dianna Rae High, opened Dianna Rae Jewelry in Lafayette. He served as the store’s vice president.

According to a feature story on Dianna in a 2017 issue of Face Magazine, she took a part-time job at Jeff’s father’s store, Philip’s Diamond Shop in Marion, Iowa, when she was in high school.

They eventually married and moved to California to attend the Gemological Institute of America.

The following year, in 1985, they returned to Iowa and opened and operated a store under the Philip High brand in the region’s “Quad Cities” area, a grouping of cities at the Iowa-Illinois border.

In the Face Magazine article, Dianna remembers that although they’d always created designs by hand, “Jeff was always the techie, mad scientist type, and had this idea to use computers for designing. He pioneered CAD-CAM software.”

They later closed the Quad Cities store to raise their children, but still ran a small-scale jewelry business out of their home.

In the article, Dianna recalls Jeff’s software helping her maintain a life-work balance.

“From my kitchen table, I used the program to custom design pieces for clients, with my children playing or studying within arm’s reach. It enabled me to negotiate the competing demands of work and motherhood on my own terms, so that I could prioritize the needs of my family.”

According to its website, Dianna Rae Jewelry has won two CASE awards from Jewelers of America and numerous Jewelers of Louisiana Design awards, one of which was the Best of Show Award at the 2018 Jewelers of Louisiana Convention.

The store also was a runner-up for Luxury Retailer of the Year by JCK and made Instore magazine’s list of America’s Coolest Stores this year.

Jeff retired at the age of 51, devoting his time to serving others through continuing to invent, design, and create for local businesses, nonprofits, and friends, said his online obituary.

In April, he was one of the keynote speakers, as well as an event photographer, at the Jewelers of Louisiana/Mississippi Jewelers Convention, speaking on artificial intelligence.

He retained a passion for mentoring and inspiring others, always encouraging them to excel in their careers and achieve success in business, said his family.

“Throughout his life, Jeff exemplified a commitment to excellence and an unwavering dedication to our industry, which he served with generosity and grace,” Bobby Ramsey, president of Jewelers of Louisiana, said in a statement.

“While we mourn the loss of Jeff, we also take this moment to celebrate the incredible life he led. Jeff’s innovations in the jewelry industry, his leadership, and his generous contributions have left an indelible mark on many. His legacy will continue to inspire and influence us for years to come.”

His family encourages readers of Jeff’s obituary, “When things are going well or not so well, remember the words of Jeff High … ETA—Embrace the Adventure!”

High is survived by his wife Dianna Davis High; his daughters, Rio Lynn High and Ronni Rae High; his mother, Jane High; his brother, Phillip High Jr. and his wife, Becky; his sister, Katheryne Levin; as well as other in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, Philip High Sr., and his brother-in-law, Stephen Levin.

Services are scheduled for Sept. 16 at The Bayou Church in Lafayette, Louisiana, beginning with visitation at 9 a.m. followed by the funeral and a celebration of life at 11 a.m.

Rev. Sean Walker will officiate at the services.

An additional funeral service and celebration of life directed by Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home will be held Sept. 20 at 11 a.m. at Christ Community Church in Marion, Iowa, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.

A burial at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to mikeroweWORKS Foundation in memory of Jeff High.