EditorsJan 16, 2026
Remembering Pete Yantzer for His Contributions and His Kindness Pete’s boundless curiosity extended beyond diamond cut and he was always eager to share his knowledge with others, no matter the topic.
IndependentsJun 25, 2019
J.J. Marco’s Mark Cohen Dies at 63
He co-founded the fine jewelry brand with wife Julianne Jaffe in 1990.
He co-founded the fine jewelry brand with wife Julianne Jaffe in 1990.
New York—Mark Cohen, designer and co-founder of fine jewelry brand J.J. Marco, died May 27. He was 63.
Cohen and wife Julianne Jaffe started J.J. Marco in 1990.
Prior to that, he had apprenticed as a bench jeweler for his father’s fine jewelry workshop and earned an art degree at the esteemed Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.
Designing for his own brand landed Cohen’s jewelry in retailers like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, as well as various independent retailers across the United States.
In 2005, Cohen and Jaffe opened their own J.J. Marco boutique in New York City’s posh Upper East Side neighborhood, on Madison Avenue.
Described as an artist, Cohen created custom jewelry throughout his career for his clientele.
“He was a wonderful photographer and sculptor as well as a jewelry designer,” Jaffe said of her husband, “but the first thing everyone noticed about him was what an incredibly thoughtful, kind, generous person he was.”
Longtime jewelry journalist Lorraine DePasque commented: “Not only did he leave this world with a body of signature, beautiful jewelry designs but, and perhaps more importantly, he left after living a life of trying to make the world around him more beautiful.”
In his free time, Cohen loved to run, completing 13 marathons. He was also an avid fly and saltwater fisherman.
He is survived by Jaffe, who will continue to operate the New York City boutique, and his children, Stefanie and Jeremy.
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