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Gems of Fort Lauderdale 2009
Broward County Library Foundation Literary Feast
Proclamation Presentation
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Grand Opening
Having Dinner at China Grill
High Heel Hike on Las Olas Blvd. on October 11th
Marino Foundation Cigar Smoker Event held on Sept 22nd
Alexis de Toqueville event at the Levinson's home.
Alonzo Mourning Charities event at Bova in Boca Raton
City and Shore, An Evening of Sparkling Gems, July 2008
2008 Gems of Fort Lauderdale
Levinson Jewelers Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Opening November, 2008 - Levinson On Las Olas
Mark and Robin Levinson - Rock Solid
Silver and Gold Standard
Ocean Drive Magazine, January 2008

Press Archive

Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Mark and Robin Levinson - Rock Solid

Everyone in South Florida knows, or knows of, Mark and Robin Levinson of Levinson Jewelers in Plantation. Their star studded charitable events appear frequently in the South Florida media. They are also known for their high-end merchandise that includes such luxury brands as Bvlgari, Chopard and Piaget. What few know is that the Levinsons are uncompromisingly inseparable and exceptionally generous. Both as business partners and parents, the couple is more understated than ostentatious, very private and yet very approachable. They are both charming and vivacious. And Mark is especially electric when he sees his jewelry in public or speaks of jewels at all. Robin lights up most when talking about her husband and children; however, both have a love of jewelry that matches the intensity of their love for each other. When Mark and Robin married in 1982, after having been introduced by a friend, Mark was selling chocolate chip cookies and Robin worked at Neiman Marcus. "We were broke," Robin says, "so we needed to do something." They joined a jewelry exchange. "We borrowed money to purchase a dish of cubic zirconias and gold chains for our display," Robin recalls. The couple eventually took over the small co-op, and today Levinson Jewelers is the largest privately owned jewelry retailer in the United States. Their 10,000- square-foot store houses 30 employees and is located adjacent to Broward Mall. It has expanded four times and, interestingly, is located in the same spot as that original jewelry exchange. "We've always been known for being resourceful, reliable and honest," Robin says. "From the very beginning, we figured [the business] out with our customers." The first season at the co-op, they achieved their first year's projections. Their first customer is still a customer. Now that's a loyal following. It isn't easy getting the duo to define their individual roles. Mark states that they just pitch in as needed in the back office and onsite factory. However, their personal talents diverge. "Mark buys loose diamonds and I buy finished goods, gemstones," Robin says. "I have a good eye for what the customer wants." "She's very modest about it," Mark says. "Robin has a great eye and talent for design. I even go to her when I get dressed in the morning to see what she thinks. She's an amazing designer. She can take a pile of loose diamonds and design something unique and spectacular with our manufacturers in the back, or with our manufacturers elsewhere. "When we go on buying trips, I love everything," he says, "but she'll be able to pick that one special piece and she'll work with the buyer to customize their designs. She also sits with customers in our in-house factory to design or re-design their jewelry.” As we go to press, the Levinsons announced plans to open a second store in November - a luxurious 5,500-square-foot store at 888 E. Las Olas Blvd., in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale. “We couldn't do it without each other," Robin says. "We're complete partnership. We've never been on a buying trip separately and we confer on everything." Even socially, the couple won't attend events separately. "Even that's a partnership," she says. "It doesn't work for everyone, but it works for us. We've been together for 26 years - we work off each other's synergy. It's always, 'Mark and Robin."' - Merii Grace McLeroy