Lizzadro Museum showcases Mark Schneider jewelry

The Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art will open an exhibition featuring 40 pieces by award-winning designer Mark Schneider next month. The show runs from November 7, 2026, through March 28, 2027.

Twenty-two of the works were created for the American Jewelry Design Council Projects, an invitation-only collective Schneider joined after decades in the field. His designs have earned 68 major awards, a total that may set a record for an individual jeweler.

From retail to one-of-a-kind creations

Schneider began his career working in his family’s jewelry store before shifting to design in 1981. His method stands apart from most jewelers—he starts with the gem rather than a sketch. Often, he waits years for inspiration, sometimes a decade or more, before crafting a setting that highlights the stone’s natural beauty.

A book on his work describes the process: “Mark’s starting point is the gemstone. He rarely comes up with a design and then finds a gemstone to fit it. Instead, he finds the gemstone and waits for ‘the stone to speak to him.’”

His designs follow distinct themes—water, flora and fauna, architecture, furniture, and cosmic motifs—all represented in the upcoming exhibition. Visitors will see cufflinks carved like swirling galaxies, a brooch shaped as a bat with ruby eyes, and a pendant resembling an ice cream bar.

A career built on patience and collaboration

Elyse Zorn Karlin, a historian of contemporary jewelry, guest-curated the exhibition. Schneider will speak at the museum on opening day at 2 p.m., giving attendees a chance to learn about his creative process.

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The Lizzadro Museum moved from Elmhurst to Oak Brook in 2019. It specializes in lapidary arts, including gemstones, jewelry, and bejeweled objects. The collection includes both historical and modern works, making it an ideal setting for Schneider’s designs.

His work often involves teaming up with master lapidaries and jewelers. One cufflink was carved by Tom Munsteiner, a well-known gemstone cutter, while a lapel pin features chalcedony shaped by Steve Walters. These partnerships show Schneider’s belief that the best pieces result from collaboration between designer, stone, and artisan.

The museum will sell copies of Mark Schneider: Contemporary Jewelry Design, a book documenting his career. The volume includes photographs of many exhibited works and essays on his design approach.

Museums are now featuring more contemporary jewelers alongside traditional lapidary arts. Schneider’s work connects fine art with wearable design, earning recognition beyond the jewelry field. His pieces have appeared in galleries nationwide, but this will be his first major retrospective in the Chicago area.

The exhibition opens on a Saturday, allowing visitors to attend Schneider’s talk and view the collection on the same day. Admission details will be posted on the museum’s website before the opening.

For those interested in jewelry rental services, the event offers a chance to see high-end craftsmanship up close.