Wade Designs Jewelry was established shortly after John and Rita were married with the idea that John could provide custom design services to the industry. Wade Designs evolved from a small jewelry shop serving over 200 stores across the United States to a retail location for almost 10 years and most recently returning to our new design studio. The design studio gives a more intimate experience fo
r our customers to sit down with John for a one-on-one consultation in the comfort of his studio and create one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry with their own gemstones and metals or a start-from-scratch piece selecting from an incredible diamond and gemstone inventory which has been hand selected by John and Rita. Wade Designs Jewelry will be one of the most unique experiences you may encounter within the jewelry industry. The attention to detail and personal services they provide cannot be compared to a traditional store which has cases full of manufactured cookie-cutter jewelry. Wade Designs prides itself on a 100% hand crafted product designed and manufactured in house by the hands of one man. John Wade
Bench Jeweler and Master Hand Engraver
John Wade, a master artisan and hand engraver, has over 35 years experience in the jewelry business. John was introduced to the jewelry industry at a young age by an Uncle who owned an Opal Mine in Virgin Valley Nevada. From teachers to family members he was encouraged to attend Gem City College in quincy, Illinois. John graduated in 1977 with a degree in Horology and Jewelry Design. It was here that he discovered a passion for engraving and jewelry making. John is a master at what he does and has an intimate understanding of precious metals and amazing skills that he nurtured bringing his hand engravings to levels of extraordinary perfection. The work that John performs is considered to be the best in his field. John also specializes in hand carving waxes and fabricating custom jewelry, casting, setting stones and repairs. As an artist, John loves to see the joy in the faces of the people he has had the opportunity to serve. It was his love of turning his sketches into beautiful pieces of jewelry that someone would treasure along with a regular nudge from his wife of almost 20 years that led him out of the wholesale industry into opening his own jewelry store in 2005. While he no longer is working directly in a retail store environment John now is able to put focus on the one-on-one custom design appointment working directly with customers as he continues to combine timeless elegance with quality craftsmanship in every piece he creates. Rita Lane Wade
Business Development and Marketing Director
A wise man once said, "behind every good man is a great woman." Rita has been the vision and inspiration behind her husband for close to 20 years. It was her passion for people and love for serving the public that gave her the desire to open a jewelry store. Rita graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa with a Bachelors degree in Business and Accounting with a concentration in Marketing and Computer Science. Rita's responsibilities include managing and developing their business as well as the design and implementation of marketing campaigns. She creates customer satisfaction programs, promotional packages, website design and manages Wade Designs Jewelry events. Rita loves international travel and has visited more than twenty countries, in South Asia, South America, Central America and Europe. She is fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish which comes handy when collaborating with our overseas vendors. She has a passion for people and a great appreciation for life and her loved ones. In 2006 Rita was selected as the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce Small Busienss Women of the Year. many call her the "Queen of Marketing" and it is her energetic spirit and love for people that has elevated Wade Designs from a few hundred customers to over 10,000 customers nationally who have recognized Wade Designs as a leading custom design jewelry store.
