Mark Hileman- Hileman Silver Jewelry
Mark McBride Hileman graduated for the Texas Tech University College of Architecture in 1970. During college and in the following years, various galleries represented his paintings and sculptures. Mark began making jewelry in 1974; the same year he opened his architectural office in Scottsdale, Arizona. The sculptural shapes and use of vibrant inlay color in his jewelry designs are an expansion and blending of his diverse artistic backgrounds. Although Mark’s designs have evolved, his design philosophy has remained the same. Simplicity. Always searching for what is essential and beautiful, whether that be geometrical shapes or flowing curves.
Jewelry is mankind’s most basic adornment. Jewelry is the vision of the artist, transformed by the person that wears it. This art form becomes an unspoken projection of each individual’s personality. The sophisticated uses of opal, precious and semi-precious stones and the unsurpassed precision and quality of the inlay are the hallmarks of his work.
Every piece of Hileman jewelry is handcrafted using the finest materials and craftsmanship from The Hileman Collection studio in Arizona. Mark’s sons, John and Matthew, are involved every day in various aspects of the jewelry making- culminating in a unified effort for perfection in every piece of jewelry created.
We specialize in opal jewelry but also enjoy working with dinosaur bone, sugilite, turquoise and other colorful stones. We offer unique rings, wedding sets, earrings, pendants and bracelets in a variety of unusual and beautiful inlay materials accented by colorful gemstones from all over the world. If you don't see exactly what you are looking for, ask about customizing our designs to fit your taste.
Special Care Instructions for Inlay Jewelry
Here are some simple care instructions to keep your inlay jewelry looking great. These instructions apply to all of our inlay rings including turquoise, dinosaur bone, opal, lapis, onyx, lab opal, chrysoprase as well as all accent gemstones.
First, never clean inlay jewelry in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. Chemicals and heat may negatively affect the epoxy over a period of time. Also, avoid contact with household cleaners and solvents, as they may breakdown the epoxy as well. If your inlay jewelry is accented by diamonds or other faceted stones, simply brush the stones with a soft toothbrush and mild soap from the top and the bottom. Prolonged exposure to water or oils may weaken the bond between the stones and the epoxy used to hold them in the channel. Remove any tarnish with a polishing cloth and do not dip the jewelry in a tarnish removal liquid.
Second, wear your jewelry with care and common sense. Remove your jewelry before performing any activity that might damage the jewelry, such as exercising, yard work, swimming, dishwashing, etc. Do not wear your inlay ring on a finger adjacent to another ring. The rings will grind against each other and damage the silver and the inlay. Wearing them on the same finger is fine. When not wearing your jewelry, store your jewelry in a cloth bag or box where your other jewelry cannot ding or scratch it. Doing so will also prolong the life of your jewelry and extend the period you can go before needing to be refinished.
Finally, when the surface of the stones or the silver loses its luster, return the piece for refinishing. If you have an accident and break a stone, we can drill it out and replace it without a problem. We recommend returning Hileman Jewelry repairs directly to us. Most jewelers are not experienced with inlay methods and do not have stones to match the ones in your jewelry.
