Before founding Craig Coyne, Sam spent more than a decade serving as an appraiser and estate jewelry buyer for some of the East Coast's most prestigious jewelry stores. His keen eye and unmistakable flair has earned him national recognition as a sought-after speaker on a variety of gem-related topics. Sam earned his Graduate Gemologist diploma in 1994 from the Gemological Institute of America. He was recently elected to membership in The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. The Association, which has members throughout the United States, is dedicated to the maintenance of professional standards, professional ethics and education in the field of jewelry appraising. Sam's passion for beautiful design is infectious and his customers often complain that they had fun while working with him.

Jesse is a graduate of what is now Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. After arriving in Baltimore, he worked for nearly 25 years at a large family-owned jeweler as a highly respected buyer. In 2000, Jesse decided to start a completely new venture and formed Craig Coyne with Sam. While Jesse just looks like "the serious one" and feels that jewelry is a serious purchase, he believes that jewelry should always be fun and enjoyable whether it's bought for yourself or someone you love.