Gene Cullinane
After graduating from Washburn University with a degree in business and finance, Gene signed a free-agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Three years later, he signed with the Green Bay Packers. Following his time with the Packers, Gene left football to apply his business and finance degree in the jewelry industry.
Gene spent less than a year working for an independent jeweler in Topeka, KS before moving to Kansas City. He managed a prominent Kansas City jewelry store before deciding to start House of Diamonds in 1995. Gene recognized the local need for a true custom jewelry design and finishing studio that could complete a piece from design to delivery while never leaving the shop.
His passion for the design and manufacturing side of the jewelry business drove him to build a store with an emphasis on one-of-a-kind custom jewelry, uncompromising quality and service, and breakthrough technologies in jewelry design and craftsmanship. Gene also has certifications from the Gemological Institute of America. Gene is married to Karen and they have three daughters, Alexis, Reagan, and Tallia.
Karen Cullinane
Karen started her love of jewelry design in high school at Shawnee Mission East with Mr. Crawford. While at Shawnee Mission East she earned a national award for one of her pieces. Following high school, Karen went to the University of New Mexico for a year, and then continued her education at the University of Kansas where she studied Metal-smithing and Jewelry Design.
Karen designs all of House of Diamonds custom work on a state-of-the-art CAD system that includes technology and 3D equipment usually found only in the most prominent international design shops. Her long-time passion for jewelry and design is reflected in every stunning creation at House of Diamonds, and is experienced by our clients in the custom design process. Karen and her husband Gene have three beautiful daughters, Alexis, Reagan, and Tallia, whom you will most likely see the next time you visit the store. She loves the outdoors and enjoys swimming and fishing with her family.
Bob Snell
Bob was introduced to the jewelry industry by his brother, who is also a jeweler. His training was hands-on, learning from his brother, and then apprenticing under several master jewelers. Bob currently has over 40 years of experience and has an extraordinarily broad skill base ranging from antique repair and refurbishment to the most cutting-edge jewelry-making techniques.
At House of Diamonds Bob performs all of our precious metal castings, drawing from over 30 years of centrifugal casting experience, and integrating it with our state-of-the-art computerized casting operations. He also provides the rest of our dedicated team of custom jewelers with an ageless go-to resource that can only come from experience and passion for the craft. Bob spends his free time on his farm and enjoys hunting.
JP Weir
John-Paul “JP” Weir joined the House of Diamonds staff in November 2015. A graduate from The University of Kansas School of Business, JP carries a strong passion for business development, public relations, and helping House of Diamonds provide an unsurpassed jewelry experience for our clients. With his passion and desire to grow in the industry, JP will be pursuing a Graduate Gemologist degree from The Gemological Institute of America.
When JP isn’t in the office you can find JP spending time with his family, on the golf course, dining out, or simply cheering on his favorite sports team. If you see JP out and about don’t be a stranger, he loves meeting new people.
