Barry Nichols

Barry first took a course in Metalsmithing & Jewelry at Colorado State University in the mid 70's and he started doing some jewelry designing as a hobby. During his 10 year career as a commercial diver, in Houma, Louisiana, Barry used his paychecks to buy gemstones and soon became a gem dealer. "Gems have always fascinated me. I dream about gemstones!" He started making a little money with the gem business and decided it was time to go official so he got a business license (as Dragon's Den Jewelry) in 1982. Finding that it isn't easy to sell loose gems to people (they want them set in something), Barry started making designs in which to set the gems. Soon he was a full time jeweler. When he moved back to Florida in 1989, he changed the business name to Paradise Jewelry.

Barry has published a number of articles on Selling, Public Relations, and Marketing in professional jewelry trade journals and he wrote a chapter for GIA on Selling Diamonds for their Diamonds correspondence course.

Barry has been a member of Rotary and is active in Jewelers of America, Florida Jewelers Association (Board of Directors), the Collier County Professional Jewelers Association (Past President and now Vice-President), Naples Area Chamber of Commerce, Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce, and the Golden Gate Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution (past President), Presidents Council of Hodges University, and Mensa. Barry participates in fund raisers and other charity activities for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Muscular Dystrophy, and Mensa. He also lectures free of charge for local non-profit organizations on the subjects of Diamonds and Gems, Jewelry, Diving in the Antarctic, and Getting the Bends, Salesmanship, Marketing, and Public Relations..