23rd Street Jewelersis a premier family-owned business co-owned by sisters Diane Allen and Mary Kelley. You could say that Diane and Mary got their business started with a little help from Elvis and an 18kt gold red coral ring. Here{s their story:Growing up, Mary and Diane shared a bedroom and many friends, so sharing a business came naturally. Diane was an artist at a young age, enjoying drawing and painting, which she continued in college. As a young adult she worked in a jewelry store and opened her own home jewelry party business. She then went on to work for importers, manufacturers, and wholesalers in downtown Los Angeles—a part of the world known to have the best jewelry manufacturing. Later she combined her love for jewelry with her artistic abilities and started designing custom jewelry. Diane was hired by Elvis Presley’s Estate to design souvenirs.Mary was always greatly influenced by her older sister Diane who sparked her love for jewelry when she returned from a trip to Italy with two gifts for her, an 18kt gold red coral ring and a carved cameo pendant, Mary wore them for years. A few years later, Mary would attend the Gemological Institute of America. That led her to opportunities with businesses that specialized in importing and brokering diamonds and importing and exporting colored gemstones. She traveled to trade shows all over the world including Bangkok and Hong Kong.