Founded in 1955, FWCJ stands as the oldest small business in Federal Way, initially housed in the ‘Olde Federal Way Shopping Centre.’ Originally focusing on jewelry gifts, the store transitioned under Rene Criss’s ownership in 1980, evolving into a hub for colored gemstones and custom designs. In 1994, he expanded to our present location on 320th Street, and the new store was designed to provide a comfortable and creative environment that welcomed clients of all ages, budgets, and levels of jewelry experience.

Rene wed Lorraine in 2002, and they quickly became partners. Her contribution to modernizing the store launched the company’s rapid growth.

In 2007, Sean Criss, Rene’s son, and Brandon Jenkins Moak, a local gemstone collector, began their journey at FWCJ, honing their skills under seasoned mentors and acquiring invaluable expertise along the way. Fast forward to 2022, Sean and Brandon assumed ownership, continuing FWCJ’s legacy of excellence.

Today, we pride ourselves on being South King County’s number one jeweler, dedicated to delivering top-notch jewelry, expert repairs, and trusted advice to our clientele. We view ourselves not just as jewelers but as trusted partners here to help you celebrate all of life’s milestones.

Sean Criss

Co-Owner & third-generation jeweler | GIA Accredited |Design Expert| Gemstone Specialist

Sean has been an integral part of our team for over 16 years, having grown up in the business as Rene’s son. He holds a GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional certification and has a genuine passion for colored gemstones and diamonds. Known for his kindness, charming wit, and great sense of humor, Sean ensures that every interaction at our store is enjoyable and memorable – you’ll leave with beautiful jewelry and a smile!

Custom Design Requests
Sean’s design aesthetic is eclectic, ranging from modern ceramic rings to mid-century watches and Victorian brooches. Over the years, he has worked with thousands of clients, crafting everything from engagement rings and wedding bands to memorial jewelry and graduation gifts. No custom project is too big or small for Sean, who excels at guiding clients through the design process with expertise and creativity. Whether you need a meteorite inlay or a galactic wedding band, Sean is the go-to expert for all your custom jewelry needs.

Intricate Repairs & Restoration
In addition to his design skills, Sean is a proficient jewelry repair and restoration specialist. As a third-generation jeweler, he understands the value of sentimental items and the importance of reputation and integrity when it comes to repairs. Sean offers clients personalized advice and options to ensure the best outcomes for their repair or restoration needs. From ring sizing to fixing prongs and restoring Art Deco engraving, Sean can expertly handle any repair project with precision and care.

Gemstone Knowledge
Sean’s favorite gemstone family is Garnet, particularly Tsavorite, the rare green variety. He is well-known in the Federal Way area for his stunning Sapphire engagement rings, Black Opal designs, and expertise in rare and exotic gemstones. Sean is also skilled at custom faceting gemstones for clients’ future projects. As our colored gemstone expert, he can identify colored stones and help clients source the perfect gemstone for their next project.

Life Beyond Jewelry
Above all, Sean values community and strives to be a trusted advisor and friend to every client. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor adventures, boating, cooking, and indulging in sci-fi & fantasy literature, along with spending time with his two cats.

Brandon Jenkins Moak

Co-owner | General Manager | Diamond Curator | Accredited Gemologist | NAJA Appraiser 

Brandon has been with FWCJ in various capacities since 2007 but has been leading the store since 2015. During this time, he completed a degree in Molecular Biology at Seattle University and the Accredited Gemologist program from the ISG. Brandon has attended numerous tradeshows, gemology conferences, and appraisal workshops, and has contributed articles to several trade magazines. He is a member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, the Society of Jewelry Historians, the American Gem Trade Association, and more. 

He is passionate about the science of gems, gemological evaluation, and the history behind period jewelry. His favorite gemstones include Red Spinel or Black Opal, and he has been collecting gems and minerals since childhood, fueled by family members in the industry. He loves to share this passion with our clients. 

Jewelry & Stone Curator
At FWC Jewelers, Brandon’s primary role is as our buyer & inventory manager. Since Rene’s retirement, he has acquired all of our colored gemstones and new jewelry inventory. He has also curated our collection of antique and vintage jewelry, spanning 250 years of history, in our beloved ‘estate cases’ since 2016, with buying trips around the world. Additionally, Brandon serves as our primary Diamond buyer and assists our custom design staff in sourcing GIA-certified natural and lab-grown Diamonds for our designs.

Estate Advising
Brandon also offers our Estate Advising Service, assisting clients with sorting through their collection of fine jewelry, establishing value, and advising on selling strategies. He is an estate jewelry expert and is happy to guide clients through difficult jewelry decisions, especially involving inherited items. As an accredited appraiser, Brandon is uniquely qualified to authenticate and value your items. 

Life Beyond Jewelry
Outside of work, Brandon and his wife Gina are active in the community. Brandon serves on the board of directors of the Federal Way Symphony Orchestra and on the City of Federal Way Economic Resilience Taskforce. In his spare time, he enjoys horticulture, cooking, traveling (Scotland is his favorite destination), collecting art and jewelry, and spending time with friends and family.

LaDonna (Donna) Bryant

LaDonna is our resident diamond expert and one of our jewelry design specialists, also serving as our primary estate jewelry and gold buyer. She completed training at the GIA with accreditation as a Jewelry Professional and additional coursework in diamonds and pearls. In addition, she holds an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Science. LaDonna has been with us for over 15 years, bringing over 25 years of jewelry experience, including time in jewelry manufacturing and quality control.

Complex Projects
Her in-depth knowledge of jewelry manufacturing and repair techniques gives LaDonna unique experience and skills in our industry. If you have an unusual custom project or complex repair in mind, LaDonna is the one for the job. She will take the time to explain the custom fabrication process and the details of how we make or fix our items so that our clients better understand their jewels. With ‘the eye’ for design, she successfully guides these projects to completion.

Custom Designs
Describing her aesthetic, LaDonna would say she has two passions: she loves the clean lines and understated elegance of classic designs, but she is also charmed by antique items. Her designs, from custom engagement rings to projects inspired by Art Deco, Edwardian, and Victorian styles, each tell a story. LaDonna has a passion for turning her client’s ideas and wish lists into cohesive and beautiful designs, then turning them into reality. She especially loves working with heirloom materials. 

Diamond & Vintage Specialist
LaDonna’s favorite gem? Diamonds, of course! They are sparkly and versatile, making them her best friend. Skilled at diamond grading, she can help clients learn the 4Cs of diamonds and prioritize features that result in the most beauty. LaDonna is also our trusted estate advisor and gold buyer, with a wide and deep knowledge of vintage jewels to authenticate and value items for our clients, whether they are looking to sell or simply curious.

Life Beyond Jewelry
Outside the office, she enjoys outdoor adventures with her grandkids and Pomeranian (Sam, our shop dog), gardening, traveling, reading, and learning about various topics, which she later puts to use at Trivia Night, where she excels.

Operations Staff 

Federal Way Custom Jewelers is fortunate to have an amazing team of operations staff. While these employees are not as visible as our design & gemology staff, they bring an amazing amount of talent to our business and excel in customer service excellence. 

Matthew Herriges – Operations & Digital Marketing Manager
Matt has been a member of our team since 2017, in a management capacity since 2022. Matt has a background in both tech and jewelry which makes him the ultimate in Digital Marketing and Social Media branding for our unique jewels. When Matt isn’t planning our next post he is often behind the counter assisting clients, where his years of experience have made him an expert in buying gold & jewelry as well as in jewelry repair. Outside the office Matt enjoys gaming and spending time with family & friends. 

Holly Andersen – Operations & Customer Service
Holly is the newest member of the FWCJ team and brings a background in writing and customer service to our business. Holly recently graduated with a BA in English and uses her creative writing skills to assist with our online shop and social media presence. Holly is also our point-person for customer service and assists with order fulfilment and operations tasks behind the scenes. Holly loves to read, travel, play games, and spend time with her family. 

Josh Guelker – Assistant Buyer
Josh has been a part-time employee of FWCJ since 2022, but a client for over a decade. Josh has a passion for colored gemstones and jewelry, especially where pieces transcend the norm to become wearable art. Josh attends buying trips with Brandon where they seek our newest treasures or help fulfill wish-list items for our clients. During busy periods Josh is often seen behind the counter assisting clients with finding the perfect gift. Outside FWCJ, Josh owns and operates another local business, enjoys travel, spending time with family, and playing with his Bernadoodle, Marley.