Meet Our Team
Mark Maurer
Mark Maurer's story is rooted in craftsmanship, hard work, and a lifelong passion for building things that last.
Raised in rural Berks County, Pennsylvania, Mark grew up in a family of builders, craftsmen, and skilled tradespeople. Carpenters, electricians, furniture makers, and home builders shaped his early years, and his father—a master builder from an era when one person often built nearly every part of a home—was Mark's greatest inspiration. Mark always expected to follow in his father's footsteps until tragedy struck when his father passed away at just 35 years old. That loss profoundly changed the course of his life.
During high school, another influential figure entered Mark's life. Dr. Jim Sutton, the legendary track and cross-country coach at Exeter Township High School, became both mentor and role model. Coach Sutton had an extraordinary ability to develop average student-athletes into championship competitors while teaching discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. Under his guidance, Mark became part of Berks County championship cross-country teams and helped Exeter Township capture the 1967 Pennsylvania State Cross Country Championship at Penn State University. Earlier that season, Mark placed 13th among more than 500 runners in the PIAA District III Championship—a testament to the determination and work ethic that would define his career.
It was also Dr. Sutton who encouraged Mark to attend Millersville State College (now Millersville University), where he studied Industrial Arts. The program proved to be a natural fit, building on the practical knowledge he had gained growing up in the construction trades. While Mark had always envisioned building homes, his education and interests gradually shifted toward creating beautiful objects on a much smaller scale. That passion ultimately led him to the jewelry trade, where precision, artistry, and craftsmanship came together.
In 1981, Mark opened his first jewelry store and served as its original bench jeweler. He personally purchased diamonds, crafted jewelry, and set every stone in his Lancaster workshop. Operating initially under the name Van Scoy Diamond Mine, the business specialized exclusively in fine diamond jewelry.
Early in his diamond education, Mark formed a relationship that would become one of the defining partnerships of his career. He met Serge Fischler of Fischler Diamond Co. in Antwerp, Belgium, and together they built a trusted relationship based on shared values of quality and integrity. Decades later, Fischler Diamonds remains VMB's principal supplier of exceptional diamonds, reflecting the enduring respect between the two companies.
A pivotal moment came in May 2004 when Mark joined forces with Bill Bash, owner of Bash Jewelers. As Bill prepared for retirement, the two combined their expertise to create Vanscoy Maurer & Bash Diamond Jewelers. The merger expanded the company's offerings beyond diamonds to include renowned designer collections and fashion jewelry from celebrated brands. At the same time, Mark's oldest son, Mark Allan Maurer II, transitioned from the jewelry bench into leadership as general manager, helping guide the growing business into its next chapter.
Today, Mark serves as Chief Executive Officer of Vanscoy Maurer & Bash, while Mark Allan Maurer II serves as President. Mark remains deeply involved in selecting exceptional diamonds, developing fine jewelry collections, and ensuring the company continues to offer pieces of extraordinary beauty and lasting value.
Mark has long believed that fine jewelry occupies a unique place in people's lives. As he often says, "Other than a piece of land or a home, what else do people keep for the rest of their lives and pass on to their heirs, other than the fine jewelry they wear?"
That philosophy continues to guide everything he does. Whether greeting longtime customers, welcoming first-time visitors, or searching the world for the finest diamonds and jewelry, Mark remains committed to helping people celebrate life's most meaningful moments with craftsmanship, quality, and integrity that will endure for generations.