Sydney Strong was born in Greenville, SC and moved to Charleston, SC to attend and play soccer at the College of Charleston. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art, with a concentration in Photography. Sydney lived in Charleston for 10 years, coaching soccer at the College of Charleston, before moving back to Greenville to work for her mom, llyn.
Joining her mom sparked an interest in gemstones over time as she managed the store. This new found interest and encouragement from Pat and Jim Alger, two gemstone dealers and family friends, prompted her to pursue a graduate gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America.
Completing this program was the best way to take her new interest in gemstones to the next level. Upon graduating from GIA, Sydney’s wife, Michelle Strong, gifted a personalized lab coat emblazoned with the title “Doc of Rocks” in gold embroidery. Sydney is now the Doc of Rocks at llyn strong fine art jewelry and she certainly lives up to her nickname.
