A graduate gemologist, Kirk has been in the jewelry business for over 25 years. In 1984, he became the youngest person ever to be certified as a Master Gemologist Appraiser by the American Society of Appraisers. Kirk opened C. Kirk Root Designs in 1988, designing and manufacturing a line of custom bluebonnet jewelry. He soon added other Texas-inspired lines and officially licensed University of Texas jewelry. In 2000, Kirk's designs were chosen in a statewide contest to become the official pins and rings of the Texas Legislature. A former chairperson of the Gems and Jewelry Board of the American Society of Appraisers, Kirk's gemological expertise has made him one of the leading appraisers for the FBI, DEA and Department of Justice. In 1998, Kirk trademarked the Century Cut® process to significantly enhance a diamond's brilliance by adding many more facets to it.