How I got started in Gemstones

Growing up exploring the trails and mountains of the Pacific Northwest, I always had a love of sparkly rocks. Each family road trip through the western US included stops at dusty mineral shops along the way to search for treasures. Sometime in adulthood, that passion for gems was reawakened with the lucky find of a smashed ring in a parking lot. The crumpled, shiny mass turned out to be what was once a gold, diamond and tanzanite ring! Somehow the tanzanite survived without damage, and spurred a trip to the local gemshop. From there, my collection took off and soon I was attending local gem clubs and gem shows around the Southwest US. That hobby evolved into an online business. I still get a kick out of the search for excellent gems, and now I get to share it with customers around the world!