What attracted you to AGTA?
some window shopping. In one I saw, among all the sparkling Diamonds, two lovely, round, blue-green stones.They looked like the pictures of the earth from space. I went into the bourse and found the right booth where the proprietor was so disappointed that I was more interested in the “decoration stones” than her valuable goods. Still, she sold me two of those stones—which she explained were Chrysocolla from the old copper mines legendari- ly worked in the days of King Solomon.That was the beginning for me! Tell us about the person who intro- duced you to the jewelry industry and about your love for gemstones. I first learned about the jewelry business from my friend Daniel Young. He was bringing crystals from Arkansas and around the world to stores in NewYork City. He would stay at my apartment, and there he unwrapped beauti- ful McLaren Quartzes and Bra- zilian Aquamarines.There were eye-popping specimens and also pieces anyone could afford.
mineral and crystal business headquartered in Sedona, Arizona, were early teachers for me.They explained the basics of hi-grading, sorting, pricing, display, and bargaining.
The standards for disclosure and business integrity.Also, the community of colored stone people is a genuine fellowship. During your involvement in colored gemstones, in what way have you witnessed the industry changing? Also, how are you guiding your firm to meet today’s challenges? New finds, such as Ethiopian Opals and Emeralds, and all the other amazing materials being unearthed in Africa, continue to expand the global network of colored stone enthusiasts.There are also more enhancement methods.At Natural Stones, we are looking for new and un- usual gem materials and trying to have careful chains of supply and production to avoid untold treatments of any kind. Please share your thoughts on social responsibility in the colored gemstone industry. This is an essential area where the AGTA can work to promote a host of standards that can only benefit the industry. From mine safety, to fair trade, to environmental protec- tions, these are places where our organization can spell out policies that can or should be adhered to.
Who were your early mentors in life?
I spent some time with Doro- thy Day, the Catholic anti-war activist, who helped inspire me to travel the peacenik path.And a beatnik storyteller named Spencer Holst who encouraged me in the art of storytelling— because as we know, every stone has a story!
What is your favorite colored gemstone?
This has varied over the years, because my tastes change, just like my taste in music or paintings has shifted over the decades. Currently I’m com- pletely enamored of Chryso- beryl. It’s hard, it’s super spark- ly, and it has a very distinctive yellow-green color. Also, it needs no treatment.This stone has always been overshad- owed by another variety—the color-changing Alexandrite— but on its own, Chrysoberyl is a gorgeous and underrated gemstone.
Below: American Black Jade from the Edwards Mine in Wyoming, cut in Natural Stones studio.
Who were your early mentors in the colored gemstone trade?
TheYoung brothers—Daniel, Dale, and Dennis—who had a
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