We have been prospecting, collecting, trading, buying and selling rocks as a hobby and lapidary business for over 45 years, on the hunt for gemstone rough all over the world. We discovered this beautiful Jasper in the Sahara Desert during one of our prospecting adventures in the 2006 season. We mined this material by hand without the benefit of heavy equipment.
Why do we do what we do? Because it's fun - ANYWHERE in the world!
Janet with our workers at the end of a long work day.
At one of the test digs in the Sahara Desert checking out nodules for pattern.
During this period, we have had the unique opportunity to encounter different countries, customs and cultures that have truly been life-changing experiences for us.
Cooking in the field (note the oven)
Janet supervising in the kitchen
Dinner is served!
Janet has that "Magic Touch" for the Lapidary Arts of visualizing what the rough will yield all the way through preform, cutting, polishing and the actual design of the settings. She also gives that extra detail to all her projects that makes the difference between a good product and a great one.
What collecting is all about: Chase the trace ~ for months!
Looking for pattern....
Finding pattern....
Then we also possess the knowledge of Mineralogy, Crystallography and the Lapidary Arts finely honed over 50+ years of prospecting, collecting & cutting.
All work and no play makes for a dull boy!!!
George in the pool at our villa with our foreman and the foreman's son "wet" sorting Royal Sahara Jasper nodules. This is the final sort before shipping.
George in the pool with one of our Sudanese workers (Joshua) packing Royal Sahara Jasper nodules for shipment to the U.S.
We feel we have a full range of services to offer and are honored to be able to bring to you all of our products in a wide variety of stages of completion from rough through finished jewelry.
Janet & George