Our very good friends and celebrity rare gem dealers, Simon and Laurie Watt were in town this past weekend on a somewhat, false pretense. We had originally arranged for them to be in town for a special dinner we were having at the gallery for WineFest high bidders but, alas, schedule malfunctions. Simon and Laurie still wanted to come (not to mention the already scheduled flight from Sri Lanka) and were very willing to meet with clients that wanted to experience and view outrageous colored gems. My wife Sheri and I were able to enjoy their company at dinner the night before and retell tales of the Tucson gem show and other fun stories from the road and their exotic travels. I was surprised by the large number of clients that came to the gallery and the insightful questions that were asked as we ooohed and aaahed over amazing, rare gems. Brazil, Tanzania, Madagascar, Nigeria, Afghanistan and the United States were well represented in the spectacular stones on display.

Most jewelers don’t have the opportunity to see what these veteran dealer/collectors have in their bag. I have had the great pleasure of their acquaintance since Laurie stuck her foot in my gallery door (as I tried to close it on her) 24 years ago. We both recognized our mutual passion for colored jewels and immediately struck-up a friendship and business relationship. Along the way, both of our businesses grew and so did our trust and admiration for each other. It has been satisfying over the years to be able to say to a smug stone collector who has wandered in asking, ” Would you happen to have a bi-colored, shield-cut, Fire Opal from Brazil available?” and being able to pick up the phone and provide two for viewing the next day…One thing our clients should know is that it is just as important for us totreat our vendors with honesty, consideration and trust as our clients. Based on our long-held relationship with Simon and Laurie, I could call them and have a $500,000 stone delivered within a few days to show a client, on trust alone (more than likely, they would rather fly down and ogle the gem together and then share a fun meal afterwords). They have also connected us with unique and pioneering jewelers, like ourselves, from across the country so we can share successful ideas and gems together. One morning during their last visit, Simon and I were on a local news show explaining about rare gems and after the cameras went to commercial we were inundated by the entire station crew who wanted to see and know more about the stones. The attached photos show a small example of the exceptional gems in their bag and it is always fun to watch a client’s desires towards particular colors. The electric reds of Nigerian Rubellite, the stunning neon blue of Cuprian Tourmaline from Africa and the luscious orange of Mexican Fire Opal were all on the table. Simon and Laurie’s vast knowledge about locale, treatments and subtleties of cut are always a pleasure to hear and see. A big thanks for their gracious visit and a bigger thanks to those clients who expressed an interest in learning more about the rare gem world!

What a fun and entertaining auction! Our participation began when Hannah Pelle (Cameron’s wife) and Lee Golden asked if we would be willing to raise the stakes of their auction by offering a FireLight Diamond ring as the auction’s top item. We had to make sure that Norman Love thought it was as good an idea as we thought and with his blessing, we were off and running. Lee, Marrietta Mudgett and their committee did a brilliant job of pulling together silent and live auction items that were attractive and within most folks pocketbooks. One of our staff couldn’t contain himself and fell in love with the auction puppy, a gorgeous little Llasa Apso female from Pet Kingdom. When the furious bidding was over, Peter was the proud, new Papa. (I finally wound up with her but that is another story) Our FireLight Diamond ring came up for bid and started at 2,500 dollars. The auctioneers Mike Cannington and Jay Severson did an awesome job of talking the piece up and with a little help from Cameron and I, extolling the virtues of the FireLight chocolates, the bidding heated up. The winning bidder promptly turned to his beautiful date and asked her to marry him! I’m not sure who was more stunned, the crowd or her…With a big smooch and hug she said yes to thundering applause from the rest of us. The evening ended on a high note and Hannah even gave Cameron his bidding paddle back..Congratulations from all of us at Mark Loren Designs to the winning couple and may their marriage be as exciting and spontaneous as their engagement!

I am commenting on the accompanying video of some massive geode specimens that Sheri and I saw in Tucson at the gem shows. It is common to see spectacular crystal specimens on display and we would always see them along highway I-10 as you headed south through the downtown. These huge amethyst, citrine and clear quartz geodes are usually on display in their sawdust filled coffins of crated wood, slightly tilted back like dead gunslingers in front of the mortuary in the old west. The video shows an incredible 15 foot tall behemoth that came from some location in South America (sometimes you get the real story for the price of a cup of coffee and a burrito) and is encrusted with beautiful, tiny amethyst crystals along the entire interior. The other geode is displayed as the largest of its kind in the world and you could fit a child’s birthday party inside.
Many of these tremendous crystal specimens are from caves or pockets of rock that are buried in clay. We sell large, architectural mineral specimens but these are a whole different world! The beauty of these is mirrored with the problems of shipping and installation. I remember when we first started selling them and I had to rent a forklift to get them off the shipping truck…that’s when I realized the difficulty many of the vendors face when they bring them to shows. The other minor detail is that when they are shipped, the dealer does NOT certify them to arrive to you in one piece. If they should crack, split, chip or separate during shipping…tough cookies. Many galleries and museums will arrive with their own truck and packing materials to insure safe arrival. Imagine one of these rarities in your courtyard at home or in your entrance foyer with subtle lighting, accenting the sparkling crystals….and overhearing your guests question, How big do these things get…?