What? Retire? Me?…. naw, not yet
It was early in the year 2018 and my lease at Manulife Place was set to expire in March of 2019. I didn't want to go into my final year without some idea of what lay ahead for myself [...]
Edmonton’s original “Indiana Stones”
"McBEAN, Roger Roger Christopher McBean passed away on June 25, 2012 at the age of 59 in the country of Dominica where he had spent the last few years. He is survived by his children David McBean of Kelowna, [...]
“THUD” ???
How big?!?!?! It was finally time to go. I had been awake in my hotel room since 3:00am and the diamond office of one of my favorite diamond cutter/supplier's didn't open until 9:30. I travel to Antwerp in Belgium, [...]
How it all began…..
I am often asked how I got into the Jewellery business in the first place and the real story is a bit unexpected. I like it. It shows where passion can take you. The blame almost entirely belongs with [...]
Superman’s Fortress of Solitude Found!!!!
As a child, growing up as I did during the golden age of comic books in the later 1950's and 1960's, I was deeply fascinated with many of the aspects of the DC and MARVEL worlds. (some 'nerd' showing [...]
Afghanistan has always been a tough place to mine Gemstones..
The air was cool and dry, what there was of it. There's not much at 12,000 feet in the Hindu Kush Mountain range of Afghanistan. Jed (the names have been changed to protect the innocent) had gone there to [...]
Aquamarine, March’s Birthstone
Have you ever gazed into a pool of water and found yourself being hypnotized by it's cool, peaceful tranquility? Well, gazing into the depths of this month's birthstone, Aquamarine, can have the same effect. The ancients realized this when [...]
December’s Blog: Blue Zircon
Did you know that Zircon is actually a Natural Gemstone? Most people still think of it as a popular Diamond imitation called “Cubic Zirconia”. “Cubic” (as it’s known) is a man made ‘re-creation’ of natural Zircon. What you may [...]
“Give me your pants, I’ll sew them for you”
Even though there were times when I asked myself "What the heck are you doing here?", I've always enjoyed my trips to Brazil. One trip in particular stands out in my memory and I think in the memories of [...]
November’s Blog: Imperial Topaz
Now you too can have long life.. beauty.. and.. intelligence.. and all just by wearing a Topaz above your heart! Well, that’s what they believed in ancient India. For those of you born in November, you probably know that [...]
