About Us
A Journey Fueled by a Lifelong Passion for Fine Gemstones
Hello and greetings... Habari yako! Selam naw! Dehna nesh! Xin chào!
These greetings, in the languages of Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Vietnam, represent the heart of my journey as a gemstone cutter and wholesale colored stone dealer. This journey has taken me to the very source of the world's most beautiful treasures.
The Spark of Wonder: A Childhood Passion for Colored Gemstones
My fascination with gemstones began as a child, sparked by the gift of an Australian boulder opal and a Mexican fire opal from my mother. I was captivated by colors, but these stones were something else entirely. They held the entire sun's rainbow. I spent countless hours admiring them by my bedroom window, mesmerized by the celestial dance of light and color. That early wonder set the course for my life.
From Passion to Profession: Becoming a Gemstone Cutter
Though my parents encouraged the traditional path of college, my heart remained with gems. I managed to earn a B.S. in Business Marketing, but my real education came from the pages of Lapidary Journal, which I read religiously in class. I knew then that a conventional career wasn't for me. I bought my own faceting machine—a trusted companion I still use today—and dove headfirst into the gem industry. I taught gemstone cutting at the San Diego Mineral & Gem Society and cut commercially for another dealer, slowly building my own inventory.
A Test of Resilience: Sourcing Gems from Tanzania
In 1997, my journey took a devastating turn. An armed robbery at my home resulted in the loss of 90% of my inventory. Faced with a daunting crossroads, I chose not to give up but to go deeper. I traveled to the country that had always intrigued me with its rare treasures: Tanzania, the home of Tanzanite, Tsavorite Garnet, and Chrome Tourmaline. This wasn't just a buying trip; it was a pilgrimage to the heart of the gem world and the largest natural zoo on the planet. This marked the beginning of my life as an international traveler, sourcing beautiful, rough gems from across Africa.
Gem dealer Michael Nemeth cautiously descends the upper shaft of the Vietnam Camp tanzanite mine, in block D at Merelani. Miners use the piece of wood in the foreground to rest during their long descents and ascents.
The shaft of the Vietnam Camp mine continues to narrow as it approaches 300 meters in depth.
A Partnership in Life and Gems: Sourcing in Vietnam
My travels led me to my lovely wife, Adia. Her native country, Vietnam, became another source of inspiration and fine gems. We continue to travel there, visiting her family and purchasing exquisite, unheated Rubies, Sapphires, and top-quality Spinels.