About

As a child I had an intense interest in the natural world that ranged from animals, to astronomy, to rocks and minerals. Throughout my childhood I collected rocks, gems, minerals, and fossils wherever I could find them. After high school I joined the US Navy and was able to visit South America and Africa, the two the most mineral rich continents on earth. It was during my last year in the Navy that I decided I would begin a gem and mineral import business once my enlistment ended. In 1990 I reentered civilian life and began a business named Natural Treasures, Inc. out of my Mothers basement importing and wholesaling jewelry, rocks, and minerals to stores and museum gift shops up and down the east coast. During the decade of the 90’s I was also a Vendor at dozens of gem and mineral shows. In the early 2000’s I owned several jewelry/gift stores and never stopped building my personal rock and mineral collection. In early 2019 I decided to create the Pittsburgh Gem Show to share my passion and knowledge about this portion of the natural world with others.