My brother Tom started out collecting rocks when we were kids. I thought that was nice but not for me. I liked throwing rocks not putting them in my pocket. There was a rock shop down the road from our house, that was cool. Little did I know that they were leading my brother into a lifestyle that only rock hounds could understand.
We had a neighbor who was a rock hound with a rock saw in his basement. My brother spent many hours learning about rocks with the local hounds. With most teenagers it was buying their first car with their first job. He bought a new Hillquest with a clutch feed. I bought a 63 two door Catalina.
Tom went into retail sales and tinkering with rocks on the side until he had an opportunity to learn the jewelers trade. With those skills he became a salesman for Intergem the Yogo Sapphire company. After that he bought a rock shop. And that rock shop was traded up for a large mail order lapidary and jewelry supply business.
While visiting my brother at the Tucson gem and mineral show, he was selling tools for the mail-order business in a huge white tent, I was sucked into the love affair with rocks.
I was enthralled by faceted gemstones. Then my brother gave me my first geology book about the northwest. I became hooked. I began buying my own agates and jaspers. Tom gave me a 12 inch Frantom to feed my habit. Now my office and home are dotted with interesting specimens. ROCKS!
After the mail order business Tom invested in a rock mine in Mexico which brought him into the wholesale rock business. By keeping his circle of rock hound friends he was influenced by their urging and ended up buying out a retiring friend’s traveling rock show. And Maple Tree Lapidary was formed.
Of course he needed some to help with the fun. So with the promise of new material at every show I signed on too.
With the new venture we’re able to help many people with their passion for rocks. I’ve watched many people grow in their skills and become accomplished jewelers and artesians. It’s rewarding to know that we were a part of that growth and success.