Karakoram Gems

My journey with gemstones began at sixteen, working at Mineral World in South Africa. From 1988 to 1995, with a break for national service, what started as a teenager's weekend job at the famous Scratch Patch near Simon's Town became a formative passion that would shape my life.

I spent those years wheelbarrowing massive loads of tumble-polished stones—amethyst, tiger's eye, jasper, agate—watching as children and adults alike ran their hands through thousands of stones, searching for that perfect piece. There's a magic in that moment of discovery that never left me.

Behind the scenes at the Dido Valley factory, the education deepened. The walk-through "mine" taught me we weren't just selling stones—we were selling stories, experiences, the journey from earth to hand. Watching massive industrial tumblers transform rough rock into polished beauty over weeks, I learned that excellence takes time.

I developed particular fascination with undyed agate slices and amethyst geodes. Each crack of a geode revealed hidden beauty, unique crystal formations. Those moments shaped how I see gemstones: not as commodities, but as pieces of earth's hidden artistry.

But then life intervened, as it does. I left Mineral World in late 1995 to travel, build a career, raise a family. Four children later, the gemstones stayed cherished but set aside during years of grind and growth.

Now, three decades after those Mineral World days, I'm rekindling that early passion. Through Karakoram Gems, I'm finally able to source the quality precious gemstones I could only admire as a teenager. Partnering with trusted suppliers in Pakistan's legendary Gilgit-Baltistan region, I bring authentic, ethically-sourced gemstones to UK collectors and jewellers who share my appreciation for natural beauty and heritage.

From the Scratch Patch to the Karakoram peaks—from a teenager's fascination to a father's realized dream—this is more than a business. It's a passion that never truly faded, finally given its moment.