We sometimes get asked how we manage to have such a variety of gems. It seems like a good time to take a moment to celebrate our buyers. Due to the competition for sources and good stones, they work in the shadows. They travel thousands of miles each year to some of the most inhospitable environments on earth, sleep in less than luxurious hotels, sometimes get food poisoning and deal with vehicle breakdowns when help is far away. They also work under the stress of keeping themselves and the capital (or stones) safe and secure. And if that wasn’t enough, they also must manage the paperwork and export of stones in a myriad of countries where each has their own rules and regulations that must be adhered to. I know how much you all appreciate the stones we offer, so I want to take a moment to recognize the unsung heroes of Joe Henley Rough and Gemstones.