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It was now nearing August and I needed to find another store to work in. I was so taken back by how everything planned out at the first store; it was hard for me to keep my head up the confidence while searching for another opportunity. Not too far into my search, I was contacted by another well known retailer. One interview later and BAM! I found myself back in the game. Sometimes I look back and think I should have waited instead of just jumping in on the first opportunity that came my way. Other times I am thankful...

It was nearing the end of June and within 6 months I already figured out what my true passion was, met and spoke with some awesome jewelers, and landed a job with a prominent retailer in the area. Things were off to a great start and I was beyond ecstatic! I went through a few days of training before being placed on the floor as a gold buyer. I learned how to test for the different karats of gold and the validity of silver, how to weigh out the metals, account for the stones, and check the market for spot...

Right around the time I met with Owen, I took my son on a trip to Pittsburgh, PA. Among other places, we visited the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. We visited mainly because my son was obsessed with Dinosaurs and Dinosaurs in Their Time is the first permanent exhibition in the world to feature scientifically accurate environments filled with actively posed original fossil specimens arranged chronologically spanning the Mesozoic Era. To my pleasant surprise, they also had a huge exhibit showcasing rough gems and minerals. Their showcase made me appreciate all of the hard work that goes into the jewelry...

Upon my return to the states, I had so many questions to answer. What does it take to get into the jewelry business? Where can I find such information? Luckily, this day in age, it is pretty easy to come upon quality information on just about anything. I visited the library and checked out books pertaining to diamonds, gemstones, and the history of jewelry. I also hashtag searched my newly found and beloved instagram and reached out to jewelers all across the country. I came into contact with an awesomely talented jeweler based out of Los Angeles, Sako K. (@cjd_sako...

In 2011, I had the pleasure of joining two of my close friends and business partners, Mike and Omar, on a business trip to Guangzhou, China, the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province. It is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai with a population of more than 12 million. With camera and notebook in hand, I assisted them in searching for merchandise for them to possibly sell back in the States. They both are in the automobile business in Tampa, FL and were in the final phases of purchasing the adjoining land of their...