The People, History & Treasures Behind Our Collections
The Stories Behind the Stones
Hello, High Ho Gems Family!
Have you ever wondered about the history behind a mineral specimen you own? Who collected it, where it came from, or how it found its way into your hands?
For nearly 13 years, High Ho Gems has had the privilege of acquiring remarkable private mineral collections from lifelong dealers and passionate collectors across the country.
Every collection has a story, and we're excited to begin sharing more of those stories with you.
A Passion That Never Gets Old
My fascination with gems and minerals began in childhood, long before High Ho Gems became a reality. As my own collection grew, so did my appreciation for the beauty and wonder of the natural world.
Working through these incredible collections brings me right back to being a kid, digging in the dirt and wondering what might be waiting to be discovered.
We go through every box and look at every stone. Some arrive beautifully organized; others contain decades of dust, dirt, broken specimens, and the remnants of a lifetime of collecting.
And then it happens. Just when you think there's nothing left to find, you uncover a dusty piece of Arizona petrified wood or a Himalaya Mine tourmaline tucked away in the corner of a box.
Those moments never get old!
Every Collection Has Its Own Story
From the massive, decades-long collection of Patsy and Henry to Mauryeen's spiritual collection and the unexpected Illinois fluorite found among Grandpa Frank's specimens, every collection has surprised us, taught us something, and reminded us that there's always more to discover.
Every collection is different. Every one teaches us something. And every one reminds us that the real treasure extends far beyond the stones themselves.
Preserving More Than Minerals
Behind every collection is a person who dedicated time, energy, and passion to preserving these treasures.
The early rockhounds, collectors, dealers, and mineral show pioneers helped build the community we know and love today. In the decades following World War II, rockhounding became a meaningful pastime for many American families, bringing people outdoors to explore, discover, and create memories together.
Their stories are part of our shared history, and we believe they're worth preserving.
After nearly 13 years of working with these collections and learning their stories, we felt it was time to create a dedicated place to share what we know.
Our new Mineral Collections page will continue to grow as we uncover more history, learn about the people behind the specimens, and bring these stories together.
A Heartfelt Thank You to You 💎
If you've purchased a mineral from High Ho Gems over the years, there's a good chance you may already own a piece of one of these historic collections.
Think about that for a moment.
A specimen collected decades ago, perhaps carefully treasured throughout someone's lifetime, has continued its journey and may now be part of your own collection.
You are part of that story, too.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported High Ho Gems over nearly 13 years.
Every purchase, conversation, and shared discovery has helped us continue doing what we love. Thank you for giving these remarkable specimens new homes and helping keep the passion for mineral collecting alive.
We feel truly blessed to be part of this journey, and we're grateful to share it with you. Thank you for being part of the High Ho Gems family.
Explore the High Ho Gems Mineral Collections
We've created a dedicated page where you can discover the collections, learn about the people behind them, and explore the history of these remarkable treasures.
The page is a work in progress, and we'll continue adding stories and information as we learn more.
You may even discover the story behind a specimen you've purchased from us!
Thank you for nearly 13 years of being part of the High Ho Gems family.
Here's to the collectors who came before us, the treasures they left behind, and the stories that continue with each of us.
With gratitude and crystal blessings,
The High Ho Gems Family 💎