Owner Marc Fishbone, has worked twelve years in the gem and jewelry trade. After attaining his diploma in jewelry repair, diamond setting and wax modeling casting in 1997, he went to Sri Lanka (Ceylon) one of the world s largest producing gemstone countries to learn about gems first-hand. He was able to get into the mines and see how the sapphires and other gems are dug out of pits ranging in depth from 4 to 35 feet. He worked with one of the country s largest gem dealers and learned about grading, cutting and polishing stones and grew to understand the importance of choosing his own stones. Marc returns frequently to Sri Lanka and travels the world to find unique stones for his customers and his creations. He has established a network of source providers for gemstones, pearls and other jewelry elements. "Black Orchid Jewelers is laid-back charm. Fishbone is a hands-on craftsman in every sense of the word a combination of Renaissance man and Indiana Jones. -- Mystic Places M agazine, 2004. We will design a piece for you or work with you to design your own unique creation. Our specialty is colored gemstones the usual and the unusual sapphires in every color of the rainbow,rubies,garnets,opals,tourmaline,. amethyst,alexandrite,citrine,iolite,chrome diopside,chrysoberyl,topaz,lapis,rubellite,labradorite,and more! Our gemstones have been personally selected by him and many have been brought back directly from buying trips to Sri Lanka