People often ask me how I ended up in the fine mineral world

People often ask me how I ended up in the fine mineral world.

The truth is, it all comes back to the hunt.

And before anything else, it starts with the number 22.

I was born on 1/22 at 2:22 PM, and that number has followed me throughout my entire life. Long before 22sGEMS existed, 22 became part of my identity. When it came time to name this next chapter, there was never another option. The name felt earned—almost destined.

After spending decades building SINGER22, I found myself drawn toward something completely different—but driven by the same passion. I’ve always been obsessed with discovering exceptional things, and few things on Earth are more extraordinary than the crystals and minerals nature creates.

What started as collecting quickly became an obsession. Not just owning great pieces, but learning their stories, building relationships with miners and dealers around the world, and chasing those rare finds that make your heart skip a beat the moment you see them.

Today, 22sGEMS is the result of that passion. Every specimen I bring in has to stop me in my tracks. Whether it’s a world-class unheated Tanzanite, a jaw-dropping Tourmaline, an etched Aquamarine, a legendary Illinois Fluorite, or an elite Namibian Amethyst, I’m always searching for pieces that feel special.

Some are available. Some never leave my personal collection.

For me, this has never been just about buying and selling minerals. It’s about appreciation, preservation, storytelling, and sharing the wonder of what our planet can create over millions of years.

The drive is still there. The desire is still there. The passion is stronger than ever.

Because at the end of the day, the greatest artist I’ve ever encountered is nature itself.

Millions of years of pressure, chemistry, heat, and chance creating something that can never be replicated.

That’s what drives me.

That’s why I hunt.

That’s why I collect.

And that’s why 22sGEMS exists.

The passion is real. The hunt is endless. The best pieces are still out there waiting to be discovered.