About Me

Engineering, as a Computer Aided Designer was a great career for many years. I loved the hands on part of my work, but eventually I moved on . I left the fast track and moved north. I live in Washington state off the beaten path. I am retired and doing what I love to do, it can't get much better that that.

I went on a field trip to look for gems and found rockhounding was for me. It’s like being on a runners high, you feel like, “one”, with the earth and nothing else exists and I only take home what I can use.

I was told once that Native Americans believe, if you take something from the earth, you should leave a gift, usually tobacco. I carry a pouch of tobacco with me, to honor that belief.

I hand mine, (with pick and shovel) most of my gems. Most of my agates are from the northwest. They are cut, formed and polished, on my lapidary equipment. Each gem has it’s own place in time and it’s own beauty. They are formed in the earth, over millions of years. Nothing could have more beauty or more history. My Agate gems are unique and although there may be similar materials, none are identical. They are natures design.

I hope you find the peace and love wearing my jewelry, as I feel, when I create it.

Shirley Cosgrove Gavin