About Us

San Juan Gems was an idea born over 45 years ago by the founder, J.B. Sanchez. He had a love of rocks and rock hunting that would not go away. The company started out very small in a garage in Dove Creek, Colorado. Over time, it expanded to a small building. Larry, J.B.’s son, completed an apprenticeship under a German Master silversmith at the ripe age of 12.

In 1969 the company moved to Cortez, Colorado, to what was thought a really large building set up to cut slabs, polish cabochons, do silversmithing, and have a retail store. J.B. and wife Gerri were doing a lot of gem and mineral shows then. Larry stayed home and kept the business open, kept the saws running, and did a tremendous amount of silver and goldsmithing.

Our Shop

The business kept growing, necessitating an even larger building, which was built next door. J.B. has since passed and Gerri has retired. Larry,  his wife, Sharon,  and son Shane, are continuing on with the business, which is still growing.

Dinosaur bone has been a specialty for the life of the business, including rough, slabs, specimens, and cabochons. We stock or have access to most everything that a person interested in or doing lapidary work, silver or goldsmithing, panning, rock hunting, carving, or just collecting might need. This includes tools, supplies, findings, books, gold pans, rock picks, etc.

We continue to do gem and mineral shows and keep the store open on a full-time basis. Larry and Shane do slabbing, cutting and polishing of cabochons, custom silver and goldsmithing . Larry is a Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Graduate Gemologist, lapidarist,  and master gold and silversmith.  We carry a large selection of faceted and cabochoned stones, mountings for them, 14 kt. and sterling silver jewelry and chains,  specimens, and other gift items.