About Us

San Juan Gems Rock Shop 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 rock shop 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 rock shop 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 rock shop 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 rock and mineral shop, which is still growing.

Dinosaur bone has been a specialty for the rock shop. We have a large collection of gem bone, including dinosaur bone slabs, rough dinosaur bone, gem grade bone cabochons, spot polished collectible bone specimens, and dinosaur bone spheres.  A 50 year collection includes rough rock, slabbed rock, 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. We are a premier Colorado Rock Shop and Mineral Shop.   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.