FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
SourcingApr 15, 2022
Colored Stone Expert and Wholesaler David Patterson Dies at 89
He helped develop a process to synthesize alexandrite and founded manufacturer and wholesale company Geminex in the 1970s.
New York—Longtime gemstone expert David Patterson died April 8 at the age of 89, the International Colored Gemstone Association confirmed.
Patterson was born in Colorado in 1933 and attended Colorado State University, where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering.
But gemstones always called to him, ICA said. Patterson designed and built his own faceting machine and taught himself lapidary.
He also learned and developed the process to grow alexandrite.
In 1970, he contacted a group that had synthesized alexandrite and emerald and eventually started working with them, according to a column Patterson wrote that appeared as part of an article in the Gemmological Association of Great Britain’s Journal of Gemmology in 2012.
They had grown the crystals through one method but were starting to look at growing them via seeding.
When one of the team members was set to move to a new job, they asked Patterson if he wanted to buy the operation. He did, establishing Creative Crystals and stepping into the role of president.
Creative Crystals continued to develop the process, introducing its lab-grown alexandrite to the market officially at the 1972 AGS convention in New Orleans.
Though it drew “a significant amount of interest” there, according to the article, they still ran into plenty of resistance from jewelers.
“We came to believe the cost of marketing would exceed the size of the market. Therefore, we concluded it was a dead-end project for us.”
They sold the operation in 1979 to a limited partnership.
Patterson also started a gemstone manufacturing and wholesaling company called Geminex Corp. in 1975 in California.
Patterson was a longtime member of the ICA who established many relationships around the world throughout his career.
“He shared his knowledge and love of gemstones with all. He loved his alexandrite with a passion,” the organization said in an email remembrance.
Patterson was born in Colorado in 1933 and attended Colorado State University, where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering.
But gemstones always called to him, ICA said. Patterson designed and built his own faceting machine and taught himself lapidary.
He also learned and developed the process to grow alexandrite.
In 1970, he contacted a group that had synthesized alexandrite and emerald and eventually started working with them, according to a column Patterson wrote that appeared as part of an article in the Gemmological Association of Great Britain’s Journal of Gemmology in 2012.
They had grown the crystals through one method but were starting to look at growing them via seeding.
When one of the team members was set to move to a new job, they asked Patterson if he wanted to buy the operation. He did, establishing Creative Crystals and stepping into the role of president.
Creative Crystals continued to develop the process, introducing its lab-grown alexandrite to the market officially at the 1972 AGS convention in New Orleans.
Though it drew “a significant amount of interest” there, according to the article, they still ran into plenty of resistance from jewelers.
“We came to believe the cost of marketing would exceed the size of the market. Therefore, we concluded it was a dead-end project for us.”
They sold the operation in 1979 to a limited partnership.
Patterson also started a gemstone manufacturing and wholesaling company called Geminex Corp. in 1975 in California.
Patterson was a longtime member of the ICA who established many relationships around the world throughout his career.
“He shared his knowledge and love of gemstones with all. He loved his alexandrite with a passion,” the organization said in an email remembrance.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersThe organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
