prism - American Gem Trade Association

M E M B E R P R O F I L E :
B A R B A R A L A W R E N C E
Barbara Lawrence was the owner, as well as the energy, spirit
and driving force behind Boston Gems. When she bought
Boston Findings & Jewelry Supply Company 38 years ago,
the company sold just that- findings and tools. Her interest
in gemstones and fossils transitioned the direction of the
company, and it’s focus became gemstones. As a child she
would collect garnets in the Adirondack Mountains. “Natural
crystals were the hook that got me interested in gemology.
[It’s] amazing that all those atoms line up to form perfect
crystals. I still find that part magical.”
Starting Out
Barbara Lawrence started doing small gem shows in New England
with Pat and James Alger. “We slept in Holiday Inn’s or cars,”
adds Barbara. “We were starting from scratch, and we had to
make sacrifices.”
She ventured out to Tucson in 1979. “I shared a room at the Pueblo
with Pat and Jimmy Alger. We spent as much time around the
pool as we did at the booth.” It was a very social atmosphere.
In 1981, a new organization and a new show was formed, the
American Gem Trade Association GemFair Tucson. “Once
AGTA got started everything became more professional,” adds
Lawrence. The show brought in serious gem dealers and serious
customers. The better business created a different type of fun
with good friends and strong relationships. Boston Gems would
become a member of AGTA in 1983 and has exhibited at the
AGTA GemFair ever since.
“My passion has always been Tucson.
GemFair is much more than a
tradeshow- it is an adult summer camp
for the world!”
Catch and Release
Lawrence began searching the globe for gemstones in 1985. She
went to Germany accompanied by James Alger. “We wanted
to find Munsteiner and Idar Oberstein- what we found was
amazing!” recalls Lawrence. Alger went on to sell Munsteiner
cuts and Lawrence went on to sell more traditional gemstones.
According to Lawrence, shopping for gemstones is like going on
a fishing trip. Half of the fun is the adventure and the beautiful
surroundings, and the other half is the catch. Although Asia is
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