I first encountered this supplier at the 2015 Franklin, North Carolina Gem and Mineral Show. They carry a variety of polished stones, both common and rare. The family is originally from Pakistan and helped introduce K2 Azurite to the international market. When I first saw K2 I knew it was real, but didn’t know what it was and so approached one of the owners. He and I had an instant rapport.

Years later, we greet with a hug and he expects me to have questions about all his new stock. He tells me, with justifiable pride, about all the improvements he’s made to his business since we last spoke. In 2019, this source began to label all their stones with country-of-origin. When I asked him why, he told me that he listens to his customers and that I kept asking him where all the stones come from.