You're Invited to an Exclusive Evening of Rare Gems & Expert Insight
Gemstone Round Table with Desmond Chan
Thursday, August 14, 2025 & Friday August 15 | Croft & Stern Jewelry Designs
We are hosting two identical shows, one Thursday and one Friday evening
Time: 5:30–8:00 PM
We’re bringing the magic of Tucson’s gem world to Minneapolis. Drinks and appetizers will be offered.
Join us at Croft & Stern for an extraordinary round table event featuring celebrated gem dealer, Desmond Chan. Desmond will be showcasing a curated collection of exquisite faceted gems, luminous cabochons, and masterfully carved stones, including work from legendary gem artist Larry Woods.
This is your chance to:
See one-of-a-kind, collectible gemstones you won’t find anywhere else
Hear stories and insights directly from a leading voice in gemological research
Select gems to create something truly personal and ready by the holidays
This is a limited-seating event
🎟️ RSVP required. Space is limited.
Desmond Chan is a distinguished gem cutter and dealer based in California, renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship and deep expertise in the gemstone industry. As a principal at Gem Arts International, he collaborates with esteemed artists like Larry Woods and Jason Doubrava to present some of the finest American-cut colored gemstones and gem art.
Chan's work has been recognized in the gemological community, including contributions to GIA's Gems & Gemology publications. Notably, he acquired a unique suite of emerald cabochons from Colombia, which received honorable mention at the 2022 AGTA Spectrum Awards, and secured a 1st and 2nd place Cutting Edge Award at the 2023 AGTA Spectrum Awards. His expertise also extends to prospecting, sourcing and cutting rare gems, such as a pyrope-spessartine garnet featuring a blue apatite inclusion from Madagascar.
Desmond Chan's dedication to the art and science of gemology makes him a sought-after expert for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Help Us Curate the Collection Just for You
Desmond Chan will be hand-selecting gemstones for this event — and we want to tailor the selection to your interests.
When you RSVP, let us know what you’d love to see! Based on Desmond’s extensive inventory and his collaborations with Larry Woods, here are just some of the stones we may feature:
✦ Faceted Collector Gems
Spinel (in vivid pinks, lavenders, reds, and grays)
Garnet varieties (spessartine, demantoid, rhodolite, color change)
Tourmaline (indicolite, rubellite, chrome, etc.)
Zircon (especially Cambodian blue and honey tones)
Peridot (including large or Pakistani-origin gems)
Aquamarine and uncommon beryl
Montana Sapphire and Pari-colored Sapphire
Phenomenal gems (e.g., color change sapphire or garnet)
✦ Cabochons & Carvings
Sunstones and moonstones
Turquoise, chrysoprase, and rare opals
Gemsilica, jade, and lapis
One-of-a-kind gemstone carvings from Larry Woods — organic, sculptural forms meant for custom-designed jewelry or display
✦ Rare & Unusual Specimens
Included gems (apatite in garnet, rutile in quartz)
Freeform gem sculptures
Ethically sourced rare gems, such as:
Kornerupine
Rhodochrosite
Rhodonite
Dementoid Garnet
Gahnospinel
Sphene
Zultanite
Chrysoberyl
Bicolor Zoisite
Montana Sapphire
Japanese Rainbow Garnet
Red Beryl
Benitoite
Bekily Garnet, and much, much more.
This event is an opportunity to see gems you won’t find on the shelf — whether you’re after something bold, understated, investment-worthy, or just plain cool.
Let us know what excites you — and Desmond will bring the sparkle.