About 10 years ago acquired an interest in gemstones. I started acquiring a number of stones online and developed some interesting connections. In 2002 I took and completed GIA's A.J.P. program. I have continued my education, re: gemstones on my own, since. When you acquire a number of the stones, sooner or later you have to do something with them, so I began making jewelry.... I haven't had to Christmas or Birthday shop since... Making jewelry led to an interest in ancient coins, first as a source for interesting jewelry material, and then as an interest in the coins themselves.... The day job is Industrial Sales, inside..... It's interesting how there can be overlap between the two..... One of my company's vendors is Grobet, for example. I'm actually rejoining Orchid...late Dec. of 07 I went into the hospital for over a month, and had to drop the Orchid. I'd like to thank Hanuman once again for Ganoksin and Orchid.