Hi, My formal name is Richard Martin but most people call me Rick. I joined the Orchid Forum a couple of days after it was first formed and remained active as a poster until about 4 years ago. At that time personal matters forced a hiatus. In the interim I created a website featuring mainly loose colored gems. I'm returning to the group, hopefully reaffirm old acquaintances and make lots of new ones. My main interests are colored gems, jewelry and gemology. I've been cutting stones, mainly opals and better quality agates and jaspers for over 40 years. I studied gemology with the GIA. I've also studied jewelry arts at Revere Academy in San Francisco. About 10 years ago I took up faceting and gem carving. I'm located in Southern California and have worked with a wide variety of suppliers, designers, etc. in the Los Angeles Jewelry District for the past 25 years. I discovered long ago there is always something new to learn in this fascinating field. With the help of all the great posters here my learning curve will continue. Rick Martin; http://artcutgems.com Art Cut Gems