I am a former homesteader, spent 35 years on a farm in Talkeetna, Alaska. Retired and now have a small workshop in Willow, Alaska. I am single, I am a retired Therapeutic Horse back riding instructor. Short, fluffy and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I raised and trained horses in Alaska for 35 years. Got 3 sons raised. Traded my passion for horses for jewelry, and my jewelry lead me into gemstones, and that simplified down to rocks, and now am a certified rock-o-holic. It is my goal to learn enough about gems and minerals that I can transform some of this beautiful jasper, agate, quartz and jade into sellable slabs, cabs and pendants. Love what I do and currently have a junior rock club starting up, and am going to share my knowledge with our area boy scouts. Really enjoy learning, and found your forum on a search for info on black pearls. Blessings