| Jack Abraham jokes that he is Indiana Jones "in | | | | which formulated the association's code of ethics |
| an urban setting, searching for magnificent | | | | and business practices. Jack also supports the |
| precious gems to acquire and pass on to my | | | | American Gem Society, International Colored |
| associates." That he lightheartedly describes | | | | Gemstone Association and Jewelers Vigilance |
| himself as the daring explorer searching for fine | | | | Committee. |
| gems reflects his passion for adventure and | | | | Despite the ease with which Jack describes the |
| ultimate authority on finding elusive treasures. | | | | process of choosing exquisite precious gems, the |
| That he refers to his customers and accounts as | | | | art of it is quite complex. "The variability of these |
| "associates" attests to the respect he holds for | | | | colored gemstones makes them so important and |
| his relationships with jewelry stores and industry | | | | precious," Jack explains. In Rubies, for example, |
| organizations worldwide. "The cornerstones of my | | | | there are more than a dozen factors to consider |
| business," Jack stresses, "are professionalism, | | | | when buying and negotiating, including color, |
| trust and integrity, as well as education." | | | | country of origin, enhancement, texture (from |
| A man of uncompromising principles, these tenets | | | | natural silky feel to microscopic inclusions caused |
| shine through every aspect of his activities. In the | | | | by the heat process), dichroism, brilliancy, cut, |
| business for more than four decades, he is | | | | zoning, purity of color and saturation. There are |
| available 24/7 to take calls and offer his insight | | | | six variables in the ruby color category alone: the |
| into precious gems. Jack's associates know the | | | | positive attributes of red, orange, pink and subtle |
| name Jack Abraham better than his company, | | | | purple, and the negative ones of gray and brown. |
| Precious Gem Resources (founded in 1979), | | | | Just five percent stronger red, the origin or size, |
| because Jack places great value on giving a | | | | could mean two to seven times greater value in |
| personal touch and undivided attention when | | | | the stone. The ways in which these multiple |
| dealing with his associates. Therefore, the | | | | variables converge dictate a stone's aesthetic-and |
| company is now appropriately being called Jack | | | | overall value. The key is to understand that since |
| Abraham. As a leading purveyor of top quality | | | | no two rubies, sapphires or emeralds are identical, |
| rubies, sapphires and emeralds, Abraham's | | | | the variables are never exactly the same. |
| gemstone acquisitions are available as loose | | | | Not surprisingly, Jack earned the nickname "The |
| stones or as exquisitely mounted center stones in | | | | Ruby Baron" and "Ruby King" in the 1980s, for his |
| handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, platinum or gold | | | | gem collection and expertise. "There's simply no |
| jewelry. | | | | way to put 15 different variables into identifying |
| Until the end of the 1960's India was the heart of | | | | one unit and setting it as an absolute example," |
| the gemstone industry. When Burma became | | | | says Jack. "You cannot make a commodity out |
| socialist, its production and supply ended. Thailand | | | | of rubies, sapphires and emeralds in the same |
| then became the supreme leader because of its | | | | way that has done to gold and more recently to |
| ruby mines and conscientious labor. Jack's | | | | diamonds." As a result, the profit in colored stones |
| exceptional inventory consists of rubies from | | | | is much higher because the variables and their |
| Burma, Thailand, Vietnam and Madagascar, | | | | impact on price points vary so widely. |
| sapphires from Kashmir, Burma, Ceylon and | | | | Applying objective criteria to colored stones is one |
| Madagascar, and emeralds from Colombia, | | | | thing; Jack's mystical experience, much like Indiana |
| Afghanistan, Zambia and Brazil. Many of his top | | | | Jones setting eyes on the Holy Grail, is another. |
| quality rubies range from two to 20 carats, and | | | | "When I see a super stone," Jack admits, "it |
| his incomparable sapphires from four to 50 carat. | | | | captivates my soul. Beautiful gems also have souls |
| Jack taps into his extensive knowledge and | | | | of their own. I sometimes close my eyes and |
| contact, find the best gems worldwide and digs | | | | float in the purity of the stone, whether it's a |
| deep into his inventory to fulfill his associates' | | | | spectacular ruby, magnificent sapphire or superb |
| desires. "If I wouldn't purchase the gem for | | | | emerald." Describing an unheated 46-carat Ceylon |
| myself," he stresses, "I wouldn't purchase it for | | | | sapphire he purchase 20 years age, he says, "I |
| an associate." | | | | looked at this gorgeous tranquil blue and put |
| Born in Afghanistan in 1943, Jack moved to Israel | | | | myself right inside of it." |
| as a young boy. He studied in England in 1958 and | | | | He cites as his greatest challenge: finding the right |
| moved to New York in 1962 to attend college. He | | | | stone and negotiating the price. "When I find it," |
| simultaneously worked in his brother's business, | | | | he exclaims, "my heart goes `boom boom,' and I |
| sorting small rubies, sapphires and emeralds. After | | | | think, 'Where has it been all my life?'" Alas, it may |
| experimenting in fashion design, he returned to | | | | soon leave his hands for an associate who may |
| the jewelry industry to specialize in precious | | | | live in the U.S., Europe or the Far East. |
| gemstone. "I wanted to have a niche," he explains, | | | | Jack's craftsmanship is an exceptional as his |
| "so I educated myself extensively about color | | | | stones. His team crafts one-of-a-kind, beautiful |
| realized that the top gemstone market was for | | | | pieces. The precious color in the center is, of |
| me and become a connoisseur of Precious Gems." | | | | course, the eye catcher, but Jack's designers |
| He added one crucial element: his exclusive line of | | | | often flank the stone with diamonds. His classic |
| gemstones would be guaranteed with a certificate | | | | look includes three-stone pieces, some with pave |
| of authenticity and enhancement by internationally | | | | diamonds, in platinum or 18-karat gold. Jack is |
| recognized laboratories and backed by top | | | | currently working on the "Danielle Collection," |
| craftsmanship, standards that continue to this day | | | | named after his daughter who he says, "helps me |
| and have earned him a matchless reputation. | | | | in design." Featuring magnificent rubies and |
| Jack also holds himself and the industry to high | | | | sapphires, these pieces posses more pave |
| standards of education and full disclosure. In the | | | | embellishment and consequently more brilliance, |
| early 1980s, for example, he wrote an article for | | | | with larger side stones. |
| Gems & Gemology that was one the first | | | | Jack's passion for gems means the difference |
| publications to discuss sapphire enhancement, its | | | | between finding the hidden treasure- or not. |
| impact on the industry, and the need for full | | | | "When, and if, I ever retire from this business," |
| disclosure. Completely self-educated when it | | | | Jack concludes, "and even until the end, no matter |
| comes to evaluating and purveying precious | | | | what happens, I'll be holding and dealing in |
| gems, Jack is as interested in teaching his | | | | magnificent precious jewels. Colored gems are |
| associates about fine colored gems as he is in | | | | part and parcel of my daily life, and I look |
| furthering education in the industry. He is one of | | | | forward to acquiring more exquisite gems each |
| the founders of the American Gem Trade | | | | day. |
| Association, and chairman of its ethics committee, | | | | |