Discourse with Steve Moriarty, proprietor of Moriarty's Gem Arts, about a Lifetime Commitment to Gemstones
Steve Moriarty, a renowned gem-cutter and gemstone expert, is at the helm of Moriarty's Gem Art, a family-owned business with over three decades of experience in the jewelry and gemstone industry. Based in Crown Point, Indiana, Moriarty's Gem Art is celebrated for its unique jewelry designs and the vast array of gemstones it offers, many of which are cut by Steve himself [1][2].
Throughout his 25-year career, Moriarty has handled and worked with a diverse range of gemstones, including rare and exotic ones. His expertise is evident in the cutting of a 294-carat trilliant morganite, one of the largest of its kind, demonstrating his mastery of gemstone cutting techniques [3].
One of the rarest gemstones Moriarty has worked with is the hyalite opal, a unique gemstone known for its daylight fluorescence. In 2013, Moriarty discovered a hyalite opal from Zacatecas, Mexico at the Denver Gem & Mineral Show, and went on to cut a 7.27-carat faceted version of it, making it one of the largest of its kind [4].
Moriarty's Gem Art also boasts a collection of ametrine gems, a type of quartz, further showcasing Steve's versatility in working with various gemstones [4]. Recently, a Rwandan amethyst carved by Steve Moriarty graced the cover of Gem-A's The Journal of Gemmology [3].
Steve Moriarty's designs often reflect customer preferences or inspiration from sources like Pinterest. His fascination with Oregon sunstone, a gemstone closer to home, is currently driving his creative process [4].
Moriarty's Gem Arts is a family-run business, founded in 1975. In the early years, color was not a priority for most jewellers, making businesses like Moriarty's rare in the region. Steve Moriarty established his own retail store, Moriarty's Gem Art, in Crown Point, Indiana, by 1994 [1].
Steve Moriarty is an Associate Member of Gem-A and an experienced gem-cutter and gem explorer. His travels have taken him to Kenya in the early 1980s and Madagascar in the early 2000s, where he discovered a wealth of gemstones [4]. Despite the increased prices, Steve maintains a fondness for cutting garnets.
The price for a 5-carat hyalite opal, a rare gemstone, was estimated by a dealer who specializes in rare gems [4]. A YouTube video of the hyalite opal, cut by Steve Moriarty, was viewed over three million times [4].
References: [1] Moriarty's Gem Art (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://moriartysgemart.com/about-us/ [2] Moriarty's Gem Art (n.d.). Jewelry & Gemstones. Retrieved from https://moriartysgemart.com/jewelry-gemstones/ [3] The Journal of Gemmology (2021). Cover Story: Rwandan Amethyst. Retrieved from https://www.gem-a.org/media/3173/jg-10-2021-cover-story-rwandan-amethyst.pdf [4] GemCraft (2021). Steve Moriarty. Retrieved from https://www.gemcraftinc.com/steve-moriarty/
- Steve Moriarty, an Associate Member of Gem-A, offers a variety of publications related to gemmology, such as his feature in Gem-A's The Journal of Gemmology.
- In addition to gemstone cutting courses and workshops, Moriarty's Gem Art also provides insights into lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, travel, and cars through Steve's creative designs.
- Aside from rare and exotic gemstones like the hyalite opal, Moriarty's Gem Art exhibits a vast assortment of gemstones such as ametrine and Oregon sunstone in their jewelry and gemstone collection.
- For those interested in joining the jewelry and gemstone industry, Moriarty's Gem Art could offer valuable membership opportunities, providing access to unique gemstones, jewelry designs, and workshops with Steve himself.
- Steve Moriarty's love for gemstones has led him to travel extensively, discovering new gemstones in countries like Kenya and Madagascar, increasing the variety of offerings available at Moriarty's Gem Art.
