About David
About David Porter
"I slept with stones as a toddler, mom says. "
They have provided a fascination and delight in many ways. The first stone love affair I remember was with a turquoise ring as a boy. Being from New Mexico this state gemstone ring was my companion for some time. During my time stationed at the US Army Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama l was working with missile systems in the early 1970's I would drive home on holiday to San Francisco through the southwest. The turquoise collection grew with each trip.
Soon there were a couple of grocery sacks of jewelry and in 1975 I opened Turquoise & Silver Trading Company in a former barber shop in Old Pinole, California. As the collection grew I changed the name to Garden of Gems. I completed the Gemological Institue of America requirements to become a Graduate Gemologist under the inspiration of Richard Liddicoat. Our young company became a member of the American Gem Society with me earning the titles of Registered Jeweler, Certified Gemologist and Certified Gemologist Appraiser.
At the bench as a silversmith, I admired the practice of some Navajo silversmiths of taking a gem and creating a piece of jewelry inspired by the gem. That practice continues in my mind in the process of letting the work of art in jewelry evolve with collaboration, desire and delight.
In my travels to over 50 countries I have embraced local cultures and seek to bring jewelry and gems from as close to the source as possible. In the end it is about the friends we make and the treasures we share with each other.