A Home to Unique Rocks and Minerals

Steve Rossi was fascinated by rocks, minerals, fossils and shells and loved the science behind the beauty, so about 45 years ago, he decided to open his own rock and mineral shop.

“My husband started the whole thing because he was a rock and mineral nut, so in his adulthood he thought that he would open a store just as a hobby,” his wife, Mary Rossi, said.

Daughter Thea Day followed in her father’s footsteps when she took over his business, , 25 years ago.

“He started out selling rocks and minerals and fossils and shells because he was very into the science and it evolved from there,” Thea Day explained. “He passed away and my mom needed help, so I started running the store.”

The family used to give lessons on how to cut and polish rocks and their customers started asking about creating jewelry. From there, the store transformed from a rock and mineral shop to a unique handcrafted jewelry store. They began selling jewelry parts for their customers and making their own pieces. The Gem Mine also did in-shop repairs on different types of jewelry. When estates began bringing in different types of jewelry, Thea considered bringing in other jeweler’s work. She started going to trade shows and picking up new designers to display in her store.

“One of the things I enjoy most is going to different trade shows and craft shows and finding new jewelers and designers that I think people would enjoy,” she said. “We go to different shows and meet them and determine by looking at their stuff if it’s something that we would be able to sell here – if it’s unusual and well-made and different.”

Now, The Gem Mine does all that and more. They continue to do repairs and sell one-of-a-kind pieces, as well as new and vintage jewelry and decoratives and jewelry making supplies. Thea also sells books on rocks and minerals to accompany the stones she has in the store.

“Say a grandmother wants to buy a bunch of stones for her grandchildren. She may want to give them a book with it,” she said.

Thea has grown to love her family’s gem mine.

“It’s always something different, there’s never two days in a row that are the same,” Thea said. “I don’t just do repairs and put out new jewelry, everything is different.”

It’s this uniqueness that brings a strong customer following to The Gem Mine.

“People like coming in here because they don’t always see themselves walking down the street in that piece since a lot of our pieces are one-of-a-kind and designers that only sell in certain areas,” she explained.

This diversity has allowed The Gem Mine to thrive despite the economic hardships.

“We don’t just sell gold jewelry; we do repairs, we sell rocks and minerals to kids who collect and adults who collect,” she said. “We weather all kinds of ups and downs.”

Visit The Gem Mine at 65 Westwood Ave. in Westwood.