S4-01: John W. Ford Sr., Running the Show

CEO of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), John W. Ford, Sr. states, “that if you’re in the sale of colored gems, you need to be associated with ethically-sourced gems.” At the helm of an organization whose members share this mine-to-market mentality, John confidently knows that every AGTA gemstone, “comes with ethics. It comes with disclosure. It is a peace of mind.” John’s jewelry journey began nearly four decades ago. Through entrepreneurship and decades of award-winning designs, his passion for colored gemstones—especially Australian black opals—naturally led him to his current position. Before his inaugural AGTA GemFair™ Tucson, John sat down with For the Love of Jewelers podcast host Courtney Gray to discuss details on colored gemstones, cultured pearls and the latest collaboration between AGTA and Rio Grande. It’s all included in this engaging fourth season premiere episode!

Transcript

Courtney Gray:  

Welcome to For the Love of Jewelers, a podcast brought to you by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply and hosted by yours truly, Courtney Gray. As we dive into season four and 2023, we recognize the relevance and resilience of the jewelry industry through stories of inspiration. We celebrate the pivots we’ve taken and the passion that drives our unconditional strength. Our journey, although uncharted, is one we are on together. Join me as we discover the variety of silver linings in each story of innovation and determination.  

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is an association of United States and Canadian trade professionals. They are dedicated to promoting the long-term stability and integrity of the natural-colored gemstone and cultured pearl industry. AGTA members share a mine-to-market mentality—the belief that the gem trade should be as transparent and ethical as possible. Joining us today is John W. Ford, Sr. He is the passionate new CEO of AGTA. Mr. Ford has been in the jewelry industry for over 38 years and is a multiple time award recipient of the prestigious AGTA Spectrum Awards. Let’s dive in.  

Courtney Gray: 

Hey, guys. Welcome back. We have Mr. John Ford, the new CEO of the American Gem Trade Association or AGTA as we know it in the industry. Hey, John, welcome. How are you? 

John Ford: 

I'm great. Happy to be here with you and your listeners today. 

Courtney Gray: 

Happy to have you and get to share a little bit about you and what's going on with AGTA with the community abroad here. And I know Showtime is coming soon, so appreciate you taking the time. Yeah, let's start. John, I want to hear a little bit about how you came into AGTA and what brought you there. You want to give us a little history lesson on John Ford? 

John Ford: 

Well, I got in the jewelry business at about age 18, and I was actually selling gold chain in flea markets. And over the years as my business changed, I got into wholesale gems, operated a wholesale trade shop. I met different people, I met someone named Judy Mayfield that was on the board of directors of AGTA. Oh, I would say, in the late '90s, I guess. And I was interested in AGTA, I had been going to Tucson. I became a member in the 2000’s, and I became a member because I realized that if you're in the sale of colored gems, you need to be associated with ethically-sourced gems. Even back then, the most important issue was ethics. And back then, maybe the ethics in the past was more disclosing treatments and such. Whereas today consumers want to know that where their gemstones come from, that they've been legally imported and legally exported from countries. And the people are following the rules, and the people they're buying from exercise ethics in their personal business practices. And that's what AGTA stood for back then, and that's what it stands for now. 

Courtney Gray: 

I love learning about AGTA and what you guys are working so studiously on to make sure that we are presented with correct information in the industry. I know, like you said, it's a huge important thing, important topic for everybody. So, tell us about you. So, you were slinging gold chains out of a trench coat, is that right? 

John Ford: 

Well- 

Courtney Gray: 

I mean, briefcase. 

John Ford: 

Basically, I was selling in flea markets, actually, in Houston, Texas. And I had different locations, and we sold gold by the weight, and it was quite lucrative for a few years. And I met some people, a gentleman that was very well known in the jewelry business, Irving Clark from Galveston, a gentleman Keith Shaftel from Houston. That pushed me toward getting more involved into gemstones, diamonds, colored gems. It was fascinating to me. At that time I was going to Texas A&M University, which I graduated from with a degree in international trade and finance. But the whole time I was in school, I was, basically, making a living, selling gold chain and gemstones. 

Courtney Gray: 

Sounds like an adventure, especially back when you were 18, I guess, it was things were done a little differently, maybe. 

John Ford: 

They were. When you took a credit card, you had to carry a machine that slid. You had to look up whether it was a good credit card to take in at a book. I mean, there was a lot different back at that point in time. Seen a lot of technology change for the better. 

Courtney Gray: 

Not as digital yet. 

John Ford: 

No. 

Courtney Gray: 

Yeah. Well, that's exciting. You also had an opal business for a while, is that right? 

John Ford: 

Well, what I did is at an early age, I met a gentleman that exposed me to Lightning Ridge Opal, and his name was, actually, Lloyd Payton. He and I developed a company we called Outback Opal. And what we did is we would import opal from Lightning Ridge Australia and sell at the United States, and we had a salesman on the road. And we did that for about five years. And then, basically, I was so busy and the sales were good, but not great. And when you have salesman on the road, a salesman, it's very complicated as a lot of people listening know. So, basically, I took a step back from opal for about five years, and then I never fell out of love with it, but I fell back in love with it and I decided that it was a good niche in the US market, and I developed a Lightning Ridge collection. 

I won 10 Spectrum Awards, both for finished jewelry pieces and loose gems, and just developed a nationwide company. And then, of course, we started selling internationally to a lot of the designers in France. So, to me, it's like a sapphire, and a ruby, and an emerald all combined into one gemstone. Now, I represent all gemstones, and I love them all, but there's still a special place in my heart for black opal from Australia. 

Courtney Gray: 

Opal is amazing. You're right. It's like every gemstone in one. So beautiful and also unique, just the different colors and brilliance you can see in the stones. Cutting, it's really fun. You got to be careful. You don't want to go too far. 

John Ford: 

You'll cut right through the color. 

Courtney Gray: 

Don't cut through the fire. Yes. That I was taught. Tell us about these Spectrum Awards. You started, I guess, entering for the Spectrum Awards and won 10, is that right? 

John Ford: 

Well, yes. I had been going to Tucson for many, many years, and I was actually looking at the award winners one year. See, I don't even think what year it was. Probably, 15 years ago, thereabouts. And, basically, some people in the trade... Because I was very well known in Texas as being a designer, and it was like, "Your designs are just as good as any of these, you should enter." And I laughed. Then next year I did enter a piece, and, of course, I didn't win the first year. And the second piece I entered, I didn't win, but I got some good input from it, and I had a piece get picked up by the media in Europe. That gave me quite a big boost of business. And then, finally, on my third attempt, I won a Spectrum Award on a just gorgeous black opal and diamond ring, a design that I still... One of my favorite designs that I've ever done. 

And, of course, subsequently, I won more awards as time went by a couple a year, usually. I also won the best of, I can say, the Buyer's Choice Award. I guess, I'm the poster boy in that... Winning a Spectrum Award, I know people, we always say, "Oh, enter Spectrum, and it can change your life." Well, I'm that person. It did change your life because it propelled me from a regional designer into international brand within about five years. So, the Spectrum Awards has a certain spot in my heart, and I always encourage designers to not be afraid to send their designs in. And it's a learning process, but it's also something that will change your life. And I'm very excited now to be the CEO, and I get to look at all the submissions. And although I can't submit anything anymore, I'm not that into the business anymore, I get a lot of gratification in the Spectrum Awards and overseeing it. 

Courtney Gray: 

Staying involved with it. That's awesome. It sounds like a fun job looking at beautiful items all the time. 

John Ford: 

I wish that's all I did, but that is a fun job. 

Courtney Gray: 

Yeah. We picture you in the corner just looking at jewelry all day. No. No, it's not a lot more to being the CEO, I'm sure, John. The Spectrum Awards, you guys, this is a very, very prestigious award. And when did this begin, the Spectrum Awards? I was looking at the history a little bit, but over 10 years, right? 

John Ford: 

No. The Spectrum Award's been going on for over 20 years. I don't have the date just on in my mind- 

Courtney Gray: 

That's all right. 

John Ford: 

... of when it started, but it's been going on a long time. And it was a group of the founders at AGTA thought of a method of something that they could use to give more brand awareness to AGTA, but also recognize designers and cutters of loose goods that weren't being recognized in the jewelry industry. And it was really a groundbreaking opportunity for a lot of people. And it was something that... Now, it might seem, "Oh, they started an award and they went forward with it," but it was a major undertaking that was taken out of love of the business and the founders of AGTA should be congratulated on their efforts. 

Courtney Gray: 

Yes. And there's a lot of categories, I was noticing more than I realized. It's not just gemstones, we're talking about design manufacturing. 

John Ford: 

Well, we have finished jewelry, which different awards. For example, we have the Gem Diva Award from WJA. We also have the Platinum Guild Award, Platinum Honors. And then we have best of and, of course, different categories for second, third, and in different categories like menswear or classic, et cetera. And then marbles with the finished jewelry awards, we have multiple awards and called the Cutting-Edge Awards, which are for loose stones like a North American gemstone or a classic or phenomenal gemstone. So, we have multiple categories, and the variety of merchandise are, the submissions we get is just as... It's incredible to look at. It is a special competition and we're working on it right now as of next year, to start having the competition known more by consumers because we want to try to do more for people to see these goods. It's good for our members that put them in, but it's also good to share more with the public because they can see these designs that are just breathtaking, whether they be a finished piece or a loose gem. And because some of the cutting is just astounding. 

Courtney Gray: 

Oh, amazing. I can't wait to see some of these pieces. Is there a gala? There's an event at the Tucson Show where you can view these? 

John Ford: 

Yes. This year and, of course, we're having Tucson, we're starting at the end of January and we're celebrating our 40th anniversary. We're a few years late because it was postponed due to COVID. And we have our 40th anniversary party, and then we have a Spectrum Gala. And at the Spectrum Gala, we recognize all the winners. It's a very fun event. We have a great band, we have a red carpet set up, and it really is of evening of entertainment, but recognition of those that really deserve recognition for their talent, and the designs, and loose stones that they entered in the competition. 

Courtney Gray: 

It's an important opportunity. And I'm sure feeling for someone like yourself who is in design or in cutting stone, and to have it received with this type of an event and have it shown to the public as well is very exciting. 

John Ford: 

Well, I've always enjoyed the event going. And, again, you're there with your peers and not just AGTA members, but people from around the industry. And it's really like a love fest of colored gemstones and finished jewelry, and it's a wonderful evening. We're working on being able to make it a larger event in Tucson and 24 so that we can increase the attendance and allow more people to come to experience the beauty in the pageantry of the Spectrum Awards. 

Courtney Gray: 

Like you said, more consumer focused than just the members. 

John Ford: 

Well, as far as the gala, it is more of an industry event, but we're working with a lot of... Like this year we had Forbes Magazine in Dallas that was covering the event. But what we want to do is we want consumers to get brand awareness of AGTA. Now, AGTA does not sell to consumers, but our members sell to retail jewelers, brick and mortar jewelers like the customers of... Rio Grande is a customer, and Rio Grande sells our product to their customers. I mean, we don't sell anything directly to consumers, but we think it's important in today's changing world. No one buys anything under a certain age without doing research. So, for example, one of our projects is to do a set of YouTube videos on different stones, basically, saying the attributes of the stones, how to buy them, what you're looking at, treatments, explaining things so that consumers can make a wise choice. 

And also at the same time, we can let consumers know that if you're buying a stone that's come from an AGTA source, it comes with ethics, it comes with disclosure, it is a peace of mind, it's only the good housekeeping seal of approval for colored gems. And we're trying to develop that because, like I said, in today's market, it's important for consumers to make wise informed decisions. And that's the best thing we can do for our industry is to make sure we differentiate ourselves from other organizations, and that we are providing quality, and we are fully disclosing the gemstone, any enhancements, any treatments. And, of course, it's ethically sourced by people that are traveling the world and buying the finest gems. Just so you know, a lot of people say, "Well, why should I come to AGTA at Tucson versus all the other shows?" 

Well, so many other shows, they have very nice goods, but our members, and we have around 400 exhibiting members there, they scour the world. We have the first look at all goods everywhere, basically, and we bring the finest gems loose to Tucson. And, of course, upstairs we have our grand ballroom where we have our designers. And also the gems in the finished jeweler, It's the finest in the world. And I think when you're at AGTA Tucson GemFair, you're in the finest loose and finished jewelry that you'll ever see. So, it's very important because our members, they look under every rock possible and find the best product for our customers. 

Courtney Gray: 

Wow. And then to go through the efforts, again, of figuring out where did it come from, how was it brought from the mine to the market? I would think that's a little bit of a mystery to dive into. 

John Ford: 

Well, our buyers travel to the origin countries to buy goods and comply with all applicable laws in the United States and in those countries in doing business. We have a code of ethics, and AGTA was one of the first organizations that have a code of ethics. It's very important to us, we follow our code of ethics. And then we have very strict rules on disclosure. We also have very strict rules on how our remember can sell something to a consumer. There were a lot of instances where people would sell things as an investment or they would sell a gem that was encased in some kind of plastic, so you really couldn't identify what had been done or not done to it. All those things are against our code of ethics and our members are not allowed to do that. So, we practice what we preach. And I think as far as the color gemstone industry and cultured pearls, we're second to none. If you're a retail jeweler or a designer, hope to see you in Tucson because you'll see the best that there is to offer. 

Courtney Gray: 

That's very exciting, John. You're making me want to go book my flight right now, which I just may do. 

John Ford: 

We will, certainly, welcome you. 

Courtney Gray: 

Oh, I would love that. I'd love attending these live events and having the opportunity to, again, of course, after everything had to go online for a little bit, just getting together, like you said, the love fest for makers, and retailers, and jewelers, and gemstone lovers. I don't think the popularity of colored gemstones is going anywhere. Would you agree? 

John Ford: 

Oh, I think it's no. It's not going anywhere, it's only increasing. I mean, we're not a commodity. You could look at 10 different rubies and they're going to be 10 different prices, and you may love a particular one, I may love a particular one, but colored gems are just fascinating. And the more people see the different variety of colored gems, the more they fall in love with them. And I'm very lucky to be in an industry. I call this a happy industry because, basically, what we are is we're dealing with gemstones that make people smile. And that's the most important thing is, again, we're trying to help people find nice quality merchandise that's ethically sourced and properly disclosed. 

Courtney Gray: 

Oh, that's awesome. And seeing the AGTA brand associated with... Being a member, I guess, is what I'd like to ask you about is who are your members? You mentioned this is not the consumer, this is- 

John Ford: 

Sure. 

Courtney Gray: 

... for the retailer. 

John Ford: 

Well, we have our farm members, which are our loose-colored gemstone and pearl dealers that exhibit on the gem hall floor at Tucson. And then we have affiliate members, which may be a manufacturer, and they're in our ballroom upstairs who are designer or someone who may sell fancy-colored diamonds. They would be an affiliate member. And then we have industry professionals because, let's say, you're in the appraisal business or whatever, you might be an industry professional that wants to be a member of AGTA because we are a good source of knowledge. And then we have our retail affiliates, and these are stores that are actually selling to the retail public. They'll display that they are an AGTA member. And people that are serious buyers, consumers of colored gemstones, they have an idea what AGTA is and what it stands for. Our goal and my goal the next several years is just to increase brand awareness in consumers. Because what we want is we want people to have a happy experience, we want people to enjoy the gems they get, and we want fair business practices from all our members. And that's what we promote. 

Courtney Gray: 

I was curious who needs to sign up for AGTA membership that hasn't yet? Who is that person? What is that persona of the members that you have? And it's broad. It's very broad. 

John Ford: 

Well, right now, we are looking to expand our number of retail members. And when we say a retail member, it can be someone that has a brick-and-mortar jewelry store, or it could be a designer that's selling online that mainly is someone we're... We don't sell directly to consumers. So, whether it's an up-and-coming designer who's made their third piece or it's someone that's been in the business for 20 years, we'd like them to be a member. If you become a member, you have to agree and sign to abide by our code of ethics yearly. And, basically, it gives you a bit of provenance when you're doing business in that if there had ever an issue and they would file a complaint with AGTA, we have a complaint process, you would lose your membership. I mean, we take our ethics very seriously and we take very seriously the fact that for the love of color, we say, it really is for the love of color. 

And if you're a designer or a manufacturer or you're a retailer, you need to be an AGTA member. We have a lot of benefits besides just being associated with the brand. For example, if you're a retail jeweler and you're looking for a very odd stone, something you're not, probably, not use for, of course, we have. The old standby, which is our source directory, but now we have a private Facebook page called AGTA...THE SOURCE. So, you're looking for this special gem, you put the request out on there and you're going to get your request filled by one of our members who, of course, wholesales directly to the retailer. 

Conversely, let's say you're a retailer and you have a question from a consumer or you have a question and you need an expert to answer it, AGTA.THE SOURCE, you ask your question, you get an answer. And that's one of the other benefits of membership. We're trying to create a community for the love of color. We say that we're the leader in color in the world, and we really are, and we're working very hard to make people aware of what AGTA is and the benefits associated with it. 

Courtney Gray: 

For the love of color, it sounds like a spinoff for the love of jewelers. We got to talk partnership there, John. 

John Ford: 

Definitely. 

Courtney Gray: 

I love it. I love how you explain and what AGTA stands for and especially the ethically sourcing, the information that you're providing the public and the retailer so that we can continue to educate our customers. I see that as just a tier effect. The more that we know, the more we can educate the public. 

John Ford: 

Definitely. An educated consumer is the best thing for whether you're on the retail side, an educated retailer, an educated gem manufacturer, cutters. Again, the more knowledge throughout the supply chain, the better. 

Courtney Gray: 

Yeah. Well, especially moving into the new generations that are seem to be changing their energy, their buying style, their habits, et cetera. You have to work a little bit harder to stay relevant these days. What would you say about that as far as industry and ways that we can stay relevant to the public and to these new generations that are coming? 

John Ford: 

Well, I think what's real important for AGTA to do is just to demonstrate what we are and the fact that we are a trade organization of ethical members that have joined together to promote the sale of color gemstones, so we're working very hard to do that. But to stay relevant, basically, whereas, let's say, 30 years ago, there was no internet, there was no way to look up information. So, basically, you either went to the library, you went to your local jeweler. But we want to be able to provide to stay relevant to the next generation is meaningful information about their purchases. And if they're looking for a certain stone or their thinking of a purchase, that they have the information to make that purchase wisely, that they understand where the stone comes from, they understand everything there is to know. 

I don't think most people that I know... I know, recently, when I moved to Dallas to take this position, I went to go buy a TV and my oldest son is 31 and we're walking into Walmart and he said, "Well, which TVs did you research that you wanted to get?" And I said, "Well, I didn't research any. I'm going to look and I'm going to pick two out." And, of course, that shows the difference between generations. And we have to meet the expectations of the next generation, and that's to put relevant information at their disposal to help them in their decisions. 

Courtney Gray: 

Let's talk a little bit about Rio, the partnership that AGTA is. I know this year is stepping into what you're calling a partnership with Rio Grande Jewelry Supply. We, normally, don't bring up Rio Grande, this is not about them as a company, it's about, really, communicating and connecting with the community. But I'd love to hear what that looks like and what's coming down the pipeline for that partnership. 

John Ford: 

Well, this is a partnership that, frankly, I can understand what other companies hadn't happened earlier. I mean, basically, we are a source for ethically sourced goods. And in conversations with Rio Grande, they are looking at providing their customers with the finest choices for gemstone. They're very concerned about sustainability. They're very concerned about how are these stones being sourced? Are all treatments being disclosed? And, again, we are too. So, we found that we really have an alignment of values. So, it is a commercial relationship, but it's more importantly an alignment of two organizations that have very similar values. So, what they're going to do to their customers, their jewelers, is they're going to offer AGTA branded gemstones. Now, whether that be an amethyst or a zircon, going from one extreme to the other. You have the opportunity to offer that. And then, of course, to their customer, we have an offer. 

We can offer them membership in AGTA, we can offer them educational support. We offer them confidence, confidence that they also are buying the best possible product for their customers. So, it's, basically, just two groups that have long known each other that the light bulb finally went off and we've aligned ourselves. And it's going to be amazing because as you go online and look for stuff, you will see AGTA branded faceted gemstones and also unfaceted gemstones available from Rio Grande. And Rio is, like I said, our missions are aligned, and the fact that we're going to offer that those services to them and they're going to promote our product from our firm members is something I think is going to be noticed all the way down under the consumer level through their retail jewelers. So, it's very exciting. 

Courtney Gray: 

Makes a lot of sense. Like you said, the light bulb went off. It's, "Oh, yeah. Why wouldn't we align these efforts?" And then, so as we're searching on Rio Grande for our gemstones, we'll be able to source the information that you're mentioning AGTA provides as well? 

John Ford: 

Right. There'll be a landing page and it will explain. And then, again, most of the retail jewelers, they know who AGTA is, but the fact is it's not always convenient them to source something. Rio is an astounding company and they have I think 400,000 customers. And the fact that their customers will be able to access an AGTA source gemstone with the ease of a few clicks on a computer is just astounding. It's great for our firm members, but it's great for the retailers, it's also great for the consumer. So, it's a win-win for everybody. Whenever you're doing things to make business more transparent and smoothly operating, it's just a win-win. 

Courtney Gray: 

Sounds to me like you're a really good fit for this company, John. All right. From your history of knowledge of... I don't know if they could have found a better candidate, and it's great to hear and to have someone with your energy and ethics, and I hear the passion in your voice for what you're doing. That's what- 

John Ford: 

Well, thank you. I was elected to the board by the membership on an agenda of a positive change, and I was Treasurer, and then a series of events led to me being CEO, which it was a very hard decision to walk away from my gem business to do this. But I'd had experience in other corporations being an elected and appointed official running the Port of Galveston, being a school board president for six and a half years, which is more challenging than you can imagine. And so, I had the corporate experience, I had been a specialist in strategic planning, so it was just the point in my life, "What did I want to do for 10 years or so?" The opal business, I loved it. I loved designing, but you know how we get complacent? 

I was getting a bit complacent. So, this particular opportunity allowed me to move my talents into an organization that needed me. And I have working with wonderful people, our president, Kimberly Collins, our board of directors, we're all in unison. What we're going to be doing in the next five years at AGTA will be groundbreaking as we keep expanding our strategic relationships. And we keep working, again, to share our love of color gemstones and to give more information to consumers than their purchases. 

Courtney Gray: 

That's exciting. It sounds like you have a great team there as well that you're working with. 

John Ford: 

Well, I have a great team and so they're working very, very, very hard on getting ready for the Tucson Show. I actually leave for the show in three days, most of the other staff in about five or six. So, it's going to be an interesting two weeks in Tucson. And we work very hard, so we can put off a flawless show for our exhibitors and our buyers. 

Courtney Gray: 

A lot of moving parts. A lot of moving parts for sure. Can we talk just briefly about… Then I'm going to let you get back to it, John, because I know that there is so many things to think about with a show like this. I'm excited to walk the show. I'm sure many of you out there have walked this show, and if not, I would encourage you to check it out. This year, in future years, the AGTA show, how would they find that, John? Let's direct everybody to- 

John Ford: 

Well, of course, it is a trade only show, and if you want to go and look us up at agta.org. If you're in the trade, you would qualify to attend, it's not a consumer show. And we work to get people that... Some people don't necessarily aren't members of the Jewels Board of Trade, or let's say they're a designer who has just started designing and maybe they don't have $10,000 in invoices and such, but they have proof that they're actually engaged in the retail jewelry business. We want to help those people come to the show. We want to help them walk around and be awed, just in awe of all the different stones. And sometimes we get a young designer to a show, let them look, and maybe they don't buy the first year. But, again, we want to try to expose, whether it be on the retail side or the consumer side, more interest in color gemstones and share the love of the color. 

Courtney Gray: 

Mm-hmm. For the love of color. I really love that. All right. I imagine, and this is a little bit of a... We're shifting gears here from the AGTA show, but from your history, John, did you get to travel a lot for these with the gemstone businesses that you had on the opal business? 

John Ford: 

Oh, yes. I've been, of course- 

Courtney Gray: 

I'm curious. 

John Ford: 

... to Europe. I've been to Sheri Lanka. I've been to Australia because I was primarily a black opal dealer. More times than I can count, which I love, Australia. And matter of fact, I had, my birthday was yesterday and all my first birthday wishes came in from Australia. But I've traveled to Sri Lanka, I've done business in sapphires and other gems, and, of course, been to the Asian markets, both the sale and the purchase. So, I have traveled extensively in the gemstone business. 

Courtney Gray: 

Makes sense that you've seen these mining situations, you've been inside of them. Can I assume that with- 

John Ford: 

Oh, yes. In Australia, I spent a lot of time down in the mines and I enjoyed it. And then we cleaned a lot of opal and then we called washing opal. And there's videos around of me doing that. And when you're actually seeing it come in, and it's almost like a life being born when you see this beautiful stone emerge from, and all you're doing is maybe cleaning up what Mother Nature had around it, you're not doing anything to it, but exposing the inner beauty. It is a very joyous experience. So, I always love being able to go to the source and see where the gems come from. And like I said, in opal, I've been to Australia many, many times and enjoyed that immensely. 

Courtney Gray: 

You have a favorite story from or favorite miner that you met or something you could share with us about those journeys that you got to tag? 

John Ford: 

Oh, well, yes. He was a miner and I went to pick him up in Lightning Ridge, and we are going to get back on the road because we're going to go out to his claim, but I picked him up. And we're on the road and I'm driving and just going down the road, and he looks over to me after two or three minutes and he said, "John, you realize you're on the wrong side of the road." So, I was, "Oh, I thought I was home again." So, that was a funny story. 

Courtney Gray: 

Oh, wow. 

John Ford: 

So, I guess, they didn't mind and seen all kind of things, but that was just like... Because he was so kind, he didn't want to say anything, he had to wait. But it probably got to the point where he is like, "I'm scared of the death. 

Courtney Gray: 

Correct. 

John Ford: 

Go on the right side of the road." But that, probably, was a funny experience. 

Courtney Gray: 

Oh, yeah. Are there a lot of tiny roads out there too, like navigating around? 

John Ford: 

Oh, yes. I mean, of course, Australia, they don't have an interstate system like we do. I mean, most of their roads, once you get out of the major cities are two-lane, quality blacktop. But when you get out in the rural outback areas, you're on a lot of dirt roads and such. And, yes, it does help navigation system, but I've been on roads where it wasn't on the navigation system. And, of course, you just do by best reckoning your spot and where you're going to and try to figure it out. So, it's always an adventure. 

Courtney Gray: 

It's part of the fun though, is having to navigate those situations and- 

John Ford: 

Or get out and ask somebody, "Hey, I'm looking for so-and-so." And they're like, "Oh, it's here, here. There and there." And it's just... And, again, in my travels, whether it be in Asia or in Australia, general, in the gem business, everyone is very receptive, everyone's very kind, people answer questions, and you're very always welcomed. I find that I've always been welcomed wherever I went. 

Courtney Gray: 

That's nice, isn't it? You have to be in- 

John Ford: 

Yes. 

Courtney Gray: 

... an industry that is so friendly and welcoming for the most part, I think. We're all trying to just help each other, collaborate, and how can we partner, and move into the future, and stay relevant, and all the things 

John Ford: 

We have to stay relevant. And, again, I know the term relevancy. You stay relevant by addressing the needs of those that consume your product. In our particular situation with color gemstones, they're buying with confidence that the stone's not been treated, that the stone has been purchased properly under all of the laws of the United States or the exporting country, that the people that produced the stone are not working under adverse working conditions. All those things. That's relevancy. And, again, that's what AGTA stands for is, basically, letting people know they can buy with confidence. 

Courtney Gray: 

I loved hearing too and researching about where the money's going. Is it going back to health coverage or healthcare for these miners, et cetera. Can you speak to that at all? 

John Ford: 

Well, I'll just give you a quick example. People that are legally exporting from Columbia, there is a percentage of the exported emeralds per se that goes to pay healthcare in the mining district. And there's examples similar that around the world, but, specifically, if you're buying an emerald from an AGTA dealer, that emerald's been legally exported, then it's been imported in the United States and the taxes and fees associated with that, and that exporting country are going to help those people in that country. 

Courtney Gray: 

Excellent. I think that's the kind of things that we want to know are happening behind the scenes. We can abide with confidence, as you said. 

John Ford: 

Yes. 

Courtney Gray: 

Anything else you'd like to share, John, while we have you for a few more minutes with your members or non-members out there in the jewelry world? Sure we have all kinds of people listening and tuning in here. 

John Ford: 

Well, sure. I would say, if you're coming to the Tucson gem show, make sure you come to AGTA. We have a great seminar series this year that's going to be very good, which is focusing on East African gems. And we would invite you to come for take of the free seminars that we have that are advertised on our website. If you're looking to purchase jewelry for your retail business, please attend our show. And don't forget that upstairs in our ballroom, we have exquisite designers and exquisite finished jewelry that, really, if you go to Tucson and you're not visiting our upstairs ballroom, you're missing a lot. So, that's what I would just share. And if you're at AGTA Tucson and you want to say hello, just ask for me and I will pop out. 

Courtney Gray: 

John, we're going to have to make clone you. We're going to have to make 50 Johns. 

John Ford: 

All right. I have some very talented staff people, and we all have the same objective, and that's to make it a good experience for our exhibitors and our buyers. And I just want to be welcoming and welcome everybody. If you've thought about coming to AGTA and you go to Tucson, and for some reason you hadn't, give us an opportunity, we'd love to have you at the show. 

Courtney Gray: 

I can't wait to check it out myself, you guys. It's important to see what's going on out there to connect with associations like the American Gem Trade, I think. John, we're so happy that you're there and helping take the lead of this important organization that's bringing so much light to the colored gemstones and to the industry as a whole. We're excited. Yay. Thank you for sharing, and joining us today, and infusing us with your passion and history. 

John Ford: 

Well, Courtney, thank you for inviting me and giving me the opportunity to talk about colored gemstones and pearls, which I love. And I wish you and your listeners a good day. 

Courtney Gray: 

Thank you, John. All right. Onward and upward. 

Courtney Gray: 

Thanks for tuning in you guys. I hope you have enjoyed this episode of For the Love of Jewelers. Thank you, John. Alright onward and upward. Thanks for tuning in you guys. I hope you have enjoyed this episode of For the Love of Jewelers. Stayed tuned for the next episode by subscribing though Spotify, iTunes or by searching podcast at RioGrande.com. I encourage you to rate us, write a review and share with friends and colleagues. I hope you’re all finding ways to stay inspired. I’m your host Courtney Gray. Until we meet again, onward and upward.