Since the art of beading was mostly related to pearl stringing and knotting and had been such a well-kept secret, they decided to commission a writer to research the topic. Working together, Chris and Stuart soon discovered how little information was available about beading.

His passion for Southwestern turquoise and lapidary work quickly grew into a bead shop in Studio City, California.īut it was a special partnership-the one with his wife, Chris-that really got the fire started…

Fire Mountain Gems was born!Ī Passion for Turquoise 'Who would have guessed that a passion for turquoise and a desire to share knowledge of beading would turn into an international direct marketing company offering over 91,000 different jewelry-making supplies to designer-artists across the globe?'įire Mountain Gems and Beads started at home in Stuart's garage back in the early 1970s. They were discussing the heat and pressure process through which all gemstones were formed during volcanic eruptions eons ago and Stuart wondered, 'What might a Native American call one of those volcanoes?' He answered his own question, and 'Fire Mountain' instantly resounded throughout the room. One evening, as Stuart was brainstorming possible company names with friends, the topic of volcanic eruptions came up. By Stuart Freedman, Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® Our Name 'We are always asked how we came up with the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads name.

Fire mountain gems catalog