Spiralz presents a dizzying array of gems

BIRMINGHAM – Just as a child's eyes widen in a candy shop with the sheer variety of sugary confections, grown ups are likely to feel the same way walking into Spiralz, only instead of rock candy Spiralz deals in the real thing.
Gems. Lots and lots of gems.
"We're the largest gem art gallery in North America," said owner Diane Goad.
In fact, Spiralz isn't your ordinary jewelry store, according to Goad.
"It's more of a gallery type setting and very hands-on," she said. "What you find in here you won't find other places."
Spiralz Studio Director Charles Ellias agreed. "We have the largest collection of fine and rare one of a kind gem art and gem stones in the country which make us a bit unique," he said, adding that rare stones from the world's top cutters find their way to the store all the time providing a constantly changing display.
Many of the gems at Spiralz are Cutting Edge and Gemmy Award winners. "I guess it would be the equivalent of the Oscars and the Grammys in the gem stone cutting world," said Ellias.
And Ellias knows a winner when he sees one. He has over 23 years of experience in the jewelry industry, is a senior gemologist and sits on the board of directors for Gem Artists of North America.
When asked if he has a favorite gem to work with Ellias hesitates before settling on sunstone, which he described as "orangey-red" in appearance.
Sunstone, said Ellias, is one of the few gem stones actually mined in North America and is almost always cut by North American gem artists.
"It's untreated and natural in its color where many gem stones are enhanced," Ellias added.
Though some stones are always enhanced, like tanzanite, which must be heated to acquire its purple-blue color, "we specialize in the rarities that have not been enhanced in any way," said Ellias. "And that's one big specialty of the studio."
But Spiralz isn't known for its stones alone. "We specialize in very unique one of a kind pieces of jewelry," said Ellias, adding that the store does "quite a bit of custom jewelry."
"There's over 50 years of combined designer or custom experience in the studio," he said.
If the idea of gems and hands-on appeals to you, Spiralz is the place to be on Friday, Nov. 18 when they host their next Circle of Gems event.
The Circle of Gems event, according to Goad, is a sit-down, private event with a gem cutter and designer who brings his or her gems to display.
"We basically set up a private event with the cutter actually there in the studio," said Ellias, "where people get to see their work and see how the work is done and handle each stone."
"They're passed around the table," said Goad. "People can touch and feel them."
For those who want to make an educated purchase decision, these events are ideal.
"It's a real learning experience because you have the actual gem cutter there," said Goad.