Gems of the West

After seeing a ship stuck across the Suez Canal we thought it was time to recognise, and thank our amazing suppliers. we have had nothing as dramatic as this in our supply chain, but as well as COVID they have encountered cold and snow in Canada, heavy rain and floods in Texas, but still they continue to supply us with amazing products. We have been delighted to receive some gorgeous rough as well as carved and polished jade from Canada; Rare Mexican Obsidian containing silver sheen and also rainbows as well as a small quantity of rare colorful Bumblebee. Thank you for your efforts, we appreciate you and the glorious products you send to us.

Some people find a worry stone, palm stone or pocket heart can help them deal with worries and anxiety. Sales of diamonds are falling, while the market for stones and crystals is growing; MRI studies have shown that when we hold or handle stones and crystals this has a calming effect on that part of the brain which deals with stress and worry. Psychotherapists often encourage patients to use stones to generate positive thoughts and overcome negativity. They use this process t...o help with PTSD, and a range of behavioral problems as well as coping with stress and anxiety. Popular artists are even known to use stones to help them deal with performance anxiety. Easy to carry and discreet to use, worry and palm stones as well as pocket hearts have never been in greater demand as we face the very real concerns of COVID, vaccinations and a seemingly increasingly worrisome world. We have a wide range of these stones in the store and we have posted a more detailed article about them on our website https://www.gemsofthewest.co//63-worry-stones-help-with-st. While they cannot solve our problems or cure a physical illness, they can help to a create a more positive, less anxious view of the world and significantly reduce levels of stress. See more

Shop Hours 2021 Thursday 10am to 5pm Friday 10am to 7pm Saturday 10am to 7pm Sunday 10am to 6pm... Monday 10am to 5pm Tuesday CLOSED Wednesday CLOSED See more

Meet Stanley. This is a one eighth size replica of a T.Rex skeleton found in Montana in 2015. ,Why Stanley? why a replica? Well this is to honor a real, full size T.Rex skeleton called Stanley which was sold at auction in London in the first week of October this year. Guide price GBP8m ($10m) the actual price paid was GBP25m ($31m). At these prices the real thing is well beyond the reach of most people. So we have a wide range of replicas, T,Rex hand and foot claws, Velociraptor killing claw, all with details of the animal and the original from which the replica was made.These replicas are ideal for collectors and make brilliant Christmas presents for kids who are fascinated with dinosaurs, all at reasonable prices. If you want something real we have loads of small Megladon teeth also at good prices.

Need the crystal for our times? Turn to the power of Bismuth. As well as being beautiful, this crystals relieves feelings of loneliness and isolation. It is much needed right now because it is the stone of transformation and change. It helps us to adapt with calm assurance to the changes we experience and see around us. It encourages cohesiveness, bringing people together to help them work towards a common goal with a sense of calm and tranquility. Always a beautiful crystal our pieces have been made especially for us using a new process that produces stunning colors. Available from $8 to carry with you or great display pieces for the home or work environment. Photos do not do it justice, come, see and own the right crystal to help and support you in today's troubled world.

Just thank you to the many people who came into the shop last weekend and on Memorial Day. It was lovely to see you all and such a pleasure to see customers in the shop again. We do have hand sanitizer at the door and ask customers to wear masks. If you do not have one, do not worry we have a free supply, just ask. Enjoy your weekend in beautiful Big Bear Lake :)

Yay permission given late Saturday for retail, indoor shopping to restart :) it is stage 2, so must wear facemasks and limit of 8 customers in the shop at any one time. AS we like you to handle minerals we will ask you to hand sanitize to keep others safe. Hours this week Sunday noon to 4pm; Monday 10am to 5pm. Closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, open Friday Saturday 10am to 7pm, Sunday 10am to 6pm, Monday 10am to 5pm. Thank you for all of your amazing support, this is exact;y why we love living in beautiful Big Bear Lake. See you soon :)

On Thursday the City Council of Big Bear Lake decided not to stop retail and other businesses from re-opening. However, there was a very big BUT by reopening we might include lose our State Business License. We respect the wishes of fellow traders in Big Bear to re-open, but we are in a different position. We live here under the terms of a visa which requires a Business Licence loss of which would mean the loss of our visas and the shop closing. We want to continue to live i...n beautiful Big Bear Lake, meeting our amazing customers. So very sadly and with heavy hearts we have decided that we cannot take the risk and re-open this special weekend. We apologize to our customers for this decision. We assure you that we are restocked, the shop has undergone a deep clean and we are ready and willing to re-open as soon as we can do so without risking the loss of our Business Licence. Thank you for your patience and ongoing support, we hope to see you again very soon. Janet, Colin, John and Valerie. See more

On Thursday City Council of Big Bear Lake decided not to stop businesses from opening over the holiday weekend. However, there is a risk that businesses which do open could lose their State Business License We understand that our fellow retailers may well be willing to take that risk, but we are in a different position. As we live in California under the terms of a Visa If our State Licence were to be rescinded so would our visa meaning thta the shop closing for good. We wa...nt to continue living in amazing Big Bear Lake, and to meeting all of our great customers and their families and providing the service which so many people tell us they appreciate. It is therefore with great regret and heavy hearts that we have decided that we cannot open until that risk is removed . So we apologize to all our customers and followers that we will not be open this weekend. On the other hand the store has undergone a deep clean and is well stocked with many new and exciting products ready for re-opening day. We look forward to meeting you again soon. Thank you for your continuing support. Janet,Colin, John and Valerie. See more