Every piece in my collection is carefully curated during annual trips to premier gem and jewelry shows in Tucson, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, LA, Houston, and Dallas, plus custom design trips to Jaipur. I focus on genuine natural gemstones with excellent color saturation and unique characteristics that hold their value. My specialties include tourmaline, kunzite, sapphires, and varieties of blue topaz, plus diamonds - all set in high-quality sterling silver or 14k or 18k gold. Most of my pieces feature diamonds surrounding the gemstones, as part of the band, or throughout the necklace design. Each piece comes with detailed gemstone information for your insurance documentation.

I work directly with multi-generation families in Jaipur, India, that I have long-standing relationships with. These gemstone collectors often bring pieces out of their vaults specifically for my visits, saving the best stones for me. I personally select each stone for color, clarity, and unique characteristics. This direct sourcing allows me to offer exceptional quality at fair prices while ensuring ethical practices.

All gemstones come with detailed specifications including stone type, origin (when available), approximate carat weight, and setting details. For jewelry over $3,000, I offer professional jewelry appraisals performed by my network of professional appraisers. If you need a detailed description suitable for insurance purposes, please let me know - I'm happy to provide that documentation.

Start with a statement piece that you love - something you'll stare at and just love, that you'll wear all the time. Whether it's a statement ring, earrings, or pendant, pick something that reflects your personality and lifestyle and that you know you'll treasure. Focus on colors that make you feel confident, and then you can evolve and build from there with complementary stones and textures.

Natural sapphires, quality tourmaline varieties, and genuine moonstone typically maintain excellent value. Rare stones like kunzite (I have very special sources in Thailand) and tourmaline with excellent color zoning are particularly sought after by collectors. The key is purchasing genuine, well-cut stones with good color saturation in quality settings.

I match jewelry to your lifestyle, preferences, and existing collection through personal consultation. Share your style preferences using my style survey, along with occasions you dress for and any existing pieces you love - I'll recommend stones and designs that complement your wardrobe and personality. This service is complimentary for clients building their Ulka Rocks collection.

Absolutely! Many of my clients need jewelry that transitions beautifully - from professional meetings to evening events, or pieces sophisticated enough for important occasions yet beautiful enough to wear daily. I specialize in selecting pieces that grow with your lifestyle, giving you confidence no matter what your day brings.

I offer two approaches for custom work. First, if you have something in mind, send me photos and I can work with my connections for gemstones and artisans to create something similar, or I can make custom beaded necklaces myself. Second, when I travel to India, I work with wish lists you send me - maybe pictures of jewelry you're trying to match or find something similar to. While I'm there, I message with you directly to create exactly what you're looking for. I also design new options when I can see stones in person and see what's popular, creating new colorways with designs that are working well. It's a dynamic approach where I keep showing you options until you find pieces you love.

Custom beaded necklaces that I make myself take 3-4 weeks if I have everything I need. Custom jewelry pieces from India typically take 3-4 months, though I can speed those up if you're on a strict timeline - just let me know your needs. Most people are fine with the lead time because they're getting really unique, personalized jewelry. Pricing typically ranges from $800-2500 depending on stones and complexity.

I consider your lifestyle (corporate, creative, or both), preferred colors, existing jewelry, and occasions you dress for. After 10+ years curating collections, I've developed expertise in color theory and gemstone pairing. I'll recommend stones that enhance your natural coloring and complement your wardrobe, creating a cohesive collection that truly reflects you.

Many people think sapphires are only blue, but they actually come in almost every color - pink, yellow, orange, white, and even multicolor varieties. I especially love working with multicolor sapphires because of their unique color combinations and the way they catch light differently. I've carried beautiful padparadscha sapphires and Thai sapphires, and I source from various locations depending on the specific colors and quality available.

Tourmaline offers an incredible variety of colors - from deep greens to vibrant pinks, and my personal favorite, watermelon tourmaline with its natural green and pink zones. Bicolor tourmaline (which is different from watermelon) is highly valuable for its dramatic color transitions. The rich, deep colors in tourmaline are getting harder and rarer to find - the mines just aren't producing the depth of color they used to. I have access to sources that still have the best rough with the most rich and beautiful tourmaline pieces, including vintage cabochons that are 100 years old and absolutely gorgeous - you just don't find quality like that anymore.

The key is proper storage and gentle cleaning. My favorite storage method is to place each piece in a small Ziploc bag inside a soft pouch - closing the plastic keeps air off the jewelry, which prevents tarnishing and keeps everything looking beautiful longer. Link to recommended storage bags I store all my pieces this way, whether in my jewelry cabinet or when traveling. For cleaning, use warm soapy water with a soft brush, avoiding harsh chemicals. Be especially careful with opals and turquoise, which need gentler care than harder stones.

I work primarily with sterling silver for its beauty, and 14k or 18k yellow gold when it best complements the stones. I choose metals based on what enhances each stone's natural beauty and matches your personal preferences - some people love silver, others prefer gold, and some like to mix both. I match the metal choice to your personality and style.

Sterling silver naturally tarnishes over time, but proper storage prevents most issues. Store pieces in closed plastic bags as mentioned above (my recommended storage bags), and clean regularly with jewelry polishing cloths. If tarnishing does occur, a gentle jewelry cleaner or polishing cloth will restore the shine. The key is keeping air exposure to a minimum during storage.

Kunzite is a fairly recent stone discovery (1902) with exceptional lilac to deep pink colors and remarkable clarity. The depth of color that I have access to through my special sources is incredible - these pieces show exceptional color saturation that's increasingly rare to find. Quality kunzite has become highly sought after by collectors, and the pieces I source showcase this stone at its absolute best.

I'm known for having access to the best sources for London blue and Swiss blue topaz varieties, which are highly collectible. The exceptional color depth and clarity I can source sets my topaz pieces apart - these aren't the pale blues you see everywhere, but rich, saturated colors that serious collectors seek. View my topaz collection. The quality and color intensity I offer in topaz is what makes these pieces true collector items.

I attend major gem and jewelry shows - for example, Tucson, Vegas, Denver, New York City, Miami (view show calendar) - and post real-time updates on Instagram showing available pieces. Message me directly through Instagram to purchase pieces you're interested in. I also offer special show pricing on select pieces that I announce on Instagram. I accept all payment methods and will send a payment link for anything not already listed on the website. The most important thing is to get on my insider list - you'll get advanced notice of my trips, special emails during shows with exclusive offers, and first access to everything before it goes to my website.

These are trade shows where shop owners, boutique owners, and jewelry designers go to buy for their stores and online shops. When you buy direct from me at these shows, you're getting pieces first - before they go to any retail stores or even my website. You're shopping the same selection that jewelry store buyers see, but buying direct from me.

Send me details about pieces you're seeking - specific gemstones, color preferences, size requirements, or occasion needs using my wish list form. Pictures are extremely helpful - I keep those with me while I'm shopping so I can find exactly what you want. We have a pretty high success rate with wish lists because I keep in constant communication with you during shows. This is perfect for hard-to-find stones or when you're looking for something specific to complete your collection.

I host Instagram Live sessions from gem shows and my studio, showcasing new arrivals and sharing gemstone education. You can message me during or after the live sessions to purchase pieces you see. For anything not already listed on my website, I'll send you a payment link with a variety of payment options available. These sessions often feature exclusive pieces and include collector tips from my sourcing experiences. Keep in mind that inventory moves very quickly at shows - the faster you reach out, the better your chances of getting something you love. I don't make final confirmation on items until payment is received, and pieces aren't held, so quick communication helps secure your favorites.

Yes! I offer a variety of payment plan options including Klarna, Affirm, Shop Pay, Sezzle, and PayPal payment plans. Many collectors prefer to invest in quality pieces over time rather than settling for lower-quality alternatives. This makes it easier to add exceptional pieces to your collection without waiting.

For pieces over $3,000, I can connect you with my network of certified gemologists and appraisers for formal documentation. This service includes detailed reports suitable for insurance coverage or estate documentation. Appraisal fees are separate and typically range from $100-200 depending on piece complexity.

I specialize in sophisticated pieces that work across corporate and social settings. Consider Swiss blue topaz for reliable color coordination, watermelon tourmaline for subtle drama, or quality moonstone for feminine elegance. Pendant necklaces and stud earrings transition beautifully from conference rooms to evening events.

Start with what you want to be the focus - usually a pendant that goes in the middle. I follow the "odd rule" - either wear one statement piece, or go with odd numbers like three layers (one above the pendant, the pendant, one below). If you want more than three, go to five, but I think that starts to look crowded rather than sophisticated. You want at least an inch between each layer - two inches can look even nicer. The odd numbers just look more balanced.

Honestly, I think anything goes always! You only live once - you might as well feel pretty all the time. My jewelry is meant to be admired and worn, not sitting in a jewelry box. You just want to look at it all the time and feel special and pretty that you have it on. So to me, just wear stuff you love as much as you can. Don't wait for the special moment.

Feel free to reach out to me and we can figure out your friend's style and what might be best, because each person is different. But if you're looking for safe bets, blue stones (sapphire, topaz) are universally flattering, and moonstone and labradorite are incredibly versatile - tons of people love them. Moonstone and labradorite are probably the safest choices for gift-giving since they work with so many different styles and preferences.

I offer 14-day returns for website purchases in original condition. However, pieces claimed during Instagram Live sessions or custom-ordered pieces are final sale due to their curated, often one-of-a-kind nature. I'm always available to discuss concerns and work toward solutions that leave you completely satisfied with your investment.

I ship worldwide using DHL, UPS, or FedEx for international orders with full insurance coverage and tracking. Shipping costs vary by destination and are calculated at checkout. International buyers are responsible for any customs duties or taxes. High-value pieces (over $1,000) ship with signature confirmation for security.

Yes! We offer a loyalty program called the Collectors Circle - it's free to join and you get points as you grow your collection that you can redeem for new pieces. As you move up levels, you get insider special offers, priority on your wish lists for my trips, holiday gifts, personalized style reports, and other exclusive benefits - all of that is outlined in detail when you join. We also have a referral program where you can earn points for sharing Ulka Rocks with friends.

Custom pieces typically require 6-8 weeks from consultation to completion. This includes stone selection, design approval, creation time with my Jaipur artisans, and international shipping. Rush orders may be possible for additional fees, though I recommend allowing full timeframes for the best craftsmanship results.

Sterling silver pieces can typically be sized up or down 1-2 sizes by a qualified local jeweler. I provide recommendations for trusted jewelers when possible. For pieces requiring specialized repair or resizing beyond local capabilities, I can coordinate return to my artisan network for professional service at cost.

Pack jewelry in individual soft pouches or the provided Ulka Rocks packaging to prevent scratching. Carry valuable pieces in your carry-on luggage rather than checked bags. Consider travel insurance for pieces over $1,000. Clean pieces after travel to remove residue from hotels, airports, and handling.

Yes! I've built Ulka Rocks using AI and automation tools that have allowed me to run a successful jewelry business largely solo. I share the exact systems, tools, and workflows I use through my Rock Your Biz Toolkit. These are the same systems that help me manage inventory, customer relationships, social media, and operations efficiently. If you're a creative entrepreneur or product business owner, you can see how I've built beautiful systems for my beautiful business.

I document my AI and automation journey on my tech blog and maintain a comprehensive library of guides covering everything from workflow automation to AI-powered content creation. These resources show creative entrepreneurs how to build scalable systems that save time while growing revenue.