Story by Antoinette Rahn
From left, Shane, Sharon, and Larry Sanchez, owners and operators of San Juan Gems Rock Shop in Cortez, Colorado.
For the past 50 years, San Juan Gems Rock Shop has been a staple in the community of Cortez, Colorado. However, the story of this multi-generation-operated business began 65 years ago withfounder J.B. Sanchez, a lifelong rockhound. “J.B. had a love of rocks, cutting and polishing, and people,” explained his daughtert-in-law, Sharon Sanchez. “What inspired us was a love of rocks, fossils, and people. Also, it’s meeting all of the interesting people involved in the trade and hobby at major shows and in our store.” The late J.B.’s affinity for rock hunting turned into a business that he operated for many years out of a small garage in Dove Creek, Colorado. As good things often do, the business grew and in time the operation required a larger space. The business wasn’t the only thing experiencing growthat that time. J.B.’s 12-year-old son, Larry, was also growing through an apprenticeship witha German master silversmith“Larry has always been involved in the family business, except between the ages of 18 and 21. He grew up rock hunting the canyons withhis dad,” said Sharon, who operates San Juan Gems withLarry, her husband, and their son, Shane.