Mark has a close and long-standing relationship with INDEPENDENT sapphire mines in Australia. He inherited his fascination for sapphires from his father, who mined sapphires in Rubyvale for nearly 30 years.

His family emigrated to Australia from the UK in the 1960s with the promise of adventure. His father loved the Australian bush and fossicking for garnets, opals and chalcedony until he heard of the incredible sapphire finds at the Central Queensland Gemfields. INSPIRED BY HIS childhood adventures looking for sapphires, Mark pursueD a career in goldsmithing and lapidary.

Mark regularly goes back to Queensland to source and hand pick rough sapphires. WHIch are then handcut and polished in his London and Devon Studios. Mark’S CLOSE relationship with local miners GIVES him unique access to rare and beautiful sapphires.

Mark and his family are featured in Thames & Hudson SAPPHIRE book written by Joanna Hardy. Featuring Mark’s journey and the story of his parents mining in outback Australia.