Biography

Leonard Shaun an Australian / American who began his career In the jewelry industry as a goldsmith. His early interest in gemstone connoisseurship led him to travel extensively. He began writing on the subject in 1999. His articles on gemstones have since appeared in Gems & Gemology, Jeweler’s Quarterly, Colored Stone and many other publications. As an Independent Gemology Columnist for National Jeweler his column Gem-Wise was a popular feature of the magazine. Leonard Shaun has been a Contributing Editor with Gem Market News. From the ruby mines of upper Burma to the Australian outback, from the Brazilian hinterland to the black pearl farms of Tahiti, from Tanzania’s Umba River to the emerald mines of Colombia, the author’s search for rare and beautiful gemstones has taken him to the world most important gem producing areas. As a respected journalist, he has interviewed some of the greatest experts and received entrée to many important private collections.