SPECIAL SECTION: TOOLS OF THE TRADE
www.azurz.com
When asked to describe their rockhounding, gemstone, and lapidary interests in the most general terms, it’s not uncommon to hear or see someone say in some form, “I collect rocks,” or “I cut and polish stones.” However, as is often the case, seemingly simple responses can describe intricate, complex, and enchanting matters. Married couple Azur and Jesse McHugh, rockhounds, gemstone cutters, lapidary artists, and business owners residing in Rhode Island, provides on their website an example of a no-frills description of the fascinating work they do: We travel the world collecting rare and unusual minerals, lug them home to our shop, chop, shape, and polish them into some of the most unique stones in the industry. He’s Jesse. She’s Azur. He cuts. She sells. Like so many in the community, the McHugh’s let their work speak for itself and speak it does. Helping this creative couple achieve their goals and continually expand their skills and creativity is the team at Cutting Edge Supply Co. The couple has been active in the gemstone industry for more than a decade and met Cutting Edge Supply Co.’s father-son owners Darryl and Nick Alexander, through attendance at American Gem Trade Association events explained The McHughs. “We have a full production cutting shop with all the lapidary tools you can think of, and Darryl and Nick are fellow lapidary artists and gem show dealers,” they said.