TOPS A Rock Shop

Wedding Time!!!

2009-01-02T20:27:00.000-08:00

It's Wedding Time Again!

We've been supplying Rock Candy to numerous brides for wedding favors and decorations.

We have full-sized sticks and smaller demitasse sticks. We can sell them to your directly from our store or you can order them from our eBay store tops.a.rock.shop.

Rock Medicine gaining steam

2009-01-02T20:19:00.000-08:00

Wow - I'm suprised how many folks are interested in Rock Medicine. We're getting several calls a week for the 7 cleansers and the Master Blend. Maybe because I was such a skeptic when I first learned about Rock Medicine - but I'm intrigued by how many people are truly interested in learning more.

If you can email me with your stories, we'd like to share them with others. I start by sharing my story.

I have osteoarthritis which was getting bad. It was very hard to get up in the mornings or to sleep through the night and because of that, I was taking lots of pain medication. I decided that since there wasn't anything to be hurt by trying Rock Medicine, I would try it. Sela said to start with the 7 Cleansers, which I did. After about 3 weeks, I noticed I was sleeping better and my hands were no longer swollen so I couldn't use them in the mornings. After 4 weeks I noticed I had significantly less pain getting up in the mornings. I was doing nothing but Rock Medicine and had stopped taking pain pills.

I had to do some traveling and I didn't take the Rock Medicine with me. In about 10 days, I was in SERIOUS pain again. When I got back home, I started using the Rock Medicine again and the pain eased in about 7 days.

Since I'm a scientist, I wondered if the change was just because I was back home so I stopped taking the ROck Medicine. That pain was back in about 1 week. I started taking the rock medicine again, and after about 8 days this time, the pain was gone again.

I don't pretend to understand it, but if you can absorb bad things like lead and mercury through your skin, why not good things. I'm convinced!

Jan

Stockton and Sacramento Holistic Expo's in January

2008-12-21T11:58:00.000-08:00

Once again we will be partnering with Sela Randazzo at the Holistic Living Expos in Sacramento and Stockton. The dates are January 11 for Sacramento and January 18 for Stockton. Sela will be presenting a 30 minute seminar and available all day to answer questions and help you with your rock medicine prescriptions.

If you want a free coupon for entry, email us and save the cost of admission!

JM

Rock Medicine Classes successful!

2008-12-21T11:55:00.001-08:00

Sela Randazzo was at the store once again, this time for an 8 hour Rock Medicine class! It was great. She even filmed it for a new educational DVD, which of course we'll have available for purchase.

Sela and I will again be doing shows together this winter and we are continuing to carry ALL of her rock medicine supplies including books, stones, essence and shield stone bracelets.

We have her blends: seven cleaners, Master Blend, shield stones, female hormone and male hormone already packaged up and ready to ship. Just give us a call!

JM

Rock classes for 4th graders

2008-12-21T11:46:00.000-08:00

WOW - what fun! We've started offering a 20 minute class plus scavenger hunt for 4th grade students who are visiting the San Juan Bautista mission. The kids are so much fun and the teachers are loving this opportunity to combine a science class with their visit to the mission and state park for history!

So what do we do? It's 15 minutes of introduction to igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks - you know, the stuff on the 4th grade science curriculum. Then we allow 5 minutes for questions. Next the kids are given a scavenger hunt of 10 questions that they have to find the answers to. The answers are scattered throughout the store on signs. The questions are similar to: This metamorphic rock is green and is the California State Rock or this metamorphic rock comes in red, green, orange and purple and is the Birthstone for January. This provides the students a chance to actually touch and see the stones. It also provides some insights into the fact that igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary stones like Coal or garnet have practical uses.

Our last group of classes were from Seaside, CA. We got great reviews from the teachers. If you're interested in having your next 4th grade field trip to San Juan Bautista really "ROCK" - give us a call.

JM

Shell Sinks - total elegance in the bathroom!

2008-10-23T21:44:00.000-07:00

These are for the most elegant of bathroom retreats:

Back light these tiles for stunning effects

2008-10-23T21:28:00.000-07:00

These shell tiles are glass backed. They can be put in cabinets, doors, windows, countertops, etc and then back lit for stunning effect!

Gold lip

Troka

Dark Phillipine Abalone

Oh My Goodness - Shell Tiles, Shell Sinks and Shell Table tops arrive

2008-10-23T20:47:00.000-07:00

WOW - You've just simply got to see these in person!!! Unbelieveable.

Shell tiles, shell sinks, and Shell Table tops all made in the Phillipines. These are made from the cast-offs or scrap of the food and pearl industry so they qualify by most standards as green.

They have a water-based polyurethane coating so they are durable and even repairable if scratched!

You've got to see these. We are the factory representative for northern California. Email us for a catalog or price list.

info@topsarockshop.com

Jan

Upcoming Shows

2008-10-23T20:46:00.000-07:00

We are scheduled to be in a neighborhood near you. On November 22 we will be at the Holistic Living Expo in Santa Cruz and on November 23 we will be at the Holistic Living Expo in San Jose.

Email us for free admission coupons!

info@topsarockshop.com

Jan

Holistic Living Expos

2008-09-04T20:26:00.000-07:00

You've asked us to come closer to you, we are answering. We will be bringing some of our great products and prices to northern California Holistic Living Expos. We are currently scheduled in Stockton, San Jose, San Francisco, and Sacramento. Sela will be giving a Rock Medicine talk and we will have her entire list of Rock Medicine components at the shows.

Check out www.holisticlivingexpo.com for details. Email us for free admission coupons!

See you THERE!

Jan

Crystals, crystals and more Crystals

2008-09-04T20:25:00.001-07:00

We just recieved a large shipment of quartz crystals from Arkansas. Stop by the store and check them out or visit us at a show. These are great point and clear, complex clusters. You won't be disappointed!

Jan

Mention This Blog Discount

2008-08-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

We're conducting an experiment. Call us or visit the store and mention this blog and we'll give you a 25% discount off your next purchase: candy, auctions and clearance excluded. This includes everything, even books where this discount will take the item down to our costs!

We Rock You World!

Jan

Cinnabar!!!

2008-08-07T09:39:00.000-07:00

We've just received a fabulous shipment of Cinnabar from China. For those of you looking for REAL cinnabar for Rock Medicine - this is it. For those of you wanting a cinnabar specimen, come and check them out. Some of these are really pretty.

When dealing with cinnabar always remember that mercury is refined from cinnabar, so take care!

Jan

New Shipments for Rock Medicine

2008-08-07T09:36:00.000-07:00

In our constant attempt to get you the best quality at the best prices, we've searched and found new sources for quality gemstone rough in for Rock Medicine. This will be your gain as you can get a Master Blend for less than $40.00 as we pass the savings on to you!!!

Need Alexandrite for your blend? We now have Alexandrite rough at a reasonable price!

We also added pre-ban ivory we got from an estate.

We've added Barite and hemimorphite crystals from Montana.

All this goes to save you money - stop by or call us and we'll be glad to help you!

Rock On!

Jan

2008-08-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

WOW - I've been bad!!! I've not posted anything for a few months.

So I'll make it up today.

We've started Rock Carving Classes. Darlene Boyd, artists and scupture, will be teaching Rock Carving Classes on the 3rd Wednesday and 3rd Saturday of each month.

We're starting with Soapstone because it's easy and inexpensive to learn with. You can do some WONDERFUL things with Soapstone. Come out an try your skills.

If you have your own tools, great. If not, we have a started set that includes a file, mask, sandpaper and piece of soapstone for $10.95 to those who register for Darlene's class (it's regularly $15.95).

The cost of the class is $25.00.

Call the store for more information at 831-623-4441.

Rock Happy!

Jan

Rock Medicine Classes Begin!!!!

2008-04-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

The first of our classes will begin in May! Every 2nd Saturday Sela Weidemann Randazzo will lead a 3 hour class/seminar in Rock Medicine. Sela is an internationally known author and speaker and a leader in the use of Rock Medicine. The costs for the session is $25 to pay Sela's expenses.

Come and join us while we share, learn, and have fun with Sela.

TOPS Rocks!

Jan

New Stuff

2008-04-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

We've just gotten several new shipments in - come check them out. We've got some great new fossils including a small crab where you can see where the eye were. We've received some great new tumbled stones, agate slices, and rough stones. We've received some great soapstone for carving, some wonderful large Rose Quartz pieces, and a couple of large lepidolite chucks that are to die for!

As always, when we get great deals we pass them on to you - so stop by and check out the new stuff.

Rock Happy!

Attention designers and Bench Jewelers

2008-02-12T18:22:00.001-08:00

We are emptying the vault and we’ve found 100’s of opals and turquoise cabochons as well as dozens and dozens of other gemstone cabs and faceted stones. If you have a Sales Tax permit, then send me an email and I’ll send you the fabulous discount schedule we are offering for volume purchases.

So far I’ve found many colors of turquoise (including small sizes for fine repairs), both boulder and gem opal in numerous sizes, peridot, blue topaz, garnet, spessartite, amethyst, citrine, and lots more. Some are fabulous stones and some are junk – but just check out the prices and then think of the discounts!

Rock Happy!

We're Finally Selling online for educational earth science "stuff"

2008-01-21T17:22:00.000-08:00

Check out our new eBay store. We're selling the educational cards that are so popular in our store and if you are a teacher, we still offer a 25% discount for the items you are using in your classroom. Just email us what you want and include your name, email, grade you teach, and the name of your school. We will verify the information and send you an invoice with the 25% off. Take Care!!

Teacher's Pet

2008-01-14T11:27:00.000-08:00

We aim to be the Teacher's Pet!!! If you are looking for rocks and minerals to use in your classroom, come to our San Juan Bautista store and we'll help you. If you let us know you are a teacher, provide the name of the school, and sign our mailing list we'll give you 25% off anything you are going to use in your classroom. What A Deal!!!

Why do we do this?? For purely selfish reasons.

1.) We love kids
2.) We believe that if you can get kids excited about something - hobbies, music, arts, anything - it will make the want to read and to learn math to support their interest. It give meaning to the skills they are learning.
3.) If kids get hooked on rocks and minerals as a hobby when they are young, it's just possible they may turn out to be our customers in the future.

So, even though we don't run high margins like the mall stores, we are willing to cut that small margin to almost costs in order to support our teachers who work daily to help our children become educated so they can have a great future.

Jan

Kilos of Pearls

2008-01-12T12:19:00.000-08:00

We just got in several Kilos of freshwater pearls. These are the circle or ribbed pearls that are so popular right now. They have good luster and we have sizes up to 8mm. Check them out - they are really nice one and just in time for wedding season - they make great strands to go with your dress or for the bridesmaids.

Rock and Crystal Medicine - Bunk or Real

2008-01-12T12:02:00.000-08:00

What a controversial topic!!! How dare I think of discussing this topic without alienating potential customers on one side of the discussion or another? Well maybe I'm silly and I'm not taking a side on whether crystals and rock medicine work or do not work - but think about these few things:

1.) We know that attitude and positive thinking significantly impact a person's health - if we are happy and positive the immune system works much better. If this is the case, then if crystals and rocks make you happy - that's a good thing.

2.) We know that light is energy and we know that different amounts of energy and light impact our moods and therefore our happiness. That's why they use natural lights in cloudy places like Seattle - to reduce Seasonal Affective Disorder believed to be impacted or possibly caused by lack of sunshine. There is an entire science of color and it's impact on a person. All medical offices and retailers know this and use it to their advantage with their patients and customers with paint colors. If crystals and rocks bring you into contact with different colors and therefore energy - and that effects your mood and makes you happy - then that can boost your immune system - that's a good thing.

So no matter what your belief system - Rock, Mineral and Crystal Collecting has the potential to be good for you if in no other way than to make you happy.

Happy Collecting!

Long time no type

2008-01-09T21:47:00.000-08:00

OK - so I've not been good about posting recently - I'm sorry. But here's what's going on.

1.) We've got a LARGE new shipment of Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper. How do I know it's Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper, because we are only a few miles away from Morgan Hill and I know the guy who walked through the poison oak to get this specimens. I even used gloves to clean it so I didn't get poison oak! Right now, there are only a few that have been tumbled, they are mostly rough. There are red poppies, yellow poppies, and purple poppies. It's a great selection. We'll be doing a light tumbling job on them and be putting them out over the next few months. If you want the rough - ask us and we'll let you search the pile.

2.) We're clearing space for Tuscon. We've got a great Sale going on so stop by and check it out.

3.) We've got an eBay store now and I'll be putting more "stuff" out over the next weeks. Right now the educational cards, rock candy and a few jewelry pieces are all online. Check out
http://stores.ebay.com/tops-a-rock-shop

Happy Rockin'

JM

Blogger Action Day

2007-10-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

Well, this is a business blog so I want to point to what the gemstone community has been doing to promote sustainability and responsibility. There has been a large emphasize on finding gemstones from companies and countries that promote good working environments from a labor point of view and good environmental policies. Conflict free diamonds and the embargo against Mryamar are just two examples of the industry's response to pressure for social responsibility. There has also been serious work done on the environmental side to make mining less harardous to the environment.

This has all comes at a cost, in terms of availability and price. Gemstones that were formerly readily available are no longer easily found in the marketplace. But so far, to the consumer's credit, he/she seems willing to pay this price in order to be responsible. That is good news for social and environmental responsibililty.

New Shipments

2007-10-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

Hi, We just got in several Kilos of pearls - natural, round, baroque, and dyed - there is a great selection and they have great prices! Check them out.

See ya!

TOPS expands Rock Medicine stock

2007-10-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

Howdy - well we finally did it - we have the entire Master Blend that Sela describes in her book, "Rock Medicine".

It took a bit of doing to get gold, coal, and diamonds - but we did it. Stop by - we still keep our prices as low as possible so folks can enjoy the products and not feel like they got ripped off! It means we can't have 75% off sales - but you can always expect our daily prices to be the best we can make them.

Hugs
Jan
www.topsarockshop.com

Welcome to TOPS

2007-10-08T18:47:00.000-07:00

TOPS A Rock Shop is an independently owned Rock Shop in San Juan Bautista, CA - San Benito County - home of Benitoite. We've moved to a larger location - our new location is 1 Polk Street.

Stop by and check out our new selection - more jewelry, great designers, faceted and cabachon stones, lots of rocks and specimens.

We're even expanding to have gemstone tiles, shell tiles, gemstone tables, shell tables, gemstone sinks, and shell sinks (as soon as we get them out of customs!! - don't ask - it's a long story and I'm still waiting for an explanation as to why Mother-Of-Pearl is ok but "shell" is NOT!!)

Check out our website at www.topsarockshop.com!

Jan