Every Piece Tells A Story
It all began on an unforgettable safari in Tanzania, where we, Eric and Michele Leiner, stumbled upon something extraordinary.
We were staying at a lodge on the Serengeti when my wife wandered into a small jewelry boutique. Moments later, she emerged, eyes wide with excitement. “You have to come see this,” she said, urgency in her voice.
Intrigued, I followed her inside.
And there it was.
A gemstone unlike anything I had ever seen—deep, mesmerizing blue with hints of violet, shimmering as if it held the light of the African sky within. It was captivating, almost hypnotic.
Tanzanite.
We soon learned that this breathtaking stone is one of the rarest gemstones in the world, found only in a small mining area at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. It felt like fate—discovering something so rare in a place already so magical. And because we have a family tradition of bringing home a meaningful keepsake from our travels, purchasing a piece of Tanzanite was an easy decision.
But our story didn’t end there.
Back home, I couldn’t stop thinking about that gemstone. My curiosity led me down a rabbit hole of research, which eventually connected me to a master gemstone cutter in India. He sourced raw Tanzanite directly from the mines and transformed the rough stones into polished masterpieces.
One day, he sent me photos of a 10-carat stone, richer in color, perfectly cut and just so breathtaking.
I had to have it.
“How do I buy it?” I asked.
His response was simple: PayPal.
Without hesitation, I completed the transaction.
My wife, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. “Well, that’s the last time you’ll see that money.”
But I had faith.
Ten days later, a package arrived from India. I tore it open. And there it was—perfectly cut, glowing with a depth and brilliance that exceeded my expectations.
I immediately sent it to a jeweler friend in New York City, who set the stone into a stunning ring.
I barely had time to admire it before my son, Rocky, walked in.
“Dad, that ring is incredible! Put it in my shop—I bet my customers would love it.”
Rocky owns Rocky’s Ultimate Garage, a luxury and exotic car dealership in West Palm Beach. His idea was brilliant—offering rare, exquisite jewelry to clients who already appreciate the finer things in life.
But we needed someone to lead the charge.
Enter Nicole, Rocky’s wife.
“Hey, Nicole, how would you like to run your own jewelry business?”
Her response?
“I’M IN!”
And just like that, Palm Beach Gems by Nicole was born—a brand dedicated to sourcing and creating exceptional, one-of-a-kind gemstone jewelry for those who value rarity, beauty, and craftsmanship.
What started as a chance discovery on the plains of Africa has become our passion and our mission—to bring that same sense of wonder and exclusivity to you.
Welcome to Palm Beach Gems by Nicole—where every piece has a story.