The management of this store has a combined 14 years of experience purchasing and reselling gemstones. Jeff Hopkins has studied gemstones, collected, and sold them for more than 9 years. Patricia McElwee, the other member of the management team, in addition to gemstones has 35 years experience managing her own business. The name Papillon is French for butterfly – gorgeous colorful gems of the air and flower. It also refers to a very cute dog (between us we have 5 SPCA variety dogs). And Treasure Chest replaced the original thought Jeff had of Papillon’s Dream, which was to have been a gift shop many years ago. Mystochie is the umbrella organization because it is Pat’s invention and has been in business for several years in a different incarnation, employing people to provide health care.

We both have migrated to the Mid-Atlantic from Ithaca, NY and the Southern Tier of New York, to gentler winters, earlier springs and wonderful growing conditions.

Since the housing markets and the stock markets are undependable now, and in fact have destroyed many peoples’ savings, we are all looking for valid alternative investments. Gemstones are, and have historically been, one of those alternatives. Precious gems (diamonds, rubies, emeralds) have previously been the primary investments. Today, “semi-precious” stones such as Tanzanite, Paraiba Tourmaline, and Alexandrite rival the prices of the precious gems. Also, many of the world’s mines have closed, been exhausted, have collapsed, or flooded. Many of the more common and popular stones, such as Amethyst, Peridot, and Garnets, are becoming much more difficult to find in nature.

Families may want to purchase gemstones to hold for investment, collecting, or to make into jewelry items for themselves or for gift giving. Topaz, particularly blue topaz, is the most popular gemstone in the United States. It is followed closely by the quartz family of gemstones: amethyst, citrine, ametrine, smokey,and clear. These are currently in quite plentiful supply, but the sources are dwindling. So, collecting gemstones for potential future wealth is likely to be worthwhile. We offer many gemstones at $2.00, $5.00, and $12.00 a carat thus making them potentially available to everyone.

We have positioned ourselves with prices less expensive than other retail sites. We will be comparing prices at least monthly to ensure that we maintain a pricing edge.

Loose gemstones are less expensive than mounted ones and the entire gem is visible for ease in checking the stone. Since it is easy to get mountings for setting the stones, everyone can create jewelry, even at home with no tools.