About

Fire & Ice Gold and Platinum Design Gallery was started in 1993 by Rex and Tobe Thompson, who came to Juneau for the lifestyle. Juneau is a cruise ship destination along the famous Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska. Many of our long standing customers first encountered Fire & Ice as cruise passengers.

About our Gemstones

Please note that all pendants are photographed on chains in order to represent how individual pieces drape, but are not included unless stated as part of the design. Chains are available for purchase separately. Please inquire about styles and lengths available.

Colored Stones

If there is one thing that sets us apart, it is the uniqueness and quality of our colored stones. Rex is meticulous in selecting colored gemstones that are not just rare, but the best quality of the most rare gemstones on earth. From natural very clear emeralds and rubies highly saturated with color, to rare true paraiba and spectacular designs with sapphires, topaz, peridot and other precious gemstones, we have an exceptional collection for you to enjoy. Many of our colored stones design pieces are by jewelry designers such as Mark Schneider, Daren Sherman, Andrew Sarosi, Eichhorn, Aurum, Michael Banzaf, Jenny Bryne, Denny Wong, and Larry and Stacia Woods.

Jenny Byrne Ivory

The Jenny Byrne Sterling and Ivory Jewelry collection is immensely popular with collectors of fossilized ivory, sterling jewelry and Alaskan jewelry art. The ivory used in her collection is gathered along the tundra and shoreline of northwestern Alaska by Inuit Eskimos who, as indigenous people, are allowed to collect fossiled mammoth tusks and walrus tusk ivory. This ivory is thousands of years old. After collection, the ivory is registered and processed in compliance with the International Marine Mammal Protection Act. It is then sold to artists such as Jenny.

This collection has many pieces in sterling silver, 22 Kt. gold or a combination of both. Mammoth Tusk Ivory and Walrus Tusk Ivory are easily cared for by simply wiping clean before storing.

Canadian customers please be aware that because the Canadian government does not acknowledge the International Marine Mammal Protection Act qualification for fossilzed ivory, we regretfully decline to ship Jenny Byrne Jewelry to Canada.

Please keep in mind that ancient fossilized ivory is an organic material with variations in the color from solid creamy white tones to dark chocolate brown. There are often variations in color within a single small piece of ivory, as well as small lines or marks. These characteristics identify your ivory piece as authentic fossilized ivory and the organic nature of this look is in accordance with product presentation.

Rare Grape Garnet

The name Grape Garnet was derived from the intense purple-red color of this wonderful garnet, reminiscent of merlot or cabernet wine. It is this rich purple-red color, together with the gem's firey brilliance, which makes rare grape garnet so desirable. This garnet is mined in the Indian State of Orissa on the bay of Bengal. Although garnets are found throughout the world, rare grape garnet is only found in this location. These gems must meet the stringent criteria to be considered grape garnet. They must possess the unique color grade and clarity, as well as be free of any inclusions visable to the eye.

Garnet is the birth stone for January. Rare Grape Garnet should be worn by anyone who loves rich purple colors and brilliant gemstones. Garnet has a hardness level of 7.25, which makes it very durable.

This collections offers an opportunity to own a fabulous natural stone in an unusually beautiful color.

Copper Tourmaline

Copper Tourmaline is a natural gemstone from Nigeria. It's warm chocolate pink color is rich and clear. This collection is by well known designer Daren Sherman of Aurum Designs, who won the Spectrum Award for these stunning rose gold and diamond pieces.

Seafoam Tourmaline

Seafoam Tourmaline has the cool, crisp color of beautiful green seawater. This incredible gemstone is from the icy peaks of the Himalayas. The mines produce thin crystals, called pencils, from which the gems are cut. It takes crystals completely free of impurities to cut the perfectly clear Seafoam Tourmalines. No treatments or enhancements are applied to any of the gemstones.

Seafoam Tourmaline is especially suited for today's fine jewelry designs. It comes in bright hues that accentuate fashion colors like lavender, greys and greens. It is cut to the highest possible standards to bring out it's full lustre. With a hardness of 7.7, it is suitable to all types of jewelry designs.

Natural Gold Nugget Jewelry

Natural gold nuggets are rare and possess a higher value per pennyweight or ounce than refined gold. Less than one percent of mined gold is in nugget form. We never alter the nugget in any way. Our pieces are mounted on frames, and/or set with a bail, leaving the nugget absolutely intact.

Gold in Quartz Jewelry

Natural Gold in Quartz is formed over time by the natural process of quartz rock slowly crushing gold veins. The beautiful result is seen in the gold veins exposed when the rock is cut and polished, creating a lovely natural composition. Our Gold in Quartz is completely natural, never altered or filled in any way.

Ammolite Jewelry

Like primary colors? Ammolite is possibly the most unusual material used in creating jewelry. Ammolite is actually not a gemstone at all, but the opalized surface of a large ancient fossil found in one location in western Canada. Our Ammolite stands apart because we choose only the best of the highest grade available. For you this means our Ammolite jewelry has deep blues and reds (the most cherished colors) and also virtually no dragon skin crackling on the surface (another grading factor). Our designs are classic and contemporary. If you find bright colors attractive, you will love Ammolite.

Russian Laquer Boxes

Russian Lacquer Boxes from the Fedoskino Association of Artists are the most prized lacquer boxes from Russia. Some in our collection are museum quality and highly collectible. Fedoskino boxes are created near Moscow by an association of artists who were first commissioned to produce these boxes by Tsar Alexander II. Each box is created by constructing the lacquer box and then slowly painting the very fine details using one or two haired brushes. These scenes are complex and intriguing, and the longer one looks at the boxes the more detail becomes apparent. A box may take years to create. Our Russian lacquer box collection offers you the opportunity to possess something very fine and unusual. We offer all the associated provenance.

Photos by Brent Keeney. Thanks Brent!

Our staff is here to assist you. Thanks to Sally, Patty, Rachel and Brent for caring about our customers.

Our front page model is Ms.Lindsey Forrest. Thank you, Lindsey!