About Todd

 
 

Welcome to a world where color takes precedence. If you are looking for diamonds, you have come to the wrong place.

Welcome to Tucson Todd’s Gems. We believe life should be celebrated with color. Color to express how you feel, to share your inner emotions, to express your creativity and bold self, to stand apart and be different, to be unique. Or maybe to simply mark an occasion, a delightful birthday, a monumental anniversary, or just to plain treat yourself to something different. At Tucson Todd’s Gems, our mission is to bring you ethically sourced, gracefully cut, magnificent gems. We also carry many one-of-a-kind, exceptional and out-of-this-world gems.

Take a look around our site and come visit us at an upcoming show. We are constantly adding to our vibrant inventory. Please contact us to discuss your gemstone desires. We look forward to working with you no matter your need, from in-stock, ready to go inventory, to custom faceting and design. Thanks for visiting!

Welcome to the end of the rainbow.

 

 
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Todd Wacks, aka "Tucson Todd"

The Crystal Machinist

G.J.G., A.J.A., G.P., A.J.P. (GIA)

Unearthing Beauty: The Passionate World of Todd Wacks
Todd does not merely view his craft as a profession; he sees it as a way of life. His unwavering love for gems has led him on a remarkable journey, characterized by the relentless pursuit of exotic rough and the meticulous art of transforming them into resplendent, faceted gems.
Hailing from the bewitching deserts of Tucson, Arizona, Todd's connection to gemology runs deep, rooted in his upbringing amidst the luminous landscapes of the Southwest.

For Todd, the thrill of the hunt for exotic rough is akin to a treasure quest, where each discovery holds the promise of hidden beauty waiting to be unlocked. His relentless search takes him to the far reaches of the globe, where he unearths rough crystals that speak to him, sparking the creative process that will eventually reveal their inner brilliance.

But Todd's artistry doesn't end with the discovery of these raw, uncut gems. Delving deep into the intricate process of "machining," he meticulously refines these rough stones, carving and polishing them until they exude an unparalleled allure. His skillful hands and keen eye for detail breathe life into each gem, transforming them into exquisite, faceted masterpieces that mesmerize all who behold them. Todd is driven by an inexhaustible passion for unearthing, shaping, and sharing the captivating beauty of gems. His journey is a testament to the profound impact of heritage and the unwavering pursuit of excellence in a craft that is, to him, nothing short of life itself.

 
 
 

Press

Mary van der Aa and Todd Wacks - Garanatus- TFMG 2025 Speaker Series
It's not just a necklace. It's an interactive work of art. It's an educational tool. It's a rainbow. It's all this and more.
YouTube, BlueCap Productions, 2026

AGTA Announces the 2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Winners
AGTA Press Release, November 2025

AGTA Announces the 2024 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Winners
AGTA EPrism Magazine, November 2024

Beyond Beauty: A Garnet Necklace Decoded
Gems & Gemology, Spring 2024, Vol. LX, 90th Anniversary

GIA GemAccess™-  GARANATUS: A Voyage of Color and Design
GIA GemAccess™, April 2024

A Window Into The 2024 Tucson Gem. Mineral & Fossil Showcase
Gems & Jewellery, Vol. 33, No. 1, Spring 2024

Jewelry is Magical at Downtown Gallery
Karen Schaffner, Tucson Weekly, January 2024

AGTA Announces the 2023 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Winners
AGTA EPrism Magazine, October 2023

And the 2022 Awards Go To…
AGTA Prism Magazine, Vol. 1, 2023

Cobalt Bearing Spinel from Tanzania
The Journal of Gemmology, Vol. 38, No. 5, 2023

Jewelry Award Celebration With Mary van der Aa and Todd Wacks at the 2023 Tucson Gem Show
February 2023

Tucson Gem Showcase Coverage
Gems & Jewellery, Vol. 31, No. 1, Spring 2022

Flashback to the Future- 2020 Pueblo Gem Show
February 2021 

How Rare Gemstones Reflect our Unique Qualities
October 2020

Here’s to the Men in Our Lives - Jewelry to Celebrate Men and Dads
June 2020

Color Change Pyrope
March 2020

Garnets from Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
The Journal of Gemmology, Vol. 36, No. 5, 2019

Gemology Worldwide Podcast: TUCSON 2019: THE GEM EXTRAVAGANZA
February 2019

Jewelry Navigator Podcast: Treasures of the 2019 Tucson Gem Show
February 2019

Journal of Gemology, Gem-A
Article about our stunning 11.13ct yellow dravite tourmaline from Tanzania.

 Journal of Gemology, Gem-A, April 2017
Cutting featured in article about a new deposit of Congo tourmaline

 Journal of Gemology, Gem-A, mid 2016
Cutting featured in article about new deposit of garnet found in Mahenge, Tanzania.

 Vanadium and Chromium-Bearing “Color-Change” Pyrope Garnet (Gems & Gemology, Winter 2015, Vol. 51, No. 4)

 Color- Change Garnet from Tanzania (Gems & Gemology, Spring 2015, Vol. 51, No. 1)

 The Interview
Interview with Todd Wacks about a new variety of pyrope garnet, color change.

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