About Jay King

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Jay King started out in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was a student selling Native American jewelry designs. It was a practical beginning, but one that laid the groundwork for what would become a decades-long journey into the world of gemstones and jewelry design.<br><br> While continuing his education, Jay developed a strong interest in unique stones and traditional craftsmanship. That interest quickly evolved into a larger endeavor. His first major platform was HSN, where he hosted a show called “Santa Fe Silver.” From there, he created what would become his signature jewelry line, “Mine Finds by Jay King.” The pieces in that collection featured uncommon and often rare stones sourced from remote areas around the world.<br><br> In the late 1990s, Jay officially launched Desert Rose Trading. The company became an outlet for his growing vision designs that blended southwestern styles with materials not often seen in the mainstream jewelry market. Jay’s eye for unusual stones and his commitment to quality began to resonate with customers, both through retail stores and through continued HSN broadcasts.<br><br> Desert Rose Trading focused on high-quality sterling silver paired with semi-precious stones. The company’s work stood out for its innovative use of traditional materials, and it gained traction through boutiques, department stores, and mail-order catalogs across the United States. At the center of it all was Jay’s pursuit of new stones and fresh designs, which helped keep the company’s offerings distinct and relevant.<br><br> Jay's travels have taken him to isolated places in search of stones that don’t often appear in conventional jewelry collections. In Africa, he sourced vibrant blue azurite. In Australia, he found delicate pink opal from a mine that few had access to. Each of these discoveries shaped a piece of the Desert Rose collection, giving the jewelry a connection to specific places and moments.<br><br> Today, Jay King and Desert Rose Trading continue to operate with the same principles that defined the early days: a focus on rare materials, quality workmanship, and a respect for the natural origin of every stone. The jewelry isn’t just decorative, it reflects years of travel, sourcing, and design, with each stone marking another chapter in the ongoing story of the brand.