GemShades

Canadian born, and Caribbean raised, artist Naomi Hinds has been a staple in the Gem and Mineral community for over 20 years. Captivated by a deep love for gems & minerals, and fascinated by their endless variations of colors, textures, and patterns, Naomi is never at a loss for inspiration.

Having displayed her skills in a variety of mediums, Naomi is undoubtedly best known for her breathtakingly unusual, whimsical, and expertly crafted gemstone sunglasses. These GemShades are crafted from the finest quality gemstone slices, solid precious metal wire, and a level of skill, ingenuity, and attention to detail that is difficult to imagine.

 Originally created as a commission for the former curator of Gems and Minerals at the Smithsonian Museum in 2009, Naomi took this inspiration and ran with it, creating numerous variations on a theme. Because of the inherent specificity of each pair of gemstone lenses, Naomi has had to tap into her creative ingenuity, not just aesthetically, but in regard to the engineering of a comfortable, wearable pair of glasses. She has wholeheartedly embraced each new challenge, bringing creative innovations that make each pair a completely individualized work of art, taking up to 150 hours to complete.

 Naomi’s GemShades can be found in the collections of multiple well-known gem collectors and were featured at the annual AGTA show in 2015.