If a German businessman had his way, a rare stone found in Dominica’s rivers could become a national treasure.
Andy Neubeck, who has been residing in Dominica for the past eighteen years, has been making jewelry out of the “Red Jasper” which he equates to a “precious gem stone.”
He explained that about seven years ago, a friend approached him and said that he had found something in the river. “I advised him it was a red jasper and since then we have been trying to promote it.”
Miss Dominica 2013, Leslassa Armour Shillingford, wore some of Neubeck’s jewelry when she participated in the Miss World Pageant held in Indonesia that same year.
In an interview with Dominica News Online (DNO), Neubeck is suggesting that government should consider making the Red Jasper Dominica’s “national stone.”
“I would really appreciate it if it was declared our national stone,” Nubeck said. “Immediately it would gain recognition as well as value. You have a national flower, you have a national bird, many other countries have national stones and yet we have because it is here.”
He said the stone does not come only in red but also in yellow and different combinations of colours.
“It is found in the rivers, we do not have to dig holes in the ground for it; not like you have to blow up a mountain to find it. It is readily found,” he pointed out.
The jewelry which Neubeck makes is currently being sold only in Dominica and he is calling on the relevant authorities to promote the Red Jasper.
“The tourism brochures that we give out to the rest of the world should mention that we have it…it could also be used as part of the tourism industry whereby people come and look for it, because it is found in the rivers,” he explained, “You can take tour guides to bring people out to the rivers where the stone is found, let them collect it…”and have jewelry made locally from it, he suggests.
Dominicans are extremely surprised by the fact that, “we have it,” Neubeck said and “often times because of that surprise want to own it, especially Dominicans from the diaspora.”
The stone can also be used as a firestone, “because it is very hard, it sparks and allows you to make fire eventually if you are using it properly,” Neubeck pointed out.
He explained the process of transforming the stone into jewelry.
“The rough stone is cut with a diamond saw to develop smooth surfaces then cut into slabs or slices. Then on the slices I draw on the shape I want it to come up with, whether rectangle, square…they are drawn onto the slice then those shapes are cut out with the diamond saw,” he said.
He continued, “Once the rough shape is established it is then glued on a stick and from there it is shaped on a diamond grinder. Once the diamond grinder is used you will end up with a more established finished shape that is fine sanded, then polished on a leather buff with some polishing compounds, namely tin oxide and cerium oxide. Then it is shining and ready to put into jewelry.”
However, he believes that the current processing capabilities need to be improved.
“New equipment would be good and at this present moment I am involved in teaching Dominicans how to practice, how to process the stone. It would be very beneficial if we had more equipment, more updated equipment because the stone is very hard. It really require top grade equipment, as such we need more technology.”
According to Neubeck, Red Jasper is found and promoted in eight different countries in the world, including Dominica.
I used to know Mr. Neubeck over 30 years ago when he was a goldsmith near Port Perry, Ontario, Canada. He is a very good man. Honest, trustworthy and talented. He’s also really a really cool personality.
(BTW Andrew, if you’re reading this, I worked at the XL gas station in Port Perry and you came to visit me from time to time. I still have your ‘NUBEY’ business card!).
Cheers,
Darren
The Chinese might be making a fortune silently. They seem to love our rivers and know its value more than we do. Check it out, research is the key!
Great idea Mr. Jeweller! Go for it Dominica!
Great job Andy n my bro at ur side workin dem stones
Hello, in the Team Dominica newspaper of November 25th there is a long article of Fitz Shillingford’s frustrations in getting the authorities to assist. Maybe the German will be more fortunate because he is a foreigner.
Dominica is sitting on riches, but we do not know how to go about extracting same. FEAR is our biggest obstacle. That stone is not the only thing that could take us close to out of poverty. After hurricane David it was said that Dominica had kerosene. Noni is sold at $40 per bottle in the states, almost everywhere in Dominica has Noni. There are a number of things that can be utilized to CHANGE the current status for us. Promotion is the key.
I will be back.
This includes proper processing also for health purposes. This takes funding and also a market.
Annoyed don’t annoy me!! Why claim it as our National Stone when it’s not exclusive to Dominica??? It’s beautiful but not unique. I love the stone however I think my point is well made. Think with your head and not with your heart. I don’t want us to look tehbeh.
Did someone say rear stones……well i am in …..let me go hunt the rivers. but really a while that red stone my kids got several of those in rivers in Dominica, we maybe threw that after a while. hmmmmm
If so, they are ‘rare’ stones.
good idea it looks beautiful
Excellent article. This Jeweller is an honest man. He is not in this selfishly and to get filthy rich. Otherwise he would not promote it. I hope the government pays heed and also assists him to obtain proper equipment to process the stones. He should be given sole manufacturer and distributor.
It is a natural resource which could generate funds. The area where they are found should be government-protected and charge those who want the stone. The Jewellery should be given some concession.
I meant “The Jeweller”.
Please, please, please! This stone is not rare. It is classified as a cheap gemstone and will not get anyone rich.
Whatever, they make good jewelry. Have you seen the crappy costume jewelry which are sold in stores, purchased and worn, some inferior ones at that? I am not referring to those sold in Dominica.
You are right, except where you mentioned making that person sole manufacturer and distributor.
Oh my “Red Jasper” I can see comrade skeritt-labour party re-namining it after the grilfriends, or wife
You could do likewise for yourself.
I SUPPORT THIS 100% He has always been promoting it also and he really does make beautiful jewelry with it also. Andy keep up the good work
As a diaspora Dominican, I would love to own some of this jewellery. I can just imagine getting compliments and being able to tell people that this is the national stone of my country. Perhaps it can be promoted in-country as engagement rings, just as the Argentinians do with rose quartz, which they call Inca Rose.
If you are so enamored by your country, why is it that you left and didn’t return? You know why. Because it is not easy living here. And yet the Diaspora come in to vote on matters that they know nothing about just because it is a paid for trip.
Every time I hear the word “DIASPORA” I get pissed off. This is the new national cuss word.
Pronounced “Die Ass Poorer”
Great story, DNO. Thanks to both DNO and Mr. Neubeck for bringing this potential opportunity to the public’s attention. Support should be given to developing it as an industry. Support should also be given to developing a cosmetic industry with our local plants. But we need a government with the right vision and focus to take these possibilities forward.
Then kiss our rivers goodbye, excavation, heavy equipment. It is not worth it. I hope government stays out of it. This stone is basically found worldwide.
Where is the raw material coming from? Are permits and licenses needed to collect and process our natural resources? Do foreigners need work permits to establish businesses here especially if our natural resources are being exploited and exported? Good looking cuts of stone but there is more to this operation than meets the eye
Don’t worry, the Chinese will claim it.
That should be “make” #typo
Cyrique read the article before you made such foolish comments. “According to Neubeck, Red Jasper is found and promoted in eight different countries in the world, including Dominica.”
this could sell for lots of money in the middle east, they put things like that in silver rings and other types of jewelry.
The jewellery is lovely and I believe that we are blessed by having this gorgeous stone on our Isle of beauty & splendour. My only concern is that we need to be sure that this stone can only be found in Dominica before claiming it and declaring it our National Stone/ Gem. I actually believe that this stone may be found elsewhere as I found a piece on the beach in St Croix at one of the best resorts. It was quite a huge one. We need to approach with caution!!
um, it’s found all over the world, if it was only in Dominica, Dominica would be the richest Caribbean country…
“According to Neubeck, Red Jasper is found and promoted in eight different countries in the world, including Dominica.”
According to Neubeck, Red Jasper is found and promoted in eight different countries in the world, including Dominica.
May be it was brought over from Dominica to St. Croix
the government has been approached by a team of local jewelers and another german elder man, who has been leaving in dominica for over 20 years now, about the jasper on a few occasions over the past 10 years. No matter how many expertise was brought to those meetings the government showed little interest. In fact one of the promoters, who was at those meetings is the one who would search and find the jasper for his jeweler friend. they live in the belles area, became quite frustrated when meeting after meeting they were not taken in seriously. So now that another person has brought it out to the media this time let us see what happens. In case u are wondering i am preview to that information because of a personal friend who was one of the jewelers at those meetings.
I love it! Jewelry made right here in Dominica from river stones. AWESOME! DNO excellent article by the way
Oh did not know it was jasper, cool , btw don’t go scouring the river for them like mad, cause they aren’t worth much, but they look nice at least
If he makesmoney from them, they are worth something and internationally.
I would like to know where I can go see this jewellery.
Admin: His workshop is located on Castle Street opposite DOMLEC. However, it is closed until January 5.
Thank you admin. Will certainly give this a look.
Thanks big up to DNO these are the type of things we want to see, a way forward, now we can look forward to buying or looking for this man work so we can give gifts and promote something local just like our peanut punch. I love this story, now here’s something I will back anyone who wish to ask the government on cutting out a class room at the DSC buying the equipment and having classes on that sector, rite now we trying any and everything to put us in a positive light.
Let us see how much effort the Mal papaille government will capitalize on this opportunity. There may not be money in there for their own private interest but for there is money in there for the young people. Let us see how much emphasis will be placed on promoting this gem.
here you go again with stupid comments
Prove to me that we don’t have a mal papaille goverment. The country’s productive sector is dead and our export sector is in internment. Give me your facts and then I will rescind my statement.
when I speak I do so from an enlightened position. Several business in is ties have come to the desk of these corrupt politicians and many or most have not materialized. Wait to hear about the geothermal energy failure and then come engage me
Did you not know? Whatever is found in Dominica belongs to the people, the government. The government has a right to control it and to make some money off it for the country’s revenue.
Where can I find Mr. Neubeck? I didn’t know he existed. Such fine jewelry is made right here at home!!!!!!!!! Gorgeous. This would make a great gift for Dominicans who live overseas, plus I am ALL ABOUT doing anything and everything locally.
SUPPORT LOCAL! I can’t wait to see more of Neubeck’s work close up. Giddy with excitement.
Adjacent to DOMLEC