Don Kogen Live on Rocks & Co.

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<img src="/images/don-mix.jpg" border="0" hspace="3" vspace="1" align="right" />The guessing is over… that man in black, the ‘Gem King’, Don Kogen will be making his Rocks & Co. début this weekend. Tune in from midday Friday to Sunday and get ready to be inspired as your interest in gemstones is supercharged by the unbeatable combination of sheer passion, encyclopaedic knowledge and two decades of experience. If you are a lover of gemstones, chances are you already know Don, but for those in the dark, let’s take a moment to meet a man, for who gems are part of his soul.<br /><br />A larger than life colourful character, Don has over 20 years of experience in the gemstone and jewellery industry. Growing up, Don lived in many countries that feature predominately in the gem biz, but it wasn’t until he arrived at the regional gem hub of Chanthaburi, Thailand in the eighties that his professional career seriously commenced. While still in his teens, Don familiarised himself with every aspect of the local gem industry - from mining and cutting to trading, right up to international distribution and beyond.<br /><br />Don’s professional achievements are remarkable… opening a gem business from scratch via direct sales trips to US wholesalers and later a mailed catalogue; turning a handful of items on eBay into a successful e-commerce business that at its peak was the world’s leading online supplier of gemstones; manufacturing gemstone jewellery for television shopping networks in both the UK and US; one of the founders and the driving force behind the world’s first vertically integrated dedicated jewellery shopping channel; representing Thailand at the GILC (Gemstone Industry Laboratory Conference); former ambassador for the CGA (Chanthaburi Gem and Jewellery Traders Association); international media appearances including Forbes magazine and CNBC. Google him for more.<br /><br />Internationally respected and admired, Don’s huge influence has impacted the gem biz across five continents. Talk to any gem trader in any country and chances are they know of Don. After experiencing meteoritic business growth and an eventual public listing, Don finally hung up his spurs in 2007 for the quiet life of semi-retirement. Today, he is considered the ‘ultimate’ gemstone collector and owns one of the world’s largest private gemstone collections. <br /><br />Mentor and good friends to Gem Hunter, Tony Diniz and Gavin Linsell, author of the Rocks & Co. published ‘The Clever Gem Buyer’, Don has finally been persuaded to make a public appearance. This weekend he will be sharing his unique point of view on a very special selection of exquisite gemstone jewellery from the Rocks & Co. vaults. This is an exclusive opportunity to experience an extra special guest. Whether you are new to jewellery or an experienced connoisseur, you owe it to yourself to spend some time with Don this weekend on Sky channel 642 (8am - 2am) and Freeview channel 49 (8am – 10pm).<br /><br />Do you have a question for Don? Either text him on 82222 (just put STUDIO followed by your question) or email <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>.
 
Yippee! All the way down to bargain town, probably not, but he IS fun. Perhaps he can finally tell me the difference between the Tanzanian Ruby and red African sapphire ...
 
Yippee! All the way down to bargain town, probably not, but he IS fun. Perhaps he can finally tell me the difference between the Tanzanian Ruby and red African sapphire ...

No such thing as a red sapphire. If it's a true red (not pink) and a sapphire, it's a Ruby regardless of whether it's from Tanzania or not.

Quelle surprise - Don Kogan???? Surely not????? Goodness me! I'm speechless (not)! Well I'm glad that Rocks have decided to trot out the big guns after giving us the Moaning Minie Brothers. They had to do something to try and get back some credibility.
 
Why don't Rocks leave Tony & Tenner to gem hunting and cutting and bring Gav and Don in as the experts?? Sounds a better scenario to me :)
 
Does anybody else think Don looks like he's a slimmed down version in his photo? He looks really well.
 
Yup, Meeshoo, looks to be a shadow of his former self.... and the first time I can recall seeing him in anything other than a balck shirt!
 
I always enjoyed the times Gav came over here for Gems, but I don't think I've come across Don before and I missed him today. Was he worth watching? xxx
 
Don was quite entertaining to watch, in ye olden GTV days, Argey..... he was always dressed completely in black.... used to say it was because of " slimming effect" of black.... not entirely successful, there then!! I like a person that can make self-deprecating remarks .
As to the goodies he brought us then...He was usually pretty good at getting my credit card in gear!
 
Definitely a slimmed down version of DK, his youngster must be a well grown toddler by now, probably keeping him active!

Enjoyed watching him in his Gems days, he was a salesman 'extraordinaire' and always made interesting
viewing in his 'bargain town' mode.

PS Anybody recognise what gemstones they are examining in the photo..........answers on a postcard pleez. :wink2:
 

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Definitely a slimmed down version of DK, his youngster must be a well grown toddler by now, probably keeping him active!

Enjoyed watching him in his Gems days, he was a salesman 'extraordinaire' and always made interesting
viewing in his 'bargain town' mode.

PS Anybody recognise what gemstones they are examining in the photo..........answers on a postcard pleez. :wink2:

Postcard: Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Diaspore (Zultanite).

Goodness gracious - you can see how much weight Don has lost when you compare this photo. Well done Don!
 
Just for you Meesh.........

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I'm guessing this photo was taken when they (Gems and one of the Wobito brothers) linked up to create the 'one-off' Wobito snowflake Zultanite stone that Don brought over from Thailand. Looks like they may be selecting a suitably large stone for this very special cut.

The link below is an article by Rudi Wobito on how he went to Turkey looking for suitable Zultanite rough and also filmed a
documentary made by GemsTV. Picture of the Snowflake on page 3.

http://www.zultanitegems.com/images/article-1208.pdf
 
Thanks for the heads up! I will be sure to watch another channel as I am unable to bare him for more than 30 seconds. Sorry all the DK fans but I just don't see the attraction :)
 
I met DK at Gems Towers, and he certainly does look like he's lost a lot of weight since then. Didn't see him today, but certainly heard the screeching banshee when I was at my Mum's - sorry, but her voice could shatter plate glass!
 

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