The Gem Factory Mineral treasure house from rough to polished, The Gem Factory offers Custom stone cutting, Gemstone setting, Jewelry designs, Ring sizing,and Repairs. We carry a large variety of Semi and Precious gemstones, raw minerals and jewelry. Our show rooms are over 3500 square feet in size and have a top level to the shop, a wishing well and an additional bottom level with new display casings, more jewelry pieces, bead making supplies, books, and plenty of space for its extensive wood carving and precious stone collections.     The Gem Factory opened its doors to retail trade in 1996, with jewelers Pedro Martinez, his wife Martha and son Chris. When he opened a gem retail shop, he chose Franklin, North Carolina, as the ideal location for his new home and business.     Since he was a young man in Cuba, Mr. Martinez has been creating jewelry. He began the trade when he establised a casting company in Miami. His son Chris began helping his father in the business, honing his craft at an early age until in his early twenties he became a full-time expert jeweler. Chris married Laurel Parham-Martinez, whose experience includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewelry Design and Metalsmithing from the Savannah College of Art and Design, an apprenticeship under a German jeweler for a year, and attending the New Holland Lapidary School. Chris and Laurel also completed a course at the John C Folk School in jewelry. Martha Martinez knows the jewelry pieces in and out, and she always has a big smile when you walk in the door. Working by her husband's side for years, she has a knack for finding the specific piece of jewelry you're looking for, and if it's not in the store, she will help you create it.     With a collective seventy years of experience in design, casting, fabrication and stone-cutting, the Gem Factory can meet your jewelry needs, no matter how unique, large or small. Open ALL Year Monday-Saturday 9-6 & Sunday 11-5, Closed Easter, Christmas Eve and Christmas, January thru March Closed on Tuesday. Directions to The Gem Factory 3348 Georgia Rd, Franklin, NC 28734 (828) 524-9193 E-mail: martinez@gemfactorynorthcarolina.com View Yahoo Map