About Us

To know where you are going, you have to understand where you’ve been. Before the internet made the world a smaller place, business was done the old fashioned-way: face-to-face.  A handshake was your contract and your word was your commitment. Your reputation to your client was everything.  As we all know, business adapts to the times and a lot has changed over the years, but some things, fortunately, never do.
Gembraz got its roots in the 1960’s when, as a young boy growing up in Minas Gerais, Brazil, Alfredo Coelho was encouraged by his single mother to learn a trade in order to help support his family of 8 brothers and sisters.  Alfredo took an interest in learning the art of cutting gemstones from a seasoned stone cutter that lived in the neighborhood and from this humble beginning, he developed a passion for working with one of earth’s greatest rarities, precious gemstones.  But simply learning the art of cutting gems wasn’t enough.  His admiration for the natural beauty of fine gemstones coupled with an iron-clad work ethic, drove Alfredo to go beyond his small hometown to further develop his skill and travel the world in search of exceptional gems.
In 1989, with his wife and three young daughters in tow, Alfredo was motivated to take a leap of faith and expand Gembraz into the United States.  He settled in Los Angeles, CA where he currently operates his business.  Alfredo has been known as a master in his craft among clients worldwide. Gembraz has built a reputation within the gems community, of quality, integrity and unsurpassed expertise.  Gembraz offers a unique inventory, most of which has been cut and shaped with the expert hands and keen eye that over 50 years of industry experience brings. His collection includes classic gemstones as well as an inventory of extraordinary gemstones such as tourmaline, imperial topaz, emerald and aquamarine.  As a company, our dedication is to provide hand crafted quality, beauty and expertise in every gemstone to every client.