History of Dick's Rock Shop

(Aug. 2004) - When Dick's Rock Shop lost its original owners within two years of each other, it looked like the end for the then 25 year old establishment.  But with some encouragement from customers and lots of help from her friends, Diana Wing, a relative of the owners, decided to keep the business going.  Two years later the little shop on highway 85/87 just north of Highway 16 is still rocking.

Richard Stearns of Minnesota had retired from the US Army and had been introduced to stone-cutting and jewelry-making by Cecile Burghard, the aunt of his Colorado-native wife, Flossie Wing Stearns.  Richard had a knack for the hobby and Cecile encouraged him to turn it into a career.  Cecile and Richard opened a lapidary shop and gift store in August of 1978.  Flossie quit her accounting job to work with them handling the books and working in the store.  Cecile did jewelry-making, stone cutting and silver-smithing while Dick used his skills for repairing, designing and creating pieces of jewelry from rocks and gem-stones found on rock hounding trips and from folks who brought them in from all over the world.  They enjoyed all the people they encountered as clients, business associates, rockhounds, jewelry-makers, sculptors, crafters and artists.

The venture proved to be more than just a career.  Through the business they made many life-long friends.  The Stearns became active members within the community and in less than 10 years Dick became the president of the Colorado Springs Meterological Society.

Illness overcame Dick and he passed away in the summer of 2000.  Flossie's sister Diana Wing, an accountant with some background in the gold, silver and jewelry business, moved from Aurora to Security to help out.  Under Flossie's guidance, she began to learn the basics of the lapidary business and attended trade shows - meeting vendors, artists and tradesmen.  Her on-the-job training was going very well when Flossie passed away unexpectedly in the Spring of 2002.

Diana was shaken and unsure of her ability to carry on the family business.  Friends and customers convinced her to give it a shot.  Long time family friends Yolanda Conway, Kitty Smith and Brande'Ann Danley have been instrumental in the continued success of the shop.  Even competitors like Ackley's, Chapita Gems and Claim Jumpers have been and continue to be supportive.  Diana has made some changes since she took over, but prides herself on maintaining the friendly atmosphere and service customers have come to expect.