About Us

IT ALL BEGAN WITH A LOVE FOR ROCKS

Founder of Gneiss Guy, Ken Dardano's love for rocks, minerals and fossils began as a child when his father, Nick Dardano, would take Ken and his brother, Nick Jr., on business trips near mines in Quebec. The miners would give the boys rocks every time they would visit, a small start to a new passion.

GNEISS GUY STARTED IN LOCAL CLUBS AND SHOWS

After joining a local collector's club, Ken decided to attend his first Gem and Mineral Show in Ottawa in 1990. Ken attended more and more shows each year, bringing more and more specimens each time. Gneiss Guy transformed from a basement, to a shed, to a storage space, to 3 warehouses.

WE'VE BRANCHED OUT ACROSS THE GLOBE, WHILE REMAINING A FAMILY BUSINESS

Along the way, we've created relationships with miners, collectors, and other sellers all around the world, all while maintaining a family-run business that strives to deliver the best quality products straight from the mines or from amazing collections at a fair price. We employ family members, students, and other enthusiasts.