About Us

Manzanita Gems was started by a husband and wife duo, Brian McCann and Dakotah Benson,  who have been collecting gemstones for over a decade. It all started before we got engaged.

During our quest for the perfect engagement ring, my husband and I were taken aback by the exorbitant prices of diamonds. Armed with limited knowledge, we decided to explore gemstones as an alternative, with a particular interest in sapphires.

As we delved deeper into this world, we discovered significant gaps within the jewelry and gemstone industry. These gaps included a lack of education, trust, and transparency. We wanted to offer meticulously curated precious and semi-precious gemstones, where pricing was clear, resale value was strong and the customers left feeling like they knew more than when they arrived. Moreover, we wanted to understand how our purchases directly impacted the local economies from which these gemstones originated.

Having crafted jewelry since the age of 11, I always knew that my life’s path would eventually lead me in this direction. Life is fleeting, and I firmly believe in pursuing what you love while leaving an indelible mark on the world. My passion centers around uplifting and supporting women and animals—a purpose that resonates deeply within me.