About TOG-Gems
Two old friends, one lifelong passion for exceptional gemstones.
TOG stands for Two Old Guys — which is exactly what we are. TOG-Gems was founded to bring together a lifetime of gemological passion and expertise with decades of business experience, built on a simple idea: exceptional stones deserve to be handled by people who genuinely love them.
Based in beautiful Bend, Oregon — where nature and the outdoors are a way of life.Mani Pureheart
Co-Founder · Gemologist
Mani Pureheart, co-founder of TOG-Gems, has dedicated over 58 years to the world of beautiful stones. His journey began at the tender age of three, when he sold pretty rocks to his neighbors, nurturing a lifelong passion for nature's treasures.
At 23, while recovering from a near-fatal auto accident, Mani took a pivotal step by studying gemology through the Gemological Institute of America, earning certifications in colored gems and diamonds, and undertaking the colored gem identification course. Over the decades, he has combined his love for beauty with his artistic expertise, creating award-winning, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces in his retail stores located in Sunriver, Tigard, and Sisters, Oregon. Now retired from the retail scene, his love of gems and fine jewelry is reflected in the stones and jewelry displayed on this website.
His extensive network of friendships with gem and mineral dealers and miners worldwide allows him to source raw materials directly from the miners. These carefully selected raw gems are then entrusted to well-seasoned and respected cutters, ensuring high-quality, natural, and expertly cut stones. Mani's dedication to excellence has made his gems highly sought after by collectors, jewelers, and retail clients alike, solidifying his reputation as a passionate and skilled connoisseur of rare and exquisite stones.
Chuck Allen
Co-Founder · Business Development
Chuck brings decades of executive business experience to TOG-Gems, complementing Mani's gemological expertise with a background in building and scaling organizations.
His career includes establishing and managing an international subsidiary for Microsoft, along with serving as COO of two successful startups — both later acquired by major financial institutions, Citigroup and Nasdaq.
TOG-Gems was founded to combine that business development experience with Mani's decades of industry knowledge and passion for gemstones, bringing a well-run, trustworthy operation to collectors, jewelers, and retail clients alike.