:Shelby Gem Factory
{{short description|American artificial gemstone manufacturer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox company
| name = ICT Incorporated
| trade_name = Shelby Gem Factory
| image = ICTBuilding.jpg
| image_caption = Shelby Gem Factory
| hq_location_city = Shelby, Michigan
| hq_location_country = United States
| founded = {{start date and age|1970}}
| founders = {{ubl|Larry Paul Kelley|Craig Hardy}}
| defunct = {{end date|2019}}
| type = Private
| owners = {{ubl|Larry Paul Kelley|Jo Kelley}}
| website = shelbygemfactory.com
}}
The Shelby Gem Factory was the production facility of ICT Incorporated, a company in Shelby, Michigan, United States, that manufactured artificial gemstones through proprietary processes. ICT began operations in 1970 and closed in December 2019.
History
Larry Paul Kelley established ICT (International Crystal Technology{{Cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//ijqjzbbidrrsdzitkxkbohbfcejgcawy_wma-gateway002_1662884813149|date=February 7, 1999|newspaper=The Flint Journal|first=Pat|last=Shellenbarger|pages=F1, [https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//qkcljgnyufsfkwwhrggoxetyunpqmcal_wma-gateway005_1662884683810 F2]|via=GenealogyBank|title=Sparkling secrets: Out of the 'blue' comes 'diamonds'|access-date=November 4, 2022|archive-date=November 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104073035/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:1244BFFBAB8B8CE7@GB3NEWS-17E66EABD4AF4491@2451217-17E1DCC0CA9CB7EF@82?clipid=ijqjzbbidrrsdzitkxkbohbfcejgcawy_wma-gateway002_1662884813149|url-status=live}}) in 1970 with Craig Hardy and Tom VanBergen.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92142018/success-glitters-firm-shines-at/|date=September 18, 1992|page=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92142077/ 2E]|first=Barry|last=Rohan|title=Success glitters: Firm shines at producing gem substitutes|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|location=Detroit, Michigan|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=January 8, 2022|archive-date=January 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108214817/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92142018/success-glitters-firm-shines-at/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.shorelinemedia.net/oceanas_herald_journal/news/general_news/getting-their-sparkle-on-for-years/article_fcb9a64a-dce1-57bc-9538-883dda7208ba.html|date=December 9, 2019|first=Sharon|last=Hallack|title=Getting their sparkle on for 50 years|newspaper=Oceana's Herald-Journal|location=Shelby, Michigan|access-date=January 9, 2022|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109172127/https://www.shorelinemedia.net/oceanas_herald_journal/news/general_news/getting-their-sparkle-on-for-years/article_fcb9a64a-dce1-57bc-9538-883dda7208ba.html|url-status=live}} Kelley had worked for Dow Chemical in Ludington and at a factory in Ann Arbor that produced laser crystals.{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//azeduwlnmerbfwcptotajqlcwiahntum_wma-gateway004_1662884648888|newspaper=The Detroit News|page=3E|first=Jan|last=Weist|title=Man-made gems save on budget|date=August 20, 1990|via=GenealogyBank|access-date=November 4, 2022|archive-date=November 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104091542/https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2:143B808DB2B45FAC@GB3NEWS-168EC4C0CC7C2A8E@2448124-168EBF9B172853FA@34-168EBF9B172853FA?clipid=azeduwlnmerbfwcptotajqlcwiahntum_wma-gateway004_1662884648888|url-status=live}} The facility was sited in Shelby because the town had a new industrial park.{{Cite web |last=Kates |first=Kristi |date=December 31, 2012 |title=A Flaming Success at the Shelby Gem Factory |url=http://www.northernexpress.com/michigan/article-5988-a-flaming-success-at-the-shelby-gem-factory.html |access-date=September 8, 2015 |website=Northern Express |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305003726/http://www.northernexpress.com/michigan/article-5988-a-flaming-success-at-the-shelby-gem-factory.html |url-status=live }} By 2015, Kelley was ICT's sole owner.{{Cite news |last=Keefer |first=Melissa |date=February 7, 2015 |title=Shelby Gem owners love using science to create beauty |work=Ludington Daily News |url=https://www.shorelinemedia.net/ludington_daily_news/news/local/shelby-gem-owners-love-using-science-to-create-beauty/article_8d27f072-ae94-11e4-a04e-336015250066.html}}
The Shelby Gem Factory initially produced only synthetic ruby, with ruby lasers being the principal application, primarily sold to firms in California. However, laser technology was in its infancy, and the far greater profit potential of converting ruby rods into a variety of artificial gemstones of various colors led to a change in the factory's focus.{{r|Detr920918}} Larry Kelley built on Soviet research into cubic zirconia and became its first commercial producer, having solved issues of temperature control that had impeded its production.{{r|Flin990207}} For a time, cubic zirconia was a lucrative product line; Shelby opened factories outside the United States to keep up with demand.{{Cite news |last= |date=December 1, 2010 |title=Shelby Gem Factory celebrates 40 years |newspaper=Oceana's Herald-Journal |url=http://www.shorelinemedia.net/oceanas_herald_journal/archives/article_f903a80a-5560-50ee-855d-e994163228a2.html |access-date=September 3, 2015 |archive-date=October 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017053928/https://www.shorelinemedia.net/oceanas_herald_journal/archives/article_f903a80a-5560-50ee-855d-e994163228a2.html |url-status=live }} However, the value of cubic zirconia soon declined to the point that it was used as fill when the factory was expanded.{{r|Flin990207}} In 1983, ICT opened a faceting factory in southern China to create gemstones for jewelry use from the crystals produced in Shelby; this closed in 1991, and separate companies in China and South Korea were contracted to continue faceting. The South Korean market represented up to 40 percent of the factory's sales until a precipitous decline caused by the 1997 Asian financial crisis.{{r|Flin990207}} In 1994, the factory entered the business of recrystallizing rubies, buying low-grade gems from Myanmar to be melted down in the process.{{r|Flin990207}}
A 50-seat theater ran a presentation for visitors,{{r|OHJ191209}} and jewelry was sold on site.{{r|NoExp}}
The factory closed in 2019 after Kelley was diagnosed in 2017 with Alzheimer's disease. Other issues that contributed to the closing were worldwide competition and online markets.{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2019 |title=Shelby Gem Factory to close |url=http://www.oceanacountypress.com/2019/12/12/shelby-gem-factory-to-close/ |access-date=March 8, 2020 |newspaper=Oceana County Press |archive-date=October 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017053934/http://www.oceanacountypress.com/2019/12/12/shelby-gem-factory-to-close/ |url-status=live }} Larry Kelley died on October 24, 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.shorelinemedia.net/oceanas_herald_journal/news/obituaries/larry-paul-kelley/article_e3706672-eca8-5824-8569-0c4837d17bd2.html|title=Larry Paul Kelley|newspaper=Oceana's Herald-Journal|date=October 27, 2020|access-date=November 4, 2022|archive-date=November 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104073036/https://www.shorelinemedia.net/oceanas_herald_journal/news/obituaries/larry-paul-kelley/article_e3706672-eca8-5824-8569-0c4837d17bd2.html|url-status=live}}
Manufacturing
File:Skull Crucible.jpg gem-making furnace|alt=see caption]]
Some of the furnaces burned at {{convert|5040|F|C}}.{{Cite news |last=DeZutter |first=Hank |last2=DeZutter |first2=Pamela Little |date=June 3, 1993 |title=Idlewild, Michigan: These Parts |work=Chicago Reader |url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/idlewild-mi/Content?oid=882095 |access-date=November 8, 2015 |archive-date=August 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809112039/http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/idlewild-mi/Content?oid=882095 |url-status=live }} Factory tours were discontinued due to liability concerns attendant to the "very high temperatures and extremely bright light" and the unavailability of affordable insurance to cover the risk.
The gems were synthesized in a furnace. The Shelby Gem Factory's diamonds were simulants. The factory also manufactured simulated citrine and topaz, along with other birthstone substitutes.
See also
{{portal|Companies|Michigan}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
Further reading
- {{Cite journal |last=Tableman |first=Jan |year=2011 |title=Jewel of West Michigan: Shelby Gem Factory |journal=Michigan Country Lines |location=Okemos, Michigan |publisher=Michigan Electric Cooperative Association |pages=10–11 |url=http://www.countrylines.com/~country1/images/PDF/2011/June-11/HomeWorks_June-11.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005083114/http://www.countrylines.com/~country1/images/PDF/2011/June-11/HomeWorks_June-11.pdf |archive-date=2015-10-05 |url-status=dead }}
External links
{{Commons category|Shelby Gem Factory}}
- {{Official website|http://www.shelbygemfactory.com/}}
- [http://www.masoncountypress.com/2015/06/19/west-michigan-works-a-visit-with-shelby-gem-factory/ Shelby Gem Factory visit]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIaRaDyxdkk ICT YouTube video on explanation of semiconductor invention for making solar cells]
Category:Defunct technology companies of the United States
Category:Gemological laboratories
Category:Oceana County, Michigan
Category:Science and technology in Michigan
Category:1970 establishments in Michigan