La Verne and Marvin are life-long residents of the Silver City area and are descendants of original pioneer families who settled the area.

Marvin and La Verne met 22 years ago, after long and colorful early careers in ranching and farming in the Grant County area. After working with each other on several projects, they decided to go into business together and started Little Walnut Interiors in Silver City, an interior design and decorating business. The business was successful and for many years provided them with a creative outlet for their artistic talents within the steadily-growing local community.

By 1988, however, they were ready for new challenges and decided to pursue a life-long interest that they both shared in gems and minerals. They closed the decorating business and opened Royal Scepter Gems and Minerals. The new venture proved to be an exciting and fun-filled undertaking for both of them.

As the business grew steadily over the next 10 years, so did the opportunities for La Verne and Marvin to become ever more deeply involved in the expanding interest that was developing around the many different types of precious and semi-precious gems and minerals that are unique to this southwestern corner of New Mexico. Exquisite jewelry made from local turquoise, malachite, azurite, and fire agate became the specialities of the house.

La Verne and Marvin retired in 1997, selling their business to Marvin's cousins and moving to Mule Creek where they could continue to hunt minerals, ride their 4-wheelers, and become involved full time in the artwork they both love.

Now in their 70s, their passion for creating unique and exciting jewelry and art from materials they find themselves locally continues to grow, giving the visiting collector to the area a very special opportunity to acquire rare gemstone and rock art that is unique to Southwestern New Mexico.