Enter the Earth specializes in minerals and fossils from Madagascar, while also featuring unusual specimens from many other localities around the world.  Beside specimens, we have an array of unique gifts and jewelry created with rock, mineral, and fossil lovers in mind. 

Nader Kawar began Enter the Earth nine years ago, with the concept to retail high-quality minerals. Nader’s business plan in 1998 included traveling cross country with Widespread Panic, selling minerals to Panic fans.  Besides his love for the music, this proved to be a lucrative strategy, with Widespread Panic performing over 125 times that year (link to Everyday Companion).

Enter the Earth also became a familiar vendor at the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil show.  Known as the largest Gem Show in the world, The Tucson show annually attracts more than 3500 different merchants from around the globe.

 While in Tucson, Nader was introduced to Paul Obeniche, a native of Madagascar and the sole proprietor of the only mine that produces the beautiful Ocean Jasper.  (link - ocean jasper story) . Paul became Nader’s business mentor and friend.  Nader began, what would soon become, frequent trips to Madagascar in search of high-quality minerals and fossils, often hand picking the most unique pieces.

 
The business gradually expanded to include the retail gallery opening in October 2002 in the historical Grove Arcade, downtown Asheville, NC.  The gallery features many distinctive and interesting lines that are not always available online, and is always worth a visit.  2004 saw the opening of Enter the Earth’s Wholesale business, featuring many of the high-quality items that we are best known for.