This Story is about where Keith Travels for Blue Sapphires
Where does inspiration come from? Where do the first sparks of design begin? For Cross’ Trade Wind Collection, the answers began at sea. It began with Captain John Henry Drew of Gardiner, Maine — born in 1834, the son of a ship’s carver. At just fifteen years old, he went to sea, eventually commanding a succession of clipper ships that sailed from New York City to China and back again during an era when a single voyage could consume more than seventeen months of a man’s life.
Unlike many sailors of his day, Captain Drew did not spend his quiet hours carving scrimshaw or tying sailor’s knots. Instead, he read voraciously. Mostly self-educated, he read books, and newspaper accounts, and also carefully recorded his voyages and experiences in beautifully handwritten and illustrated journals. Within those pages, we discovered not simply the story of a sea captain, but the inner life of a thoughtful man longing for home, family, purpose, and the hope of “making something of himself.” Across nearly two centuries, his words still feel familiar.
Captain Drew really Loved Maine
He wrote of Maine with unmistakable affection — of apples from home, tasting sweeter than any other found abroad. He imagined the warm glow from the windows of his family home and pictured loved ones gathered inside while he sailed thousands of miles away beneath foreign skies. At times, he even scolded himself for not accomplishing more during the short times while he was at home. In those moments he shared, Captain Drew feels to us less like a distant historical figure, and more like someone we already know. The story does not end there. Our jewelry in the Trade Wind Collection is created by Captain Drew’s great-great-great-grandson, Keith. And like his great Grandfather before him, Keith also felt the ocean calling went to sea at the age of eighteen. Keith served many years in the United States Navy, and his travels carried him to many of the very same ports once visited by his great grandfather’s clipper ships.
Why the World Gems Keith collected, Inspired one of the Most Important 21st Century Jewelry Collections
While others pursued more traditional sailor’s pastimes, Keith became fascinated with gemstones and the art of gemology. He studied tirelessly with the dream that one day, after his military service ended that he would return home and become a professional jeweler. Along his travels, he collected extraordinary gems from around the world. In time, he mastered the art of fine jewelry making, transforming those treasures into designs of remarkable beauty and craftsmanship. Keith especially fell in love with Thailand and all that it had to offer, astounded by the amazing treasure-trove of gems available in such quality. So much so, that even now, he returns to Thailand every single year for weeks at a time to procure the best gems available for our special collection.
When we first met Keith in March of 2014, we were immediately struck by the elegance of his jewelry. But as we learned more about his family history, we became captivated by something deeper — the remarkable parallels between the journeys of these two men, separated by generations, yet connected by the sea and by craftsmanship, and also by a restless desire to create something beautiful. The flowing lines of the designs echo wind-filled sails and rolling seas. The rich exotic colors recall distant ports and faraway horizons. The attention to detail — a trait seemingly passed from one generation to the next — speaks to the same care once required to protect a ship, its crew, and its precious cargo across dangerous oceans. Now that same devotion is expressed in precious metals and gemstones, crafted to endure and to bring joy for generations to come. There is a certain feeling one experiences watching a great ship under full sail crossing the horizon — a moment that makes you stop, stare, and quietly say, “Isn’t that beautiful?” That is the feeling this collection was born to capture.
Be Sure to read the Captain’s Journals
We were captivated by this story — and by the jewelry itself. We believe you will be too. Included here are pages from Captain Drew’s journals from the Voyage of the Franklin in 1868. As you read them, take a moment to reflect upon your own journey, the people you love most, and the precious gift of having them nearby.
Two Fascinating Views of Southeast Asia
1. Keith’s yearly expeditions– Personal views of Thailand
2. Keith’s great-great-grandfather’s clipper ship trips to Southeast Asia from the captain’s personal journals
2. Keith’s great-great-grandfather’s clipper ship trips to Southeast Asia from the captain’s personal journals
