In 1987, the three Ellis Jewelry Store sent their top brass to Antwerp, Belgium to buy diamonds. That included Jim Ellis from Frankfort, Mike Ellis from Lebanon, and John Anderson from Martinsville. Rigid rules were enforced. Passports were surrendered when entering each diamond cutting plant. Jim Ellis came home knowing he had bought 100 stones. They were delivered by an armored vehicle, and payment was wired to Belgium. Only then could each stone be examined.
After their original 1987 trip to buy diamonds in Antwerp, Belgium, Mike Ellis made several more trips. Here, Mike examines a stone from a packet he purchased in 1994.