From Silicon to Sparkle: The Story Behind Azotic’s Gemstone Revolution

Behind every beautiful gemstone lies a story — and few are as remarkable as the one that built Azotic LLC.

Founded by Steve Starcke, a former IBM engineer and lifelong rockhound, Azotic's journey didn't begin in a jewelry store but in the high-tech corridors of IBM. When the tech giant began its slow decline, Steve and a handful of colleagues who were laid off took a bold leap: they bought IBM's surplus equipment, and launched Azotic® in a defunct semiconductor lab, and began coating materials using vacuum-based sputtering technology.

At first, it was all about R&D and small-scale industrial coating jobs. But when global manufacturing shifted overseas, Azotic's prospects dimmed — until a flash of serendipity changed everything.

"I tossed a rock(crystal) in the machine just to see what would happen," Steve recalls. "It turned out pretty cool looking."

That "cool looking" crystal became the seed of something extraordinary. At the encouragement of his partner, Steve brought a small batch to the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show — and the response was electric. What began as an experiment became Aurora Crystals™, rainbow-coated quartz crystals made using titanium. They captured attention from both the metaphysical crystal community and gemstone enthusiasts hungry for something new.  Azotic® still enhances these beautiful mineral specimens into Aurora Crystals™ today.

Enter: Mystic Fire®

As momentum built, Azotic unveiled its breakthrough: Mystic Fire®, an enhanced topaz gemstone with an unmistakable rainbow-like brilliance. A distribution deal with a Brazilian-Colombian partner brought in steady monthly income and vaulted Azotic's creations into stores like Walmart, the Home Shopping Network, and showcases around the world.

"At one point, we had orders backed up for months," Steve remembers.

With innovation at its core, Azotic expanded to create new gemstone colors and enhancements, all grounded in durability, beauty, and patented processes that set them apart from cheaper knockoffs.

When the Smithsonian Came Calling

Perhaps the most astonishing chapter in Azotic's story came when a team led by Josh Worisek, Azotic's Operations Manager and lead color developer, was brought into a cross-Atlantic collaboration to recreate and visualize the history with the legendary Hope Diamond. The project brought together the Smithsonian Institution, the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, and renowned gem-cutter John Hatleberg.

Through several years of R&D, Azotic® was able to recreate a precise color match that replicated the rare and subtly muted tone of the original Hope Diamond — a hue that no uncoated cubic zirconia could convincingly imitate. Meticulous attention to facet angles and historical detail ensured the result was true to the original in every way.

"Josh handled the real Hope Diamond, standing next to our replica. You can't tell the difference," Steve says with pride.

The result? A simulated gem so exact in color and cut that it is visually indistinguishable from the original — now prepared for museum exhibitions around the world as a safe and stunning alternative to the most famous diamond in existence.

What Makes Azotic LLC Different?

While imitation enhancements flood the market — many fading under light, scratching easily, or degrading under low heat — Azotic's patented enhancements stand the test of time.

• Durability: Scratches only at the hardness of the host gemstone
• Heat & Light Resistant: Maintains color integrity even under harsh conditions
• Jewelry-Grade Quality: Designed specifically for long-term wear with proper care
• Exclusivity: Backed by patents and decades of refinement
• No Organics: No cheap lacquers or temporary fixes — only engineered durability

"Ours don't fade. They don't scratch. They're designed to last," says Steve. "If you're going for cheap, you might as well wear glass. But if you want something truly beautiful, that holds up — this is it."

Why We're Called Azotic

We chose the name Azotic for a few reasons. First, we wanted a name that started with "A" to be at the top of listings. The name also has a deeper meaning.

When we first started, we created Titanium Nitride coatings for cutting tools. We learned that the word "Azotic" is Latin for "nitrogen-containing," and since Titanium Nitride contains nitrogen, it was the perfect fit.

The word "Azotic" comes from "azote," meaning "without life." Nitrogen was discovered by a scientist who burned a candle in a jar to remove the oxygen. The resulting air couldn't support life, which is how nitrogen got its name. As Steve, our founder, says with a laugh, "It had an appropriately geeky sound to the word."

When asked about Mystic Topaz becoming a generic name, Steve said, "I am very proud that Mystic Topaz has become a generic name. Copying is the sincerest form of flattery."

Azotic Today

From a forgotten IBM machine to Smithsonian-level museum replicas, Azotic LLC continues to define what's possible in gemstone enhancement. Each creation is the result of years of dedication, technical excellence, and a genuine passion for beauty.

Azotic® Surface Enhanced Designer Gemstones™ — where science meets sparkle.

Explore more at www.azotic.us

Article written in collaboration with M. Seeley & J. Holmgren