Canada Day weekend is a time for many to kick back and relax. Whether it's at the cottage, a mini-vacation or some quiet time at home with those nearest and dearest, we all look forward to a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

But for Calgary native Ken Oschipok, the past 7 of 8 Canada Days have been spent in our studio promoting Ammolite Gems.

"Canada Day is very important to us. We are always part of The Shopping Channel's Canada Day festivities," Ken admits. "We always look to do something extra special for this visit because Ammolite is Canada's gemstone."

As the last precious gemstone discovered in the past century, Ammolite was given official gemstone status in 1981.

"It's a geological fluke of nature that has occurred nowhere else in nature other than this small location in southern Alberta," Ken explains.

A farmer's field to be exact, located just south of Lethbridge.

"The Blackfoot Indians believed that Ammolite had great healing powers. They used to call it the Buffalo Healing Stone. Today it's just as rare as diamonds and tanzanite."

And word is spreading fast about this Canadian success story. As Ken notes, he continues to travel the world, raising awareness about our homegrown gemstone.

"The world is becoming a small place and to find something exotic and new is difficult. That's the appeal of Ammolite. The nature of the stone is one-of-a-kind. Every jewellery piece is different and unique."

As a result, the world is beginning to embrace Ammolite. Ken admits he still gets goosebumps when people ask him about the gemstone.

"I was at one trade show recently," Oschipok remembers, "and these people approached me and mentioned that they had heard Ammolite was going to be the next biggest stone -- even bigger than tanzanite. I was taken aback."

For Ken, spreading the word about this miraculous stone has involved a lot of hard work. But it's a labour of love. Surprising considering Ken landed upon this career path by accident.

"I had a business and marketing education and I was looking at getting into interior design," Ken remembers. "When I applied for the position at Korite, I thought they were a design company. Who knew that 14 years later, I'd be traveling the world promoting Ammolite?"

But like countless Canadians, Ken couldn't resist the sweet allure of this multi-coloured gem.

It's no wonder Ammolite is a success at home as well as abroad. Viewers at The Shopping Channel love the fact that these stones are not only rare, but take pride in the fact that they carry Canadian citizenship. Still Ken cites another reason for the gemstone's popularity…

"Ammolite is functional because it is multi-coloured. From a fashion perspective, it goes with everything. My wife loves it because she wants to accessorize quickly and easily -- with ammolite you can."

And in case you were wondering why he happened to miss one July 1st visit in between his eight years at The Shopping Channel, Ken offers a very valid excuse…

"My wife was expecting around that time."

Priorities…priorities.