Created by: Hagop Kane Boughazian
A story for our times
Hidden Gems is a story that is perfect for our turbulent times. As we struggle as a nation, and a planet, to break down barriers and unite as one humanity, we must stand up against those who use our differences to divide us. We must show the next generation that labels do not define us and that we are free to write the course of our own future.
Hidden Gems explores a world where the desire to classify and label has torn the society in half, and anyone who doesn’t fit the mold is automatically labeled an outcast.
Our main characters, each struggling with their own identities, learn to appreciate their uniqueness and grow to understand that they are special for who they are – and that they are not as different as they were led to believe.
About the book
Hidden Gems is based on the children’s book series written by Kane. The first book in the series, Hidden Gems: Quest for the Great Diamond was released in Dec of 2019 and is already getting rave reviews, and it won 1st place in the IndieReader Discovery Awards. The second book in the series, Hidden Gems: The Jewel of Skarn Island was released in 2021.
“This engaging tale conveys a message of unity through vivid characters, plenty of action, and an unusual fantasy setting.”
— Kirkus Review
The World of Hidden Gems
Hidden Gems takes place in a vivid world of prismatic color where all the human-like beings, plants, and animals are living rocks and minerals. The Rock families live in sturdy rock neighborhoods and send their rock children to rock school. The Mineral families live in fancier mineral neighborhoods where mineral children attend mineral school and parents work at mineral companies.
Gem - Classification: Rock
Pyrite - Classification: Mineral
Opal - Classification: Mineral
Obsidian - Classification: Rock
Illustrations by Joel Sigua
Stibnite Giant Concept Art by Nikolay Razuev
GEM
Gem is brave, fearless, determined, and compulsive. She loves to exercise, run, and do parkour. She uses these traits as a defense mechanism to cover her hurt from being an outcast. With no fear, and no care about getting hurt, Gem jumps before she thinks.
Gem is an optimistic rock who desperately wants to belong. Born to mineral parents, Gem is torn between two worlds and quickly becomes an outcast from both The Rocks and The Minerals.
Obsidian
Obsidian is a rock that has never felt like one. He’s teased for being fragile and glass-like. After his father abandoned them, Obsidian became the man-of-the-house and has to now help his mother raise his little sister Snowflake.
Opal
Opal is a colorful mineral who loves to draw and learn everything about the world. Opal longs to find her mother who went on a geological expedition and never returned.
Pyrite
Pyrite is a loud mineral who’s always trying to make light of the situation. His rich parents are always off on adventures and Pyrite is ashamed of being “fool’s-gold”.
Stibnite Giant Concept Art by Tomislav Jagnjic
Title Track
Early Concept Art
Characters started out much older, in high-school.
Mrs. Quartz Concept Art by Joel Sigua
Mrs. Quartz
Mrs. Quartz Concept Art by Joel Sigua
Mr. Quartz
The Great Diamond Concept Art by Joel Sigua
The Great Diamond
Character Design Process
Early Gem Character Designs by Joel Sigua and Jose-Luis Segura
Early Obsidian Character Designs by Joel Sigua and Jose-Luis Segura
Early Opal Character Designs by Joel Sigua and Jose-Luis Segura
Early Pyrite Character Designs by Joel Sigua and Jose-Luis Segura
Stibnite Giant Layout Sketches by Tomislav Jagnjic