In a modest Phoenix‑area workshop, brothers Chris and Mike Rounis have turned their son’s lifelong fascination with rocks and fossils into a thriving family‑owned enterprise. Founded as Found In The Ground Candles, the company hand‑crafts one‑of‑a‑kind oil candles, stone gifts, and decorative serving stones, each made from natural stones collected from around the globe.
From childhood dreams to a pandemic pivot
When their son, Chris Jr., was a child he dreamed of becoming a geologist and paleontologist, spending countless hours on fossil hunts and rock‑collecting adventures. The family’s tourism‑related business was halted by the COVID‑19 pandemic, prompting the Rounis brothers to look at his collection with fresh eyes. They wondered if the natural treasures could become functional items people would use and cherish every day.
Hand‑crafted process
Every candle begins with a carefully selected stone. The stone is drilled, fitted with a refillable oil reservoir, hand‑polished, sealed, and finished to showcase its unique character. Because each stone is different, no two candles are ever exactly alike. The brothers emphasize preserving the natural beauty and history of each piece while transforming it into functional art that can be enjoyed for years.
Uses and customer stories
Customers purchase the candles as memorial gifts to honor loved ones, anniversary presents with a touch of humor, house‑warming offerings, or meaningful keepsakes. Some choose rose quartz candles to symbolize love, while others select stones that remind them of Arizona or a favorite place they have called home. The refillable design encourages the candles to become lasting keepsakes rather than disposable décor.
Six years and still growing
Six years after the business began in a garage, the Rounis family continues to produce each candle in their Phoenix‑area workshop with the same appreciation for nature that sparked the idea. Their greatest reward, they say, is knowing that each stone already carries a story millions of years old, and they have the privilege of helping it become part of someone else’s story.
Contact information
Found In The Ground Candles & Gifts can be reached at 480‑329‑3300 or through their website foundinthegroundcandles.com. They are active on Instagram (@foundinthegroundcandles) and Facebook (Found In The Ground Candles – Rock Candles, Stone Oil Candle Lamps, Gifts).
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
