Tucson - Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show

It is no secret that this is one of my all time favorite Tucson Venues...

           ....you are welcome whether you are Retail or Wholesale (there is a Wholesale Only)
           ....goods run the gambit of finished jewelry - jewelry supplies - cut stones - designer faceted stones -
               gem rough, fossils and minerals.

New Era Gems - http://www.neweragems.com/

Fire Agate Rough

Fossil Coral slabs

Fossil Bamboo

Turkish Diaspore Cut & Rough

Steve Ruse Designs - one of a kind jewelry (fine silver) and carvings (ancient ivory)

http://highdesertgemsandminerals.com/

Oregon Sunstone - Tourmaline - Blue Chacedony

Himalaya Tourmaline Mine - California

You KNOW you want some...

Gems in Gems - there is no website for this vendor so this is the only time I get to catch up with the fabulous Marco!   these are Gems In Gems!

terminated tourmaline crystals in clear quartz

Iron Stain as a design feature

Hemimorphite

Polished Ammonite

Sunset Quartz

Tucson - Check In

People always ask for cost saving tips when planning a trip to the Tucson Gem Show...

Probably the biggest expense for anyone is lodging!  ...at $150 and up per night the local hotels can take all your gem spending capital!  What I have always done is rent a space in someone's home or rent a vacation rental...you can find links to vacation rental sites in the right hand column of this blog.

You are basically moving into someone's home and that is how it should be treated - no wild parties - but I know that none of my readers would ever!!!  ;-D

To give a couple of examples - one year I rented a room from a local artist and it was a fabulous experience that I will not forget - not only did I get to meet the wonderful Kate McKinnon but I also was introduced to an entire group of artists from another segment of our industry!!!  they were wild evenings even though I usually was tied to my computer!

This year I rented a three bedroom home with friends - boy did we luck out!!!  I can't sing the praises of this place enough...you could roll in dead tired and it is so well set up that you could shower and have coffee in the morning BEFORE having to go to the store for supplies.  With a Washer & Dryer - Cable TV and WIFI what more do you need?

Here is a brief glimpse of the Common Areas:

Backyard view from the Master Bedroom:

View into the Dining Room:

Living Room:

Day One - Already Over Whelmed!!!

Slept in this morning and really got a refreshed start to the day!  ...I thought!

Yes, I knew as soon as I packed all those long sleeved shirts that it would be hot and it is GLORIOUS!

Ann Marie and I headed out to the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show.  It is no secret that this is one of my favorite and this year is no exception...

At the Moldavite & Sugilite Co. Booth and the day started with rings -  Peridot Rings...


Rose Quartz Rings....



...oh and did I mention Rings?  Labradorite Rings!

...and Sugilite & Labradorite micro-faceted strands.











I really wish I could have gotten a better shot of the Opal - it is amazing.

TUCSON 2012: Vendors Worth Looking For!

WE HAVE TWO SHOWROOMS FOR THE 2012 GEM SHOW:

HOTEL TUCSON CITY CENTER/INN SUITES AND TEP (TUCSON ELECTRIC PARK)

Geoff's Aerolite Meteorites Hotel Tucson City Center showroom (Suite 323 - Hotel Tucson City Center at 475 North Granada at St. Mary's, one block east of I-10) is open every day from Friday, January 27 through Saturday, February 11 from 10 to 6 pm. Aerolite Meteorites is in Suite 323 and don't miss our great friend and gem show partner, Anne Black of Impactika Meteorites in Suite 322.

Our Aerolite Meteorites tent at the TEP (Tucson Electric Park) show in 2011 was a huge hit with Meteorite Men fans and meteorite collectors, and we'll be back again in 2012. Our TEP booth will be offering an incredible assortment of quality iron meteorites—large and small—at wholesale prices to the public. TEP booth open from Saturday, January 28 through Sunday, February 12 from 10 pm to 6 pm. You will not believe the prices on our superb iron meteorites. Come see us first!

EVAN JONES UNIQUE MINERALS

Evan Jones and Marc Miterman have joined forces as UNIQUE MINERALS bringing you the combined experience of over 65 years in minerals. Please stop by and see us at our two Tucson Show locations.

UNIQUE MINERALS

FEB. 2- 6

THE WESTWARD LOOK FINE MINERAL SHOW

ROOM 315

FEB. 9-12

THE TUCSON GEM & MINERAL SHOW

BOOTH 516-518

FEATURING:

AZURITE, MALACHITE, BROCHANTITE, MILPILLAS MINE, SONORA, MEXICO

We bring you the finest and largest selection

SMOKY QUARTZ

LINCOLN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO

The best smoky quartzes from the USA

QUARTZ, EPIDOTE, FLUORITE

SANTA TERESA MTNS., ARIZONA

Featured in the upcoming "Collecting Arizona" book

MINERALS OF ARIZONA

Celebrate the Centennial!

February 3rd -- 6th, 2012

The 11th Annual Westward Look Resort Mineral Show
at the Westward Look Resort in Room #230 (Building 21)

... AND

February 9th -- 12th, 2012 
The 58th Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
at the Tucson Convention Center in Booth #517-521

 We're bringing plenty of new items including newly discovered, and classic mineral specimens from around the world, exciting gem crystals, custom faceted and carved gemstones, and one-of-a-kind pieces of custom jewelry.  Stop in and see us and check out all the new pieces we have to offer.  We look forward to seeing all of you there !!  

Andesine Locales Added to AGTA Seminar Schedule

Andesine & Labradorite from Tibet, Inner Mongolia, Mexico & Oregon: A Tucson Panel Discussion
Moderator: Dana Schorr

Panelists:  Richard Hughes, Ahmadjan Abduriyim, George Rossman, Adolf Peretti with Shane McClure & John Emmett

The mining of natural red and green andesine in Tibet and near-colorless andesine in Inner Mongolia has been a subject of controversy.  Large quantities of diffusion-treated andesine from Inner Mongolia entered the world markets without proper disclosure starting about 2000; however the idea that there might also be a source of natural red andesine in Tibet has been met with extreme skepticism from some quarters.  This has not only polarized the gemological community, but has also created a lack of confidence in natural Oregon sunstone.

This program will present the latest results from field visits to both Tibet and Inner Mongolia, along with advanced testing of stones from each of those deposits. 

Simple tests will be described to separate both Tibetan and Inner Mongolian andesines from Oregon sunstones.  The purpose is to finally put to rest the controversy surrounding these stones.

Free samples will be handed out to all attendees.

Tucson 2012: Vendors, Vendors, Vendors...

                            

"One new piece that I am exceptionally excited about is the Olive branch bib necklace. As beautiful as it looks in pictures, it's even more stunning around the neck. This bold statement piece effortlessly fills in the neckline."                         Aaron Henry

Gene McDevitt

McDevitt Opal Mining

http://koroit.com/

GJX Gem & Jewelry Show - Booth 105

198 S. Granada

January 31 - February 5, 2012
Hours: Jan. 31 - Feb. 4, 10am-6pm; 
Feb. 5*, 10:00am to 4:00pm.
*No buyers admitted after 3pm on Feb. 6. 

We are so excited to be bringing you 100+ classes this year at Tucson Electric Park (TEP) this January 28-February 12, 2012. We have pulled together a very impressive international team of instructors to bring you the largest selection of classes available in Tucson.

The Cortez Pearl @ Tucson

 GJX Show in the tent - Booth #508

(across from the Tucson Convention Center)

"This year we have a couple of things to show our visitors, including a magnificent multi-colored Cortez Pearl necklace: the first one for the year 2012. This particular necklace (code 2012-A) was on the designing table since 2009 and our associate Manuel Nava found the necessary pearls to finalize it just this new year. Although it does not contain any pearls from this year’s harvest, we decided to give it this year’s blessings.

We will also have our usual assortment of loose Cortez Cultured Pearls, Mabe Pearls (including some blisters) and some Silver Jewelry items. So, come on over and check out our unique pearls, learn how difficult it is to grow these Fair Trade beauties and get all the information straight from the oyster’s mouth: we’ll be happy to share a moment with you. "

High Desert Gems & Minerals is a gemstone mining company. We own mines in Oregon, Nevada, and California, including the famous Himalaya Tourmaline Mine near San Diego, CA and Spectrum Sunstone Mines near Plush, OR. Find out about our NEW SUNSTONE DEPOSIT at Spectrum Mine! Our other gemstone mines include Variscite, Nevada Turquoise, Opal, Mt. Airy Blue Chalcedony TM, Namibian Blue Chalcedony, Lavender Chalcedony, Purple Chalcedony, Smoky Quartz and Amethyst scepters, Fire Agate, Vesuvianite, and Gold.  

Jan 28th - Feb 9th: Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show The Riverpark Inn 350 South Freeway, Tucson, AZ 85745. Room 109. www.pueblogemshow.com

February 9th - 12th:  58th Annual Tucson Gem & Mineral Society Gem Show “Minerals of Arizona” theme. Convention Center, Tucson, AZ www.tgms.org

GEMS IN GEMS - Marco Campos Venuti, PhD

January 28 to February 9:  Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show (Riverpark Inn) in Room 113. 

January 31 to February 5:  We will have also a booth 917 – main tent in the GJX Show 

Please come inside in the room and visit us at the GJX booth 917. 

Marco says "We will be glad to drink a beer with you (please don’t forget to bring the beer, because we don’t have a fridge) talking about the many new stones we have and making some business."

Gems in Gems offers what is probably the widest selection of Quartz with "Stuff" in it that you are likely to see!  Quartz with Emerald Crystals -  Quartz with celsian and ankangite, Quartz with anatase, Quartz with rutile and dolomite, Quartz with euhedral pyrite, Quartz with tourmaline, Quartz with actinolite,  Green quartz with hedembergite from Greece, 

“Paraiba” quartz (the famous quartz with gilalite inclusions),   “Leopard” aguamarine,
Madammolite (iridescent ammonite from Madagascar, published in the last issue of Gems and gemology) to list just a few.
Ruby slices from Mozambique,
Rare gemstones, as hackmanite, amblygonite, petalite, sphalerite, inesite, chrysoberyl, sphene, leucite, ametrine, yellow smithsonite, blue and Ethiopian opal, cat’s eye aguamarine and tourmaline and many more. 

Tucson 2012: Classes, Workshops and Demos

"At The Bench Live" by MJSA at the AGTA Gemfair:  There’s nothing like learning from the masters—and jewelers who attend MJSA’s At the Bench Live seminars do just that. Featuring the industry’s most renowned experts, At the Bench Live offers a blend of best practices and innovative ideas. It creates an atmosphere in which questions can be posed, solutions offered, and problems solved. And it ensures that attendees can walk way with a bit more technical mastery at their command.

January 31
Step to It: Tricks for Soldering Multiple Joints in SilverPresenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz

February 1
History Detective:  How to Identify Previous Repairs in JewelryPresenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz

February 2
Working with Gemstones:  The Designer’s ChallengesPresenter: Alishan Halebian

February 3
Mythbusters:  Challenging Tradition at the BenchPresenter: Ann Cahoon

February 4
Using Handmade Chain in Custom DesignsPresenter: Ann Cahoon

February 5
Compound Interest:  Creating the Optimum Polish on MetalsPresenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz

Complete Descriptions at: http://www.mjsa.org/events_and_programs/at_the_bench_live/atb_live_tucson

The show features jewelry suppliers, gemstone merchants, and nomadic traders, with objects including but not limited to collectibles, antiquities, artifacts, rare ethnographic objects, unusual gold and silver pieces, carved gemstones and pendants, champlevé enamel, uncut garnets, Gablonzer crystals, vintage jewelry components and findings, costume jewelry, hard-to-find ceremonial and tribal objects, and handmade earrings.

In addition to exhibits, the show presents 8,000 square feet of workshops and classes, taught by respected instructors, with step-by-step instruction for all skill levels in such techniques as hand knotting, glass pendants, bead making, soldering, jewelry design, mixed media, polymer clay, resin jewelry, enamelling, metal and wirework.

Workshop  Schedule at:  http://www.tobeadtrueblue.com/workshop_list.php?

The Tucson Bead Show runs this year from February 4 to 6, 2012. It is open to the public, and is free for both wholesale and retail buyers to attend and register. With three intense days and 500 exhibits, The Tucson Bead Show is bead design. Meet bead makers, designers, artists, artisans. Take a workshop and learn more about bead design. Buy directly from the merchants.

The show also offers one of the most comprehensive workshop programs by well-known artisans and bead makers –offering step-by-step instruction for all skill levels in clay bead making, jewelry design, stringing and hand knotting, bead weaving, polymer clay modeling, soldering, metal and wirework, mixed media, glass pendants, and resin jewelry making.

Workshop Schedule at:  http://www.thetucsonbeadshow.com/workshop_list.php

A truly one of a kind Southwestern jewelry pavilion can only be found at the JOGS Tucson show. Exhibiting are the top dealers, miners and manufacturers with the largest stock of jewelry from Albuquerque, Mexico and China. The American Amber Association presents, at the JOGS Tucson Gem Show, the largest U.S. Amber jewelry pavilion. The Art Gem Décor pavilion contains some of the most beautiful décor items crafted out of stones, gems, copper, wood, metal and other materials. Besides the exquisite art pieces, you can also find some great everyday interior design pieces. Other JOGS Tucson Gem Show pavilions include the many international pavilions which represent the rich gem and jewelry heritage of Indonesia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Mexico and Nepal.

...and when you get tired of walking, sit down and take a workshop!  With over 100 Classes and Seminars presented through ArtBeadCircle you are wure to find something you want to learn.  Workshop Schedule at:   http://www.artbeadcircle.com/default.aspx?id=14 

What is TEP? TEP stands for Tucson Eletric Park, also called Kino Sports Complex, and the TEP Gem & Mineral Show is surrounded by baseball diamonds. TEP is one of the largest and most exciting shows in Tucson every year, drawing over 260 vendors, thousands of customers, and features acres of free parking! There's also a convenient shuttle service if you are coming from out-of-town. The show is free and open to the public. The TEP Gem & Mineral Show will be in the Tucson Show Guide and Tucson EZ Guide, so you can plan your events while attending the Tucson shows.
T.E.P. Gem & Mineral Show in coordination with JewelryTools.com will be bringing you 100+ classes this year at Tucson Electric Park (TEP) this January 28-February 12, 2012. They have pulled together a very impressive international team of instructors to bring you the largest selection of classes available in Tucson.  JewelryTools will be holding over 100 classes in one of the big white tents you'll see from the freeway, I-10, as you're approaching Ajo Road. Make sure to plan for plenty of time at the show before and after class, because you'll want to explore the whole show! Whether you like rocks and gems, silks and tie-dyes, incense and gifts, international food, or you just want to see the most unsual finds in all of Tucson, TEP is the best place to be!

Workshop Schedule at:  http://www.jewelrytools.com/classes/tucson-gem-show-classes

Special Events - Tucson 2012

Saturday Collector's Day at the Westward Look Fine Mineral Show
Collection: Private Collection of Ron Gladnick
When: Saturday, February 4, 2012   Time: 10AM - 4PM
Where: Westward Look Resort Lobby
Information:  http://finemineralshow.com/

Saturday, February 4th at 6 pm at the Hotel Arizona:
The week will culminate with the inaugural Jewelers Ethics Association reception, open to all members of the trade, on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. at the Hotel Arizona. Complimentary beer and wine provided by Spectrum Sunstone Mine.

Sunday, February 5, 2012  
Program: Edward Swoboda: "A Life of Gems & Minerals"
Special Guest: Wendell Wilson, Bill Larson, Gene Meieran
Time:   Social Hour - 6:30P    Presentation - 7:30P
Where: Westward Look Resort - Sonoran Ballroom
Information:  http://finemineralshow.com/

Ed Swoboda's love for minerals started when he was a little kid and, at 94 years, he's still going strong.  He was the owner of the Pala Chief Mine, Stewart Lithia Mine and the world-famous Tourmaline Queen Mine - which he still owns. In 1971 he, and partner Bill Larson, uncovered the blue cap tourmaline pocket at the Queen Mine which made, and continues to make, mineral history.  

Notoriously shy, this pioneer and legend of the mineral collecting world has graciously accepted our invitation to come and present a brief overview of his experience and life in, "A Life of Gems & Minerals."  This is sure to be a completely packed presentation so come early and stay late.

Sunday, January 29

16th Annual Coyote Classic Charity Golf Tournament
Sponsored by FedEx
Omni Tucson National Resort - 2727 West Club Drive
Benefiting the Tucson Officer’s Run for Special Olympics
Sign-up 12:00 pm   -  Shotgun Start 1:00 pm
Sunday, January 29

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers
Tucson Convention Center, Maricopa Meeting Room
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Contact Gail Brett Levine at 718-896-1536 or
naja.appraisers@netzero.net

Monday, January 30

GILC Meeting
Tucson Convention Center, Graham Room
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
By invitation only.

ICA General Assembly
Graham Room  -  4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
By invitation only.

Wednesday, February 1

Cultured Pearl Association of America
Cushing Street Bar & Grill  - 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
By invitation only.
Call Bo Perry at 212-255-6875 for more information

International Colored Gemstone Association
ICA Cocktail Reception, Marriott University Park Hotel - 6:30 pm
ICA Members welcome by invitation only.
RSVP to the ICA at 212-620-0900

Thursday, February 2 

IDCA Annual Event
Marriott University Park Hotel
7:00 - 11:00 pm
By invitation only 212-921-4488

AGTA GemJammin’
The Hut  -  8:30 pm
Join the jewelry industry’s best musicians for a great night of music and fun!
Tickets are $10 at the door and all proceeds go to Jewelers for Children.
More info at www.gemjammin.com

Friday, February 3 

2012 AGTA Annual Tucson Membership Meeting
Tucson Convention Center, GemHall Floor  9:00 am
Come and meet the new elected members of the Board Directors.

“Party at the GIA Gem Mine” Annual Dinner, Auction and Dance Party
Sponsored by the GIA Alumni Association
6:30 – 11:00 pm
Marriott University Park Hotel
Join us for a silent and live auction, buffet dinner, awards presentation, and dancing.
Attire: Casual evening or business.
Admission: $65 after January 20 and at the door.
To donate auction items, call 800.421.7250, ext 4145, 760.603.4145, or email alumni@gia.edu. All auction proceeds will benefit the GIA Alumni Endowment Fund. Shuttle service from the Convention Center to Marriott University Park Hotel courtesy of AGTA.

Saturday, February 4

AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Gala
Marriott University Park Hotel - Grand Ballroom
7:00 pm – 12:00 am
Come celebrate the winning designs of the 2012 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ and enjoy a great night of dining and dancing. Tickets are priced at $100 per person.
Call 800-972-1162 for more information.