#TBT #TucsonGemShow 2014 Lecture Series at the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show a Resounding Success!

I wasn't able to attend all of the lectures in 2014 - but the ones I did make were standing room only and chock full of great information...

I want to thank Maury Destouet the General Manager of the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show and the always polished Aisha Jan for assembling an amazing group of Experts for this Lecture Series.

"I have the honor and pleasure to select the guest speakers and to assist in the organization of these events. Our company Rocksaholics is a proud participant of this show."

...and just wait until you hear who they have scheduled for 2015!

It seems that each year the Tucson Gem Show comes back stronger than the previous year...and 2014 was no exception.

The crowds are definitely returning (albeit with tighter budgets) but for the vendors that is all they need!  You can't look at row after row of amazing gems, minerals, home decor and jewelry without at some point figuring out a way to make the purchase!

The temptations and a definite uptick in business can be seen at the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show - add to that this show is hands down in my top 3 MUST DO list and you have a recipe for a great day!

One of the things that is engaging shoppers at the Pueblo show is their Mineral Lecture Series...I know - lecture - ewww!  These are more like conversations with some of the most respected experts in the world!  I was able to attend two evenings of lectures....the Federicos and Gail Spann's comeback presentation!

FEDERICO BARLOCHER

INTERNATIONAL VIDEOGRAPHER 

FROM MILAN ITALY AND A PROMINENT DEALER OF 

HIGH QUALITY UNHEATED BURMESE GEMS 

PRESENTS

“Mogok Myanmar (Burma): 

A secret overview of the most famous 

mining area for colored stones in the history of gems”

-----------------------------

DR. FEDERICO PEZZOTTA, PH.D. 

PETROLOGISTS, MINEROLOGY MUSEUM CURATOR, 

MUSEO di STORIA NATURALE, MILANO, ITALY

PRESENTS
" Color Zoning in multicolored gem Tourmaline"

Shortly after booking this evening it soon became known as the Evening of the Federicos...the energy level at this event was through the roof!  The actual event was Pezzotta followed by Barlocher...of course if you know Federico Barlocher this will come as no surprise - who could follow him!?!

VISIT MOGOK WITH FEDERICO BARLOCHER

FB was fabulous with a video of the mining area - processing center - marketplace and many other views of an area which most people couldn't get in to see!  And here we were in the heart of the action!  

As much travelogue as mineral lecture - FB gave us a glimpse into the lives of the people of the region and a viewpoint from which to see how this operation works.  Of course it was all presented in FB's rollicking, whimsical look at life outside most of our comfort zones. 

If this interests you, follow Federico on YouTube, where you will see his amazing (non judgemental/non political) POV!

https://www.youtube.com/user/barlocher

COLOR ZONING IN MULTICOLOR GEM TOURMALINE

This may sound dry but if you have even the least interest in gemology or mineralogy you would have LOVED this presentation! Not at all dry and I went away truly understanding the theories presented.

The second Federico of the evening Federico Pezzotta's name may sound familiar to those who are constantly searching out the rare and unusual - the gemmy pink gem Pezzottaite is named after him!

"Pezzottaite is a caesium analogue of beryl, a silicate of caesium, beryllium, lithium and aluminium, with the chemical formula Cs(Be2Li)Al2Si6O18.  Named after Italian geologist and mineralogist  Federico Pezzotta, pezzottaite was first thought to be either red beryl or a new variety of beryl ("caesium beryl"); unlike actual beryl, however, pezzottaite contains lithium and crystallizes in the trigonal crystal system rather than the hexagonal system." Acording to Wikipedia

Without re-printing his entire talk this chart may give you an understanding of the theories presented - for more photos see the Photo Album on Facebook!

Next up Gail Copus Spann and The Mineralogical Almanac....

Tucson Shows To Premiere a NEW Collection of Designer Jewels in CSARITE®

Top Designers Inspired by CSARITE® 

A diverse group of luxury jewelry designers from around the globe is creating a collection of one-of-a-kind jewelry designs centering on the beautiful gemstone CSARITE®, announced Milenyum Mining Limited. 

Initiated by Erica Courtney and The Courtney Collection®, this exciting new collection is scheduled to launch at the Tucson gem show early next year.

The world’s largest CSARITE®, a 121.65 carat pear shaped gem, will be the focal point of a new CSARITE® jewelry line by Erica Courtney. Other designers highlighting the natural, color change gem will be Canada’s Varouj Tabakian, Turkey’s Pinar Oner, and American designers Victor Velyan, Jennifer Dawes, and Katie Diamond. The collection will be displayed in The Courtney Collection booth #2206 at the GJX show, February 3rd through February 8th, 2015.

“We are so excited about the enthusiasm with which the designers have embraced this project. CSARITE® is a single source gem, always natural, never enhanced, possessing the rare gemological phenomenon of color change,” stated Murat Akgun, president of Milenyum Mining Limited. “Top designers like the ones participating in this collection are searching for unusual, responsibly sourced gems for their discriminating customers. CSARITE® fits the bill in so many ways!”

MML is the world’s only source supply of CSARITE®, a natural, unenhanced color-change gemstone. Responsible for cutting and marketing of this phenomenal gemstone, MML’s mission is to introduce gem and jewelry connoisseurs around the globe to CSARITE®’s unique beauty and rarity. MML is a member of The International Colored Gemstone Association. Visit www.csarite.info for a list of authorized retailers.

22nd St. Mineral & Fossil Show Promoter Building A Permanent Tucson Location

The 2015 show is going to soon be known for change and growth - it seems we are getting new announcements weekly, but none as big as the following from Lowell Carhart of Eons Expos...you are probably more familiar with him as the show promoter for the 22nd St. Mineral & Fossil Show as well as shows in New Jersey and Denver.

We've been working behind the scenes for four years with a stellar team of architects, bankers, brokers, engineers, investors, lawyers, lenders, Tucson officials, and my absolute favorite Tucson Ward Councilor to be able to finally make this announcement:  

On October 16, 2014, we officially acquired the 6.5 acre parcel of land at the corner of I-10 and 22nd Street in Tucson, Arizona for $1.6 million. (This is the site of our show) The deal is done. It could not have been accomplished without the support of my wife Miev, my sister-in-law Li, brother-in-law Cheng, my Darden Business School buddy Ramesh, family and new & old friends, and the spectacular A-Team comprised of Randy Emerson, Rob Paul, Ken Perry, Keri Silvyn, and Jim Whitehill. But all would have been for naught without Ward Councilor Regina Romero's vital support, who championed our proposal over that of our competitor who bid $138,000 higher but offered an uninspiring development plan. Our plan will let the City of Tucson boast of an iconic new 22nd Street Co-Op building that will become ground zero for the Tucson Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Showcase for decades to come. 

We plan to break ground on the stunning $12 million 22nd Street Co-Op in February 2016.  The 150,000 sq. foot edifice will be comprised of (86) 20' x 40' selling rooms on the first two floors that dealers will own outright (structured as a business condo), while the top 3rd floor will be a year-round event space.  However, come gem show time, the top floor will host the high-end Annex of the 22nd Street Mineral & Fossil Show, which will also continue in its existing 100' x 600' tent.  Therefore, dealers will soon have a choice to own their venue in Tucson's premier location, or choose between renting a booth in the high-end top floor Annex of the 22nd Street Co-Op, or in the more affordable 22nd Street Mineral & Fossil Show tent.

Upon project completion there will be space for 500 dealers.  The sales office for the 22nd Street Co-Op will open in January in Tucson. More info to come!

Kind regards,

Lowell Carhart

Eons Expos, LLLP – Partner

22nd Street Land, LLC – CEO

(804) 291-6357

Our Shows:

www.2014HolidayShow.com (Dec 5-7, 2014)

www.22ndStreetShow.com (Jan 29-Feb 15, 2015)

www.NY-NJ-Show.com (April 10-12, 2015)

www.DenverColiseumShow.com (Sept 12-20, 2015)

 Can you imagine what this will mean to vendors of larger items  - Geodes - Cathedrals - Metal Sculpture....etc.

"...dealers will soon have a choice to own their venue in Tucson's premier location, or choose between renting a booth in the high-end top floor Annex of the 22nd Street Co-Op, or in the more affordable 22nd Street Mineral & Fossil Show tent."

The the images above and the following are from the formal proposal and truly show the opportunities provided by this groundbreaking concept!  

 Info on the 2015 Tucson Show:   http://xpopress.com/22ndST-show-schedule.html
 22nd Street Show on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Tucson22ndStreetShow
 About Eons Expos:  http://www.22ndstreetshow.com/about_eons_expo.php

#TucsonGemShow - Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show Announces Line Up For Fifth Annual Mineral Lecture Series

THE PUEBLO GEM and MINERAL SHOW

January 30th - February 11th 2015

At The Riverpark Inn, Tucson Arizona USA

Requests the Pleasure of your Company

At The Following Events 

2015 TUCSON MINERAL LECTURE SERIES 

at the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show

The 2015 Tucson Mineral Lectures Series has been announced by the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show, the program for its Fifth Annual Mineral Lecture Series offers luminaries in the Mineral field - Museum Curator, Volcanologist, Author, Collector, Geologist and more.

This event is open to all and you will find this group to be. as I have,  some of the smartest and most welcoming people in the Industry! 

Thank you once again to Maury and Aisha for assembling such a distinguished line up...much appreciated!

You are getting a sneak preview of the talk by John White...it made me want to be there!  

Held in the courtyard of the International Fine Mineral Building 
at the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show ….. means there will be plenty of free parking.

6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. / 9:15 to 9:45 p.m.
Hosted Wine and Cheese Reception 

MONDAY:  FEBRUARY 9th

7:15 - 7:50 pm 

John S. White, former Curator-In-Charge, Mineral Division, Smithsonian Institution

"Reminiscences of a Very Old Former Curator"

John White's "Reminiscences of an Old Former Curator" was originally delivered to the 2013 Rochester Mineralogical Symposium. White is the founder of Mineralogical Record and retired as Curator-in-Charge of the Division of Mineralogy at the Smithsonian Institution. White's presentation includes personal anecdotes that will delight the mineral and gemstone enthusiast. via Pala International

8:00 - 8:30 pm 


Bob Jones, Sr. Editor, Rock & Gem Magazine

"Tucson: How It All Began"

8:40 - 9:15  pm 


Marco Campos-Venuti, Volcanologist

 "Genesis and Classification of Agates and Jaspers: A new Theory"




TUESDAY:  FEBRUARY 10th

7:15 - 7:50 pm

 Dr. Don Lum


"Minerals I have Known and Loved"

8:00 - 8:30 pm

Peter Megaw, 

"An Explorer's Mineralogical  Adventures 
  in Famous Mexican Localities"

8:40 – 9:15 pm

Federico Barlocher



FILM: "Namak Mandi Peshawar Pakistan:  
The Mysteries & Secrets of The Legendary Gem Crystal Market Never Seen By The Public Before"

A BIG Thank You to Maury Destouet the General Manager of the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show and the always polished Aisha Jan for assembling an amazing group of Experts for this Lecture Series. 

"I have the honor and pleasure to select the guest speakers and to assist in the organization of these events. Our company Rocksaholics is a proud participant of this show."

Aisha & Arif Jan, Rocksaholics, LLC

#TucsonGemShow - Jeffrey Bergman Brings a Rare Treat To Tucson, Burmese Trapiche Sapphire

Jeffrey Bergman has been collecting trapiche sapphires for over a decade and has assembled the largest collection known, rivaling the quality of pieces in the finest museum collections.

While the vast majority of trapiche sapphires are either opaque blackish blue with gray spokes or translucent dark gray on light gray, very occasionally, he would acquire a translucent gemmy vivid blue on snow white trapiche sapphire.  

The collection  on display at the Gem & Jewelry Exchange (GJX) in Tucson this year was made up of  is comprised of several dozen of the typical opaque or gray type trapiche sapphires...but then there were three of gem quality; a 3.90ct and an 8.70 carat gem with GIA reports, and an extraordinary 36.16 carat gem with GRS and Gubelin lab reports.  

His collection was on display at GJX in booth 106 with Mauro Panto of "The Beauty In The Rocks". With price points ranging from a few hundred dollars per piece to many thousands per carat I am sure that he was quite successful.

GRS gave a special comment “unusual translucent vivid blue color zoning” and Gubelin wrote one of their coveted full page appendixes where they call it an “extremely rare” and remarkable gemstone”.

The Gubelin lab report and appendix:

“The Spanish word trapiche, cogwheel in English, designates the agricultural tool which in former days was used to crush sugarcane. In the world of gems the same term is used for gemstones which show a characteristic six-rayed star pattern in cross-section. 

For a long time this peculiar appearance was only known from emerald, and is due to bands of dark inclusions which radiate from the center of the crystal – the optic axis – to the crystal faces. Only in the past twenty years other trapiche gemstones have been discovered, namely trapiche ruby, trapiche tourmaline, and trapiche sapphire. 

While the trapiche affect of tourmaline and ruby is caused by similar inclusions as in the trapiche emeralds, the trapiche effect in sapphires is due to a strong color banding parallel to the hexagonal growth zoning. The blue color is mostly concentrated along the angles of the crystal forming a blue star, while white zones are found between the star segments. Such trapiche sapphires are only known from Burma and are extremely rare.

This 36.16 natural sapphire described in the above mentioned Gubelin Gem Lab Report displays a distinct and well centered star. In addition, this remarkable gemstone has been spared thermal treatment. Such a combination of characteristics is very rare in Burmese sapphires of this size.”

This stunning example was featured in the Las Vegas Show report by Gary Roskin in the Summer/Fall edition of the 2013 Prism magazine (a production of AGTA).  The extra fine  trapiche sapphire is 12.29 carats, set in white gold  and flanked with asteraited diamonds.

Find the article at:
http://www.agta.org/pressroom/newsletters/prismnl2013volume3/index.html#/24/

You can find Jeffery Bergman at:

jeffery@primagem.com

http://www.primagem.com/

#TucsonGemShow #AGTA - The Tanzanite Foundation Presents The Maasai Ladies Project

#AGTA - The Tanzanite Foundation Presents The Maasai Ladies Project

In the Hall as you enter the AGTA GemFair is what I refer to as 

the Hall of Learning, Support and Publications...

one of the agencies represented is the Tanzanite Foundation. 

 This year they had a great display of tumbled Tanzanite nugget jewelry 

that was hand crafted by the local Masai women...

a new project to provide a steady income stream

 for the women and their families.

A little bit about the ladies from their website...

In the village of Nasinyai - just outside the tanzanite mining area - 

a group of ladies gather together to make spectacular jewellery 

with wire and tanzanite donated by TanzaniteOne. 

Each piece is 100 % handcrafted and all proceeds are reinvested back into the project.

Formed in 2012, the ladies were tutored by renown gem carver Naomi Sarna 

in the art of wire wrap jewellery making, and after a period of learning 

now create stunning one-of-a-kind pieces 

which are sold through The Tanzanite Experience boutiques in Africa, 

Television Shopping and will soon be available online. 

This gem of an idea was conceived by The Tanzanite Foundation, 

and now donations of time and skill by others - such as Adam Woodhams, 

a local photographer who manages the project in Tanzania, 

and TanzaniteOne Staff who tumble the stones - mean the project is now 

creating a steady income to help the ladies support their families. '

Special thanks to TV network The Liquidation Channel for their on going support.

To catch up with the latest, visit the The Maasai Ladies Facebook Page . 

#TucsonGemShow - Master Cutter and a "Prospector" on the Weather Channel Display Record Topaz in Tucson

One of TV's "Prospectors", Richard Fretterd,

 Shows Record Topaz in Tucson

by Christine Ford

A Woodland Park prospector and a Sedona gemologist set the gem and mineral world to talking at the recent Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. Richard Fretterd displayed some of his rare apricot-peach colored topaz crystal specimens from his "Angus Dei Tribute Pocket". The biggest one, cut and faceted without computer assistance by gemologist Stephen Kotlowski of Sedona, is the largest faceted topaz from Colorado by 3 times. 

The finished stone, called "The Agnus Dei Tribute Topaz", weighs 1,345.15 carats or just over half a pound. Fretterd says Agnus Dei is a Biblical reference to John 1:29, and is "a tribute to the Lamb of God." It originally came out of the pocket at just over 1.5 pounds, or 3,634 carats, according to Kotlowski. That's a 37% recovery from the original topaz, he said. 

The crystal is now a very deep oval shape and took Kotlowski about 120 to 140 hours of labor to complete. It is finished to the highest possible polish and meets the criteria for a competition type stone, where judging is typically done using a 10x loupe. It has a total of 275 facets.

Only the most experienced of gemologists could create this type of faceting by hand and eye or " on the fly" as Kotlowski described it, without assistance from GemCad or any other preset computer design. He has been faceting colored stones since he was a teenager " back in 1969," he said, and has done it professionally since the early 1980's. He received his Graduate Gemologist degree, in residence at GIA in New York in 1984 and received "Certified Supreme Master Cutter" status from the American Society of Gem Cutters in 1989. He has also won numerous awards, including several AGTA Spectrum " Cutting Edge" awards.

The "Angel" is 171.77 carats and the reflection of the facets
when viewed face on with the narrow end up resembles an angel.

The Tucson show was the Tribute gems' first public appearance. It created a sensation, and is even being considered for acquisition by the Smithsonian, according to Fretterd, who said he would prefer to see it stay in Colorado, perhaps at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Fretterd recently donated a 345 pound smoky quartz from the Lake George/ Florissant area to the Pikes Peak Historical Society Museum in Florissant, in memory of his late brother Vincent, joining a 439 pound smoky he donated some years previously. Fretterd is deeply spiritual and shows it by his generous nature, including his willingness to support local venues. He hopes to see the PPHS museum expanded to include a gem and mineral "Hall" of local specimens. 

Kotlowski surprised Fretterd at the Tucson show by bringing another specimen of Rich's which he was not expecting to be ready. The "Angel" is 171.77 carats and the reflection of the facets when viewed face on with the narrow end up resembles an angel. Turned in certain lights, it appears the angel moves its wings. Kotlowski took the original 450 carat rough crystal and created a custom blunted triangle from it. It is also apricot-peach in color and from the same pocket in El Paso county. 

It just goes to show, says Fretterd, that "the U.S. has wonderful minerals. too"

 "And gems!" added Kotlowski.

Photo Credit: Stephen Kotlowski

About Christine:Christine Ford lives near Lake George, Colorado. Hard rock mining in her family goes back at least four generations, from the ore mines of Michigan's UP to Austria in the 1800's. Nowadays, she calls herself a rock hound. She grew up in Wisconsin and raised her two children in Alaska. Christine was a member of the Chugach Gem and Mineral Society; she spent one summer prospecting the Yukon alone.

Ms. Ford has been an occasional contributing writer for several local publications, including newspapers and tourist guides, since 2005. She recently wrote a two part series on The Weather Channel's reality TV show, Prospectors. Ms. Ford is also an accomplished photographer, her photos can be seen at www.redbubble.com/people/Christine Ford

Christine has been disabled since 2000 by degenerative disk disease, 3 spinal fusions and fibromyalgia, but continues to expand her world whenever possible.

#TucsonGemShow - JTV Talks Tucson Finds - The Rare & The Beautiful

Jewelry Television Announces Key Finds from the Tucson Gem, Fossil & Mineral Show

JTV showcases upcoming trends from 'Rock Center'

Jewelry Television (JTV) announced key trends and product acquisitions made recently at the largest gemstone event in the world, the Tucson Gem, Fossil & Jewelry Show in Arizona. As one of the largest retailers of gemstones in the world, JTV scours the show each year searching for new gemstone materials and unique stones to bring back to eager collectors.

Key gemstone buys included: 

• Sphalerite – this gem has four times the light dispersion of a diamond and it comes from a famous Spanish mine originally sealed in 1989.
• Colombian Emerald – this emerald sets the standards to which all other emeralds are measured. As it has become more difficult to source, JTV was pleased to find this gemstone available.
• Bixbite – An all-American beauty and one of the rarest gems in the world, bixbite is always difficult to attain. Found only in the Wah Wah Mountains of Utah, it is estimated that only one blood-red bixbite crystal is found for every 150,000 diamonds.
• Chromium Kyanite – With color and rarity rivaling blue alexandrite in daylight, the chromium kyanite gems come from Orissa, India. This natural untreated gem’s unique color is due to a rare combination of trace elements and is sure to excite collectors.



Bixbite from jtv.com

• Purple and Blue Spinel – Nicknamed "Gem Island," Sri Lanka is a natural treasure trove of gemological wonders and our buyers discovered rare, untreated purple and blue spinel from this storied locale. The exceptional brilliance, paired with highly saturated hues, set them apart from all other gems on the planet today.

“Our buyers noted that worldwide demand for colored gemstones is on the rise,” said Jill Johnson, vp of marketing at JTV. “We canvas the world to stay on top of emerging trends, discover rare gemstones, and make them accessible to anyone who love to collect or create their own jewelry masterpieces.”

For more specific information on the gemstones cited above, refer to JTV’s extensive online Learning Library.

JTV offers more ways to shop. Check your local television listings, shop online at jtv.com or download free mobile shopping apps for the iPhone, Android, and iPad.

About Jewelry Television®
Jewelry Television® (JTV) is one of the largest multichannel retailers of jewelry and gemstones in the U.S. appealing to fashion-conscious women, jewelry-making enthusiasts and private collectors. The privately-held shopping network broadcasts high definition programming, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to more than 80 million U.S. households. Committed to consumer education, the network employs numerous Graduate Gemologists and Accredited Jewelry Professionals. JTV.com offers the most comprehensive jewelry and gemstone Learning Library on the internet, and is the third largest jewelry website according to Internet Retailer’s Top 500 Guide for 2012

Milenyum Mining Makes Csarite™ Donation to Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection

Milenyum Mining Donates Important Csarite™ Gemstones 

to the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Gem Collection, housed at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. is the new home to two rare and significant Csarite™ gemstones, after a donation by ilenyum Mining, Ltd. Csarite™ is an unusual gem quality, color-change diaspore actively mined at only one global source in the Anatolia Mountains of Turkey. The donation was presented at the AGTA Tucson GemFair and accepted by Dr. Jeffrey Post, curator of the National Gem Collection.

Dr. Jeffrey Post, Curator and Russell Feather, Gem Collection Manager, accepting the donation of Csarite™ gemstones to the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection during the AGTA GemFair in Tucson, February 2014.

“Large color-change diaspore gemstones are rare, indeed,” stated Post. “The 159.33 carat cats eye cabochon and 44.48 carat faceted oval are both significant upgrades to the collection, so we are very appreciative of the contribution.”

Murat Akgun, president of Milenyum Mining adds “To our knowledge, currently there are fewer than twenty faceted Csarite™ gemstones in the world that have a weight of 40 carats and above. Given the rarity of this unusual gem, we feel the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection is a fitting home for two of the few examples available in this size and quality.”

MML is the world’s only actively-mining source supply of Turkish diaspore, a natural, unenhanced colored gemstone. Responsible for cutting and marketing of this phenomenal gemstone, MML’s mission is to introduce gem and jewelry connoisseurs around the globe to Turkish diaspore’s unique beauty and rarity. MML is a member of The International Colored Gemstone Association.

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Gem and Mineral Collection consists of approximately 350,000 mineral specimens and 10,000 gems, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world. It is the home of the Hope Diamond, one of the most visited museum objects in the world.

In "Honoring Scruff" Guest Author Christine Ford Talks Moving Richard Fretterd's 300+lb Smoky

This year at Tucson we had the pleasure of meeting some of our favorite "Prospectors" from The Weather Channel program of the same name - Guest Writer Christine Ford writes about the donation and move of Richard Fretterd's 300 + lb Smoky and in Part II will touch on Richard's participation at the Tucson Gem Show...stay tuned!

Honoring " Scruff"

by Christine Ford

It took five strong men and a hoist, but Richard Fretterd's dream of a memorial to his late brother and mining partner, Vincent, known as Scruff locally, finally became a reality Saturday morning. As an excited group of Pikes Peak Historical Society members recorded the event for posterity, the crew installed the four foot three inch smoky quartz crystal, weighing 345 pounds, on the stained and trimmed tree stump base prepared for it at their Museum. A brass plaque with a poem is being prepared for attachment to this base.

The quartz crystal joins Richards other 439 lb. crystal, also donated to the Museum in Florissant, which he found just five feet away from the first, on Vincent's day of birth. He called the location the "Holy Moses" pocket system, a series of eleven chambers collectively known as the "God Send" claim. "These are the two largest smoky quartz crystals in North America. They make our museum a national treasure," said the Society President, Celinda Reynolds Kaelin.

"Now it's finally home, right where it belongs," said Fretterd, who could not keep the smile from his face as he worked. He said it took him 6 months to clean the crystal, employing a used hot tub, fish tank aerators and a tarp. He also would periodically spray it with a water gun to remove iron deposits. He was not able to take the piece whole from the pocket; a small corner was already detached; they removed it first in order to slide out the remainder, then later repaired it."I thought at first it was coke bottle size," said Fretterd, shaking his head in amazement. He has previously displayed the stone at shows like the annual Lake George Gem and Mineral show.

Once the stone was safely placed in the stand at the Museum, Fretterd relaxed and enjoyed the moment, reflecting on the brothers shared history. "We were inseparable', said Fretterd. '' We went through so much together." To have the stones next to each other again, nearly as they were in nature, " has great spiritual significance," he said.

6 lucky people will win a " Dig with Rich"
at the Chautauqua on May 11th.

The Pikes Peak Historical Society Museum, located at 18033 Teller County One, is open President's Day to Memorial Day, Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm, and Memorial Day to Labor Day Friday, Saturday, and Monday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 1pm to 4pm. 

Open year round, it is free to the public. It includes exhibits on the areas' history, geology, Native peoples, railroads and mountain men. The website is also a great place to visit and includes Native tales as told to President Celinda Reynolds Kaelin by the Ute elders, as well as some of her excellent articles and excerpts from her books on the area's history.

Rich Fretterd will be speaking about his mining experiences and his prominent role on the TV reality show Prospectors, shown on The Weather Channel, at the Historical Society Chautauqua on Sunday, May 11th, 2014, at the Florissant Library, 334 Circle Drive, at 2:00 p.m..

Photo credit: courtesy of Christine Ford