#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.