TGS - What's Up Between the Shows?

So - all the big shows have closed and we are waiting for the opening of the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show at the Tucson Convention Center...are there any show still open?

If you are in Tucson or are trying to plan for next year...YES!!!

There are a number of shows that are still open - your best tool today is pages 140 & 141 from the big Tucson Show Guide. The two pages are titled Show Dates and it is a graph form that allows you to look at the date and see which shows are still open.

http://jewelryshowguide.com/content/tucson_show_guide_2009.html

If anyone at Colored Stone is listening - this is the ONLY thing missing from that great little mini-guide (The Navigator) that came out this year!

So let's see what is up today!

First and always my first stop the Pueblo Show at the RiverPark Inn is open through the 12th - make sure to check the guide - most shows have different hours on their last day!

It is hard to believe that I have been here in the RiverPark Lobby 7 days out of the 12 I have been in Tucson and I just met a dealer whose booth I haven't seen yet...and it is lovely in the lobby by the fire.

Closing Feb. 12th:

Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show at the RiverPark Inn

Closing Feb. 13th

All of the Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers Show

at the Gem Mall, the Holidome and the Grant Inn

Closing Feb. 14th

Both locations of the A.B.C. Direct Shows

Executive Inn Mineral & Fossil Show

Fine Minerals International Gem & Mineral Show

Granada Avenue Gem & Mineral Show

AKS Tucson Gem Show at Howard Johnson & La Quinta Inn

Mineral & Fossil Co-op

Mineral & Fossil Marketplace

Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show at the InnSuites (this one is a must see for those of you in town for the big TGMS at the TCC) there is a smaller group from this show at the Ramada Ltd.)

The shows highlighted in blue are all along the freeway frontage road across the freeway from the TCC so an easy side trip.

So if you are still in town or you came in for the big show at the Convention Center - there is lots to do today!!!!

TGS - Are People Buying?

I am sitting here at the RiverPark Inn on a stormy day in Tucson - the high today is expected to be a chilly 51 degrees. But I just ordered a coffee from my favorite bartender and it is nice in the lobby by the fire! :)

I thought I would take a minute to talk about some of the conversations I have had with vendors about the show this year.

* Attendance is down - this was especially apparent at the AGTA show - however the GJX show had business and my online buddy Robert Lowe had a cruxh of people around his goods every time I went over to see him.

* I am hearing vendor grumbling here now - even though most were saying early on that this was one of their better shows! I think it will turn around and the TGMS folks arrive in town.

* The larger wholesale shows have ended and the next one up is the show that started it all - the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show. So a whole new group of people should be arriving in town.

* One thing I noticed on the AGTA show floor was that while the crowds were smaller, most were buying!

#TGS - "Colored Gemstones in Antique Jewelry"

"Colored Gemstones in Antique Jewelry" with Diana Jarrett, G.G., RMV.

Diana Jarrett has written articles for most of the trade publications and is a respected gemologist and appraiser. She recently updated the book "Cameos: Old & New" byAnna Miller, G.G. RMV. Following the recent passing of Ms. Miller the publisher sought to update the information in this popular reasource guide. Diana took on the task of updating info, adding new photos and general revisions in this 4th Edition. She was available to talk to and signing copies of her book at the AGTA show.

This seminar was GREAT - to summarize - the things that are the most important to know when looking at antique pieces that contain colored stones is:

*** Know a little about when gems were discovered - for example if some one shows you an antique brooch with a Tanzanite in it - you know that it isn't the original stone for the piece - Tanzanite was discovered in 1967!

*** Know how to distinguish a synthetic and a simulant from a natural gem - gem treatment and simulation started around the Victorian Era and there were important pieces worn that were nothing but paste or glass.

*** Know you periods - if you are approached with an "Art Deco" piece and it is a soft fluid design it show raise red flags.

Samples of jewelry from the various periods covered were available for viewing thanks to eFiligree (http://www.efiligree.com/), a company that was represented on the AGTA floor.

Diana was an engaging and easy to follow speaker - this was a great opening seminar for me and got me excited about the ones to follow!

#TGS - This is for my fellow students in Venice !

Several people asked me to either bring them some stuff back - OR - wanted to know what the trends were.

I bought Ammonite in several sizes this is an example of two of the matched pairs.

Dino Bone Cabs are REALLY espensive (especially if they have any color) - but - I found these great Utah Dino Bone Beads at a resonable price - they are big enough for some good sized cabs.

Pearls in yellow, caramel, olive and brown for Ruth! These are probably 3.5 to 4mm. As pearls get below 5mm they tend to charge more - it is harder to drill the tiny ones! A great buy at $1.50 - 4.00 per strand!!!

I picke up these great top drilled rectangular pearls for $7 - the luster is beautiful - they have overtones of pink, peach and golden!

The hardest thing to find so far has been the round moonstone cab for Tina - but I finally picked one up.

I will look at trends a little later!

#TGS - The Jim & Gail Spann Collection

I started the day out running over to pick up Roni & Margo - two women I had met through the International School of Gemology (ISG) Forum...and we were off!

The Westward Look Resort is a luxury community nestled in the foothills of the Tucson landscape - arranged in small pueblo type groups of six suites it is everything you expect from a southwest resort.

As you entered the show there were 4 or 5 groups of six suites filled with glorious examples of mineral growths in every form and some that I have never seen or imagined!

So it was a fitting site for the elegant mineral collection of Jim & Gail Spann. Each year this show seperates a specific collection and puts it on view in their lobby - for 2009 this honor went to the Spanns.

When we arrived we took a look at the various vendors displays as we had heard that you couldn't even get close enough to view the collection in the Lobby.

I don't think that there was a single room that we walked into that one of us didn't utter an exclamation or say - I didn't know it grew like that!!! Beautiful fuzzy Malachite and naturally etched Aquamarine, a Sphalerite that was bigger than a serving tray and minerals we have never heard of.

While the vendors in most of the suites were busy or had decided that this group of three women were "not buyers", Bill Larsen's son in the Pala International Suite was chatty and very helpful. I was missing his father's talk on famous Collectors to be at this show - so his friendliness made an impression on me. You can find Pala International at http://palagems.com/ and their items for sale at http://www.collectorfinejewelry.com/minerals.htm (while you are there subscribe to their newsletter it is full of great information and some of the finest gems and minerals).

There was also a lovely woman selling meteorite that spent quite a while with us discussing the various locales of the crystal bearing meteorite - unfortunately I didn't get her card - maybe Roni or Marge will leave a comment with her contact info.

We jumped on the shuttle around 1pm to check out the lobby but when we got there the crush around the Spann's cases was 5 people deep so we had lunch in "GOLD" the restaurant off the Lobby. We ate on the balconey, the food was great and what a view you could see across the entire city of Tucson!

We made our way back to the Lobby for what was in my opinion - the show-stopper!!!!

As we approached Gail was trying her hardest to get photos of the amazing group of people viewing the display (the crush was still 3-4 people deep). All the "Who's Who" of the Mineral World were there. Dave Wilbur was there trying to get film for the Blue Cap Production of "What's Hot in Tucson!"

I have to say that no matter how busy Gail was, she took the time talk with us. Gail has probably single handedly done more to encouraged the growth of "Women in Minerology" than any other single person. Her enthusiasm is contagious and she has along with Jim amassed one of the finest collections in the country.

The items on display here in Tucson were some of the rarer pieces - I want to introduce you to some of the really beautiful items that we discovered here:

Malachite in a Crystal habit that I have NEVER seen - an amazing Red Quartz - Metatorbernite a secondary mineral in weathering uranium-bearing deposits and Erythrite a glorious deep magenta crystal.

If you missed the show and would like to see the Spann Collection - take a minute to register for the Fabre Mineral Forum (http://www.fabreminerals.com/) and check out the topic Gail's Collection - she is patient and takes the time to talk to and encourage new collectors!

#TGS - AGTA GemFair - Spectrum of Design Pavilion

AGTA Spectrum Awards™ is an annual natural colored gemstone & cultured pearl jewelry design competition.

The winning companies are represented in an exclusive pavilion with the artist present and representing their current line as well as the piece that garnered their award.

The "Designer Jewelry Pavilion" is a treat for the senses - the colors, silhouettes and textures are on the verge of overwhelming!

As a courtesy to the artists - I did not ask to take photos in here - I will however give you a quick overview of some of the fun, elegant and innovative winners of the 2009 AGTA Spectrum Awards™.

All of the award winners can be seen at http://agta.org/awards/2009-winners.html

Award categories range from Business to Evening and Bridal and everything between as well as honoring design and manufacturing...a small tease...

Best of Show

Frederic Sage - Great Neck, NY
"Enchanted Stallion" brooch featuring 158.26 ct. hand-carved natural Turquoise, white Diamonds (3.77 ctw.) and demantoid Garnets (.16 ctw.) set in 18K green and white gold.

2nd Place - Bridal Wear

Evelyn Clothier - Evelyn Clothier Jewelry - Philadelphia, PA
Platinum earrings featuring white donut Agates accented with Diamonds (4.15 ctw.).

There are some very fine vendors and jewelers represented in the Designers Pavilion as well - some that caught my eye....

Ann Garrett - http://anngarrett.com/ offers a wide range of quality pieces - from her fun new interchangeable silver stampings that slide onto the sting ray cuffs she is known for - to her high end South Sea and Tahitian Pearl with gold line.

Kimarie - http://kimariedesigns.com/ with their dazzling line of findings in precious metals.

From the Classic elegance that is Mark Schneider Design http://www.markschneiderdesign.com/ to the fun and funky Jeffrey Appling http://jeffreyappling.com/ and his line of Rings That Rock and Surfer Rings.

...and my personal favorite - for their "critter jewelry" and organic nature themes Onofrio D. Oro (sorry no website) - if you are on the east coast - Onofrio D'Oro, New York City; (212) 768-1395 or (212) 843-0601. I was able to find a small photo example from an old copy of Professional Jeweler magazine.

#TGS - AGTA GemFair - Opening Day!

The AGTA GemFair is one of the most prestigious shows in Tucson - the finest gems, beads, cutters and carvers.

Their reputation attracts the highest caliber speakers to lead their seminars. I have talked to Edward Boehm (with Richard Hughes in attendance) - other presenters include: Diana Jarrett, GG RMV (signing her new book), Bill Larsen of Pala International, Antoinette Matlin author of Gem ID Made Easy from Gemstone Press and many more!



The American Gem Trade Association's Mission is: "The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is an association of United States and Canadian trade professionals dedicated to promoting the long term stability and integrity of the natural colored gemstone and Cultured Pearl industries. The Association pursues its goals through the combined use of educational programs, publicity, industry events, government and industry relations, and printed materials for both the trade and consumer. The AGTA is well-known in the gemstone and jewelry industries for maintaining the highest ethical standards."

While the crowds to get in the door are definitely smaller - the folks on the floor are buying and the selection is as expected top notch!

Some of my favorites are back:

Robert Bentley
Robert Bentley Gemstones
http://robertbentleygemstones.com/
Robert has some of the rarest gemstones in the most unique cuts and shapes - he also does beads that will knock your socks off! If you get a chance - check his booth out as there is so much more to see than is available on his website.

David Brackna, Gem Cutter has brought with him this year his "Dimension Series" - these are a "must see"!!! David is an 18 time AGTA Cutting Edge Award Winner!

Bill Gangi
Multisensory Arts
http://gangigems.com/
I had the priviledge of meeting Bill at the Bench Jewelers Conference last year and found him to be a very knowledgable and forthright person - both important in a supplier of gems! Due to a recent redesign of their operation they have been able to streamline and lower costs while raising the quality of the goods they sell! For the latest, rarest and most unusual - check with Bill!



One of the fun things to check out at this show is the Smithsonian Institution's Display on the main floor. This year they have the models that show the relationship between the Hope Diamond and the stones that experts believe it was re-cut from.




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TUCSON TIP: Check the Smithsonian display on the first day of the show and be sure to go back on the last day also as the gem dealers are always making donations to the collection and there are new - rare goodies to view as the show goes on.

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