Day Two - The Freeway Shows - Globe X

For those of you who are wanting the "Tucson Experience" but aren't in the trade - these are the best shows...they are open to the public - though most of the vendors will write up a wholesale purchase.

• there is the greatest variety of genres
• elastic gem bead bracelets, next to high end faceted gems, Tibetan silver next to gold and diamonds.
• miners, cutters, carvers, retailers...

Along the I-10 at Congress (in fact there is parking on Congress) you start at the Globe X Show in the Days Inn.

If you are a beader - enjoy the row after row of gem beads in every color size and pricepoint...if you aren't into beads, don't let them deter you from getting into the inside booths of this show.

Rod Griffin - who also shows at the AGTA show has a booth (Rm 143) at this show and his Boulder Opal Fountains are shown to perfection in the sunlit patio of their room.

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at carving?

Daniella L'Abatta (sorry Dani if I just messed your name up) at the Down to Earth Opals booth is one of the finest opal carvers in the world and one of the most generous with her knowledge. Sit down with her and ask the questions - she has a demo station setup and will show you how she makes all those dramatic pieces in the cases. If you are just a fan and want to leave the carving to the pros...you have to see the amazing pieces being offered.

Fine Jewelry with a twist - some of the most gorgeous traditional jewelry and amazing one of a kind pieces are available at the Gem World booth - one of my favorites is a banana that is a good 3-4 inches long and made of a single raw sapphire crystal that was polished up and given a gold top hat...it is sweet! ...and ask Eddie about the latest Sapphire find - he has display pieces that show the full range of color these sapphires are available in - and these are strong, brilliant stones!!!

One of my favorite stops at this show is The Oregon Sunstones, Inc. suite at the Days Inn - Globe X Show is not to be missed. Sunstone is a beautiful yellow feldspar which - when you get lucky has a soft pink schiller and when you get really lucky is pure red or red with green. Because it is a fairly soft stone it is easily carved and lends itself to some unique and beautiful jewelry. This is an EXCELLENT source - JCJ Mining (Jolene & Judy) is a family tradition dating back to 1953. They know there gems - where they came from - where they were cut - you can't get much more ethically sourced than that!

...another one that I love is Aragon Enterprises - these folks carry some the finest Amber - gorgeous Blue Onyx and are partners in an Argentinian Rhodocrosite mine! Looking for an Amber Showpiece this couple can provide it!

#TGS - Globe X Show

These gorgeous pearls were black with a really strong golden green - unfortunately I was wearing a coral t-shirt!!!



Globe X at the Days Inn is again one of the dozen or more shows along the 1-10.




This one is good to do around breakfast or lunch as it is right next to a Carl's Jr. so you don't have a major financial outlay.

I entered thru the "Pearl Show" sign as I knew that was where my friends at the United States Pearl Co./American Shell Co. would be!

United States Pearl Co.

American Shell Co.

http://www.uspearlcompany.com/

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TUCSON TIP: Their selection will be much better at this show on Feb 9th when they move their stock from the GLDA show back to Days Inn - so if you don't have the time or proper paperwork to get in to the GLDA Show - come by the Days Inn.

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This show ranges from giant specimens to gold jewelry - rough - carvings - lots of opal - copper - high end gems and gem beads to $2 stretch bracelets!!

A few highlights:

The carved water features by Rod Griffin Opals were an eye-catcher at the OpalGraphics suite - stop in and see Denise she has some really beautiful boulder opal and they know where their goods come from since they are miners as well as cutters

Stones (rough & polished), Minerals and Fossils can be found from Le Rafia Vert who specializes in material from Madagascar.

Check out their website for even more really great photos from the 2009 Tucson Gem Show http://le-raphia-vert.com/ !!!!

They have a great shot of the Globe X Show from the back that I have included here to give you an overview of the venue!!

I spent some quality time with a lovely lady at Oregon Sunstones, Inc. Stop in say Hi and ask about the Rose Pendant!

EXCELLENT source for Sunstone as they have their own claim - JCJ Mining (Jolene & Judy) is a family tradition dating back to 1953. (I am doing a feature on this company so stay tuned.)

Upstairs in an addition at the back of the lobby are some really incredible dealers:

Down To Earth Opals who normally is one of my first stops is a real winner if you are looking for unique and beautiful Australian opal - in years past Internationally known award winning opal carver Danielle L'Abatta has traveled to the show and does demos at this booth - this year she is recovering from surgery (our thoughts and energy are with you Danielle).

Freya's Jewelry has some of the most affordable and really well cut ammonite. This is a family operation from Banff, Canada.

Are you looking for some really unique stones to set in jewelry? Stop by and see the ladies of Steven Wu (Gem-A/Gemifo Jewellery Co.) http://fga-dga-gem.com/ for some beautiful hackmanite and trapiche ruby & sapphire.

I bought some pearls for a classmate at Splendor Gems in the lobby and, while their prices are really good for the quality they need to work on their customer service.