#TucsonGemShow - Rocksaholics at the Pueblo Show and the Main Event!

Aisha Jan & Arif Jan 

welcome you to stop by the 

Rocksaholics Showroom - Room #170 

located in the

International Fine Mineral Building 

at the 

Pueblo Gem and Mineral Show 2017 

January 27 - February 8, 2017

at the Arizona Riverpark Inn - Tucson 

and at the 

Tucson Gem & Mineral Show

February 9th - 12th

at the Tucson Convention Center

Rocksaholics specializes in only 

100% Natural and Untreated 
Fine Gem Crystals and Minerals 

from Pakistan, Afghanistan and beyond.

Rocksaholics also helps the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show book and organize their annual Mineral Lecture Series:

#TBT #TucsonGemShow 2014 Lecture Series at the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show Part 2

FEBRUARY 11th:  GAIL COPUS SPANN and 

MICHAEL LEYBOV and LUDMILA CHESHKO

OF THE MINERALOGICAL ALMANAC FROM MOSCOW 

In 2014 I was so busy with the introduction of two new shows that I wasn't able to get to the first two nights of the Lecture Series - but nothing was going to keep me from the last two.

I, and over 100 mineral enthusiasts braved the cool of the evening (there are heaters in the tent) because we were all looking forward to seeing the amazing Gail Copus Spann's talk...I think we were all just eager to see Gail following a very challenging year. 

7 P.M: GAIL COPUS SPANN

DALLAS, TEXAS, USA 

RENOWNED COLLECTOR OF FINE MINERALS

PRESENTS

“The Continuing Perspectives of A Woman Collector"

First up - Gail!

Gail talks on the thing she knows best - being a woman in the mineral collection world.  She is always so upbeat, straight forward and she engages the audience.

This night the tent was filled to capacity with at least another 20 people standing at the back.  

Everyone was excited to see Gail - she was greeted by John White and Dave Wilbur - quite the auspicious home coming...

She got right to the topic at hand.

SRO - it was a packed house!

 -----------------------------

7.45 P.M: MICHAEL LEYBOV and LUDMILA CHESHKO

OF THE MINERALOGICAL ALMANAC FROM MOSCOW RUSSIA

PRESENTS

“Celebrate 20 Years In Mineralogical Publishing”

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

8.15 P.M: REFRESHMENTS SERVED

Maury and Aisha introduced Ludmilla and Michael for a really fun overview of the first 20 years of the Mineralogical Almanac - with a little help from his friends,

Bob Jones (of Rock & Gem) briefly took the floor to add some great personal stories - the lecture closed with a traditional Bread Sharing Ceremony...

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

From Aisha: "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."

...click through to see who they have scheduled for 2015!

#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....

#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

#WordlessWeekend - Vendor Spotlight! Gems In Gems

Marco Campos Venuti
GEMS IN GEMS

marcocamposvenuti@hotmail.com

Venuti has a PhD in volcanology and is the editor of the Rivista Gemmologica Italiana. Since childhood he was always curious about the origin of stones and is a passionate collector.   He has written MANY scientific papers and he is recognized as an authority both in Europe and the US.  His world class collection of Agates & Jaspers has led to this gorgeous new publication.


"Genesis and Classification of Agates and Jaspers: a New Theory"

 

What's Hot In Tucson 2011 - Minerals - Review & Discount

I have spent the last week - literally - working my way through the 2 DVD Set (240 minutes!) of What's Hot in Tucson - the Mineral edition!  What do I mean working my way through...the incredible amount of information hidden within these entertaining videos is immense!   


Of course the big  joke in 2011 is that Tucson was anything but HOT - with below freezing temperatures for close to a week as is visible in the frozen fountain on the DVD jacket photo!


The Minerals video starts with the Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show, moves to the newest venue at the Pueblo Show at the Riverfront Inn, then the Westward Look Fine Mineral Show and ends at "The Main Show" the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show.   Along the way there are several candid Collector on the Street - where they talk to people about their finds at the show!  


For 2011 the Dave Wilbur - Bob Jones team is back!   What is fabulous about these videos is that several of these pieces were found within the last year...or a minerals that have been identified and named within the last 5 - 10 years!  ...and some of the rarest minerals available!


Cornetite - Henmilite - Alabandite - Ilvaite - Arfvedsonite - Aegirine

For me the star of the Mineral Scene in Tucson is the Collector's Day at the Fine Mineral Show at the Westward Look Resort - the Featured collector this year was Wayne Sorenson and I really love the way that BlueCap edited this portion with Wayne and Dave sitting down and chatting while the stunning specimens roll by!


You Will Find Unbelievable Beauty!
...the glowing red-orange of the Tasmanian Crocoite - the Adelaide Mining Co. room was dazzling!
...both crystal and wire silver & gold
...the Chaminoux Red Flourite and Shigar Red Fluorite
...the Rhodocrosite from the Wutong Mine in China was in several rooms but "The Emperor" and "The Empress" at the TGMS were the stars of this find!
...new pocket of sparkling Prehinite fingers from Prospect Park, NJ from The Arkenstone 
...gleaming gemmy Milpillas Azurite crystals from Evan Jones minerals
...a two year old - 472 carat Emerald crystal from the La Pita Mine, Colombia - complete with it's custom lighted base!
...water clear Swiss Smokey from Pala International
...all of the new Cuprite - Copper Pseudomorphs
....and the amazing carvings from Pu Tzu at the Uncarved Block

It is great watching the way the dealers interact with Dave - his reputation in the field is unparalleled.  And one of the most candid moments comes when Bob Jones introduces and interviews his son Evan Jones, who along with his partner has some of the finest Milpillas Azurites!  Bob does a great job of explaining the various minerals present in these specimens and why the Azurite crystals just seem electric blue!


...and there are all of my favorite bathroom shots...remember these shows are in hotels and a good vendor uses every space available.  Wait till you see the Aquamarine in Rob's Levinsky's bathroom  ;-p

SO - did I mention DISCOUNT?  the folks at BlueCap have offered a special discount to all the readers of my blogs!    BlueCap is offering a special 15% off the price of your total purchase from now until Sept. 12, 2011!  

There is a 15% off coupon set up for your readers at our online store. The special code they will need to enter at checkout to receive the 15% discount is FLYONWALL. 

This code is good for two weeks from tomorrow, Monday, August 29 through Monday, September 12. It can be used once per order and will be 15% off the total order, no matter how many DVDs are in the order.

So don't forget to get your copy while they last...special checkout code FLYONWALL - while you're there pick up the Gems & Jewelry video too!

Photo Credit: Gail Spann after Cropping Robyn ;-p

Product Description:
Join us as we spend three full weeks in Tucson, Arizona at the largest mineral show in the world!! We visit dealers and collectors from the Hotel Tucson City Center (formerly known as the InnSuites), Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show, Fine Minerals International Show, The Westward Look Mineral Show and round it all up with the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society Show (aka The Main Show).


Along the way we see some of the Ilvites from China that made such a huge hit, the Russian Cuprites that were one of the hottest new finds at Tucson, one of the finest emerald specimens in the world, a behind-the-scenes viewing of the new Kunzites from Pala, an exclusive interview with the owner of the Tourmaline Queen Mine and the first owner of the world-famous Rabbit Ears Blue cap (Dave Wilber was the second owner) and a whole lot more!!!!


And, as always, we also feature Jeff Scovil's Top Ten Tucson Photos where Master Photographer Jeff Scovil shares his top ten picks for specimens shot while on location in Tucson.
It's four-hours of non-stop mineral fun on 2 DVDs and even a VERY special surpirse at the end of the program that we hope everyone enjoys.


This is What's Hot In Tucson for the year 2011 and it's HOT!!!!!!


Your "FLYONWALL" discount is available on your entire purchase from the BlueCap Store - so - Check out all the quality videos offered by BlueCap Productions at:   http://shop.bluecapproductions.com/