AGTA Announces Tools, Technology & Services Pavilion at GemFair™ Tucson

New Tools, Technology & Services Pavilion 

at 2013 AGTA GemFair™ Tucson

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is pleased to announce the new Tools, Technology and Services Pavilion at the 2013 AGTA GemFair™ Tucson Show.

After conducting an extensive survey of show attendees the number one thing the buyers asked for was more tools, technology and services! This is an important category for many buyers and the expanded pavilion adds a lot of value for those buyers who are interested in the many products that will be offered. The synergy of the exhibitors in the pavilion makes it easier for buyers to focus on this category when shopping at GemFair.

GemFair is one of the few shows to offer this specialized pavilion in Tucson. Product and educational demonstrations will be offered in the pavilion through out the show in order to increase traffic. With all of the new excitement and build-up around the pavilion AGTA will dedicate additional resources to marketing its fabulous new location and amenities!

If you have a manufacturing component in your business, the Tools, Technology and Services Pavilion is a destination you must see in 2013!

What Would Winning An AGTA Spectrum Award Mean To You?

If you get a moment go over to YouTube and watch the new videos from the AGTA...they are interviewing winners of the Spectrum Award. 

They each answer Two questions...

1. Tell us about your winning entry.

2. What did winning an AGTA Spectrum Award mean to your business?

This particular video features Ashleigh Branstetter who entered an elegant pair of Tahitian Pearl and Sapphire Cufflinks (above) and she won a Manufacturing Honors Award in the Men's Wear Category.

So - Ashleigh, what does winning a Spectrum Award mean to your business?

Collector Day At The Westward Look Fine Mineral Show 2012

This is just Part One of my coverage of this show that has, due to the gorgeous minerals, fabulous exhibitors and collectors, captured my heart.  Collectors Day is a celebration and a fixed date on my Tucson Calendar because I meet up with a brilliant group of women.  We enjoy a delicious lunch on the patio overlooking the town of Tucson and we relax at the resort in the hills.


From the Fine Mineral Show Website:  Our Saturday event, known as Collector Day, is an all-day event (10AM - 4PM) where we invite a special guest to display their private mineral collection in the lobby of the Westward Look Resort. Our special guest is on hand throughout the event to answer any questions, meet anyone coming by our just chat the time away. This has become an extremely popular, must-stop visit for many people at the Tucson show to learn more about this wonderful hobby.


The Featured Collector in 2012 was Ron Gladnick and in a brilliant move the exhibit included original paintings and illustrations of mineral specimens from the Gladnick Private Collection by famous wildlife artist Gamini Ratnavira.

As the story goes, the day he was born, an owl flew into his room through an open window and perched on the side of his crib. An unusual event for any newborn, however a very prophetic event for Sri Lankan-born wildlife artist and nature conservationist Gamini Ratnavira.

While this may have been Gamini's first direct link with nature, it wasn't until five years later when, fighting loneliness after his parents' divorce, Gamini observed the one event that would forever tie him to his life's passion.

"It had just rained and I was outside feeling sorry for myself. I started to watch a raindrop roll off the edge of a leaf and I was fascinated by the colors and the movement of those colors in that tiny raindrop. Then it fell to the ground and was absorbed by the dirt to nourish the plants. It was at that exact moment that I realized how big, complex and all-encompassing nature really is. As I was thinking about all of this and how it all tied together, I realized that for the first time in months, I had completely stopped thinking about my family situation and was actually able to smile. That's the power of nature."

This is from a fabulous write up about Gamini on the Blue Cap Productions Website here - click through for the entire story:
http://www.bluecapproductions.com/gamini/index.html


Enjoy this too brief Photo Journal - for more photos check out the Westward Look Fine Mineral Show 2012 Album on the Tucson Gem Show Facebook page.  


(BTW - you do not have to have a Facebook account to view the photos)

The Gladnick Collection was displayed in two large cases with
Gamini's paintings flanking them.

As you can see from the reflection this is a crowded event with visitors clamoring to photograph to exhibit and for a photo op with the Featured Collector!

Since I never seem to get photos of the grounds for this show I am adding this great shot from Dave Waisman's 2009 Album on his Fine Mineral Show page on Facebook!

AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge Awards

One of the most prestigious competition in the Gem & Jewelry Industry is the American Gem Trade Association's AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge Awards...

These stunners make their world debut at the AGTA GemFair in Tucson and at all of the Spring Red Carpet Events...





Exposure - YES?  Worth Entering -  I think SO!!!

For more info http://agta.org/awards/index.html
For Entry Form, Rules & Regs (.pdf)  http://agta.org/awards/docs/2013-spectrum-invitation.pdf

 Launched in 1984, the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ honors, recognizes and promotes designers whose work utilizes natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls in finished fine jewelry design.  It has become the benchmark for jewelry designers striving to gain recognition for their work.  In 1991, the AGTA created the Cutting Edge Awards to honor creativity in lapidary arts, including faceted gems and pearls, carvings, and objects of art.  Both are a true contest of workmanship, creativity and innovation.  Winners set the standards of excellence for our entire industry.  The Spectrum Awards competition has launched trends, increased visibility for designer jewelry, and inspired great innovation in use of color and materials.

The Spectrum Awards is considered the finest jewelry and gemstone competition in the world.  The judging panel changes each year and consists of experts from different disciplines within the jewelry industry.  Each piece is examined by hand with an eye for craftsmanship and quality of the materials used.

#WordlessWednesday - Vendor Spotlight - Tony & Dolores Worth

I will be posting a Vendor Spotlight every Wednesday. In the spirit of #WordlessWednesday - it will include only the basics - Caption and Contact Information...Enjoy!


Tony & Dolores Worth at the JG&M show!

One of those vendors that doesn't have an online presence, 

Tony & Dolores can be found at some of the Intergem Shows 

and the Tucson Gem Show.

Vendor Spotlight: Joe Jelks of Horizon Mineral Custom Lapidary

I will be posting a Vendor Spotlight every Wednesday. In the spirit of #WordlessWednesday - it will include only the basics - Caption and Contact Information...Enjoy!


Joe Jelks of Horizon Mineral Custom Lapidary

Probably the hottest find in Tucson - this Bumble Bee Jasper was a HIT!

Rutlated Quartz Cabs and Caps on Onyx & Lapis

Who knew that schist could be so cool!

Joe Jelks 
Horizon Minerals Custom Lapidary
302.644.3333 
fax 302.644.2128
Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show
Artists Gallery (upstairs from the Lobby)
Hotel Tucson City Center

GIA Tucson: GIA Alumni Awarded Global Honors

GIA Alumni Receive Global Honors

Leadership and achievement awards

Gail Brett Levine,
recipient of the 2012 GIA Int'l Leadership Award.
Image courtesy of Levine.

CARLSBAD, CA. – Alumni of GIA (Gemological Institute of America) were recognized for their chapter contributions during the annual GIA Alumni Association dinner, auction and dance party held on Feb. 3 at the Tucson Gem Show. Gail Brett Levine, Graduate Gemologist, of New York received the 2012 International Leadership Award; and Lanis Mosher, Accredited Jewelry Professional, of Ontario received the 2012 International Achievement Award.

The GIA Global Alumni Awards recognize members who exhibit leadership, demonstrate service to the gem and jewelry industry, and actively support the association’s growth through continuing education and innovative programs.

Lanis Mosher, recipient of the
2012 GIA Int'l Achievement Award.
Image courtesy of Mosher.

Levine, an independent personal property appraiser, has been in the jewelry trade for 40 years and an officer in the Manhattan Chapter since the inception of the GIA Alumni Association in 1982. “I am proud that the Manhattan Chapter is one of the gemstones in the GIA ‘Tiara of Chapters,’” she said. “I want to express my gratitude to my fellow officers and everyone I’ve worked with to make it a success.”

Mosher, a retailer for more than 12 years, has rarely missed an event since the Ontario Chapter was founded two years ago. “My best advice is to stay involved in your chapter as you never know what gems you will meet,” she said. “I plan to return to Tucson next year to reconnect with fellow alumni. I am refreshed and excited about where to take my career next and what additional GIA courses I want to enroll in.”

“The Institute commends Gail and Lanis for their continued dedication to the association,” said Kate Donovan, GIA Alumni Relations Manager. “The awards program was created to foster and inspire the alumni network, which includes 60 chapters worldwide. We thank these individuals for their enthusiasm and support of the organization.”

A call for 2013 nominations will be distributed to all association members in July 2012. To ensure receipt of the nomination form, GIA Alumni can register here.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu.