Monthly Archives: February 2011

Tucson Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Shows-Wrap Up

Sunny 85

Sun sets on Tucson-Notice no sides on the big tent.

AS quickly as it began the Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show ended yesterday. The tents are being dismantled, the hotel rooms are vacated, and the dealers are headed back to all over the world. From what I understand, the crowds have been down a little, but the buying has been up slightly. I saw some major pieces were purchased. I know the people at the Black Hills Institute are pleased after selling a couple of major fossils. I saw many other large or pricey items gone, and some boxed amethyst geodes with “Sold” signs on them.

Only one more flat-rate box being shipped out today. In the final few days, Bonnie found some bargain beads and I found an outstanding piece of Chrysoprase that I haggled to a great price.

Tucson was a winner!

I hate to go back to cold and snow.

I experience slight withdrawal each year when I cannot go out to look at rocks. I go home broke as usual, but I obtained some wonderful things to make into jewelry for the 2011 art shows we are in, as well as the website.

There was a nice activity called “Second Saturday” in Downtown Tucson with street performers and a great band playing oldies. There is sparse lighting downtown, no big sodium vapor lights or the like, so it is all sort of dark. Tucson has a light pollution ordinance so no lights are allowed to shine upward. This gave the area a Halloween-like feel, but we had great fun and some adult beverages on the way back home at Buffalo Hot Wings.

Adios Tucson.

This will be my final Tucson Blog until we get back home next week. You will see some of the amazing things we found in our travels out here. Better photos can be taken at home. I have sent home eight large flat-rate boxes of goodies. It will be fun unpacking them and finding the things I forgot I bought.

I hope you enjoyed what I wrote here, and I appreciate all the nice comments.

Don (and Bonnie)

Tucson Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Show-Final day

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I gave it one last shot today at the Riverpark Inn and the Rapa River Show. About half the vendors had moved out and many more were in the process of packing up, but there were several stalwart vendors still trying for that last dollar.

I found some classic Holbrook Picture Petrified Wood that I had not observed the other times I have been in the area.

I took a few final show pictures for you all. So here they are:

The giant GJX Tent coming down-very sad.

Nice Malachite leftovers

Tons of Denim Lapis not sold.

More tons of Tiger Eye not sold

Chrysanthemum Stone table and chairs for your deck-Requires additional bracing!

Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show

Sunny 75

The shows are winding down. Many vendors are moving from their hotel rooms and the giant Tents are coming down. This is the time to be out for the bargains. Many dealers are selling things off for up to 75% off, especially bead dealers. As I write this on the morning of the 12th I see us going out one last time this afternoon to check out these bargains.

In the meantime let’s look at a few more photos I took at the Big Show on Thursday.

calif-sign

Calcite

Just an exceptional display.

Rhodocrosite

Unusual Pyrite from Ross County, Ohio

One of the displays was rocks and minerals featured in literature. Some liberties were taken.

California Native Gold (A lot of this was on display as to be expected)

Diamond Pacific Xpert

I just purchased a new Diamond Pacific Xpert. This is a completely new design for a 7-wheel (6″) Cabochon machine. The top tray is removable. The 1/3 hp motor is mounted in the rear and it is belt driven. All electronics are protected from water and the unit is powder coated with all stainless screws. Some advantages I saw were easy access to the pump and the spacing between wheels is that of the Diamond Pacific Titan which I believe is 1 3/4″ between wheels. I do some offset faceting where I need more room for the stone at the sides and this will be great. The two outer wheels can be quickly changed without tools.

DP Xpert tray on

Xpert top tray removed. I know you only see six wheels but the 7th wheels goes on the left end. Look close and you see the shaft.

Xpert rear with top tray removed

I am eager to get this Xpert. The Genie has served me well over the years and I may keep it also. There, of course. is always a demand for used Genie’s. The recommended retail for the Xpert is $1875.

Tucson Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Show-The Main Event

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The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show featured the Mineral Treasures of California this year. Many of these specimens I saw a couple years ago when the show featured the most famous mines and mineral locations from around the U.S. It was great to see them again.

The famous Cullinan Diamond Necklace from the Smithsonian

The priceless Cullinan Diamond Necklace from the Smithsonian was on display. Next to the Hope Diamond that it usually sits next to, it is the most valuable jewelry piece the Smithsonian Museum possesses. Yes it was well guarded. The silver necklace has an elaborate bow motif, the 251 diamonds curving into the loops and then the ribbon-shaped arms. An oval-shaped pendant with a 2.6-carat blue diamond drops from the center of the bow, part of the 5.32-carat total of blues.

One of the other multi million dollar pieces is the Tourmaline below which was closely guarded by Tucson’s finest. This specimen is the Tourmaline on the Tucson Gem Show Official Poster for 2011. It is from the Tourmaline Queen Mine in San Diego County.

One of the finest Elbaite (tourmaline) specimens ever found, worth millions. Notice guard.

Whenever I see a member of the Tucson PD sitting next to a case, I know what is inside is priceless OR worth millions. So I will ID these pieces under each photo. I think California was well represented by fabulous gold nuggets, wonderful gemstones from the pegmatites of San Diego County, and hidden treasures from the mountains. Benitoite

California Gold

I took loads of photos and can only show you a small selection in this blog. You just have to be here to take in all the spectacle.

One dealer really went the distance and all their employees dressed in gold rush era costumes.

Gold rush girl

Spodumene beauty

Pink Spudomene

We ran into the Seamen Mineral Museum Director Ted Bornhurst, and had a nice conversation about progress on the new museum building (Houghton, Michigan). After capping the mineshaft they hit while excavating there have been a few more glitches with unexpected expenses. He reported that the museum is on schedule for an August grand opening, but with only partial displays set up. Setting a new place up is a daunting task, and it will take some time to finish it.

Ausrox-Austrailian Gold Nugget

To get back to the displays, the huge AusRox Nugget was on display. This is a gold nugget found by metal detector early in 2010 in the Eastern Gold Fields, Western Australia. It weighs 23.26kg or 748 troy ounces. AMAZING-51 1/4 Pounds if I calculated correctly.

A nice display of California Specimens

Look close at these!

topaz-elbaite-quartz

Nothing but Tourmaline.

Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show-The Main Event

Sunny 73

The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show (The Main Event) opened today. The show is sponsored by the Tucson Gem & Mineral Club.

Bonnie and I were in there like rabbits. I have one dealer I go to at this show that on the average has the best cabs at any of the shows. Right away I found a big slab of Luna Agate and a fantastic slab of bright red Dinosaur bone. I added some assorted jasper and some amazing uncut Laguna Agates. It did pay to get over there and get the first dibs.

We checked out the entire show and found that, as usual, there were a lot of jewelers, and many were really good.

We also saw some way over the top jewelry that no one in Michigan would be caught dead in. There is no way to describe this stuff, other then to say it would cause the ordinary person’s neck to spasm, later resulting in a trip to the chiropractor. I doubt if there is any drug I could be on that would cause my brain to spew out any jewelry like this. Apparently people (like rock stars) actually buy the stuff. OK; enough of that rant. No, wait; I forgot the artist had a about a one pound piece of Turquoise hanging on a sort of rope device (like a noose) hanging down and somehow attaching to her waist area. She seemed insulted when I asked her what she did with the anchor? I know that’s wrong, but I calls em like I sees em! Hey, I heard you laugh!

ps. Bonnie is not here right now, otherwise, being a nice person like she is, she probably would tell me not to say these things. There is no one here to keep me from posting this, so here it is. You better read this fast before she gets back.

Today I am going to post up some of the neat and cool things we saw. Unlike many other shows in Tucson, you can take photos. Tomorrow I will feature the main focus of the displays, the rocks, minerals, and gem treasures of California.

gem-mineral-and-fossil-showcase-sign

Digging through slabs. Hey guys, I already scarfed up the best ones.

There were not a great many people there today, but don’t expect no crowds on the weekends. lovely-agate-cabs

Great agate cabs!

Rainbow Obsidian Cabs and Opal inlayed turtles.

Rain Forest Jasper Toad (or frog)

Tables of petrified wood.

The most amazing carving we saw at the show had a highly detailed western motif. Stunning in Turquoise. At Tides by the Sea

Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show

Sunny low 70s

If you want to see the new Diamond Pacific Xpert, I put a picture from their flyer in yesterday’s blog.

When this show is all over with, and we get back home, I will take some great photos of things we purchased here. I have a small photo studio I use to take my web photos. The issue here, in Tucson, is getting everything to look good. I cannot get the good close-up shots you deserve to see. I am also putting together a program for the Grand Traverse Area Rock & Mineral Club back home with many photos you have not seen on my blog (can you imagine there are more photos?).

I went up on Sentinel Peak yesterday and took a few shots. The big mountains in the back are the Catalina Mountains, and the Santa Rita Mountains are connected also.

Tucson

To the left is downtown Tucson. Just to the right of downtown is the Convention Center. AGTA was there and they are setting up for the main show this weekend. Toward you, across from the Convention Center is the giant GJX tent that I’ve referred to before. Go left a few blocks and you see the tent for the GJM Show. Toward you this side of I-1o is one of the many shows on the strip, the Pueblo Show and some of the Rapa River Show.

Let’s have a little undersea adventure from the Fossil Show. 9-octipi 9-octopi-2 9-turtle

Xiphactinus (common spelling:)) Niobrara Formation-Cretaceous Period-Western Kansas

I have two more really nice pictures of a display in the lobby of the Tucson City Center.

Tourmaline

Mostly Rutile.

Tomorrow the main show opens with wonderful displays. Expect great photos.

Tucson Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Shows

73 sunny and very windy

Wind dust and debris were flying all over at Electric Park. Our buddies Marshall and Mary Collins’ stuff was flying. We saw John & Jane Matz and Don & Katie Brown from our club searching for treasures at the RV Show. Wind does not effect the staunch rockhound.

A day for free-styling. We ended up at Electric Park today looking at the RV Show again and roaming around over to the main show area. I saw some more unusual things I missed the last couple time I was there. You know how weird things attract me, so I took some photos for your enjoyment.

I was totally scared at this booth.

Another strange thing at the rock show.

Remember that big pile of steer heads I took a picture of earlier. It looks like only the rejects are left.

I mentioned the gun booth in an earlier blog

And in conclusion, I’m so excited! I heard rumors that Diamond Pacific had a brand new cabochon machine they were introducing at this show. THE “XPERT” is a 7-wheeled unit with 1-3/4″ of space between wheels. This is the same wheel spacing at the Diamond Pacific Titan has. It takes the same 6″ wheels that the Genie uses. The unit has adapters that allow both end wheels to be spun off by hand and the 1/3hp motor is in the rear of the machine. This is bigger than the 1/4hp motor the Genie has. The motor is in the rear, so the unit is no wider then the Genie. It is belt driven and the water pump is easily accessed in the rear. Areas exposed to water are both galvanized and powder coated and the screws are stainless. The recommended wholesale price is $1875, but from a motivated dealer you may find it cheaper. Did I buy one? You bet I did . My dream machine is a Titan, but at a smaller price, this machine will do me for a long time. I tried to buy the demo model Bill was using, but he said that the unit serial number was oo1 and he had claimed this unit as his own. It doesn’t hurt to ask. I’ve loved my Genie, and now I plan to love my Xpert! Diamond Pacific does not have this unit on its website yet. I guess I’ve got to go back and grab a photo for you.

Diamond Pacific Xpert

A table full of weird birds!

You'd need a big loader to move these to your yard. My fried Gary's barn would look better with one of these sitting beside it.

You'd need a big loader to move these to your yard. My friend Gary's barn would look better with one of these sitting beside it.

Tucson Rock, Gem, & Mineral Shows

mid-70’s sunny as usual

We are making those little side trips to the minor shows looking in the nooks and crannies for unfound treasure.

This table was covered with geode spheres at JGM.

Detail from sphere table.

We found a little event today at the Tucson Showplace, which sounds big and exciting, but is in fact a small group of dealers in a little mall-like area. I usually go there for Ocean Jasper as the original miner is there from Madigascar. Here we found Gene Mueller (The Gem Shop) from Wisconsin, a legendary miner of Mexican material. He also has some of the best rough rock at the best prices of any of the shows. It is always worth while to check out his rockpiles. Bonnie had fun searching through the Condor Agate rough, while I looked for a couple pieces of Laguna Agate from Mexico. We both found some pieces we thought would cut nice: but you never know what might be inside. That’s the thrill of lapidary work.

Small intarsia tables.

Detail from Ocean Jasper tables.

Jessica leaning the Sea Monster.

There was a young lady outside one of a fossil dealer there cleaning a Mosasaur fossil from Morocco outside of Infinity Traders. This was a late cretaceous period creature. Although this was a small one, really big ones were the kings of the sea; nasty creatures. I think I saw one of these in the movie “Sea Monsters”. The National Geographic Society made a short 3D movie by the aforementioned name a few years back. If you did not see this movie, you really missed out. It is out on DVD, but it is not the same as seeing it on the big screen in 3D.

Bonnie and I also made a quick go through of the JGM (Jewelry, Gem, and Mineral Exposition) show tent near 22nd Street along the freeway. I took a couple photos, but we bought only a few cabs and some beads.

Ocean Jasper galore.

The weather was just remarkable and we noticed most of the parking lots at the shows we went by were full.

Tucson Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Shows

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The tallest of the many amethyst geodes at this years show. This one I estimated at 20' tall with a large while quartz crystal inside it at the top. I did not bother to ask how much it was.

The tallest of the many amethyst geodes at this years show. This one I estimated at 20' tall with a large white quartz crystal inside it at the top. I did not bother to ask how much it was.

Starting at the south end of “the strip” along I-10 we walked the shows from South to North. Starting at the LaQuinta, then Howard Johnson’s, the Riverpark Inn, Rapa River Show, and finally Days Inn. This is a lot of shops to see and ground to cover. The dumb move was buying 4 pounds of Ocean Jasper first thing and having to carry it over two miles down the strip, then back to our parking spot. Ocean Jasper has so many colors and neat patterns, it is easy to want more. At least I didn’t get the 60 pound box I was thinking about…

Sorting Ocean Jasper.

Nice finds!

We found a dealer with some really nice facetted gems at a reasonable price. Bonnie bought some beads, and she finished off with a copper roadrunner to hang in our daughter’s garden.

We just mostly looked and took some pictures for you. Not a big crowd today. We went in the afternoon and I expect many of them were consuming adult beverages and watching the Superbowl.