Category Archives: Rock shows

Tucson Rock Shows-Things I forgot to show you

The Tucson Shows ended Sunday just about the time I ran out of cash. We acquired some amazing things that will soon be jewelry. I will post what I made from the Gemshow finds in the next week or so. Another great show, rockhounds and stone or mineral lovers should put this on your bucket list!

As I checked through the thousand pictures I took, I found a few bonus ones to show you.

Selenite Crystals oddly molded onto a bizarre piece of furniture (Chinese source). It must have been kicking off some powerful powers as the sign on it said $600,000!

More Selenite furniture. I do not know the price of this one.

Miles from Alaska had a nice tusk. I think it was the same one he had last year. About 7′ long, asking $18,000. He said it would be worth $39.000 after a professional cleaning and prep job.

Tents in the rear of the Ramada; lots of Chinese and Moroccan Stuff.

Tantric Shiva Lingams metaphysical powers from what the dealers tell me. I will not tell you what these powers are here. Many of these are shaped and faked.

Look what happened to this geode when you add a little Titanium Vapor.

A weird and wonderful Quartz Specimen. I recall it was a Himalayan Quartz primarily.

Moroccan Agate table top.

You cannot tell the difference between this Manmade Quartz Cluster and a real one. There were a couple dealers that made things like this and even Sandstone and Wonderstone!

Photos from Tucson Gem & Mineral Show-Main Show Part II

I took massive photos at the show. You’re not seeing everything, but enough for you to get an idea of some of the things at the show. We were interested in the large variety of Rhodochrosite crystalyzations, the Pyrite, and our Native Copper from Michigan and throughout the world.

Pyrite-Haunzala Peru

Etched Green Fluorite Brazil

Rhodochrosite Sweet Home Mine, John’s Pocket

Smithsonite, Yellow–Sardinia Italy

Turquoise–Arzawa Minerological Inc. I thought as I looked at this it could be a meteorite with a different mother.

Selenite from China, quite a coffin lid!

Calcite after Ikaite-Glendonite “White Cliffs Opal Pineapple” 526 g. Red Earth Opal. The dealer said there are only about 250 in the world.

Pretty Intarsia square box with picture jasper and so much more!

Look closely: carved pots, old walls, hanging masks, and bowls. Laser etching inside of Lodelite.

A carved lizard. Front center. Best I could do with my camera.

On the arena floor, more vendors!

In 2013 the Cruiziero Mine in Mines Gerais was experiencing high costs and log production, but a huge collapsed pocket was discovered in the pegmatite and is now known as the “Cranberry Pocket”. It took workers 4 weeks to collect the crystals.

Stibnite, China

Iridescent Rainbow Pyrite, Peru

Different crystal of Pyrite

“Ripple Fire” Rare Native Ripple Sheet Copper in black shale from Michigan’s White Pine Mine

Beryl var. Aquamarine on Muscovite from Pakistan

Rhodochrosite and Quartz

Assorted Fossil Forms

Chinese Mineral Specimens.

Bonnie buying Boulder Opal from a friendly Aussie.

One of the bazzilion displays of jewelry at a Tucson show.

Plenty of cabochons for you to covet or buy.

Agates and more, galore

Fossil sculpture

In the stone carver’s display, small fish, dolphins, sea coral in a bed of lodalite quartz. About 10″ across, this was stunning. Carvings inside Lodelite.

Intarsia Box by Nicolai Medvedev. with Malachite, Gold in quartz, Azurite, Turquoise, Sugilite, Lapis, Opal, 18k Gold

Elbaite, var Rubellite, Lepidolite from Brazil

Tucson Gem & Mineral Show 2018

The culmination of the rock, gem and mineral shows in Tucson is The 64th annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, hosted by the Tucson Gem & Mineral Society. It is held in the Tucson Convention Center for 4 days and features displays, vendors, symposiums and lots of cool stuff for every age.

Tourmaline

Benitoite-California’s State Gem. I never saw so much of this rare and valuable stuff in one place.

Nice display I’d say

Crystals and Crystal Forms provided a very large theme for displays to play off of. We spent a lot of time photographing the displays in order to give you a good idea of the scope and diversity here. Most displays are theme-based, so if crystals set your heart a-twitter, you’ll be a-buzz in this place!

Tucson’s Mayor Rothschild (on right) introducing Gov. Ducey

The Gov seemed quite interested and looked at displays for at least an hour. Wherever I was the Gov kept doing fly-bys.

The governor Doug Ducey and the mayor Jonathon Rothschild as well as various other dignitaries and VIPs were there for ribbon-cutting and brief speaking. Governor Ducey seemed very interested in the displays, obviously he loved the rocks and minerals.

Post necklace. Security was tight. You don’t want to lose a Smithsonian Piece.

Some of the most beautiful rocks, gems and treasures are here. In the center will be a police-guarded display from the Smithsonian. The Post Emerald Necklace had 24 Baroque emerald designed by Cartier and redesigned by him later. Some of the finest large emeralds from Colombia are featured.

Arkansas Turquoise nugget, the worlds’ largest

The largest American Turquoise nugget was there–surprisingly it is a more recent find from Arkansas! Also the largest Laguna agate, a butterfly shape, was presented. I took so many pictures that I will post them over the next couple days.

A Geode wth a Polar Bear was bought as I took the picture (Not by me), but I’m pretty sure it’s going to China.

Bonnie buying Boulder Opal fro a friendly Aussie.

Wingate Pass Agate. Can’t get it anymore as it’s on the White Sands Missle Range.

Chrysoprase

Claimed to be the Worlds Largest Laguna from Del Rey Agates.

A Dino Nest-China

Lots of vendors are there to tempt you. We were sure we were all done buying stuff, but some Larimar and Opal got in our way. You can see the new jewelry they become if you subscribe to our newsletter (ONLY once a month), or follow us on Facebook.

The show is more navigable later in the day but if you come first thing you can stand in line for 40 minutes while the excitement builds. Lots of interesting people to talk to in line, so don’t despair!

Previewing the Tucson Showplace Show

I wonder if that is the new Showcase Tent at 22nd Street?

The shows in Tucson don’t really get rolling until this weekend, but there is one small show we like to check out early. The first show we always check out is the Tucson Showplace Show at 1530 S. Freeway. Checking out the great stuff at “The Gem Shop” and talking to Veronica Woods (The promoter) is always a treat. We bought a couple flats of Laguna’s and other assorted agates at the Gem Shop. They’re all wrapped up, or I would show you.

Colorful Australian Mookaite.

A pallet of Ocean Jasper

2600# of magnesite.

A couple other vendors that were open were Soklich Trading Company from Australia. They’re a large dealer in Aussie Rocks and Bonnie found a small, colorful chunk of Mookaite. They also sold pallets of materials to commercial enterprises. I noted they had some pallets of “Peanut Wood”. For many years this has been scarce, but every once in a while some of this material is washed out in the bush….Good supply there, and many small pieces available to the hobbyist. I also saw pallets of Ocean Jasper. Great cutting material at Soklich and at The Gem Shop.

Pinolith

And I found some wonderful Austrian Pinolith (Pronounced Pin-o-lite). The flower-like combination of white Magnesite on the black Dolomite/Graphite background is just amazing. Direct importers of this uncommon Magnesite Ore is Hausen Rock Treasures Wholesale, across the drive from the Gem Shop.

I called this Bumblebee “Brushfire” for obvious reasons.

Shatuckite from the Congo

I also finished up a few pendants from our trip to Quartzsite last week so here are a couple.

See the Schedule of Tucson Shows.

Changes in 2018 to Tucson Rock and Gem Shows

We’ve noticed a couple changes at the Tucson Rock & Gem Shows this year. The first is that the very popular 22nd Street show at 22nd Street and I-10, has again expanded. Last year the tent expanded to a 750′ long monster, and this year an additional tent they named a “Showcase Tent” will bring a “higher end” experience to buyers and sellers. Featuring modular walls, high end lighting, and dealers the promoters will also be pleased as it is claimed this will be a much quieter venue than the big tent. Thirty spaces are filled and every year the vendors at the showcase will expand until they reach 300! I assume that the tent size will continue to expand.

According to their website this year the parking at 22nd Street is $3.00. It had been free, but $3.00 is still a good price and you can take shuttles to other places.

The 22nd Street Show circa 2014. Since then the length has doubled, and this year they added the “Showcase” Tent.

2017 22nd Street Show

2018: The Monster 750′ 22nd Street Show as seen from “A” Mountain (Sentinal Peak). The new show tent is on the far left. On the near side of I-10 (West side of I-10) are some of the show venues at the Hotels, along the Freeway, known as “The Strip”. So if I refer to “The Strip Shows”, I am not ogling anything but rocks (most of the time). Notice the new “Showcase” tent to the far right.

Some of the “Strip Shows” are shown in the foreground , while the Large Wholesale Show (GJX) tent across from the Tucson Convention Center (shown center right) hosts the AGTA and the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, the weekend following the AGTA Show.. This years’ theme is Crystals and Crystal Forms.(Feb 8-11), You can find the shows from the links I’ve included in this Blog.

JGX Tent on the right and Convention Center is mid-picture on the left. Anyone can go to JGM as it is a Wholesale/Retail venue.

Two popular vendors have moved from the show at the Hotel Tucson City Center. It was mentioned Aerolite Meteorites and Dinosaur Brokers are two of the exhibitors (they will have a display in the lobby of the Showcase Tent). Michigan Rocks and Arkenstone are two vendors I’m going to check out. For a new venue in 2013 this 22nd Street Gem Show is on the move; The promoters claim the the 22nd Street Show is the most attended show in Tucson. It is open to the public as well as dealers. https://22ndstreetshow.com.

Another change at the Tucson Rocks Shows is shown in this billboard. The sign on the freeway announces the True Bead True Blue Show, Colors of the Stone, and Tucson Bead and Design Show have all moved to the Casino Del Sol out on west Valencia, with a thousand sellers and workshops promised this year. This will be a big change in locations and promises lots of new shopping for the beaders!

We hope you can use these changes at the Tucson Rock & Gem Shows that we have spotted.Here’s a link to the list of dates and places for the Tucson Shows in 2018: http://www.tucsongemshows.net

That’s all for now, but stand by. Shopping to begin soon!

If you are new to our website we invite you to visit our jewelry pages. Check out our hand crafted stone jewelry featuring Greenstone (Chlorastrolite) Michigan’s State Gemstone, Petoskey Stone Michigan’s State Stone, Lake Superior Agate Minnesota’s State Gemstone, Gems from the Copper Country of Michigan, and semi-precious stones from around the world. These are created with wire artistry by Don Reed and make wonderful gifts for stone lovers–Check them out!

Tucson Shows-OK: One More Blog-Sad You’re Over

Way different than a week ago.

The dealers have moved out, but the rental tents remain to be taken away.

This past Saturday we had a cople hours and decided to see what was still open at the Hotel Strip along I-10.

we found free parking in a lot that is normally $5. Rapa river and some of the Riverpark Inn Vendors were still open, but most were packing up. This is sometimes the best time to find bargains. Vendors would normally want to sell things than move them.

This one did not find a home.

I can imagine this Amethyst Plate saying “Don’t forget me”.

This woman seems to be waiting for the moving to be finished so she could go home.

I took a few pictures of the cleaning out process, sat in the abandoned lobby of the Riverpark Inn. I recall earlier in the week there were big crowds and the excited din of the show. While Bonnie hiked down to the other end of the Strip to find one certain vendor that she needed something from, I sat and reflected (What if I just stay here and wait for next year’s show to open?). it was very sad for me that we could no longer go on our daily search for rocks, minerals and fossils, but I also understand that all the vendors wanted to get home to their various countries and States.

Poor (Literally) Don bumming in the Hotel Lobby.

Bonnie returned after a half hour (It’s a long way to the other end of the strip), and found me moping there in the lobby. She was bumming because the vendor she looked for was closed. We looked around and came upon one bead dealer that was so excited we came, he was deeply discounting his high quality beads, trying to talk Bonnie into buying every one. She picked out a few strands that were priced at 1/4 their earlier show prices.

giant Ruby in Fucshite globe going back to storage for next year.

Some Morrocan’s had a box of Ammonites drilled for beading that they were practically giving way. We dug for some, and they were pleased to take some cash from us.

I can’t recall buying anything, but I probably did; I was happy watching the interaction between Bonnie and that Chinese Bead Dealer; he was really trying to get her to release more cash.

Anyway gang, here are some final images from our last day.

Tucson Rock, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase-The Main Event Part 2

87 and sunny

The display cases boggle the mind at the Main Show, as do the Dealers.

Today I continue with the story, in photos, of our visit to the Main event show at the Tucson Convention Center. This show caps off over two weeks of exploring the 40+ shows in the Tucson Showcase. We are sad to see the show come to an end, but to be honest I am both mentally and physically drained. We had a great time and I’m happy we could tow you along by showing you small bits of the shows.

The G&LW (Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers) was closing up. We have learned from past experience that the last day at this show the dealers are in a hurry to pack up and get out of there. They really don’t want to take goods back to wherever they came from and the beads may sell for 1/4 to 1/3 the costs they were at the beginning of the shows. We sort of grabbed and go’d on one side of the table, while the dealers packed up on the other side. Bonnie was a shopping fool, and made cash offers, you would not believe; that were accepted.

An amazing Amethyst specimen for sale at Collectors Edge.

Columbus Pearls-Yep, Guard stationed nearby.

Show floor.

Turquoise & Diamond Necklace

As we drifted through the Main Show we saw a special display honoring the past Carnegie Award Members including our friend Dr. George Robinson. We sure miss George (and his wife Susan) being around The A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum.

Continue reading →

Tucson Rock, Mineral, & Fossil Showcase-The Main Show-Part 1

The floor of the Tucson Convention Center featured the among booth from Collectors Edge, the largest dealer of fine specimen rocks and minerals in Tucson.

Closeup of the Collectors Edge Display that ook up big real estate on the convention floor.

The Main Show heralds the end of the Tucson Shows every year. I am happy to have survived this mega-show, and pleased with all the awesome new things we purchased. I expect over the rest of the month to show you many amazing pieces of jewelry made from the rocks, minerals and fossils acquired as we roamed the 40 plus shows.

Even though the theme of the show was “Shades of Blue” there were many other shades also.

That’s a great Labradorite on the top shelf.

Tourmaline is everywhere.

There’s blue in this case.

Amazing Malachite.

Carved in Rainbow Obsidian by Master Carver Francisco Sotomayor, the gun, pillow, and bullets are one piece! “Peacemaker”

“Skull Dagger #2” (2014). Another Masterwork by Francisco Sotomayor. Obsidian

“Skull Dagger #1” bu Francisco Sotomayor (2014) Obsidian

Amazingly carved from Black Obsidian by Francisco Sotomayor (Obsidian is volcanic GLASS folks). Other carvers would not even attempt these things.

Aquamarine

Quartz on Adventurine

An interesting display-Notice the autographed Babe Ruth Baseball.

Agates for sale..

If you have read the blog each day, and ogled the pictures I have taken, you only begin to understand what goes on in the largest show of its’ kind here in Tucson. You must come here and see for yourself. As usual, we are over-budget on our spending, but we always expect this, as Bonnie and I see many things we never knew we needed.

The main event at the Tucson Convention Center was packed and will be even more packed this weekend as locals, Rockhounds, and those in the gem, jewelry, and fossil trade visit the “Big Show”. The Tucson Gem & Mineral Society have been putting on the largest, oldest, and most prestigious gem and mineral show in the world since the mid-50s. Their stated goal is the promotion of rocks and minerals in every form and including Geology, Mineralology, Lapidary,and Allied earth sciences. They certaining accomplish this goal every year. The TGMS was established in 1946, and Has grown to be the king of Clubs throughout the world.

the Logan Sapphire, at 42.3 cts, the largest mounted gemstone in the National Gem Collection! It is surrounded by diamonds, and mined in Sri Lanka. You will remeber this from my AGTA Post, but this is a better picture of the amazing red tinge in the blue.

I have only brushed the surface of what takes place in Tucson. Today and tomorrow I will post many photos from the Convention Center Show. Some I will have captions on, and some I will not, but you will still enjoy them all.

Check back tomorrow for part 2.

The

Tucson Rock & Gem Shows-The Miner’s Co-op Grew

Sunny and 83

The Miner’s Co-op is a real Rockhound’s treat

A return to the remote Miners Co-op show brought a real surprise. There were three times the vendors than two weeks ago. This show seems more like Quartzsite than Tucson with all the tailgating and rocks, slabs, and cabs on tables right out in an open lot. I love this format.

Bonnie and I found treasures at bargain prices everywhere. I bought cabs, and Bonnie was hauling around a five pound Chrysocolla rock she liked the looks of. I have learned to keep quiet, even though I have a good supply at home already. Good Chrysocolla seems to be in short supply in Tucson this year.

I found a few pieces of quality Dino Bone at one vendor, picked a few slabs at another vendor, and just chatted with the vendors. I love to pick the brains of other Rockhounds and harvest any trivial knowledge they possess.

You can tell when it is warm in Tucson when water in slab tubs is replaced by mister-sprayers. The water actually can get so hot it burns the hands.

This blog actually involves several days and a couple trips to the Co-op. The last tme I was there, I found a fellow Wingate Pass Agate Lover. This stuff is very rare and Kevin cuts a few pieces each year for Tucson Customers.

The main event show started on the 11th, and we attended and will show you tomorrow. I tell you this because one of the rock-related book dealers had a wonderful book I was perusing called, Collecting Agates and Jaspers of North America by Patti Polk. I mentioned to Bonnie this would be a great gift for me sometime. I swear this is a true Kharma story. I saw the same book in a booth at the co-op; the very booth Kevin was in, and there sat Patti Polk, the author. I bought an autographed copy on the spot. I could not believe this coincidence; or was it? (Twilight Zone Music Playing). Get yourself a copy. It’s a wonderful book, and for those that cannot read, there are lots of fine pictures.

Kevin had some Pietersite from Namibia, I had not seen, that was black with yellow in it. I bought rough and will show you when I cut it. The name is “Golden Sky” var. Pietersite. There is a good supply of rough at this booth. It’s very cool stuff.

Patti Polk & Kevin Kessler

If you are a real Rockhound, and not a Bead Lady or jewelry buyer, this is the show for you.

Tucson Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Showcase-Return to the Arizona Mineral and Fossil Show

Sunny and 83 (Al Roker said Traverse City Michigan is expecting 10 inches of snow).We interpret this to mean 14-16 inches of snow in our driveway back home. Smile.

Pyrite Crystals from Navajun, Spain. There was a whole room full.

Canadian Ammonites. These are always $5,000 ++.

Today we made a return trip to the Arizona Mineral and Fossil show at the Hotel Tucson City Center. Bonnie had not seen the world record Uruguay amethyst or anything else at this show. The show is coming to an end and many vendors were starting to pack up,.

Moroccan Crocodiles abound in Tucson

Bonnie bought some new display items for our booth, and I enjoyed looking at ammonites. We enjoyed talking with the guys at Agates by Rock of Ages and we rummaged through their extensive bins with many types of agate slabs.. The agates keep drawing us in.

A fine Meteorite mount. I did not get the source.

Mastodon Leg just standing outside a room

I observed a full mastodon leg that still had some skin and hair on it. Check out the picture, if you don’t believe me.

The fiberglass dinosaurs were still fighting in the courtyard, and it looked like those raptors were not making much headway.

Old Collection, unknown what mine in the Keweenaw

I talked to Ken Flood from Keweenaw Gem and Gift, and he showed me a beautiful copper crystal specimen that has been featured in his booth.

Bonnie loves the colors of Australia’s Queensland Agate, or Agate Creek agates. She found some agate treasures there that we will have at the Agate Expo this summer, agate stretch bracelets and cute little rain forest jasper frogs. They look like they would be well camouflaged in a real rain forest.

Sea life at the rock show

We were happy to return to our RV and I even cut some of those agate slabs on my saw, getting ready for the next step on the grinder.

PS-The Internet at the RV Park has been so sporadic it’s difficult to do a whole blog without some sort of getting knocked off, losing data, or not being able to sign on; so frusrating to get a blog done, and have to start all over. I’ve foiled this, what I believe to be a communist plot, by doing the blog at 3am. So I’ve corrected this blog this morning. I know you guys have been checking out this blog, and I really appreciate it after all the effort.