Miners Co-op has a new paved lot!
North of Tucson in a Sports Park parking lot is a rock show that resembles the “old” shows that rockhounds recall. Over the years we have found The Miner’s Co-op Rock Show to be an excellent alternative to fighting the crowds at the major shows in Tucson. The Miner’s Coop is more of a tailgating experience than any other show in town.
Happily this year they were bragging about the million-dollar parking lot, which if you had been to the show a few years ago the parking lot was a dusty dirty field, rough to walk on, windy and wild. Pima County has been making upgrades to the whole sports complex, and smooth pavement for walking on was a big plus this year and so much cleaner. Road construction closed a couple of exits by the show, but the website explained the route, signs welcomed us telling us we were on the right route, and it was a simple trip. Since Weatherbug said is was 43 degrees, we put on our sweatshirts and started out.
Dead Camel from Fallon Nevada area was featured in Rock & Gem Magazine not long ago.
Dead Camel Jasper.
Bonnie was interested in some Dead Camel Jasper, a colorful jasper from Fallon, Nevada. A trailer full of buckets had her engaged. She pawed through those buckets looking for just the right pieces and miner Walt Harrison helped her find just what she wanted.
Blue Point Mine, Near Thunder Bay
Seconday deposition causes the rust colored crystals.
I found a slab of Ocean Picture Rock which I know makes great jewelry. Next I dug through some amethyst. Like a beacon sparkling in the sun, I recognized the amethyst as being from the Blue Point Mine at Thunder Bay Ontario. We have friends who have been there and collected. A red iron oxide coating from the secondary mineral coating within the vugs give additional depth to the expected purple color on some of the pieces there.They were glistening in the sun. By the time we left we were all glistening in the sun, without any sweatshirts!
How did the not break crystals, and how will someone get it safely home?
Ammonite at Russian Stones Booth
Russian Ammonites
I went through a lot of cabs at Johnson Brothers close out sale. Bough a good bunch also.
After lunch we went to JGX to check out a “closeout” sale at Ed Johnson’s booth. Even though I usually cut my own cabochons, I sometimes buy cabs cut by others. Quality colorful Dinosaur Bone is becoming scarce, and the cabochons that he had were all exactly what I look for. I bought some sunstone, and assorted agates, but mostly dino bone!
Gemstone Material Interiors
Chevron Amethyst
As usual a large display of amethyst cathedrals, gemstone tables, Moroccan fossils, chevron amethysts and artistic interior design pieces are highlighted at this venue. Sometimes you find little surprises at the shows. It looked like Indian clothing, nothing to do with rocks and minerals. A Russion vendor featured colorful ammonites as well as large more ordinary ammonites. Large citrine geodes were on sale outside. In this case the citrine was heat-treated amethyst. Some amethyst when heat treated turns into citrine. You can research this if you are interested, that’s all I know about it!
I’ll show you our treasures at a later date.
We were pretty fast at our shopping today, doing Miner’s Coop and JGX both. We might wander back to them another day.