Cloudy and some scattered showers 55
There was a change in the weather today. It got down into the 30’s during the night and only got up to around 55. We had to wear light jackets!
These hills are actually the Pima copper mine. You can see the weather changed.
The Gem & Lapidary Dealers Association show opened at the Starr Pass Marriott Resort. One of the high-class resort hotels in the Tucson area it sits perched high on a hill with a panoramic view of the city.
The jewelry at this show is mostly finished, fine jewelry with faceted precious stones, but there are a couple dealers I look for at the show. I found some nice black opal triplets, but they were a bit more expensive than the last few years. (Big surprise!) We also found some assorted cabs of Rhodocrosite and Larimar (Pectolite), as well as a few strands of beads. Photos were prohibited at this venue because of all the spectacular and expensive precious gemstone jewelry. Sparkles were everywhere.
Jogs.
We grabbed a burger and then headed to the JOGS Show (The Jewelry, Gem and Mineral Exposition) for our next stop. I told Bonnie just before we walked in that I didn’t need any more Pietersite.
The first place we visited was my favorite Pietersite dealer. This caused me to buy more Pietersite. Am I bad? I also found some high quality Sugilite rough that one of the dealers had stashed under a table. This was a case of idle conversation paying off. The Sugilite was pricey but very good quality just a step below the impossible-to-find gel Sugilite. I do not THINK Bonnie bought any beads, but I was not watching her all the time.
Sonoran Sunset: Blue=Chrysocolla, Black=Tenorite, Red=Cuprite.
We just made a quick walk-thru, bought these few things and left.
Our next stop was a new show called 22nd Street Mineral, Fossil, and Gem Show.
Saber toothed Tiger, Cave Bears, and assorted skulls
This show was actually in a long real tent, not a hard-sided tent like other major shows.
The show had more of a flea market feel. Although the show was small by Tucson standards I found great things there. One Fossil Dealer had a table of fossils including Sabertooth tigers and cave bear.
Four Oviraptors
Another Dealer, indiana9 Fossils, had a large plate from Mongolia that contained four Oviraptors. Yes you can own it for $75,000!
Yellow Cat Redwood from Utah.
The most surprising find was finding Yellow Cat Petrified Wood from Wyoming. In my opinion this rare wood is some of the most spectacular petrified wood in the world. Very little is found. This wood is an amazing red color with full fortification agate inclusions.
The dealer said he wore the tires off his 4WD getting to the stuff. Apparently it is way out in the boonies. Pricey? Yes; but worth it. I bit the bullet and bought one small piece. He had beautiful specimens.
Man what nice wood!
We had another great day. Who knows where we’ll end up tomorrow.