64 sunny
AGTA Show at the Tucson Convention Center
A couple big wholesale shows were on my agenda today. After parking at the Marriott Starr Pass, and checking out a very small JCK show, I took the shuttle bus to the AGTA (America Gem Trade association) Show at the Tucson Convention Center, and also the GJX (Gem & Jewelry Exchange) across the street from the Convention Center.
AGTA is a serious gem trade show with high-end gemstones everywhere. Faceted Gems are not my forte, so I usually just skim this monster show.
I do keep an eye out for a hidden bargain though. As I was strolling the show and sort of doing the fast scan, what should my eyes behold but four small pieces of Rhodochrosite. Not just any Rhodochrosite, but Rhodochrosite from Inakuraisi Mine in Hokkaido, Japan, a mine that I last saw Rhodocrosite from many years ago. This mine closed perhaps 30 years ago. I will attempt to take a picture of the piece I purchased. I think it is solid and pink with an amethyst tinge. Again, the quest for old material made my day.
A couple of special gemstone pieces were on display from Smithsonian. One was 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.
GJX across from the AGTA Show
At GJX, the finished fine jewelry trade and fine faceted gemstones dominates. A highlight was visiting Gary Wilson Lapidary Design where Gary has a large presence. Gary is from Traverse City and Tucson so I have known him for many years. His cabochons are fabulous and many buyers flock to his booths every year. He will also be at the Main Event Show next weekend.
Gary Wison and Amy
I was able to find a couple Datolites with wonderful color from the Keweenaw Peninsula. The colorful Datolites are becoming scarce as waste piles are rapidly being crushed for road fill. Finding good Datolite always makes my day.
On the way back to the RV I stopped at the Tucson Showplace and bought some Purple Passion Agate from the Gem Shop. This a new find from Mexico. I showed you a piece in an earlier blog that Jeff Anderson had, and am hopeful mine will also be good stuff.
I have confusion sometimes identifying Picture Jaspers from the Northwest,
so I was happy to find a new book of that name by Hans Gamma and Lauritz A Jensen. The book has great pictures and loads of information on these Jaspers.
The day ended at JCK with the world premiere of the new documentary film, Shaping the Rough. This movie followed a beautiful Tsavorite Garnet from the mine to a piece of finished jewelry. We enjoyed it and any time I can learn new things, I’m happy. We were wined and dined and treated like we were something. We met many others in the gem trade from around the country. The movie had some Michigan connections as the gemstone was cut in Royal Oak.
I had good fun today, and the evening date with Bonnie was also great.