TUCSON GEM FAIR 2009 IS HERE !

For those going, you will be seeing plenty of gem, gemstones, lapidary, and many many other things over the next several weeks. For those not going, here are some views from the 2008 Gem Fair. Watch for 2009 pictures as they are taken.

The first thing you will notice is street vendors all over the place, parking lots, motels, hotels, tents in vacant lots and along the side of the roads.

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There are major shows for rock-hounds.

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Bead Shows.

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Jewelry Shows.

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Very High End Jewelry Shows.

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And then the strange like a Wooly Rino and Wolly Mamouth.

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And then in the evenings the Parties, Formal Gatherings and Presentations.

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One big party for almost a full month. Use the following link to get a complete listing of all shows by date and times. It also tells if the show is open to the public or for wholesale purchasers only. If you have a Tax Certifacte and Resale License, don't forget to bring, it sure helps reduce the price of things. http://www.colored-stone.com/tsg/show_index.cfm

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JASPER - examples of Morrisonite and Willowcreek !

Some pictures of Morrisonite (Morrison Ranch, OR) and Willowcreek (north of Boise, ID) Jasper material cut and polished by a friend, Philip, who operates Rare Rocks and Gems. He does a fantastic job of cutting the rough to get the best out of the material he works on.

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Willow Creek

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Morrisonite

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These and other example of Philip's work can be found on his web-site at http://www.rarerocksandgems.com/ or on the TaoGem Lapidary/Gemstone Forum at http://gemstone.smfforfree4.com/.

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All pictures taken of his own material by Philip.
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"GOLD" In Jewelry

To most people when you combine the words "gold" and "jewelry" one thinks of the gold that holds the Diamond or other Gemstones, such as a ring, earring, pendant or bracelet setting. And this gold can range in karet weight from 9 to 22, of course 24k gold, pure gold, would be way to soft to hold anything. But lets think a bit further, others items, especially coins are also made out of gold, most of it 18k or 22k, with the exception of a few newer pieces which are especially made for collectors which are 24k gold. So the value of these coins is dependant on the size and amount of gold within. For instance the United States mints $5, $10, $25 and $50 gold pieces currently, and prior to 1936 had $1, $2.50, $3, $5, $10 and $20 gold pieces. There were random mintings of fractional gold $0.25 and $0.50 plus large $25 and $50 sizes. Foreign nations have had their gold coins back to the time of the Romans and even earlier in history.
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An early Roman Empire Gold Coin
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US Gold Coins minted between 1850 and 1936, normally 22k gold.
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Modern US Gold Coin in 24k gold

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US Gold Rush era California fractional Gold Coin.

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One of the highest priced modern Gold Coins in the world, from Russia.

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All of these coins can be mounted in 'bezels' and then worn as pendants, bracelets or earrings and some are even set into rings. So lets combine the two into "Gold Jewelry".

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A small pendant or possible earring setting with a Gold Krugerrand.

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Or several Gold Coins hung together to form a bracelet.

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And finally a nice gold ring with a Gold Coin from France.

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Of course with the current price of gold hovering around the $900 mark, you are wearing your life savings if you do combine your Gold Coins into your jewelry, so be careful where you go and what you do when wearing it.

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To answer a couple of e-mails received right after posting, you cannot go by the value imprinted on the gold coins. You must know their weight in grams or ounces, and then multiply that by the current spot price of gold on the market. For instance the current issue 1oz 24k gold US Buffalo is stamped $50, but with the current price of gold at $900 for 1oz, $900 would be its use value plus a Preminum for the grade of the coin, so you could easily be looking at $1200 to $1500 or higher value for the US Gold Buffalo.

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More Stones to Look for at Tucson 2009 !

As Tucson 2009 is now upon us, lets take a look at a few more polished stones that make great accent pieces for necklaces.

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Wild Horse Magnestite from Arizona and Colorado.

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This particular banded Rhodochrosite comes from an old Silver Mine in Capillitas, Argentina.

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Pietersite from mines in Nimibia, Africa. Do not confuse with lower quality Chinese Pietersite of the same color.

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Petrified Wood from the American Southwest.

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Dendritic Agate from Brazil.

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Wide Color Variations - AGATEs !

AGATE GEODE

Agate is a microcrystalline variety of Quartz, chiefly Chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of color. Although Agates may be found in various kinds of rock, they are classically associated with volcanic rocks but can be common in certain metamorphic rocks.

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FIRE AGATE --- TURRITELLA AGATE --- SPIDERWEB AGATE --- DRAGON VEIN AGATE
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Agates, when cut transversely, exhibit a succession of parallel lines, often of extreme tenuity, giving a banded appearance to the section. Such stones are known as banded agate, ribbed agate and striped agate. Many agates are hollow, since deposition has not proceeded far enough to fill the cavity, and in such cases the last deposit commonly consists of quartz, often amethyst, having the apices of the crystals directed towards the free space so as to form a crystal-lined cavity, or geode

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PERSIAN AGATE -----------------------POLYHEDROID AGATE

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Agates can also be colored by various processes to make interesting jewelry pieces.

COLORED AGATE

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But many Agates have their own varied colorations and thus become ideal pendants.

PLUME AGATE -----------INDIAN MOSS AGATE

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Just don't forget Agates come in a multitude of colors and varieties and more are being named daily. But do remember Agates are a member of the Cryptocrystalline Quartz Family, just as are Carnelian, Chalcedony, Chrysoprase, Jasper, Onyx and Sardonyx. So even with all the variety of names, all are basically the 'species' Chalcedony.

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NASA finds Space-Opals on MARS !

Is it for real ? NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has observed a new category of minerals spread across large regions of Mars. This discovery suggests that liquid water remained on the planet's surface a billion years later than scientists believed, and it played an important role in shaping the planet's surface and possibly hosting life. The Reconnaissance Orbiter has spotted some stones resembling Opal-like material on Mars. The presence of these hydrated minerals in relatively "young rock" (We're talking only about 2 billion years old here. You know...young) has NASA scientists all excited because it gives a possible timeline for when Mars likely had enough water to support life. Now the question is, how long will take space pioneers to start mining this stuff if it is really an Opal like material. Can you imagine ? Necklaces, earrings, pendants and possibly even engagement rings of the future sporting Martian opals. Sounds crazy, but is it really ?

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You can read the story on NASA's Web site at

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2008-198

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Thanks to NASA for the pictures and information.
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SPRING FASHION and COLORS

Butterscotch Amber Earrings

Jewelry is taking on a colorful outlook this Spring season, mixing vibrant shades that show up in pieces across the price spectrum. After the deep purples and ashen color palettes of Fall clothing, a surge of hard-candy hues is exploding into Spring jewelry. It's bright, brilliant and dripping with fun and a sense of possibility.

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Mimosa is the color of Spring 2009". Mimosa is described as "a warm, engaging yellow" color, named after the mimosa tree and the yummy cocktail. Though we are still in the middle of winter, you can already add the mimosa color to your wardrobe for instant cheer, style and inspiration. Wear with jewelry made from natural elements, like wood, for a complementary look that blends well with other colors also.

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Easily incorporate mimosa into your wardrobe with a simple scarf,nail polish or a bright headband. Look for jewelry in the yellow color - amber (especially Butterscotch Amber), citrine, sapphire, spinel, tourmaline are a few that come to mind. Consider a coat in a bold gold or mimosa color to brighten up your everyday winter look. Layer over gray tights or tees for a pretty transition into Spring.

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For late Spring and early Summer, add jewelry made of coral or turquoise to look fresh and tropical, without going overboard.

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Exerpts of articles from the Houston Examiner and Los Angeles Times.

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