TUCSON GEM SHOW 2009 ! - Real Gemstones for Beaders

Nothing too special today. Providing some pictures for the "Beaders" among you so you can see some of what is very plentiful around and in the various shows. Some of the more unusual material will be shown later on as it is included in completed jewelry pieces as they are finished up over the next several months.

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Carnelian ---------------Chrysoprase

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Labradorite---------------Snowflake Obsidian

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Lapis-------------------------Mahogany Obsidian

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Kyanite----------------------Wild Horse Magnesite

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And the ever popular Baroque Tahitian Pearls

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TUCSON GEM SHOW 2009 ! - Material for Jewelry

The following material found during Gem Fair 2009 should make into quite nice jewelry. Most of the material shown in these pictures would be for Pendants, but matching smaller pieces cut as chips and beads would make into necklaces and earrings.

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Pietersite -------- Lodolite ------------ Zebra Jasper

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Todolite --------Indian Paint Rock -------Psilomelane

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Green Spiderweb Turquoise ----- Sleeping Beauty Turquoise

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Orbicular Rhyolite

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A couple local favorites from the area.

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Chalcopyrite (Peacock Stone) ------------------ Opalite

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TUCSON GEM SHOW 2009 ! - The Fine Pieces

Today we look at some of the more pricer items that can be found a plenty around Tucson. Actually one needs to look no further than the showfloor at the AGTA Show at the Tucson Convention Center. Pictures are off-limits on the floor but an overall shot from the viewing balacony is possible and you are looking at millions of dollars in gems and finished jewelry.

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You can find beautiful pieces from artist like King

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Australian Black Opal jewelry always draws a crowd.

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And since the ban on the importation of the Burma Ruby, the king of the show has become the Red Spessarite Garnet, like this piece from Andre'.

Only 16ct mounted in a 22k gold pendant setting.

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And least we not forget the bazaar, a Triebold Paleontology Turtle to hang in ones den.

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If you get bored looking at expensive items inside, you can go outside and spend you time looking at expensive items inside the GJX Show Tent.

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TUCSON GEM FAIR 2009 ! - Another Day

Every corner you turn you find something new, something bigger and of course something pricer. I am convinced you can find anything you might be looking for somewhere in Tucson during this time period.

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There are some beautiful hand made carpets and baskets.

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Silver and Turquoise inlay statues really stand out as one walks bye.

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Take your pick of the extreme and interesting. Carved crystal skulls in all sizes and price ranges up to $25,000.

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TUCSON GEM FAIR 2009 ! - More Rocks & Minerals

Depending on which show you visit, you can find individually identified items, trays of all the same item, or trays and tables of mixed items.

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Pegmatite ------ Cavansite ------- Pyromorphite

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Whole table of Rhodocrosite

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Trays of stones and minerals

If you look close enough you can find almost anything you want, from rough to polished to finished and mounted. Impossible to decide which one wants, but most of the time the pocketbook does the dictating.

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TUCSON GEM FAIR 2009 ! - Interesting Items

Some interesting items to be seen as one wanders from place to place.

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One extremely large polished Ammonite from Canada.

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And those that want to fill their living room, a Petrified Wood coffee table.

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Then there are beads, beads and more beads.

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If you are having trouble finding a past vendor, check the Colored Stone Magazine Show Guide, as several Shows have combined and others are not present, so vendors have moved around to vaccant locations.

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TUCSON GEM FAIR 2009 ! - Fluorescence

Just a quick couple of photographs today from an unusual find - Fluorcent Stones.

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Close bye in Arizona, Hilltop Calcite fluorescent material.

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And some Richterite from Canada.

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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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