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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 03, 2010 19:07 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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There were many ranges of price at this show, children could buy small specimens for $5.00 in some rooms. The dealers really did a nice job of laying out their rooms and we even picked up a fossil during the show.
Thanks to Caleb for reminding me that it is a silver, and not a gold, below. It is hard to keep up with all that we saw, and this had no label.
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This silver is from China and is really fascinating. |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 03, 2010 19:13 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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I fell in love with this Rhodochrosite from Peru. It came home with us...Sorry about the photo quality on this one. |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 03, 2010 19:21 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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...On to Wendy's Minerals where Wendy and John are selling mostly Chinese specimens. They are really wonderful people who always enjoy a good conversation with us about what's new in Chinese minerals.
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Wendy and John of Wendy's Minerals. |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 03, 2010 19:27 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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Still at Wendy's Minerals...
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Well, this came home with us. We thought it was very aesthetic and a nice addition to our Chinese suite. |
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I found this stibnite to be really "busy"! |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 03, 2010 19:36 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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...I dedicate this portion of the show report to Dave Waisman, the show promoter. Thanks for making this all happen Dave!!!!
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Jon Voelter who is now based in Amarillo, Texas. He is the first person to sell us a rock when he worked in Breckenridge, Colorado at a small rock shop there. It was a SHM rhodo and a Sm. Quartz and Amazonite. I don't know why I get people with their eyes closed! |
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Saying goodbye to Jessica, Bob and Sara as they head to the airport. But, we want to see a few goodies first! |
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Dave Bunk chats with Jim. |
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Jim chats with Dave Bunk. |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 04, 2010 07:08 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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So...back to Gail's photos, there seemed to have been a mix up and we have straightened things out. Everyone has a chance to start their own thread on show reports and should be encouraged to do so.
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 04, 2010 07:18 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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Nice to see families attending, there were quite a few who brought their children. |
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Stephen Blyskal is enjoying some time on the balcony outside the rooms. |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 04, 2010 07:28 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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One of the fun things to see are people sharing what they bought. There are nice couches all over the downstairs area, so plenty of places to share a drink, look at minerals and relax. |
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Linda is brightly dressed today. She is always so much fun to visit with. |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 04, 2010 07:36 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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Cal Graeber is a man with great stories to share. |
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Wait! What's this??? A Bowling ball? |
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My goodness, this is a HUGE hematite "kidney ore". |
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Jim demonstrates the fine technique of "bowling"!!!! |
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Wrap it up, we'll take it! I wanted this heavy beast for my hematite collection. I am pleased to bring it home with us. |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 04, 2010 07:41 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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Leonard packages the "bowling ball hematite". |
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Evan Jones thinks this big box is heavy, he should hold the box with the bowling ball hematite! |
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JIm PAYS for the bowling ball hematite! |
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Elsie Stone and Gus Eiffler |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Jon Mommers
Joined: 07 Jun 2008
Posts: 68
Location: Melbourne. Victoria
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Posted: May 04, 2010 07:43 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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Many thanks for all your dedicated work Gail ( & Jim), as always I am truly enjoying your report. Please keep up the great effort.
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 04, 2010 07:54 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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...On to the room of Richard and Judy Rome, jewelry with minerals!!!
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I always see bumper stickers that catch my eye at the shows. |
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Jim waits patiently for me in the lobby as I chat with someone. |
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The Rome's room, they are a couple from the Dallas area and do amazing jewelry. |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 04, 2010 08:01 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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Jon, thanks!
Talking with dealers at the show we heard that there was more activity this year than last. Some said sales were mediocre and picked up at the end to make for a good show after all.
There were never large crowds, but there were flurries of activity.
We found minerals, fossils, and jewelry of all price ranges, there is something for everyone.
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Lots of large Chinese pieces. |
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flats of assorted material. |
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There is a bed under here somewhere! |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 04, 2010 08:24 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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We just seemed to have more time to go from room to room on Sunday. It was nice to meet so many dealers that we have only seen before. It gave us a chance to enjoy hearing about their lives, what they like to sell, where they go for their stock. The mineral world is full of fascinating people.
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Stephen Blyskal is happily enjoying the show. |
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Lit up Quartz in the hallway |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 04, 2010 16:59 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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...some of the faces at the show...
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 05, 2010 00:13 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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I am heading to Houston for a seminar, so will not be adding anything tomorrow...please look for an update on the last of the show report on Thursday.
About Donna below:
It is rare that I gel so well with people on first glance, but Donna and I really enjoyed meeting. She and her husband, Pierre, are collectors turned dealers. Their minerals are first class and very good quality, beautiful and what a variety!
Pierre was not feeling too well when I met Donna, and was taking a quiet moment, so Donna and I, along with Jim, reallly got a visit in.
I am going to keep them in mind when I go "shopping" again.
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Donna Bastien, she and her husband, Pierre, have Venerable Stone out of Colorado. |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 05, 2010 00:19 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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Some beryls and Spodumene in Venerable Stone. |
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Don Olson teases me with my constant photography, but heck...he couldn't resist hamming it up for the camera! |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 05, 2010 00:23 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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Matthew Bergmann, Mike and Sally's son, nice guy! |
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Andy and Bill Metropolis, they sold me an exquisite Witherite for my English suite. |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 06, 2010 15:07 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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Jim is holding an exquisite Rhodochrosite from South Africa. |
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This is a great Titanite ( Sphene ) we were looking at. Collector's Edge did a great job, we hear, of trimming the matrix. |
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Now in the Spann collection. What a beauty. |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: May 06, 2010 15:09 Post subject: Re: Gail Spann's HOUSTON 2010 show report |
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My dear friend, Kathy, came to visit on Sunday too. She rode her bicycle to come to the show. We have biked thousands of miles together over the years. She was Best Woman at our wedding and introduced Jim and Me.
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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