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Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 16, 2020 10:25 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2020
The LA Natural History Museum entered a really great case showing 8 specimens that graced the cover of the MR. Also included was a brief history of the specimen.
bob
IMG_3073.JPG
Mineral:
various
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
The LA Natural History Museum case at the 2020 TGMS Show
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Mineral:
various
Description:
The LA Natural History Museum case at the 2020 TGMS Show
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IMG_3077.JPG
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
The LA Natural History Museum case at the 2020 TGMS Show
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IMG_3078.JPG
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
The LA Natural History Museum case at the 2020 TGMS Show
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IMG_3079.JPG
Mineral:
various
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
The LA Natural History Museum case at the 2020 TGMS Show
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 16, 2020 10:35 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2020
Those mad men and women of the MAD (Mineral Association of Dallas) again entered a simply wonderful case of unique specimens. The two front and center specimens - the Moroccan azurite and the Columbian emeralds - are excellent.
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 4900
Location: Barcelona
Posted: Feb 16, 2020 15:17 Post subject: Tucson Show 2020 - FMF
Don Lum wrote:
Dear Jordi,
Gwen and I always had a great time whenever we were able to attend the FMF Party. We wish to thank you and Gail and Jim for all the great things you have done (and continue to do) for the mineral collecting hobby and the education and knowledge we picked up along the way....
Thanks Don,
The Forum has now grown up, so I plan dedicate myself a little less to posting and more to apply my time to secure its future and consolidate it financially so that it does not depend so much (totally now 😊) on me.
I firmly believe that FMF has a great future if it is not so much "the Jordi's Forum" but more what its own name says: "Friends of Minerals Forum"
Posted: Feb 16, 2020 17:46 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2020
Bob, to me it seems that the color contrast on that ’great’ Morrocan azurite you talk about (image_3087) is nothing else than severe damage on the piece.
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 16, 2020 21:59 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2020
Peter Van Hout wrote:
Bob, to me it seems that the color contrast on that ’great’ Morrocan azurite you talk about (image_3087) is nothing else then severe damage on the piece.
Peter
I have to doubt that this is a severely damaged azurite - but I do not have a reasonable explanation - maybe others (Ray Straw?) could help here.
This may be an analogy to the azurite coating pseudo-morphous malachite that we've discussed at length - see:
The situation here may be that the original blue azurite was coated (partially) with a deeper blue secondary azurite - I'm just not all that smart here - but I would bet that this is not damage.
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 16, 2020 22:19 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2020
Les and Paula Presmyk entered a world class Arizona case - which is in addition to the specimens they placed into the Minion case. Gotta love the quartz druze over malachite from the Live Oak Mine. And given that Les worked for years at the Magma Mine you would expect a beautiful barite plate!
bob
IMG_3045.JPG
Mineral:
various
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
Les and Paula Presmyk's case of world class AZ specimens
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Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
Les and Paula Presmyk's case of world class AZ specimens
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IMG_3047.JPG
Mineral:
various
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
Les and Paula Presmyk's case of world class AZ specimens
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 16, 2020 22:26 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2020
And one more great case before I get to what I think is the best case in the show. The case entered by Alyssa Donovan contained a number of true Ikons and also an imperial topaz lighted from the bottom that simply glowed and could be seen from across the floor.
bob
IMG_3038.JPG
Mineral:
Various
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
Wonderful case presented by Alyssa Donovan. That imperial topaz lighted from the bottom just glowed.
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IMG_3039.JPG
Mineral:
Various
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
Wonderful case presented by Alyssa Donovan.
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Mineral:
Various
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
Wonderful case presented by Alyssa Donovan.
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IMG_3041.JPG
Mineral:
Various
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
Wonderful case presented by Alyssa Donovan.
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IMG_3043.JPG
Mineral:
Topaz (variety imperial)
Description:
Wonderful case presented by Alyssa Donovan. That imperial topaz lighted from the bottom just glowed.
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 16, 2020 22:34 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2020
And finally, what I consider is the best case in the show this year is the huge collection of masterpieces entered by Jim and Gail Spann. Every year they generously permit the public to see a significant part of their collection - frequently in numerous cases. Best bet is to just enjoy the photos and a brief video at:
bob
IMG_3072.JPG
Mineral:
Various
Description:
The terrific case of world class specimens entered by Jim and Gail Spann
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Mineral:
Various
Description:
The terrific case of world class specimens entered by Jim and Gail Spann
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Mineral:
Various
Description:
The terrific case of world class specimens entered by Jim and Gail Spann
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Mineral:
Various
Description:
The terrific case of world class specimens entered by Jim and Gail Spann
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Mineral:
Various
Description:
The terrific case of world class specimens entered by Jim and Gail Spann
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Mineral:
Various
Description:
The terrific case of world class specimens entered by Jim and Gail Spann
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IMG_3069.JPG
Mineral:
Various
Description:
The terrific case of world class specimens entered by Jim and Gail Spann
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 16, 2020 22:37 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2020
OK!! Today was tear-down day at the TGMS Show - and the 2020 version of the Tucson Shows is now officially over. This photo of Bob Jones pretty much expresses how most of us feel.
Bob, to me it seems that the color contrast on that ’great’ Morrocan azurite you talk about (image_3087) is nothing else then severe damage on the piece.
Peter
I have to doubt that this is a severely damaged azurite - but I do not have a reasonable explanation - maybe others (Ray Straw?) could help here.
This may be an analogy to the azurite coating pseudomorphous malachite that we've discussed at length - see:
The situation here may be that the original blue azurite was coated (partially) with a deeper blue secondary azurite - I'm just not all that smart here - but I would bet that this is not damage.
bob
Strange piece, and even more considering that the label on its plastic base says "Touissit" and the front label says " Kerrouchen" which is completely different. As I wasn't there, sorry, but by a photo I can't say much more although at first sight it seems to me to be from Touissit.
Joined: 18 Jan 2018
Posts: 228
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Posted: Feb 18, 2020 17:00 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2020
The main show would not 'go off' without so many behind the scenes volunteers and ,of course, two key staff persons. They are friends in action! There are many more whose pictures I failed to take - from club President to all the move-in move-out coordinators. event announcer, information booth helpers, case set-up, et cetera.
They made the show world class along with the great minerals.
Office Crew.JPG
Description:
Office crew. Pat McClain in white sweater - Chief of everything. Kenny Don in back - ubiquitous photographer
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Rose.JPG
Description:
Office manager, Rose Marques with roses and daily attendance figures for Thursday and Friday on the white board over her head
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Ellen 3.JPG
Description:
Ellen - the leader of the docents
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P2140104 (2).JPG
Description:
Kerry Towe and Marilyn Reynolds who spent most of the show behind the table helping take care of every 'hitch'.
Posted: Feb 21, 2020 10:21 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2020
Having recently returned from 8 days in Tucson, I wish to discuss my impressions of all aspects of this year's show.
There is much discussion of today's mineral specimen prices so, first I will discuss the economics of my personal Tucson trip and how my expenses, and dealer expenses, in general, might relate to the mineral specimen prices I saw out there.
I live in Indiana and have been to the show 6 times in the past 17 years. My buddy from Ohio and I drove out there over a 3 day period. We stayed in Arkansas, North Texas, and SW New Mexico. Three nights on the road, arriving in Tucson about noon on the 4th day, and going directly to the Westward Look Show for 4 hours, before checking in at our Tucson motel. The trip out cost me about $350 USD for food and the 3 nights lodging. The trip out was uneventful.
The stay in Tucson was 8 days, costing over $1500 USD for a mid-range motel lodging and food.
The trip home was similar to the trip out, except we took a more southern route, stopping in West Texas and then in Houston Texas for 2 days to see the brother of my buddy. The trip home (without the extra night) also cost about $350 USD.
Flying would not be an option as it is more expensive with our purchases to lug back home.
These $$$$ figures are important as, without any mineral or related type purchases, I, as an out of state visitor, spent well over $2000 USD just to go to the 2020 Tucson Show. My buddy and I did not spend this type money getting to Tucson, just to buy a few $25 specimens. I believe most other folks traveling to Tucson, come to spend "significant" money.
Mineral dealers, most of whom come from well outside the local Tucson and Arizona areas, wish to do well at the show, making a profit, also have food, fuel, and lodging expenses. Simply put they have to sell enough to make it worthwhile to come to the show. Most mineral dealers have specimens in the upper middle to very high price ranges. Those dealers with low end specimens have to make up by selling lots of "stuff".
As a point of emphasis, I am not discussing fossils, lapidary stuff, jewelry etc, etc..... just minerals.
Enough of the economics of my Tucson experience. On to the show. I saw and talked with lots of familiar folks including Jordi......we talked briefly......and other forum users. I must remark tho, that altho there were younger folks there, many many familiar older folks were there as well. Many of these folks now have canes, motorized devices needing assisting to get around. These next few years will see many of us older folks no longer being seen at the Tucson shows..... The Tucson weather was good by my Midwest standards; a bit cool at night, but mostly dry, however there was some rain which always affects those with outside things, both mineral and non-mineral.
I got to see the main show exhibits, including those pictured above. The exhibit cases were largely of the usual high quality about as in previous years. Unfortunately the Indiana State Museum case was, comparatively, not of good quality with none of my donated specimens displayed this year. I walked around the Main Show several times, making a few purchases, and I went to the various venues around the city and evaluated them as to their mineral specimen "worthiness".
So here are my feelings. I would return to the Main Show, the Westward Look Show, the group of dealers around Lester Street and the dealers on Granada St in and near to the HTCC. I would not return to the Kino dealers or those on 22nd St., as to me, they were more of a flea market with few worthwhile minerals. Some of the dealer locality venues were not well marked with prominent street signs. Other customers also noted this. Parking was both easy and not so easy; about as expected. Show customer traffic competed with the usual Tucson business traffic also about as expected. I am sure there were other small shows, not primarily dealing with minerals. If a quality mineral dealer or two was present, I missed them. The quality mineral dealers that I know of largely associated themselves with other mineral dealers.
As usual, there were many tents. Brazilian dealers, Moroccan dealers, Mexican dealers, Madagascan dealers and more. These used to be the places to look for unusual and/or overlooked mineral examples. Also, these used to be the places where bargains could be found. Buy a good specimen at a low price and either flip it or keep it as a "good find"; not so these past few years. Either all the tent dealer stuff has been high graded or they are now selling much of their better quality specimens nearly at the same price levels as the regular "in show" dealers. I understand that several hi end dealers now have contracts with the miners in these various countries to first take the highest quality finds, leaving the tent specimens to be the lesser grade specimens.....
This year, as already noted, there were some important new international mineral finds. Being interested in US minerals, this did not directly affect me, but It is noteworthy in that, for US collectors, not much truly new seems to be found on a yearly basis any more. This was confirmed during a brief discussion with the owner/miner of a high end Colorado dealership.
I noted a ton of repetitive material. Many dealers have similar material. The usual Brazilian amethyst, tourmalines, Moroccan vanadinite, azurites and even some of the new pink fluorite finds were common. All size specimens with higher end price ranges were common. Not noted were a few new finds from just a few years ago. These included higher end Argentina red quartz (only a few low end examples were seen). Also, not noted, was much from my focused collection of Indiana. Virtually no Indiana calcites, barytes or Fort Wayne fluorites. Those very few seen were over priced for their size and quality. This lack of Indiana specimens to consider was to my wife's great pleasure!
Tucson is in change. As Jordi previously noted there are major changes underway. Since I was last there, there were several less hi-end dealers at the Main Show. Not too far from the convention center site of the Main Show, there have been a number of concrete block warehouse type venues built. Here, high end dealers can lease the room spaces on a yearly basis. They leave their lighted cases there and can open up and close up at will with no show rules. Since so many collector folks come to Arizona for the winter, these dealers can open up their showroom space in early January, closing them up well after the Main Show closes. This seems to be the trend; leaving the motel rooms and Main Show to show off mineral specimens in yearly leased warehouse room spaces. No rules and no rush.
For those still using the motel rooms, there was some complaining about the upcoming changes in venue locations. The nightly/weekly room rates continue to rise, eventually affecting the all mineral specimen prices.
One interesting side note was that some customers avoided Asian/Chinese dealerships in response to the Corona Virus outbreak.
I might edit and add on some more discussion, but for now, enough from me. BOB
Specimen size: 1.4 × 1.2 × 1 cm / main crystal size: 1.4 × 1 × 0.4 cm
Description:
New species, pretty, dichroic, gemmy... not much more can be asked to a novelty. Oh yes, it also contains 3.8% of Scandium!
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Olivenite - Milpillas Mine_Cuitaca_Municipio Santa Cruz_Sonora_Mexico.jpg
Mineral:
Olivenite
Locality:
Milpillas Mine, level 1100, Cuitaca, Municipio Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico
Dimensions:
Specimen size: 7.6 x 6.9 x 2.7 / main crystal size: 1.2 x 0.1 cm
Description:
Milpillas never ceases. This year: Olivenite, and as almost always happens with this mine, among the best in the world. Tsumeb, England, Touissit, and now Milpillas...
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Dioptase - Milpillas Mine_1100 level_Cuitaca_Municipio Santa Cruz_Sonora_Mexico.jpg
Mineral:
Dioptase
Locality:
Milpillas Mine, level 1100, Cuitaca, Municipio Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico
Dimensions:
6.1 × 4.4 × 3.1 cm
Description:
And although not brand new, this year good Dioptases has been found in Milpillas, although, as an exception, those of Milpillas are not among the best known (at the moment ;-)
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Dioptase detail - Milpillas Mine_1100 level_Cuitaca_Municipio Santa Cruz_Sonora_Mexico.jpg
Mineral:
Dioptase
Locality:
Milpillas Mine, level 1100, Cuitaca, Municipio Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico
Description:
Detail
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Shattuckite on Quartz with Malachite - Milpillas Mine_1100 level_Cuitaca_Municipio Santa Cruz_Sonora_Mexico.jpg
Mineral:
Shattuckite inside Quartz and with Malachite
Locality:
Milpillas Mine, level 1100, Cuitaca, Municipio Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico
Dimensions:
6.7 × 5.1 × 1.9 cm
Description:
And as an addition to Milpillas, with the Shattuckite included in Quartz found in January of past year there are some pieces with related Malachite and some others with related Dioptase.
Cocineras Mine, West Camp, Santa Eulalia District, Municipio Aquiles Serdán, Chihuahua, Mexico
Dimensions:
Specimen size: 3.3 × 2.9 × 2 cm / main crystal size: 0.1 × 0.1 cm
Description:
We continue in Mexico with another novelty. Cinnabar crystals very bright and with very bright color with crystals of Gypsum, Calcite and Quartz. We have analyzed them to verify that it was indeed Cinnabar because in Tucson it was said that they could be "metacinnabar". Our analysis have not found it.
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Creedite - Navidad Mine_Abasolo_Rodeo_Municipio de Rodeo_Durango_Mexico.jpg
Mineral:
Creedite
Locality:
Navidad Mine, Abasolo, Rodeo, Municipio de Rodeo, Durango, Mexico
Dimensions:
whole rosette: 4 x 3 cm
Description:
And also from Mexico, nice Creedites of pink-lilac color of the Christmas Mine, well known for its orange Creedites with Fluorite and these, which seem to have been found in an old gallery, are very different, although it is true that in old collections there are some piece of this mine similar to those of now.
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La Sorpresa Mine - Amatitlan_Mexico.jpg
Mineral:
Quartz (variety amethyst)
Description:
La Sorpresa Mine, Amatitlán, Mexico. And to finish with the novelties of Mexico amazing amethyst like this one that came labeled as coming from the La Sorpresa mine in Amatitlán and unlike those known so far there, these are very transparent and very bright. I honestly don't know if they are new or old. Time will tell us if it is a novelty or an old lot that has now seen the light.
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Tremolite - Big Mole claim_West Pierrepont_Saint Lawrence County_New York_USA.jpg
Mineral:
Tremolite
Locality:
Big Mole claim, West Pierrepont, St. Lawrence County, New York, USA
Dimensions:
3.6 × 1.1 × 0.8 cm
Description:
A new outcrop named "Big Mole claim" in Pierrepont has given in June 2019 fine Tremolites, very sharp and more transparent than usual for the species.
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Rutile with Hematite - Ibitiara_Bahia_Northeast Region (2).jpg
Locality:
Ibitiara, Bahia, Northeast Region, Brazil
Description:
Somewhere in Ibitiara, Brazil have been found these acicular Rutile with Hematite. Beautiful, although of extreme fragility because unlike previous findings these crystals of Rutile are very thin, thin as hairs...
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Rutile with Hematite - Ibitiara_Bahia_Northeast Region (1).jpg
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 4900
Location: Barcelona
Posted: Feb 23, 2020 14:13 Post subject: Tucson Show 2020 - The New Discoveries! (2)
In addition to the novelties described we also saw more specimens of Beryl variety heliodor from the Odisha area (Orissa), India, many more Wulfenites of exceptional quality from the La Morita Mine (see: Wulfenite and Mimetite - La Morita Mine, Mexico) and large crystals of Bournonite, some on matrix, very bright and perfect, from the Víboras Mine of Machacamarca, Bolivia (see: Bournonite - Víboras Mine, Machacamarca, Bolivia) which is worked with a manual exploitation to obtain just collector's specimens as happened for example with the Rhodochrosites of the Sweet Home Mine, or as is still being done with the Navajún Pyrites.
There were more new discoveries and some of them potentially important but they are currently under analysis. When we have results we will publish them.
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 4900
Location: Barcelona
Posted: Mar 02, 2020 12:44 Post subject: Tucson Show 2020 - El Conquistador, new 'destination Show'
Laura Delano from the Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show / LLD Productions, Inc. sent us the message below informing about the current status of the new Show at El Conquistador resort.
El Conquistador Resort - Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show 2020.jpg
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 4900
Location: Barcelona
Posted: Mar 19, 2020 15:08 Post subject: Tucson Show 2020 - The New Discoveries! (and 3)
Jordi Fabre wrote:
...There were more new discoveries and some of them potentially important but they are currently under analysis. When we have results we will publish them...
This time the analytical results have been disappointing so nothing that seemed "new" finally has been interesting. I am therefore going to complete my chronicle with some more new discoveries that I left to review before waiting for this final post.
First and outstanding are the new Ludlamites from Huanuni, Bolivia, which although they are not a "sensu stricto" novelty, they are very remarkable for their quality and the size of the crystals, as well as for their aesthetic position in limonite matrix. Sometimes they have related Vivianite and they present a very curious characteristic that caught my attention and that Alfredo Petrov helped me understand. Almost all the pieces with the largest and most aerial crystals had curious, rough terminations and with a kind of pale brown tint. Alfredo explained to me that due to the exhaustive exploitation of all the veins of Huanuni those that remain unexploited are inevitably narrow and this could be what causes that the crystals when growing to always find a "roof" that causes on part their final rough terminations. In any case, great pieces.
Many more small findings that would be long to review, but I would highlight among them some beautiful Goethite from the Ojuela mine, very similar to the Spanish ones. Also to highlight large, more than 5 cm., and very sharp, Ferberite crystals from the Kami Mine in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and especially some very beautiful Elbaites, some of them extraordinary, from a new deposit somewhere in the region of Kivu of Congo DR, a country that until now had not stood out for its Tourmalines.
I still keep one more post to reflect on it my feelings of this past Tucson 2020. Now is not the right time to write it, but when we have emerged from the pandemia I will. Meanwhile, if someone else still has photos or impressions of this past Tucson please publish them, these next few weeks will be very slow for most of us and could give time to recover these images and themes...
Ludlamite - Huanuni Mine_Huanuni_Bolivia.jpg
Description:
One of the new Ludlamites from Huanuni, this one with related Vivianite.
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 4900
Location: Barcelona
Posted: Mar 20, 2020 09:09 Post subject: Tucson Show 2020 - John S. White, First Mineral Legacy Award
Tobi wrote:
Great service from the guys of BlueCap Productions: Because many people have to stay at home in these hard times, they released many full videos for free on their Youtube channel, e.g. reports from all great shows of 2019 (St. Marie, Munich, Tucson), some of them 3 hours or longer. They made the following note under each of their new videos:
"SPECIAL NOTE: We are releasing this film so that it is FREE to the public via YouTube. This is in reaction to the current new Coronavirus pandemic that is sweeping the world. The best advice to help head off this disease (other than washing hands, covering your coughs and not touching our faces) is self-isolation. So in this time of self-isolation, we at BlueCap Productions wanted to try and provide at least a little relief to the mineral collecting community with this free copy of this film. Please enjoy and be safe."
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