FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[bob kerr]

One new find that has not been mentioned much are the new yellow brucites from Pakistan. Brucite is magnesium hydroxide and is quite rare. There were a few of these available last year but there is a much larger and better supply around now. Gulam Mustafa at the main show had an excellent grouping but there were others around also. Here's a short video of Mustafa at his booth:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfu_ls8zelo&feature=youtu.be

and some photos follow.

bob

[Don Lum]

[Gail]

...we purchased some of his Brucites. They are amazing!

[Jordi Fabre]

Barcelona 02/13/2018

Already in Barcelona let's continue with images of the Main Show, this time with the pieces I liked most from the display cases. As there are many I will split them on two parts. Here you have the first part.

[Jordi Fabre]

[Jordi Fabre]

Barcelona 02/17/2018

Some more eye candy images taken during the setup day in the Main Show

[Jordi Fabre]

And a very impressive piece of the display cases. This artistic and veeeeeery long Quartz amethyst stalactite belongs to the collection of Dennis Tanjeloff (Astro Gallery)

[Gail]

A few I managed to photo.

[bob kerr]

A few final thoughts and observations concerning the 2018 Tucson mineral “Shows”:

- there are simply fewer mineral dealers at the show than in the past - not only at the HTCC show but also at the Pueblo Show and the TGMS show. The side two rows of the TGMS Show were practically devoid of mineral dealers.

- In spite of fewer overall dealers in attendance, the international flavors is still there and maybe even better than previous shows.

- at the TGMS Show, the majority of mineral dealers also sold jewelry, polished rocks or gems. They have to go where the money is to stay in business and that seems not to be in minerals.

- I asked a few dealers at the TGMS Show about sales for the four days of the show. I would estimate that average response was 60% on day 1, 20% on day 2, 15% on day 3 and 5% on day 4. I think similar situations occur at the other shows – the first few days of the show represent the large majority of sales - then it's downhill from there.

- the TGMS Booth of Collector's Edge was head and shoulders better than any other - for quality, quantity and variety - with price being in the eye of the beholder.

- The Pueblo Show at the Riverpark Inn was a big disappointment - many fewer mineral dealers and not a lot of quality. It was a pleasure to see Enis Hajdini (E Minerals) back selling wonderful Trepka specimens at good prices.

- there seems to be a lot of Tsumeb specimens on the market. Talking with a few dealers about why, they pretty much all mentioned that many German collections - almost all of which are heavily represented by Tsumeb specimens - are being recycled. Prices seem to be following the oversupply - especially azurites since these also have to compete with Milpillas - but they’re still not cheap - just relatively cheaper.

- and, as I mentioned previously, there is not a lot new this year and certainly nothing big that gets everyone's attention - the 4th year in a row.

bob

[bob kerr]

Here's a few specimens that caught my eye at the various show. I hope you enjoy them.

bob

[bob kerr]

And finally, this was seen at the HTCC.

Best of luck to Ross.

bob

[Gail]

Thanks Jordi, I was so busy and am glad you got to see what was going on!

[Jordi Fabre]

Let me give a small tribute to Gail for their photos.

She brings us Tucson to our homes every year, and me, who sweat blood looking for time to publish the (not that much ;-) photos I publish, I recognize very well the HUGE personal effort that represents to publish so many photos. And I assure you that Gail is one of the women with less free time I know!

[Gail]

My dear sweet Jordi. That owl is Mr. HOOT. He was a gift from Eloise G. I do my show reports because I know many cannot come to the shows so I bring it to them. But also because you are generous to let me use your site to do so. I am a busy woman, yes. But I hope to be somewhat of an ambassador too. Cheers!

[Don Lum]