FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[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]

[Jordi Fabre]

[Jordi Fabre]

Four more

[Tobi]

[Gail]

Oh my. I apologize for the confusion! But I will still be very honored by your compliment. Now that I have a better understanding of which Tobi is which I shall be sure to distinguish!

[John S. White]

I took many photos and will attempt to post some of them.

[John S. White]

More pics

[Jordi Fabre]

Barcelona 02/18/2018

Definitively the new discoveries in Tucson this year has been very scarce. In fact, as far as I know, there have only been three real novelties, the Fluorites of Madagascar, the Quartz of the District of Kullu in the Indian Himalayas and the Golds of the Serra Dourada, Brazil. The other "novelties" have been mostly re-findings.
Is curious that in a year in which the plethora of fabulous minerals were even better than in previous editions there have been so few new discoveries…

México:
Following the general tendency there were not new things in Mexico although it is true that you can describe as "new" the numerous Barytes found in the volcán vein of the San Diego Mine at the Santa Bárbara mining district in Chihuahua.
In the "revisited" chapter, the San José mine in Oaxaca has once again given a significant quantity of crystallized silver sulfides that should have to be analyzed but in which it seems there may be Acanthite, Pyrargyrite, Miargyrite and perhaps some other species. Also revisited are the new Paradamites from the Ojuela mine, of great quality.

India:
Impressive alpine geode-fissure in the valleys of the Himalayas, in the District of Kullu, India. As already explained and seen in the video of Tucson Show 2018 - New spectacular quartz from Northern India! this is an impressive find that will surely have continuity and probably will give a lot to talk about in the future

Madagascar:
Great surprise for the new Fluorites of Madagascar, an island that is not exactly famous for that mineral species. Large crystals with good color and slightly dichroic have been found recently close the Mandronarivo area, Beroroha District, Atsimo Andrefana Region, Toliara Province, Madagascar. One of the few real novelties of this edition of the Tucson Show.

Brazil:
New Golds, potent, from a locality not known until now: Serra Dourada in Mato Grosso, Brazil. As you can see in the photo, they are of great quality and good size. With luck and if they are still finding more specimens in the future, they can become a classic.

Congo D.R.:
New finding of exceptional Carrollites at the Kamoya South II Mine. It is difficult to say if they are better or not than those of the famous findings of 2001-2002 but in any case they are extraordinary.

Peru:
In the recent years Peru seems to have been specialized in the Axinites. As if they were not enough, the two new recently discovered deposits are now adding a new one: Raipa, Aija Province, Ancash Department, which is giving large pieces filled with also large crystals that form spectacular groups.

As you can see there was not much new. If until now at the major Shows many small finds filled well the chapter of the new discoveries, in this Tucson 2018 the number of new discoveries has been very low, although it is true that the few that have been found are of great interest.

[Jordi Fabre]

Barcelona 02/19/2018

And the last 5 selected images of the specimens from the collection of Peter Megaw.

[John S. White]

More Tucson pics

[Tobi]