FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Bob Harman]

Bob K,
I too want to thank you for your many pix! I was at the show, but for just several days, including just 1 day at the main show where I rather quickly rushed thru the displays. In general I agree with your 10 top display cases as this type listing becomes so subjective. I also want to agree with your comments about the individual specimens displayed and the numbers of specimens in some of the display cases.

Perhaps we should start a thread on "the art of the display". It might be fun to discuss all the aspects of displaying: The labeling and signage, the stands (I remember one case, years ago, where the stands were far more prominent than the specimens), the number and size of the displayed examples, their color, balance, and placement in the case etc etc. All this deserves some discussion, both for the displaying folks and the observers...yes??

Thanks again, Bob

[Woody Thompson]

What is that enormous pinkish-orange crystal in the right-hand case of Wil Johnson's minerals? A huge morganite???

[Gail]

Yes. Massive morganite.

[Woody Thompson]

Thanks, Gail! That morganite is colossal, and so prismatic too, that I could scarcely believe it !!

[bob kerr]

Some thoughts about the 2019 Tucson Shows and next year:

- There was really nothing new this year – at least of significance. There were some small finds but nothing to really get the crowd excited. This is the 5th year in a row I’ve made this comment. Am I just jaded or is the “Golden Age of Minerals” coming to (or has come to?) an end?

- From the numerous dealers I chatted with, sales this year were average to very disappointing. I heard this at essentially all the venues.

- The area in and around Top Gem/La Fuente (just north of the Fortuna Inn – aka the Executive Inn) is rapidly becoming a major mineral dealer/buyer focal point. Mineral City was added this year and another similar building is going up next to it and there’s already a waiting list for it.

- The business model for many of these new venues is for dealers to rent (or buy) the space on an annual basis and store display cases and some minerals there over the summer. Setup becomes a breeze and the dealers can open and close whenever they want.

- Given its proximity to this new area, it seems that the Fortuna (Executive) Inn could also make a comeback even though the back building has been leveled. There are maybe 20 rooms in the front and two large ballrooms that could be packed with dealers (and were in the past).

- The AZ Mineral and Fossil Show (aka the Inn Suites Show, aka the HTCC Show) is in for some very significant changes. It’s already been announced that 2020 will be the last show at the HTCC and a new venue well north of town (Hilton El Conquistador) has been chosen for 2021. I wonder how many of the present HTCC dealers will stick around thru 2020 at the HTCC and then follow to the Hilton venue. I’ve heard lots of “the Hilton is WAY too far north” or “I will not be back to the HTCC in 2020” due to the condition of the facility (including parking and potholes).

- My hope is that all of the international dealers stick together for next year’s HTCC show and that they stay together for the Hilton. If you recall, it wasn’t too long ago that most all the Chinese, Indian, Russian, Pakistani, Bulgarian, Brazilian, etc. dealers were congregated at the Quality Inn on Benson Highway and not to long before that out at the Clarion Inn on Alvernon. Without the international dealers, the shows would not be too exciting at all.

- With only a very few exceptions, one never knows when what dealers or venues are open. Unless you spend the week before the official HTCC opening date in town, you will surely miss the first day of almost every dealer.

- It was a pleasure to view all of the terrific, world class display cases at the TGMS Show. This is the best opportunity that most all of us will have to ever see these incredible specimens in person and I for one am very appreciative to the many collectors who were willing to plan the cases, carry these valuable specimens to the Show, set up/tear down the cases and then transport them back. Many thanks to all.

bob

[Don Lum]

Thank you again for your pictures and posts, Bob. Your 2019 Show Report was excellent.

[Gail]

Thank you Bob! We love the hobby and the community. And Jordi gives us good company!

[Gail]

Community

[Jordi Fabre]

Barcelona 02/23/2019

In Tucson Show 2019 - Display of the NHM of Los Angeles County (4) we published a not so good photo (due to the circumstances) of the flagship specimen of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles: the Benitoite "Composite"

We did not want that this wonder of nature be so badly represented and as the conditions on the Main Show were much better Jordi Deusedes took an excellent photo and we have replaced the previous photo with this other one in that thread of the NHMLA.

As a small tribute to this extraordinary piece we also publish it here.

[Peter Lemkin]

[Jordi Fabre]

[Jordi Fabre]

And here you have my favorites at the TGMS to complete what I started in Tucson Show 2019 - The TGMS arrives and in Tucson Show 2019 - The Showcases (1)

[Jordi Fabre]

[Jordi Fabre]

[Jordi Fabre]

A miscellany of images "rough", as taken by Jordi Deusedes.