FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[alfredo]

Only 2 weeks, Bob? Many of the European dealers I know are here for 3 weeks, or more, and I‘m here for 5 weeks this year. It seems to keep on expanding with every decade. As my late mentor Rock Currier said, "Tucson Week was fun, Tucson Month is less fun" - but for me personally it‘s still fun. (I may change my mind after I get older and grumpier.)

As for costs, back in the early 1990s, when I was an impoverished dealer from Bolivia and Rock advised me to come to Tucson, I was horrified by the potential expenses. Rock‘s response, in a nutshell, was that yes, expenses were very high, but sales were several times higher than at any other venue in the world so, in spite of the high expenses, for most dealers Tucson was the most profitable time of the year. Rock said, "If a dealer can‘t make it in Tucson, he won‘t make it anywhere".

And there are plenty of people who do successfully do Tucson on a low budget, dealers who share space with others and split costs, and people who stay in outlying communities like Casa Grande or Benson with cheap hotels and commute into Tucson, or who sleep on friends‘ couches, or camp out in the desert in a tent or rented motor home.... Not to recommend the really really REALLY "low end" collectors sleeping in their cars in the HTCC parking lot and washing their clothes at 2 a.m. in the hotel‘s hot tub (yes, on one night of insomnia I saw that) - Give them an A+ for mineralogical enthusiasm.

[Roger Warin]

Hello Alfredo,
I’ve never seen Tucson because I don’t travel much.
In your opinion, what are the main differences between Tucson, Munich, Sainte-Marie?
Which show do you prefer? The one where you have the most contacts, or the one where mineralogy is most expressive?
Because in fact, we often find identical specimens on these different shows.
Thank you.

[Bob Harman]

For those going to Tucson, protecting your health while there and after your return home should be taken seriously. Being a retired MD pathologist, I follow the flu season and other disease outbreaks with some interest.

Unfortunately, coincidentally, the Tucson Show happens to take place during the heart of the flu season. This year there is both strain A of the flu virus and now, newly appearing is strain B which this year's vaccine was not anticipating. To make matters more complicated, different strains predominate in different parts of the world. Americans vaccinated for strain A might come onto contact with foreign dealers/visitors with strain B.
Then to make matters even worse is the sudden appearance, mostly in China, is the dangerous Corona virus.

Even vaccinated, chances of getting the flu are significant. Chances of getting Corona virus infection, maybe from a Chinese dealer or visitor, which mimics the flu in its early stages, is very remote.

Bottom line, especially if you are an older person or have another chronic condition, avoid shaking everyones hands, avoid close contact in crowds, and if you have A FEVER with your congestion, it might be more than a cold.....seek medical advice.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Bob

[Jordi Fabre]

To get your bearings in Tucson 😏

The best summary is, no doubt, the summary of the XPO Press: https://xpopress.com/

The best description of the main Shows is on the last (number 54) Tom Moore's column: What's New in the Mineral World :

[bob kerr]

What Jordi provided is a good summary of the venues in and around the Mineral City / Top Gem area. One addition and one comment:

- just south of the Mineral and Fossil Co-op and just to the west of the old Executive (Fortuna) Inn (where Drachman Street intersects Oracle) is another grouping of tents that house some good mineral dealers - I think it used to be associated with the Arizona Mineral and Fossil Show when it was at the Executive Inn but the dealers at this venue still exist. There's ROC3000, Malcolm Alter, Ahmed (Moroccan digger) and at least two Chinese dealers and others. Worth a trip.

- I chatted with Tomasz Praszkier of Spirifer Minerals the other day - apparently he is the promoter for the Mineral City show. He said that in addition to the three buildings that are being used for this year, there are to be three additional ones constructed over the summer specifically to house mineral dealers - many of which are departing the HTCC/Inn Suites. These will use the same business model - dealers rent the space for the entire year so the space is not only a selling room but also long term storage of specimens, display case, tables, etc.

If this is indeed the case, I think the answer to Jordi's previous query about where the future the of Tucson Mineral shows will be focused is answered.

bob

[alfredo]

[Roger Warin]

Alfredo, thank you for your very detailed opinion.
It corresponds to the one I received from European visitors.
However, you pointed out an important thing that I didn't know: the Tucson show is a dynamic event over time. And this vibration lasts so long that many new things are unpacked over time.
There is no beginning, and probably no end if not the one imposed by tiredness.

[RayStraw]

I have some ideas about using user posters to help fundraising for FMF or other mineral groups.

I'll be in Tucson from January 30 thru February 4.

Could we meet if you are available with those dates?

Best Regards,
Raymon Straw

[Bob Morgan]

For the more adventurous, getting around Tucson can cost very little. There is a bike co-op, Bicus, across the tracks and about 4 blocks north of the Hotel Tucson. They rent bikes for
$35/ wk. That eliminates parking problems and gets you to the close in venues as fast or faster. To get to the Westward Look, the bike can be put on a public bus, leaving only a mile and a half to bike.
For seniors, a pass can be bought for $3, making rides only $1. The Tucson Sun Transit is a really good bus service with two lines even to the airport.
If you want to take friends out to eat, get a rental car.

[bob kerr]

The Mineral City crowd has issued a flyer showing where all their dealers are. as I mentioned previously, there are 3 additional buildings planned for next year's show.

bob

[bob kerr]

I visited Wendy's Minerals (they were one of only a few who were open) and there were two new finds of interest:
- pinkish octahedral fluorites on and off matrix from Huanggang. The single xls are floaters.

- for Xianghualing, in an attempt to imitate Dalnegorsk, clear, light green cubic fluorite. the one in the photos has all 8 corners showing and a nice phantom in the center. This one now resides in my collection.

much more to follow.
bob

[bob kerr]

I saw evidence of two new finds since the last Tucson show - both from Chihuahua, MX. There are so many dealers yet to open that I've not yet seen what's being offered as top end pieces but will report back as soon as I can find some.

- Wulfenite and mimetite from La Morita mine. I saw a handful of specimens that look like thick versions of Rowley Mine material including the variety of mimetite in association with the Wulfenite. one photo attached. I think these will be focused in the Collector's Edge cases as I hear their team did the field work.

- Vanadinite from Chihuahua (San Carlos?) - Top Gem had about 15 flats of these priced very reasonably but were mainly smallish prism xls in associating with (and covered by) calcite rhombs. a photo of typical material is attached but I need to search out the trophies.

and - as a side note - all rooms in the three new Mineral City buildings planned for next year are sold. This area will clearly be a mineral focal point for the future.

bob

[Tobi]

The new red fluorites from Huanggang are really awesome!

[bob kerr]

[Joseph DOliveira]

Here is a large specimen of the fluorite on matrix found at the Red Lion Hotel.

[bob kerr]

OK - after complaining for the last 5 years that "there's nothing new" in Tucson - this year is making up for it. I already mentioned the octahedral pink fluorites from Huanggang but there are also:
- Wulfenites and mimetites from La Morita mine, Mexico (mainly in Collector's Edge)
- Vanadinites with rhomb calcites from San Carlos, Mexico (Dennis Beals and Top Gem)
- Bournonites from Bolivia - many on matrix and lustrous (Crystal Springs)
- Vivianites from Bolivia (Minerama and Crystal Springs)
- Pyromorphites from Bunker Hill Idaho (not newly dug from the ground but dug from a dusty garage - mainly at Collector's Edge)
- Dioptases from Congo many with pyromorphite and mimetite (mainly from Minerama)
- giant Sulfur crystals - these came out last year but are at bargain prices for quality pieces (mainly from Minerama)
- incredible double terminated scepter quartzes - amethyst and smoky mixed - from Zimbabwe in Paul Botha's room (and only in his room) at Mineral City.
- Spinel twinned fluorites in purple/green/others in Clive Quiet's room at the Top Gem annex
- "Chinese Tanzanites" - that came out a year or so ago - aka deep purple/blue fluorites are not really new but the prices seem more reasonable - get them now while the getting is good.
- the usual great haul of Rogerley fluorites - and some nice ones in the Crystal Classics double keystone room of specimens left over from last year.

and - there are no doubt others I left out - AND THE SHOW HASN'T EVEN STARTED YET (at least officially) but will update later.

So, you will NOT hear me complain about the lack of new and exciting specimens at this year's show.

bob

[bob kerr]

Looking thru the photos I took today, there are two other somewhat unique items I saw in the Minerama room at Mineral City (photos follow):
- Autunite - some of the best matrix pieces I've seen from Senhora da Assunção Mine, Viseu District, Portugal

- Kobyashevite (?) from Ojuela (this mine never ceases to amaze me)

bob

[Bob Harman]

BOB K, Thanks for your continuing Tucson updates with all your great photos!
I head out there this coming Sunday or Monday.

For me, one interesting takeaway on your new finds report, is that there seems to be little or nothing new from the US. Not too surprising.

For those collecting worldwide minerals, the positive response could be..... Oh!, this is great, all the new finds! Or it could be the opposite, Oh great.....with all these new finds,
there continues to be the never ending supply of new minerals!
Specifically, for US collectors, the negative response might be, Oh great!.....nothing new again this year. Or it could be more positive. Great, nothing new again this year,
so I'll just look for some interesting (recycled) specimens.

With my narrowly focused interests, I don't have to be too concerned with new finds, I just continue my search for high quality Indiana minerals.....they are out there somewhere!
BOB

[bob kerr]

Many more rooms are opening - still lots to go yet - and I found yet another new interesting find - rutile needles by the bundle. These were in the room of Jean Jacques (JJ) Abello. He had maybe 30+ specimens covered with the needles. These are from Ibiajara, Brazil near the famous Novo Horizonte find but these are pretty much without the hematite "star" at the centers. Some photos attached - and hopefully more new finds to come.

bob

[bob kerr]

Today was opening day for Top Gem and as usual lots of new and excellent material was available as was a wonderful Mexican lunch with a cold beer all the while being entertained by a mariachi band. A wonderful way to spend a day.

Jason New kicked things off by announcing that his father Mike is still in charge - although physically restricted - and that there is no truth to the rumors that Top Gem was closing their doors and going out of business - and the material that was offered made this clear.

There were four tables full of Vera Cruz amethysts (kind of pale purple but quite nice specimens) but the main attraction was a huge selection of Vanadinites from Morocco. I know - YAWN!! - but these pieces consisted of HUGE crystals mainly red/orange on one side and brownish on the other - and the prices were MUCH better than you will see from any of the Moroccan dealers. A feeding frenzy ensued and it was a bit disappointing to see a few of these great pieces get damaged by the crowd.

The were also some higher end specimens from the recent Vanadinite/Calcite find at San Carlos although they were a bit brown and somewhat dinged for the price. Jason suggested looking elsewhere as he and his team were unable to get the higher end pieces. Will keep looking.

I should also mention two excellent TRUE keystone sales by two higher end dealers that also resulted in small feeding frenzies. Wendell minerals had half of their room in Mineral City listed as keystone - some of the aqua prices were circa 1970's - and Luis Barillo has a full room of keystone pieces at his room at the HTCC. A bonus with Luis - buy $1000 or greater and it's 60% off. Easy to do with the quality of pieces he is noted for.

LOTS more to come including specimen photos that I just don't have time for right now.

bob