FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[bob kerr]

Fine Minerals International put in one display case with 8 incredible specimens - 2 of which REALLY caught my eye. One is a HUGE doubly terminated dioptase and the other is an aquamarine that simply glows. See photos.

bob

[bob kerr]

As always, Jim and Gail Spann put in yet another case displaying a portion of their excellent collection. This case focused on Apatites which was the theme of this year's show.

This case was in addition to their case installed at the Fine Mineral Gallery. They must've needed a truck to get all these wonderful minerals to Tucson.

We all owe the Spanns a big "THANKS" for their cases. These are a huge amount of work and risk - and - they permit the world to see what they own. So many excellent pieces are "hidden out of public view" when they go into a collection.

thanks, Jim and Gail.

bob

[bob kerr]

Each year, stars of stage and screen, The Dorris's (Pinnacle 5 Minerals) bring to Tucson the results of their latest diggings at the Amazonite and Smokey Quartz locality in Colorado - an American Classic locality. But the past year or so seems to have produced specimens with a richer blue to the amazonite and a deeper smokey to the quartz - that and their digging techniques have produced large plates with minimal damage, minimal repairs and minimal restorations. They are a real sight.

bob

[bob kerr]

This huge aquamarine "geode" that was in the Westward Look Fine Art Minerals room of Ghulam Mustafa was moved to the TCC for the TGMS show. Rumor has it that this "impact rock" is now in the collection of Jim and Gail Spann. So, there's hope that it will make a future appearance.

bob

[Don Lum]

Bob, thank you for taking the time to post your pictures of the Tucson 2022 show. I really have enjoyed them. If you have the time and energy please keep posting.

Regards,

Don

[bob kerr]

[bob kerr]

The latest version of the Minerology of Arizona will be coming out this summer. There was a case showing the new cover - and the previous cover - with the specimens photographed for these covers. These are two of Arizona's iconic specimens and clearly demonstrates that pieces do not have to be large to be iconic.

bob

[bob kerr]

There was a very interesting case of copper memorabilia including some copper "chisel fans".

bob

[James Catmur]

Thanks Bob for your hard work

[bob kerr]

There was also an excellent case of smithsonites clearly demonstrating how this single species can/should be a focal point of a collection.

bob

[bob kerr]

A very nice case of silvers.

bob

[bob kerr]

I'll wrap up this show report with the excellent Annaberg case and then add some commentary.

bob

[bob kerr]

Some thoughts on this year's Tucson Shows
:
- It was another very challenging year due directly and indirectly to the Covid pandemic. Traffic at all shows was way down - as were sales. Dealers were the main buyers.

- The worldwide international flavor that makes Tucson so special was largely missing. Many international dealers could not attend - not so much because they couldn't get to Tucson but because they would have a very hard time getting back into their country.

- The international dealers also had to endure huge shipping cost increases - and of course the risk that their shipments would not make it. Frederick Gauthier of Little Big Stone had his shipment delayed and missed the most important sales week of the show - OUCH!

- The Westward Look Show is on life support. Many dealers have already left the show and numerous others do not plan to return next year. This makes the cost of the remaining dealers jump causing more to leave. Other than the first few hours of the first day, there were always parking spots in front of the show buildings. Stay tuned to see what transpires.

- The area around Top Gem and Mineral City has clearly taken over as the center of the Mineral dealing universe. The very plain cement block buildings at Mineral City need to be spruced up - a lot! Room signage needs significant improvement. Graham Sutton is very aware of these items and has some improvement plans for the future including maybe some additional buildings/rooms.

- The area around the old HTCC (Inn Suites) has clearly taken over as the center of the "elite" mineral dealers.

- The TGMS Show was hit hard by covid with many dealers staying away - especially the "elite" dealers. It was also clear that the jewelry dealers stayed away also. Traditionally half of the main floor was reserved for mineral dealers and the other half for jewelry/lapidary. This year maybe 30% of the mineral half were jewelers.

- A very conmen lament I heard is that bringing your wares to these shows is simply way too expensive. "Why should I pay so much for these shows and spend all my time only to find I essentially give away my minerals?"

- Many are moving to internet sales - Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp and others have become VERY popular and as long as dealers have liberal return policies, it works. The $64,000 question is: "Is this just a blip or a trend?" Personally, I see this trend continuing for the foreseeable future.

- Remember, it's also VERY costly for buyers to attend these shows. One friend of mine converted the money he would've spent for travel, motels, rental cars and restaurants into specimen sales on the internet - and is very happy with the results thank you.

Time to take a break from minerals!
bob

[bob kerr]

[Don Lum]

Excellent pictures, reports and commentary, Bob.

Thank you again for your diligence.

Sincerely,

Don Lum