View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 03, 2023 23:21 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
Rob Sielecki at Crystal Universe (Ausrox) has a bournonite cogwheel group that must be seen to be believed - lustrous, large and complete all the way around - excellent.
bob
Mineral: | Bournonite |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3732 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Bournonite |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3734 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Huanggang Mines, Hexigten Banner (Kèshíkèténg Qí), Chifeng (Ulanhad), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3712 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 03, 2023 23:25 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
Gulam Mustafa had a single display case loaded with exquisite specimens - including two "kinda blue cap" tourmalines from Paprok.
bob
Mineral: | Tourmaline |
Locality: | Paprok, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3712 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Tourmaline |
Locality: | Paprok, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3728 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 03, 2023 23:41 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
In what seems to be "The Mineral of the Show" theme; Fluorite, Kevin Downey of Well-Arranged Molecules has some top pieces - see photos.
bob
Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Principality of Asturias (Asturias), Spain |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3713 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Fluorite on Celestine |
Locality: | Tule Mine, Melchor Múzquiz, Municipio Melchor Múzquiz, Coahuila (Coahuila de Zaragoza), Mexico |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3699 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Fujian Province, China |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3702 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Yindu, Hexigten Banner (Kèshíkèténg Qí), Chifeng (Ulanhad), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3706 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Sphalerite |
Locality: | Balmat, Balmat-Edwards Zinc District, St. Lawrence County, New York, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3709 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Tourmaline |
Locality: | Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3749 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 03, 2023 23:52 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
Every year The Ramoses in the Top Gem annex bring literally tons of Peruvian sulfides - especially pyrite from Huanzala - with usually a new or unique crystal form. This year was no exception as they were showing what appears ro be "pyrite frosting" on pyrite dodecahedrons. See photos.
Also, on offering later in the day were "Pisco Sours" - a traditional Peruvian cocktail that is quite refreshing and a real treat with cheeses, meats and crackers.
This kinda took me back to the Desert Inn days when late in the day the area around the pool became the REAL mineral central.
bob
Mineral: | Pyrite on Pyrite |
Locality: | Huanzala Mine, Huallanca District, Dos de Mayo Province, Huánuco Department, Peru |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3697 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Pyrite on Pyrite |
Locality: | Huanzala Mine, Huallanca District, Dos de Mayo Province, Huánuco Department, Peru |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3694 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 04, 2023 21:53 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
In Wayne Thompson's Westward Look room, he was displaying many of his specimens of fluorite from around the world and through the visible spectrum. These were not for sale but were a pleasure to google over.
bob
Mineral: | Wayne Thompson's fluorite collections |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3296 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Wayne Thompson's fluorite collections |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
3308 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 05, 2023 18:40 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
Hungarian/German dealer Laslo Gal brought a new group of those Romanechite on Goethite specimens that he introduced last year (see the 2022 report for details) and the group included one large cabinet specimen that he was selling on consignment.
His booth is located in the large tent just north of Top Gem and he will also have a booth at the TGMS Show. See photos.
bob
Mineral: | Romanèchite on Goethite |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2999 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Romanèchite on Goethite |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2998 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 13, 2023 15:19 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
Well, it's been quite some time since i last posted - incredibly busy with way too many things to list here - but especially due to setting up for the TGMS Show. I'll try to catch up with the dozens of photos I've taken over the last week or so.
Yesterday was tear-down day at the TGMS Show (sometimes called the "Main Show") and for those of us who commit a great deal of time, this tear-down comes with very mixed emotions - "I'm sorry that it's all over" AND "I'm glad that it's all over" - my feet are especially glad that it's all over.
So, to start catching up, I'll start with one of the centerpiece display cases at the TGMS Show. The show theme was silicates and there were LOTS of terrific quartzes on display everywhere.
This centerpiece display was of 4 excellent quartz specimens starting with the HUGH and GEMMY Japanese Law specimen at the top from Nepal. The others are equally terrific. See photos.
bob
Mineral: | Quartz display at the TGMS Show |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2194 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Japan Law Quartz |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2193 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Rose Quartz |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2192 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Smokey Quartz Gwindel |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2191 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Smokey Quartz |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2192 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 13, 2023 15:25 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
Every year, the Mineral Association of Dallas (MAD - not to be confused with the JURCS - just us regular collectors) puts in a display case from their members and this year's case focused wonderfully on the show theme. See photos.
bob
Mineral: | MAD Display at the TGMS Show |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2195 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | MAD Display at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2196 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | MAD Display at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2191 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 13, 2023 15:30 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
Not to be outdone, The Arizona Mineral Minions also put in a fine case of various specimens and carvings. See Photos.
bob
Mineral: | AZ Minions Case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2192 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | AZ Minions Case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2190 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | AZ Minions Case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2184 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 13, 2023 15:41 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
In bucking the show theme - but adding tons of color and crystal forms - Jason Adams entered an excellent case of fluorites. This display was remarkable similar to that displayed by Wayne Thompson at the Westward Look - I'm not sure if there was a connection or what it was.
bob
Mineral: | Jason Adams case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2177 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Jason Adams case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2182 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Jason Adams case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2178 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Jason Adams case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2185 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Jason Adams case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2175 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Jason Adams case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2168 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 13, 2023 15:46 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
Every year Jim and Gail Spann enter a world class case of their collection. Here's this year's case. The back panels came undone and fell over slightly but luckily, they did not knock over or damage any specimens.
Many thanks to Jim and Gail.
bob
Mineral: | Spann Case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2171 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Spann Case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2166 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Spann Case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2166 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 13, 2023 16:00 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
The center cases are typically reserved for some special stuff. This year Gene Mieran filled 6 - yes, 6 - large cases with his gem and mineral specimens. They included a case dedicated to:
1 - Tourmaline
2 - Quartz
3 - Topaz
4 - Garnet and Spodumene
5 - Beryl
6 - Miscellaneous crystals
I'll start with the Tourmaline case.
bob
Mineral: | Tourmaline case by Gene Meiran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2157 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Tourmaline case by Gene Meiran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2150 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Tourmaline case by Gene Meiran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2150 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 13, 2023 16:04 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
Next up is the topaz case - look at the size of these specimens - and mainly undamaged.
bob
Mineral: | Topaz case of Gene Meiran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2139 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Topaz case of Gene Meiran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2143 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Topaz case of Gene Meiran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2139 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 13, 2023 16:32 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
On to my favorite of Gene's cases - the Beryl Case. This case contains my favorite of all his specimens and as it turns out is also Gene's all-time favorite in his collection. See photos.
bob
Mineral: | Beryl case of Gene Meieran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2115 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Beryl case of Gene Meieran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2123 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Beryl case of Gene Meieran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2117 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Beryl case of Gene Meieran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
Look at the gemminess of that one emerald!! |
|
Viewed: |
2112 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Beryl case of Gene Meieran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
The "Stop Sign" beryl is my favorite and so happens to be Gene's also. He has good taste. |
|
Viewed: |
2116 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 13, 2023 16:44 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
Now onto Gene's case to support the show theme - Quartz. There's lots of great speicmens in this display and it is not a real focus area for Gene.
bob
Mineral: | Quartz case of Gene Meieran at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2100 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Quartz case of Gene Meieran at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2107 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Quartz case of Gene Meieran at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2103 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 13, 2023 16:49 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
Now to the garnet and spodumene (kunzite) case. These are not my favorite species but here it is for all to enjoy - and note the fully terminated spodumenes - pretty rare.
bob
Mineral: | Spodumene and Garnet case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2093 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Spodumene and Garnet case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2109 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Spodumene and Garnet case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2093 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 13, 2023 16:58 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
And finally, the Miscellaneous case. LOTS of great pieces adorn this case. I'll focus on a few.
More tomorrow.
bob
Mineral: | Misc Crystal case at the TGMS |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2083 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Misc Crystal case at the TGMS |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2085 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Misc Crystal case at the TGMS |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2085 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Misc Crystal case at the TGMS |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2075 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Misc Crystal case at the TGMS |
Locality: | Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
2074 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 14, 2023 22:06 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
Two additional new or interesting items.
1 - Orange gemmy quartz from Sweden
2 - Petroleum included quartz - referred to as "Fire-fly" quartz (no location given.
see photos.
bob
Mineral: | Quartz |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
1628 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Quartz |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
1629 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Quartz with petroleum inclusions |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
1628 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Quartz with petroleum inclusions |
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
1630 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 14, 2023 22:53 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
And to wrap up this year's report, some really nice specimens then a summary of my observations of this year's shows.
bob
Mineral: | Rutile and Hematite star in quartz |
Locality: | Caí bom Mine, Novo Horizonte, Bahia, Northeast Region, Brazil |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
1611 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Wulfenite and Mimetite |
Locality: | Rowley Mine, Theba, Painted Rock District, Painted Rock Mountains, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA |  |
|
Description: |
Orange Wulfenite windows with orange mimetite (that some people call red - but it's still excellent) |
|
Viewed: |
1612 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Aquamarine and Fluorapatite on Quartz |
Locality: | Alchuri, Shigar District, Gilgit-Baltistan (Northern Areas), Pakistan |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
1615 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Sperrylite |
Description: |
REALLY great coverage of this very rare platinum mineral |
|
Viewed: |
1614 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Quartz on Elbaite |
Locality: | Pederneira claim, São José da Safira, Governador Valadares, Vale do Rio Doce, Minas Gerais, Brazil |  |
|
Description: |
|
Viewed: |
1611 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Ilvaite on Quartz |
Locality: | Huanggang Mines, Hexigten Banner (Kèshíkèténg Qí), Chifeng (Ulanhad), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China |  |
|
Description: |
at one time these were fairly common and available - not now |
|
Viewed: |
1610 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Quartz "dumbbell" |
Description: |
These have been coming out for a while now but the specimens available now seem to be in MUCH better condition and still reasonably priced. when back-lit these can compete with Brandberg and Goboboseb pieces. |
|
Viewed: |
1610 Time(s) |

|
Mineral: | Bixbyite and Topaz |
Locality: | Thomas Range, Juab County, Utah, USA |  |
|
Description: |
Note the little topaz peeking out from behind this large bixbyite xl. This specimen won the Lindstrom trophy. |
|
Viewed: |
1612 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
bob kerr

Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 461
Location: Monroeville PA



|
Posted: Feb 14, 2023 23:23 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
|
|
For this years shows a few quotes come to mind:
- "the only constant is change"
and
- "those who try to hold back the hands of the clock will get their arms torn off"
Some observations:
- initially I thought that this year's shows would return to the glory days of 3-4 years ago - didn't happen. Most dealers said that sales were down (some were WAY down) and although traffic and sales for the first few days was reasonable, both died down significantly.
- Dealers who could be referred to as "Source Dealers" (ones who bring material in bulk sometimes directly from the source - or they are the source) did well and many simply sold out. South African Clive Quite was essentially sold out one week before the shows "officially" started.
- The display cases at the TGMS Show were only a shell of their previous glory. Gene Meieran put in 6 cases of his excellent material but other than a few others (the Spann case and the Fluorite case), the usually world class displays were far from it.
- There was LOTS of open space at the TGMS Show - not enough dealers. The SE and SW corners were populated by tables and chairs and a car raffle and there were numerous open spots in prime locations.
- However, the dealers that were at the TGMS Show did very well.
So, what's going on? Let me offer my opinions and welcome alternative views:
1 - The internet has changed things radically. Both internet auctions and direct sales are taking over. This is simply an economics issue - both for buyers and sellers. MUCH cheaper to buy and sell via web sites or social media. Return policies must be - and are - liberal for this to work as photos and videos can be very misleading.
2 - The business model of most dealers who come to these shows are to either rent annual space or actually own selling buildings outright. The huge cost and risks associated with moving cabinets and minerals are eliminated by keeping put in one place.
3 - Due to many circumstances, Russian and Chinese dealers were missing. A real loss.
4 - Something needs to be done about fake minerals. I know that Graham Sutton has chastised a number of dealers for selling fakes but there's new shams every year and new technologies make it harder to detect these. (There are now glues that do not show up under UV and do not break down with acetone.)
5 - I wonder about the future of the TGMS Show - one of the main draws is the world class displays and last year and this year they were WAY below par. Simple momentum will keep this show going but as more dealers abandon the show the cost per dealer will go up causing more to drop out and raising booth prices even more. A potential death spiral.
That's all from Tucson - I hope you all enjoyed the reports.
bob
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|