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Joined: 21 Jan 2019
Posts: 10
Location: California
Posted: Jan 22, 2019 23:00 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
Yea Byron it was an incredible day, it was one of many specimens out of the same pocket that day. Took about 5 hours with the chainsaw and then we got to pull 5 major pieces. They are still being prepared but this was in the same pocket!
Dave
IMG_5672.jpg
Mineral:
Gold
Locality:
Colorado Quartz Mine, Colorado, Colorado District, Mother Lode Belt, Mariposa County, California, USA
Joined: 29 Jan 2012
Posts: 303
Location: Hanmer, Ontario
Posted: Jan 25, 2019 09:58 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
More venues are starting to open as the show makes it's gradual build up to the official opening. This specimen was so large a crane had to be employed to remove it from the truck.
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Jan 28, 2019 23:46 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
Spent most all day today down and around the various mineral shows - pretty much an arrival and setup day but still many dealers were open. Here's a brief summary:
- Only a very few rooms are open at the HTCC - many more each day to come - and Jewel Tunnel Imports (Rock Currier's old business) will be opening at 9am Tuesday morning. Crystal Springs mining was one of the early openers with the usual very bright entrance way just off the main lobby - see photos. they had some very nice Brazilian golds and some unique chalcedonies after gypsum?? - see photos. The Ballroom is scheduled to open thursday morning at 10am.
- Top Gem Minerals will hold it's grand opening on Wednesday morning at 10am
- quite a few dealers were open in and around the Top Gem/Sun Gems area. the Top Gem annex which includes the Ramoses' with excellent Peruvian minerals, Minerama, Clive Quite and Rocco's - all were open and doing a brisk business - photo attached.
- the Sun Gem area was also mostly open - and the Crystal Classic's people had leftover rogerly fluorites at double keystone - lots of great deals.
- the new show that is to occur behind the Sun Gem facility is scheduled to open this friday but there may be a construction delay - see photo - there's quite a bit yet to be done.
- the La Fuente facility which houses a second Jewel Tunnel Imports as well as a number of other dealers is planning to open Wednesday also.
- The TNMS is scheduled to open Feb 5 with a Feb 4th evening showing by invitation only.
- a number of dealers - anchored my Mikon Minerals from Germany is opening in the old Executive Inn - now the Fortuna Inn - later this week.
An observation - the area in and around the old La Fuente/Top Gem/Elks is rapidly becoming a mineral hot spot rivaled only by the HTCC.
Lots more to come - stay tuned.,
bob
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Mineral:
n/a
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
getting ready for setup
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Mineral:
n/a
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
entrance to Crystal Springs
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Mineral:
n/a
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
entrance to Crystal Springs
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Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
chalcendony after gypsum? in the Crystal Springs room
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Description:
Brazilian Golds in the Crystal Springs room
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Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
panoramic view of the Top Gem annex
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Mineral:
n/a
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
Sun Gem facility open for business
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Mineral:
n/a
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
building behind Sun Gem getting ready for Friday opening - hopefully
Joined: 21 Jan 2019
Posts: 10
Location: California
Posted: Jan 29, 2019 12:30 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
This beautiful baby that I have called "The Angel" will be on display ahead of the main show on room 422 of HTCC along with numerous other new finds from the Colorado Quartz!
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Jan 29, 2019 23:40 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
I spent the entire day today down at the HTCC - first to check out the Jewel Tunnel Import (JTI) opening then to check out other open rooms. Most rooms are still in setup mode but there are a good many open also.
- JTI had the usual tables of reasonably priced gift shop material and a few groups of minerals - grape agates, aegerines, brucites and some semi interesting quartzes from Columbia with yellowish bases - see photo
- the Axinite PM room - excellent Russian minerals especially Dalnegorsk - was open with a new shipment arriving just today, so much of the material on display was not all new but they did have a nice group of small Ukrainian heliodors - more to report from this room.
- stopped at the room of Geologic Desires (Mike Walter) who had two new items - crystallized graphite (self collected) and gem sphalerite - both from New York. These are both excellent - best to just look at the photos.
- visited Mustafa's (Fine Arts Minerals) room who was in the middle of room setup but still agreed to a pre-sale viewing - tourmaline on kunzite, quartz on tourmaline, apatite on quartz and beautiful aquas - top level specimens - again, best to see the photos.
- many of the Chinese dealers had good numbers of those blue/purple fluorites - gemmy, rich blue/purple and quite expensive. These do seem to be a "must have" though for either fluorite or China specialists - seem a good year to do it.
- lots of chatter about the new Rogerley Mine fluorites (UK Mining Ventures) - the Bruces were advertising a Jumpstart for Thursday at 4:30pm - could be a feeding frenzy as these are truly great pieces.
Tomorrow is the Top Gem opening as well as the La Fuente (JTI take 2 plus others) - and lots more rooms will be opened at the HTCC.
bob
DSCN7829.JPG
Description:
Quartz point with re-healed yellowish (iron?) bases at the JTI room
Joined: 18 Jan 2018
Posts: 228
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Posted: Jan 30, 2019 16:09 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
I love the pictures of those wonderful crystals and will enjoy seeing them this year at Tucson. Alas! my wallet limits my enjoyment to observing.
I used to try to collect 'perfect' crystals. They are quite rare. They are also not too interesting. Now I seek out the peculiar, most of which are quite affordable.
Here is a case that I'll have on display at the main show. Most of the specimens were found at dealers' booths in Tucson over the years.
Many cases of collectors grace the convention center with the widest variety of interests. Often they inspire a love for minerals more than the high end lovelies.
Joined: 21 Dec 2017
Posts: 147
Location: Paipa, Colombia
Posted: Jan 30, 2019 16:25 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
Would love to see your peculiar quartzes in more detail (closer photos, as I won't make it to Tucson) :-)
Bob Morgan wrote:
I love the pictures of those wonderful crystals and will enjoy seeing them this year at Tucson. Alas! my wallet limits my enjoyment to observing.
I used to try to collect 'perfect' crystals. They are quite rare. They are also not too interesting. Now I seek out the peculiar, most of which are quite affordable.
Here is a case that I'll have on display at the main show. Most of the specimens were found at dealers' booths in Tucson over the years.
Many cases of collectors grace the convention center with the widest variety of interests. Often they inspire a love for minerals more than the high end lovelies.
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Jan 30, 2019 22:03 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
The Wednesday opening of Top Gem Minerals and the surrounding dealers is always a wonderful event but this opening was more special than usual.
As I waited in line for the Mexican Luncheon at Top Gem, basking in the AZ sun with temperatures in the mid 70's and sipping on a cold beer, I pulled out my smart phone and looked at the weather conditions back home in western PA - temperature there was -2degF with wind chills near 20 below zero - almost an 80degF difference!! Many other people in line were doing the same. Suffering!
So, the Top Gem opening started with Jason New giving a brief summary of the status of his father Mike who was in a serious car accident - he is in rehab and doing well and hopes to be able to return home soon. Pretty good news for all of us.
In and around Top Gem one was able to get some great deals on Mexican minerals (a specialty of Mike/Jason New), excellent Peruvian minerals at the Ramoses, a wide variety of specimens from Minerama, and some incredible gem sphalerites (China), aqua/schorls (Erongo) and African smokey quartzes from Clive Quiet. Something for everyone.
Across the street the JTI La Fuente show opened with mostly minerals but the treat is expected this Friday when a good bit of Rock Currier's collection will be for sale.
The construction of the new mineral facility behind Sun Gem is making good progress but a weekend opening will be a challenge for these dealers - many of whom have departed the HTCC for various reasons including room space, parking, and a concern about the future of the HTCC.
Then, it was back home to my Condo for dinner and we were treated to another one of those incredible AZ sunsets - see photos.
So tomorrow the ballroom at the HTCC opens as well as many more selling rooms there - should be another great day.
bob
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Mineral:
n/a
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
Top Gem Mexican luncheon with Mariachi Band
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Mineral:
n/a
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
Panoramic view of the Top Gem luncheon
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Mineral:
Aquamarine and Schorl
Locality:
Erongo Mountain, Usakos, Erongo Region, Namibia
Description:
wonderful association - aqua and schorl plus others - at keystone in Clive Queit's room
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DSCN7830.JPG
Mineral:
n/a
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
good progress at the new mineral facility behind Sun Gem
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
Posted: Jan 31, 2019 03:28 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
Being a quartz fanatic and having handled thousands of specimens, I have an appreciation for your collection and would also like to see more detail. How about a separate entry featuring these in more detail? _________________ Pierre Joubert
...An observation - the area in and around the old La Fuente/Top Gem/Elks is rapidly becoming a mineral hot spot rivaled only by the HTCC.
Tucson 1/30/2019
Landing in Tucson, I can say that everything that Bob Kerr says in his magnificent chronicles is strictly true. "The area in and around the old La Fuente / Top Gem / Elks is rapidly becoming a hot spot mineral" (although I have some doubts about its long term effectiveness comparing that area with the classic spots) and the Tucson sunsets can be marvelous ;-)
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Jan 31, 2019 21:35 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
Today at the HTCC was that in between day where dealers are still unloading and lots of customers show up - as a result, there were no parking places around the motel by 945am. The remote parking area was available and thanks to the U-Haul gate being open it was not a long walk at all to the HTCC. Hopefully dealers will have their cars/trucks/vans out of the way by Friday/Saturday or it will be a real mess.
I would guess that 80% of the rooms are open including the Ballroom which I visited first:
- I love to visit Clive Quite first thing on the Ballroom opening day since he has historically been able to provide upper middle level specimens (some of which are high end in some dealer's rooms) for reasonable (but not always) prices. I mentioned his Aqua/Schorls from Erongo previously and here he had his best up for sale - the association is wonderful - blue - black - white (spar) and brown siderite.
Clive also had some incredible malachites and huge African smokey quartzes for quite reasonable prices and a group of huge to TN Carrolites priced for the common man.
- next was a visit to Victor P and the Axinite PM room to view his new haul of Dalnegorst pieces - very nice selection at reasonable prices - and more is due in tomorrow.
- I ran into Jordi and after a chat I took him over to the new out-front tent of Jesus Valenzuela who frequently has the best Milpillas material - and this show was not exception. In the out-front tent he had about 5-6 pieces that are "scary" blue - beyond electric blue. Regrettably the best piece which I had photographed earlier was not there for Jordi to see in person as it was sold - but I present a photo of it here - this is not altered in any way - what you see is what was there.
That's about it for today other than the obligatory sunset photo - amazing things to see here in the desert. Rock Currier sale at the La Fuente tomorrow.
bob
-
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Mineral:
n/a
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
Rhino touch up day
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Mineral:
Carrolite
Locality:
Kambove District, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire)
Description:
Huge carrolites in Clive's booth
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Mineral:
Smokey Quartz
Locality:
Malawi
Description:
huge, gemmy and undamaged Smokey Quartz in Clive's booth
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Mineral:
Malachite
Locality:
Mashamba West Mine, Kolwezi District, Lualaba, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire)
Description:
Lots of highly textured malachites in Clive's booth.
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Mineral:
Azurite
Locality:
Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Municipio Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico
Dimensions:
about 8-9 cm across
Description:
doesn't get much bluer than this - was sold between when I took this photo and when Jordi wen to see it.
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Mineral:
Azurite
Locality:
Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Municipio Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico
Description:
another of the "scary" blue azurites
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Mineral:
n/a
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
and yet another incredible AZ sunset to end another wonderful day in the desert
Posted: Feb 01, 2019 07:58 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
I am looking forward to hearing about Rock Currier's collection offerings on the first day of the La Fuente show, Bob. You are serving as my eyes and ears since I am not there. Thank you, pard!
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 01, 2019 21:37 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
This will probably be the last of my daily reports for a while as most all the mineral shows are open (including the Mineral City Show in the facility behind Sun Gem which has an open house tonight) and I am just shopped out for a while!!
- This morning was the opening of the first flush of Rock Currier's collection being offered to the public. The opening was at the old La Fuente restaurant which is the JTI "venue of the future". It was well organized as each person was issued a number based on when they arrived at the front gate. The first 25 or so were let in initially and as one person left - or was in the check out process - another was permitted in.
The material was wide in variety and much of it went quite fast. I was 46 and had to wait almost a half hour to get in. By that time the material was well picked over but there was still lots of unique material - although not cheap at all. Boleite cubes, unique crystal forms of minerals (an elongated Bolivian cassiterite and an also elongated smithsonite from Broken Hill), Mexican minerals, Indian zeolites and lots of polished stuff.
I would say that the best of Rock is yet to come. Although there were many interesting things that one just doesn't see anymore, many people were expecting some of the killers that he had many of and they were MIA. Still a good addition to the collecting community. Photos attached.
There is no list of what is to come in the future - it would indeed be nice to have such a list.
- I went over to the UK Mining room who opened last night with a minor, controlled feeding frenzy, but there was lots still available from the Diana Marie mine. Gemmy, lustrous and interesting penetrating twins were readily available for reasonable prices compared to what I've seen in the past. Get 'em now while the getting is good.
- I went over to the Pueblo Show at the Riverpark Inn - very crowded but limited on minerals - an amazing eclectic variety of items to be bought. One Chinese dealer had some of those great mirror-like malachites from Sepon, Laos for reasonable prices - I couldn't resist.
So, more to follow but not for a few days - I may be broke!
bob
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Mineral:
n/a
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
Waiting outside the gate at the La Fuente - and getting your number
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Mineral:
n/a
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
Getting the instructions for the Rock Currier opening - very organized
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Mineral:
n/a
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
Rock was supervising the event
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Mineral:
n/a
Locality:
Arizona, USA
Description:
HUGE quartzes outside the Riverpark Inn (Pueblo Mineral Show)
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 4900
Location: Barcelona
Posted: Feb 04, 2019 11:13 Post subject: Tucson Show 2019 - First part of the Show
Tucson 02/04/2019
The Tucson Show is divided into three major parts: that of the Hotels that goes from the end of January to the beginning of February, the part of the Westward Look that goes from the beginning of February to the "Main Show" at the Convention Center, and the part of the "Main Show" itself.
As a constant throughout the days of the Show are continuously opening new offers (yesterday opened the Hotel Elks Lodge, tomorrow will open the Tucson New Mineral Show, etcetera ...) But grosso modo, these three major parts are the which constitute the main body of the Show. Taking advantage of the fact that Bob Kerr is already making some great chronicles of the daily circumstances of the Show I think that now that the start of the first part has already passed (the Hotels) and it is beginning the second part (Westward Look) this is a good time to make some reflections.
As Bob has well explained there is a "new boy in the neighborhood". What last year was grew up in the area of Oracle Street around the Hotel La Fuente, this year has been fully consolidated with the addition of a powerful new Show, the "Mineral City Show" and that area has become very eclectic and something that should be visit. Gather from "classic" Shows such as La Fuente or Elks lodge, to wholesale stores such as Top Gem, Midwest Minerals and many others, and to this we must add two "different" shows, the "Sun Gemstone" and the "Mineral City Show" . These two shows starts from a completely different concept than previously known as they are based on a group of dealers who meet, buy a piece of land, build there at their convenience, and from there they already own their own showroom. They will keep from one year to the next and that being their property they will be able to enable, decorate and prepare at their convenience.
Last year I visited the "Sun Gemstone" and I was already impressed by the concept (which had been tried before with a proposal of a large building on 22nd Street, but was not successful) and this year with the addition of the "Mineral City Show" although it is still in part under construction it looks very good, both because of the spaciousness of the exhibition halls and because of the high number of dealers with quality pieces, so, I think we can say that the idea has been a success and that this new concept could be an important part of the future of the Tucson Show.
The exhibition dates of all these Show are very flexible and although they are basically located between the opening of the classic Hotels and the start of the Westward Look-Main Show each exhibitor is free to open when they want and close whenever they want.
To summarize, we could say according to the words of a dealer friend of me, that the innSuites-TCC could continue to be "the real Show" but these new points of sale would become something like "the future". Time will tell.
Bad weather in Tucson yesterday and today with heavy rain that because of the unusual generates numerous problems in roads, buildings, facilities...
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 08, 2019 21:42 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
Here's a few photos of specimens that caught my eye - hope you all enjoy them.
I avoided the opening of the Westward Look today but hope to get there tomorrow with no doubt lots of other photos of great specimens to follow.
bob
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Mineral:
Mimetite
Locality:
Pingtouling Mine, Liannan, Qingyuan Prefecture, Guangdong Province, China
Description:
This incredible mimetite was in James Webb's personal collection and was shown in the Texas Collector's MR issue. The Focal Crystal dealership in the Mineral City Show.
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Mineral:
Manganocalcite
Locality:
China
Description:
This excellent pink calcite is in the Collector's Edge room at the Mineral City Show.
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DSCN7890.JPG
Mineral:
Calcite
Locality:
Wenshan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China
Description:
Excellent gemmy Calcite at one of the Chinese rooms at the HTCC.
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Mineral:
Aquamarine
Description:
A wonderful pair of double terminated Aquas on Aqua. In one of the Russian rooms at the HTCC.
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Mineral:
Scheelite
Description:
This scheelite in Hong Zhao's room at the HTCC really caught my eye.
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Mineral:
Calcite
Locality:
Wenshan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China
Description:
An amazing calcite - about 20cm tall
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Mineral:
Calcite and Stilbite
Description:
This terrific calcite with zeolites is in the Sunvesta Room
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Mineral:
Hyalite
Description:
Yuri Pustov has lots and lots of these - quite interesting.
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 4900
Location: Barcelona
Posted: Feb 09, 2019 10:47 Post subject: Tucson Show 2019 - HQLP (High Quality Low Price)
Tucson 02/09/2018
Tucson is a giant, and its size is so huge that finally there is everything for everyone.
The Westward Look has the fame to have the best and most expensive pieces but also in the Westward, with time, patience, and without being overwhelmed by certain pieces and certain prices, you can also find excellent pieces with more or less reasonable prices.
My loyal assistant Jordi Deusedes who is specialized on this type of offers and inspired by the HQLP section of the Mineralogical Record, made yesterday a personal selection in the Westward Look of these "reasonable" pieces.
Here is the result of his selection. The names of the dealers do not appear to avoid presumed favoritism, if someone has an interest in any of these pieces it will be easy to locate them in the Show.
Tucson 2019 - HQLP High Quality Low Price (1).jpg
Description:
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Description:
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Description:
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Mineral:
Acanthite
Locality:
Guanajuato, Municipio Guanajuato, Mexico
Description:
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Description:
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Tucson 2019 - HQLP High Quality Low Price (12).jpg
Description:
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Tucson 2019 - HQLP High Quality Low Price (13).JPG
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 4900
Location: Barcelona
Posted: Feb 10, 2019 08:44 Post subject: Tucson Show 2019 - Display of the NHM of Los Angeles County (1)
Tucson 02/10/2019
Yesterday the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County displayed a part of his impressive collection in the "Saturday Collector Day" at the Westward Look.
They will repeat this exhibit at the Main Show (except the Proustite)
Here you have the images of this suite of wonders:
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