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Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 18, 2019 10:57 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
The display cases at this year’s TGMS Show were, in my opinion, the best in many years – not that the displays of the recent past were not terrific, it’s just that for some reason the 2019 Show produced so many truly great world class cases.
The featured mineral was Wulfenite – recently designated as the Arizona state mineral – so there were lots and lots of beautiful cases full of wulfenites – but only one made my list (apologies to the wulfenite cases I do not include – especially to Harvard and to Tony Potucek / Evan Jones who both put in a top level case) .
As an exercise in futility, I thought I would summarize what I consider as the Top 8 display cases in order. Admittedly this is purely subjective so feel free to comment as to how poorly I ordered these – they are all just plain great and the people who agreed to display their world class specimens deserve a big thank you from all of us.
I will post a few photos of each case and a link to a video of the case.
Number 8 on my list is the case put in by Jim and Gail Span and Wendell and Carolyn Wilson showing numerous pieces of mining memorabilia (provided by the Wilson’s) in conjunction with numerous wonderful wulfenites (provided by the Spann’s).
And to think this is incredible case is my number 8.
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 18, 2019 11:13 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
For the number 7 case, I chose the non-competitive case put in by Irv Brown. To give some perspective of the quality of the cases this year, Irv's cases are typically in the top 1 to 3 cases each year.
He also put in a competitive case that won the Desautel's Trophy and also one specimen in that case won the Lidstrom Trophy - a photo of it is included below.
you can also see a brief video - staring Irv himself - at:
bob
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The Irv Brown case - non-competitive
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A butterfly twin of copper from Michigan - wow! and look at that euclase!
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That Bisbee azurite rose is just plain stunning.
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I truly love that adamite and also the red beryl "love birds".
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note the large xls and luster in that Vanadinite.
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Gemmy scheelite!! an understatement
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This emerald specimen won the Lindstrom Trophy - but look at that Tsavorite!!
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 18, 2019 11:29 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
The number 6 case in my humble opinion was the case entered by the Mineral association of Dallas (MAD). The case featured all lead based minerals with of course a healthy sprinkling of wulfenites.
You can see a brief video at:
bob
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The MAD case of lead based minerals.
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The MAD case of lead based minerals.
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The MAD case of lead based minerals.
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The MAD case of lead based minerals.
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The MAD case of lead based minerals.
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The MAD case of lead based minerals.
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What a wonderful spinel-twinned galena and that huge pyromorphite - WOW
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A stolzite on scheelite - rare - in the MAD case of lead based minerals.
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A unique mottramite (maybe after descloizite ?) in the MAD case of lead based minerals.
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 18, 2019 11:55 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
For the number 5 case I chose the case submitted by The Arizona Mineral Minions. Given that the group is from Arizona, one would expect some pretty nice wulfenites and this case does not disappoint at all.
You can see a brief video at:
bob
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The AZ Mineral Minions case of wulfenites
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The AZ Mineral Minions case of wulfenites
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The AZ Mineral Minions case of wulfenites
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The AZ Mineral Minions case of wulfenites
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The AZ Mineral Minions case of wulfenites
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The AZ Mineral Minions case of wulfenites
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The AZ Mineral Minions case of wulfenites
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The AZ Mineral Minions case of wulfenites
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I just love black wulfenites - a rare find from the Glove Mine collected by Dave Shannon in the mid 80's.
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 18, 2019 12:04 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
For number 4, I chose the excellent case of Chinese minerals submitted by Jim and Gail Spann. This large case is just jammed packed (maybe a bit too jammed packed?) with very high quality Chinese minerals. A sight to behold.
You can see a brief video of the case at:
bob
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The Spann's case of excellent Chinese minerals.
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The Spann's case of excellent Chinese minerals.
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The Spann's case of excellent Chinese minerals.
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The Spann's case of excellent Chinese minerals.
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The Spann's case of excellent Chinese minerals.
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The rhodocrosite centerpiece of the Spann's case of excellent Chinese minerals.
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 18, 2019 12:20 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
For number 3 I chose the Scott Rudolf case. He has frequently permitted us to gaze upon parts of his collection at the TGMS Show - and this is the 2019 version. I admit to being a bit biased to rate this case high because of that electric blue Morenci azurite included in it - but there are others that clearly justify a very high rating.
You can see a brief video at :
bob
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The Scott Rudolf case at the 2019 TGMS Show
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The Scott Rudolf case at the 2019 TGMS Show
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The Scott Rudolf case at the 2019 TGMS Show
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The Scott Rudolf case at the 2019 TGMS Show
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The Scott Rudolf case at the 2019 TGMS Show
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I just love the brilliance of this specimen. This is certainly up there with the electric blue azurites from Milpillas.
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 18, 2019 12:41 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
And now to the top 2 cases - actually I would consider this a tie but if I had to, this is the order I would choose.
Number 2 is the "triptage-case" entered by Wil Johnson of Wisconsin. There no appropriate descriptive adjectives for the minerals in these cases. Just enjoy the photos and video.
The video can be seen at:
bob
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The "triptage" case submitted by Wil Johnson.
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The "triptage" case submitted by Wil Johnson.
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The "triptage" case submitted by Wil Johnson.
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The "triptage" case submitted by Wil Johnson.
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I think this is my favorite in these cases - INCREDIBLE!
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Apatite on elbaite - what a specimen.
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Doubly terminated gem smoky quartz on tourmaline.
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Imperial topaz - an imperial specimen.
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Closeup of the tanzanite-colored fluorite from Fujian.
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Elbaite and lepidolite.
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Rich purple amethyst - no location given (Goboboseb?)
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Different side view of the "triptage" case submitted by Wil Johnson.
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 18, 2019 12:56 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
And finally, what I consider as the best case in the 2019 TGMS Show - the case presented by Lawrence and Rebecca Stern. Again, no words - just gaze upon the photos and video.
Jordi has already posted a few additional photos in an earlier post.
You can see a brief video of this case at:
bob
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The case of super minerals presented by Lawrence and Rebecca Stern.
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The case of super minerals presented by Lawrence and Rebecca Stern.
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The case of super minerals presented by Lawrence and Rebecca Stern.
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A huge tanzanite on matrix - hiding that excellent emerald.
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The case of super minerals presented by Lawrence and Rebecca Stern.
Joined: 07 Oct 2013
Posts: 66
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posted: Feb 19, 2019 07:50 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
Bob, thank you so much for the excellent job (as always) of documenting the show, and in particular these cases. I have to agree, these displays set a new standard for the Tucson Show (or any show). An embarrassment of riches!
Posted: Feb 19, 2019 10:04 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
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??
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 537
Location: Monroeville PA
Posted: Feb 19, 2019 17:52 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
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.
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
Posted: Feb 20, 2019 01:00 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
Thank you Bob! We love the hobby and the community. And Jordi gives us good company!
bob kerr wrote:
Today is the last day of the TGMS "Main Show" which also signifies the end of the 2019 Tucson Shows - lots of teardown work ahead for many of us.
For those of you who couldn't attend the TGMS, I plan to provide some detail of 6 to 8 of the display cases - which this year were REALLY great - much greater than the recent past and the recent past has had terrific display cases. I'll provide some photos and a brief video of what I think are the 7 or so best ones.
For now though, I'd like to recognize and thank Jim and Gail Spann for all they have done at this show - they provided their usual excellent display case (this year packed with excellent Chinese minerals), they provided many of their best wulfenites for another excellent display case that included mining memorabilia, and also hosted a wonderful dinner/reception at the Hacienda del Sol for those of use fortunate enough to get an invitation. I can't imagine the effort they went through to plan the cases, set them up/tear them down, and transport them to and back from Tucson. They truly made a huge contribution to the success of the show.
Stay tuned for some photos/videos of some of the best specimens in the world.
bob
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so...
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.
Tucson 2019 - The NHM of los Angeles (31).jpg
Mineral:
Benitoita
Locality:
California State Gem Mine (Benitoite Gem Mine), San Benito River headwaters area, Santa Rita Peak, New Idria District, San Benito County, California, USA
Posted: Feb 24, 2019 01:25 Post subject: Re: Tucson Show 2019
bob kerr wrote:
- From the numerous dealers I chatted with, sales this year were average to very disappointing. I heard this at essentially all the venues.
bob
I hear the same here in Europe - from big shows and small ones. I think the reason for this is primarily not from a lack of interest, but the skyrocketing prices. If they don't come down, only the uber-rich will be buying trophy pieces. Too many of the average collector have been priced out. The rise in prices have not followed general inflation of prices, but seem to me to be 10X or more than that, and going asymptotic. At shows and on the internet I see nice minerals advertised for prices I could have purchased [and did] 20+ years ago for 1/10 or 1/20 the price. Like the crazy prices now fetched at art auctions, I think things have gotten out of hand with mineral prices, generally. If the prices come down [and I see no indication they will], more will be sold - enough, I think, to actually earn the sellers more profit. Just my take and high-end dealers and those who have hundreds of thousands or more to spend on minerals each year will surely disagree with me. In case you haven't noticed there is a growing divide in income and wealth in the US and Europe - and dividing fast. I happen to fall in the lower and lowering category. Those at the top end have more and more money each year and while they generally were not interested in minerals before, some have become so recently. Had I not built a mineral collection when prices were more reasonable, I'd not attempt to do so now...nor could I. Yes, a few spectacular specimens deserve a very high price, but most, I think, do not deserve the dramatic increases in price. Some will agree with me and others will revile me for saying this. Sorry. My take and I'm old and grumpy enough to say this - as I remember 'when'.....
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