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The Gemstone Diaries - Hot From Tucson Day 2!

by on ‎02-05-2015 12:43 PM

My second and final day at the Tucson Gem Show was just as fun as day 1! I wanted to give you the chance to see all the beautiful gems!



We started the day at GJX for meetings with vendors. Peyton and Jen were wheelin' and dealin' to bring you fresh from the fair pieces. It's unbelievable what our team goes through to get gems...fascinating!!



These are fine fire opals!!



Brazilian paraiba tourmaline. Exquisite color! We also saw purple paraiba! (I'm in heaven...)



Look at these huge 20ct green apatites! A normal size for these are 4 cts and smaller!



This is how fire opal starts before it is faceted. Notice the range of colors? This is where our Quality Assurance Department comes in. We can only offer you small color range. Can you imagine how few pieces in the same color range and size we could get from this parcel? Mind boggling!!



Earl and I were on air together. He's a true miner! He's showing us Malawi AAA sapphire. It has beautiful undertones of green.



This is Chinese turquoise rough. The supplier has to stockpile enough for us to present to you. Wonder how long that will take?



Kingman Mine (AZ mine) turquoise rough. This will only yield a few stones.



Later in the day, we headed into JOGS...it's a totally different vibe than other shows! Lots of finished jewelry and tons of opaque stones.



Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Swarovski studded Luchese cowboy boots!



Buckets of rough gems!



Check out this huge Quartz. They polished the outside. And inside....amethyst!



Some of the finished jewelry. Look at the size of this squash blossom!



....and cross!



.....and concha belt!



Iz wanted me to get her a blue opaque stone...a lapis heart it was!



I love that even art is carved from big pieces of rough. In this case, turquoise.




Strands of pearls and shades of lapis!



Crazy that the vendors don't have to have GIA certification. You never know what's genuine material. That's why you have to have relationships with trusted vendors and then double check the stones by our Quality Assurance Department and certify them with the GIA!



Oops...I bought a jacket instead of a gem. Sweet Sheron from CO helped me hold it for a selfie! Thanks, Sheron!!



Our final stop of the day....Kingman Turquoise and Marty Colbaugh. Marty was the first gem miner I'd ever met 4 years ago when I was here. He took a ton of time with me to explain the turquoise market. So good to see him again!



We were all way too tired to walk another step....taking the shuttle!



I loved being at the Tucson Gem Show with Peyton and Jen (our buyer). We found some beautiful gems for you! But now it's time to go back home to see my girl and hubby!!


I'll "see" you soon!!


-Nancy