Hi all,
I’ve never been to the Tucson G&M show and am wondering if I should
go. I am curious as to what all they have. I’m assuming they have
more than just gems and minerals. Do they also have demonstrations
and some of the latest in tools and such? If some folks could
enlighten me more I can decide if I want to go and get my
reservations made.
Thanks,
Lisa Fowler
Fort Collins, CO 80526
@LisaF
Lisa,
Rio Grande offers their “Catalogue in Motion,” this alone is worth
the entire trip. Please check right here on Orchid in the archives
for past history on this event.
Go to Rio’s web site to see just what is being offered this year.
Rio literally takes over the Tucson Hilton East Hotel during their
stay. They offer both free and for pay classes over all days. You do
have time to contact Rio and ask for their Catalogue in Motion
brochure.
The hotel’s ballrooms become a giant candy store for all of us. Many
of the products you may be thinking about purchasing are demonstrated
there. You may have hands on time to determine if indeed this is
what you want. This is from a beading needle to a laser, with lots
between that price range.
Rio’s staff comes out en masse and stand tirelessly to answer all
your questions, yes even to direct you to the rest rooms.
The question is not should you come, but when.
Terrie
Lisa,
At Tucson there are all those things you mentioned and much, much,
much more! This year, according to Colored Stone magazine there are
38 separate locations. If it is even remotely connected with gems,
jewelry, minerals, fossils, etc., etc., it can be found
there…someplace. Check the Orchid archives for about this
time last year. As I recall there was a long thread about the Tucson
shows.
Jerry in Kodiak
Hi Lisa,
I am curious as to what all they have. I'm assuming they have more than just gems and minerals. Do they also have demonstrations and some of the latest in tools and such? If some folks could enlighten me more I can decide if I want to go and get my reservations made.
First off, make your ho/motel reservations NOW! You can always
cancel them.
There’s just about anything you can imagine that’s used in the
jewelry industry on display or for sale in Tucson. There are about 30
different shows for everything from top line stones (AGTA show). to
bead shows, to mineral & specimen shows, to shows of native art from
all over the world. You can find anything from gems that cost
thousands to fish tank gravel. There are tools galore & Rio Grande
has a series of multi day classes as well as open to the public 1 -2
hr demos done by nationally known experts. MJSA also has demos by
nationally know experts.
Most importantly there’s the Orchid Dinner. This year it’s Feb. 3. A
chance to visit with old friends & make new ones.
Dave
Lisa,
The Tucson Gem show is an event that shouldn’t be missed. Even if
you only go once, it should be one of the Wonders of the World. It’s
hard to believe that an entire city can be given over to the beauty
of rocks, minerals, gems, pearls, etc.
There are demos in two areas. One is AGTA where AJM has a booth and
sponsors educational demonstrations. The other is at the Hilton
Hotel, where Rio Grande sets up educational demos and Catalog in
Motion. This is where the catalog goes virtual and touching is not
only allowed, it’s encouraged!
On Feburary 3rd, the Orchid Dinner unfolds and this is a great
opportunity to meet other Orchidians.
http://www.ganoksin.com/events
This is a must attend event which I look forward to every year.
Connecting names that you only see on your email to real handshakes
and hugs is a great experience.
I am sure that others on the list will list their favorites.
My favorites are:
Holdome: tools, beads, pearls, gems, finished jewelry and everything
in between. It’s hodge podge and fabulous. There is one section of
the Holodome which is just pearls. Tables upon tables of strands of
pearls, all shapes, colors, sizes. I shiver thinking about all those
irritated oysters.
The Pueblo Inn area by the freeway: Minerals, rough, meteorites,
hippies, you name it. You will find everything here and how they
manage to haul it all from different points of the globe, amazes me.
AGTA: High end gems here, some piled in dishes. Rubies, emeralds,
sapphires, pearls, like grabbing candy off the dish. I like to visit
the last day and slowly stroll the isles looking for stones that have
rolled onto the carpet. Downstairs are the suppliers, Otto Frei,
Stuller, Hoover and Strong and the AJM Sponsored Educational Demos.
These are free by the way.
GJX: A HUGE tent, and I mean HUGE with isles and piles and booths of
more gems, pearls, watches, stands, it goes on and on.
I’m sure others will give you their favorite. Just do it dear. Pam
Chott did an exhaustive search on housing/hotels in Tucson.
Hope to see you in Tucson.
-karen
Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857
http://www.metalwerx.com/
Jewelry/Metalarts School & Cooperative Studio
Lisa:
Never, ever question if you should go to the Tucson Gem Show, it is
the largest gem show in the world!! Have you been to the one in
Denver in September?? That is VERY small potatoes compared to Tucson,
in fact, there is no comparison. Once you go, you will be hooked for
life, they have everything! My first time, many years ago, left me
stumbling around in such total amazement every day I was there, sun
up to sundown. Thousands of vendors, millions of stones and beads,
and yes, lots of classes and demonstrations and piles of the latest
tools. Some “hippies” thrown into the mix too. You do run the risk of
maxing out all your credit cards and using up your gas money home
though if you don’t watch it.
Some tips, pre-register for all the shows that you can, even the
ones you don’t think you will want to get into. Take multiple copies
of your tax license and piles of business cards. Use a sturdy,
zip-top tote, not a cute little purse, with your money in a fanny
pack worn in the front. Get a Show Guide and study it to come up with
a plan. When I went, I would take a file card and put the following
info on it for each location: The show and location across the top,
the vendor name, the booth number and maybe a reference number (page
number) from the Show Guide to the vendor and what they had I might
want, figured from their ad in the Show Guide. On the back of the
card I could make a quick note whether the vendor had what I wanted
or not to bother finding them again. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES!! And
carry water with you. Of course, some of my best “finds” were
accidents on the way to one of my scheduled stops.
At this point, lodging will be a real problem but we took our RV and
found a place in the smaller towns east or west of Tucson. Maybe
others here can help you find lodging and how to obtain a Show Guide.
Go and HAVE FUN!! And pick me up on your way by, please…
Kathy
www.kathyanderson.net
Have you been to the one in Denver in September?? That is VERY small potatoes compared to Tucson
The Denver show is not a small show. Smaller than Tucson, yes, but
it is a great show.
Some of the people who do the Tuscon show, do the Denver September
show instead of the fall Tuscon show, which is small.
I live is Denver, and I can get just about anything: cut stones,
cabbing rough, finished jewelry, beads, minerals, carvings, tools at
the show here. If you know what you are doing, you can get really
good prices, just like Tuscon.
Realistically, at Tuscon you can only see so much, and my wife seems
to stay busy for about 12 hours a day for the week of the Denver
September show.
Tuscon is absolutely worth attending. There are many more dealers
that would be better to see if you were buying mass volumes.
And all that Tuscon is, the JCK Las Vegas show is a very different
type of show, a hard show to get into, and had,at the time I went 5
years ago, 17 miles of aisles. That is not a small show, and the
quality of goods is far above Tuscon with the German and Brazilian
gold design companies.
Richard Hart
I agree with Richard. I live near Denver and have gone to the Denver
show for over 20 years. I have always found it a great show with a
lot less hassle then Tucson. I would highly encourage it to anyone as
a fall show. The Denver area is wonderful in September. The hot
summer days are over and a side trip to the mountains at this time of
year just can’t be beat.
The only thing that has bothered me is that for the years following
2001 there have been fewer vendors each year at the satellite shows.
However, this may be turning around as this year I saw a lot of new
vendors and vendors coming back who had not been there for several
years.
Like Tucson the show provides shuttle service between sites.
Of course having the show within 5 miles of my old store did not
hurt either…
Mark
And all that Tuscon is, the JCK Las Vegas show is a very different type of show, a hard show to get into, and had,at the time I went 5 years ago, 17 miles of aisles. That is not a small show, and the quality of goods is far above Tuscon with the German and Brazilian gold design companies.
If I’m not mistaken, The JCK show is mainly a finished jewelry show.
Obviously, there’ll be some booths that exhibit/sell other items.
The Tucson show has some finished jewelry, but mostly it’s
components etc.
Dave
lisa -
to all the very good advice from kathy anderson i would add:
notify your credit card bank that you will be using the card to
order items from tucson at that time - that way you don’t have to
tell them you will be gone from home then.
take snacks along with the water; hunger could stop you from
getting to that one dealer with the perfect deal.
keep every card/invoice in the bag with item(s). note all details
on back of card/invoice. dealers usually don’t have time - or english
to do it.
take several sturdy tote bags (canvas, denim) or a small roller
bag. while some people complain about roller bags at the shows it is
because they are not paying attention. one year i gave my partner a
combination good backpack-convert-to-roller bag and he wore out the
outer wheel coverings the first week; roller bags are back savers.
(of course i won’t mention that it was holding about 100+ pounds the
time my teva-clad foot was run over crossing congress, and then i was
told to “pick up the pace” the next several blocks - the memorial
service was well attended)
ive
If you find something you like but decide to look around before
buying you should make notes on where the booth is. The show is so
immense you will find it almost impossible to find a booth a second
time.
If you use a credit card do not put your wallet back into your purse
or pocket until you put the credit card away. Holding the wallet in
you hand while the transaction goes down will remind you to get your
credit card back.
Keep all receipts for later record keeping. It would not hurt to
make notes about every purchase.
Be prepared to walk many miles each day.
Parking is terrible. Be patient and ride the shuttles. Be sure to
monitor the time at the end of the day to insure a shuttle ride back
to your car.
Once you get your show guide spend some time making notes on booths
to visit. The guide has an index listing categories of items and in
which booth they can be found. Remember there are between 3000 and
4000 dealers in Tucson for the show. You won’t be able to check out
each booth.
It would be a good idea to have some projects in mind when you hit
the show. You will be able to find items that will fit nicely into
you design ideas.
Be sure to have some sturdy means of carrying you treasures.
You will see a massive amount of stuff. Don’t be surprised if when
you get home and open you bag of treasures your first impression is,
“Where is all the stuff I bought.” Compared to all that you will see
the stuff you bring back will look like nothing.
Most of all have a good time. It will be an adventure the likes of
which you can only experience in Tucson in February. You will never
see so much jewelry and fossil stuff in one place in your life time.
The crowds are very large at most of the shows. The isles are so
narrow in some shows you will have to do a lot of sideways walking.
Hope to see you all at the Orchid dinner. I am the tall gray haired
old man that will be wearing a gold bear with a fire agate stone.
I you are interest in vacuum casting without fire scale look me up.
Lee Epperson
Good tip on the bank. Mine called my husband wanting to know about
cash withdrawls at various ATM’s. Speaking of which, I just heard
that the fee for ATM’s which are not your bank directly are going up
to a min of $3. Ouch!
If you absolutely love something, circle around a bit more and then
come back. However, don’t leave the show altogether thinking, oh, I
will come back tomorrow. You won’t. The hardest part of Tucson is
that I have certain personal collections which have begun there. It’s
part scavanger hunt, part mining expedition, part bargain hunting.
-k
Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857
http://www.metalwerx.com/
Jewelry/Metalarts School & Cooperative Studio
Hi Richard:
Concerning the Denver Gem Show, I never meant to degrade or down
play it for what it is, it is just not Tucson. I do just as you say,
meet some of the same dealers in Denver and get good deals just as I
would in Tucson, but, given the choice of going to the Denver gem
show or the Tucson show…no question, I would be headed south not
north. Just the excitement and electricity in the air from folks who
have traveled the world to bring their goods to sell in Tucson does
not compare to Denver, let alone the sheer volume of choices that
surround you.
Kathy
I posted to basically let other people on this forum know that the
Denver show is worth attending if they are closer to Denver and
can’t make it to Tucson.
I have a retail store, we sell mineral specimens, fossils, mostly
sterling silver imported jewelry, and some gold and diamond jewelry
and between the different gem and jewelry shows here during the year,
the Denver Gem show included, we are able to keep our store stocked
with new and exciting inventory for our customers. We having been
here for thirteen years have a large customer base, which means we
are moving a lot of inventory.
I have felt that would be a waste of time and money for me to travel
to Tucson to purchase the same things I can find here. I can always
get overwhelmed, and spend more than I intended to spend right here
at our little" show.
I have more cutting material and cut gems than I can probably use
during the rest of my life, and going to Tucson would add to my
estate. And the electricity in the air, and the excitement I felt at
Tucson, is here also.
But that is just my experience.
Richard Hart
Mine called my husband wanting to know about cash withdrawls at various ATM's. Speaking of which, I just heard that the fee for ATM's which are not your bank directly are going up to a min of $3. Ouch!
They already hit that here a few years ago… and you got dinged $3
from the bank you used AND your bank! $6 just to withdraw money from
a machine! Haven’t used other banks’ ATMs for about 6 years.
Kerry
CeltCraft Beads & Jewelry
Hi Everyone:
I am looking forward to being in Tucson next February. I am planning
on attending the Orchid Dinner on the evening of Friday, February 3,
2006 and then on the next evening (Saturday the 4th), I will attend
the gathering of faceters at the OPLC Hob Nob in Tucson. I am
interested in meeting and getting to know any of you new to me
fellow faceters, along with seeing those of you who I have already
gotten to know.
If you intend to attend either of these gatherings, how about
letting the rest of the faceters know that you plan to be there.
Make a short post if you wish, to let the rest of us know your
intentions. Lots of these Email names can become a reality at
Tucson, as we mingle and enjoy another great evening with other
faceters and people that are interested in all phases of jewelry.
Evenings of this type are always VERY ENJOYABLE for me. By the happy
looks on the faces of other attendees, it is apparent to me that
everyone is glad that they came.
Glenn Klein, G.G.
Lake Forest, CA USA
for about my new book, Faceting History: Cutting Diamons &
Colored Stones, www.glennklein.com
Hello,
There are several shows in Denver, which shows are we referring to
for Finished High end Jewelry?
Annual Denver Gem and Mineral Show -
Great American Gem Show - Best Western Central Denver I-25 at
48th Ave.; 200 W. 48th Ave., Denver, CO 80216; (303) 296-4000
Advance Information: InterGem, (301) 294-1640; fax (301)
294-0034; e-mail info@intergem.com; Web site www.intergem.com
Dates: September 14-18, 2005 Hours: September 14-17: 10 a.m.-7
p.m.; September 18: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Colorado Fossil Expo - Merchandise Mart/Plaza Annex I-25 at Exit
215; 451 E. 58th Ave., Denver, CO 80216; (303) 292-6278 Advance
Information: Martin Zinn Expositions, (505) 867-0425; fax (505)
867-0073; e-mail mz0955@aol.com; Web site www.mzexpos.com
Dates: September 16-18, 2005 Hours: September 16: 9 a.m.-6
p.m.; September 17: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; September 18: 10 a.m.-5
p.m.
Greater Denver Area Gem & Mineral Council - Merchandise
Mart/Expo Hall I-25 at Exit 215; 451 E. 58th Ave., Denver, CO
80216; (303) 292-6278 Advance Information: Greater Denver Area
Gem & Mineral Council, (303) 233-2516; e-mail
info@denvermineralshow.com; Web site www.denvermineralshow.com
Dates: September 16-18, 2005 Hours: September 16: 9 a.m.-6
p.m.; September 17: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; September 18: 10 a.m.-5
p.m.
Colorado Mineral & Fossil Show - Holiday Inn Denver/Central
I-25 & I-70; 4849 Bannock St., Denver, CO 80216; (303) 292-9500
Advance Information: Martin Zinn Expositions, (505) 867-0425;
fax (505) 867-0073; e-mail mz0955@aol.com; Web site
www.mzexpos.com Dates: September 14-18, 2005 Hours: September
14-17: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; September 18: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
International Gem & Jewelry Show - Merchandise Mart/Pavilion
Building I-25 at Exit 215; 451 E. 58th Ave., Denver, CO 80216;
(303) 292-6278 Advance Information: InterGem, (301) 294-1640;
fax (301) 294-0034; e-mail info@intergem.com; Web site
www.intergem.com Dates: September 15-18, 2005 Hours: September
15: 12-8 p.m.; September 16-17: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; September 18:
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Denver Expo 2005 - Best Western Stapleton. One Mile South of
I-70; 3535 Quebec St., Denver, CO 80207; (303) 333-7711 Advance
Information: TEP Gem Show Inc., (520) 883-6447; fax (520)
883-0527; e-mail TEPGemshow@cs.com Dates: September 14-18, 2005
Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Miner's Cooperative Mineral Show - Miner's Cooperative.
Southeast Corner of 58th Ave. & Logan St.; 480 E. 58th Ave.,
Denver, CO 80216 Advance Information: Brian Bond, (970)
252-8389; e-mail bbondrocks@montrose.net Dates: September
13-18, 2005 Hours: September 13-17: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; September
18: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Are there any entry restrictions, is it for trade only or open for
general public? Does the Denver Show referred in previous post under
" General Information " as scattered as the Tucson show or at one
location? Possibly there would be large crowds at aisles similar to
the Tucson show!
Thanks
Vivek
I like to take a gram scale with me to the Tucson show. At night,
back at the hotel, I check the items sold by gram weight on my
little scale. Sometimes there are errors. I double check other items
as well for correct quantities, etc. Then I mark everything clearly.
I find when the purchases are fresh in my mind, it’s a lot
easier.The people who advised good record keeping were right-on. I
learned the hard way when I got home and couldn’t figure out what I
had paid for some things.
See you all at the dinner.
Beverly Jones
Hi All:
Since I entered posts the other day on three chat pages about the
Orchid Dinner (February 3rd) and the faceters OPLC Hob nob (February
4th) that will carried out at Tucson, several people have contacted
me to find out about one or both of the events. I took it for
granted that most already knew, but I was wrong about that.
On the night of February 3rd there will be a dinner/dance carried
out by the GIA Alumni members, and they will have an auction. I
wanted to attend that, but since it falls on the same evening as the
Orchid Dinner I had to make a difficult choice (for me). I chose to
attend the 10th Annual Tucson Orchid Dinner on February 3rd. I have
made my reservations.
Orchid has many followers including those interested in Jewelry
manufacturing, methods, and procedures. This includes faceters and
other areas of lapidary interests. It includes experts at
metalworking, and experts from the Jeweler’s bench. Check out the
web site at www.ganoksin.com/orchid to see if this site is good for
you. I think you will find that it is! Explore this vast site. You
will find there about the Orchid Dinner. Reservations
are needed. I think dress is to be something in average good
taste…you do not want to go as a slob (in your shorts and
sandals), but I would not attend if a Tux was required. I intend to
wear slacks, a shirt and tie, and a sport coat. And, this is putting
myself out, because I gave up wearing ties about sixty years ago
when I got discharged from the Army Air Force. I will be the guy
wearing that very old tie that dates back many years. I may consider
selling my tie so that I can get rich and retire from my present
tired retirement. Orchid is open to the public, so sign up if the
organization appeals to you. When you get on the web page called out
above, you will see a connection to click on as to how to join. On
the next page, you will see a connection to click on for “The 10th
Annual Tucson Orchid Dinner.”
Now about the Old Pueblo Lapidary Club OPLC night of the faceters
Hob Nob. I always enjoy a gathering of faceters, especially at
Tucson. This event on the evening of February 4th fills the
clubhouse with those who have a interest in methods and equipment
used for faceting all of the colored stones. For a buck or two
donated, you get some pizza and soft drinks. Dress is definitely
casual, no tie required, no Tux, but I still do not care to see you
in shorts and sandals. Someone in a Tux would look equally weird, in
my view. But hey, I do not make the rules so you can probably get by
with whatever on. Not me, but you may impress someone there if you
wear your purple shirt and pink pants, with a yellow scarf around
your neck and dirty puce tennis shoes to finish things off. The
clubhouse is rather hard to find the first time. Go to the web site
at www.lapidaryclub.org go down the page and click on “Annual
Faceters Hobnob,” then click on “Click here for directions.” Print
out the pictures, and map to take along with you to
Tucson. Then you will not have an excuse for not being able to find
the place. See you there!
Gee, I am getting excited.
Glenn Klein
Lake Forest CA USA
Web Site for about book, FACETING HISTORY: CUTTING DIAMONDS &
COLORED STONES, www.glennklein.com
beverly -
I like to take a gram scale with me to the Tucson show
another take-with-you-item are different size plastic bags, zip-lock
ones are excellent. also fine point ‘sharpie’ pens (sharpies will
write on just about anything - actually they write so well that one
caused someone i knew a divorce: her italian lover wrote an
endearment - in french - on the sole of her left foot, and guess who
saw it?) back to the bags: stick them into your tote or handbag. put
each purchase and all papers straight into a zip-lock. it might not
seem like a super idea until you get back to your gram scale and
each of your buys is in a bag by itself, identified, priced, and you
jot the weight on it.
ive