[YAK] Traveler

Hi,

You might want to check out the flea market in Quartzite, AZ.
It starts about Jan. 15 and winds up around March 1st. You could
probably still get some good buys on stones and might even be
able to find some around the area. We drove through there in
Jan., right after it started and I have never seen so many stones
or motor homes, in my life. It would probably be worth checking
out. We enjoyed it so much that we drove back from Barstow, CA,
a week later and took my son and his family. We bought some
wonderful stones.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip,

Glenda Martin – Atlanta

Thanks, Glenda, for the suggestion for travel in Arizona. In
trying to find where Quartzsite is, I actually found a “Pow Wow
Gem and Mineral Show” listed in Fodor’s travel guide to Arizona.
Accoridng to the guide, it is held the first Wed. through Sun.of
Feb. It sounds like a jeweler’s heaven. Unfortunately, I won’t
be there at that time, but maybe someone else would be
interested. That was, indeed, a gem of a suggestion.

Hi Folks!

According to lapidary lore, the Quarzite, AZ deal goes on, in
one of many forms, until the Tucson shows start. Don’t be
discouraged that an individual event has ended! Many Tucson
vendors do their buying in Quarzite!

Good luck, et bon chance!

Dave
Dave Sebaste
Sebaste Studio
Charlotte, NC (USA)
dave@sebaste.com
http://www.sebaste.com

According to lapidary lore, the Quarzite, AZ deal goes on, in
one of many forms, until the Tucson shows start.  Don't be
discouraged that an individual event has ended!  Many Tucson
vendors do their buying in Quarzite!

Actually Quartzite goes on, in one form or another, from just
after New Year’s to the end of February. But the majority of
shows go on from about Jan 25th until Feb 15th. And you are
right, it is the largest rock hounders show in the country. You
can find just about everything there, rock or not. It has grown
tremendously over the last 10 years that I have gone.

Barry

Whenever you know you’re going to be in an area, you can contact
the local city & county gov & Chamber of commerce to ask about
scheduled events which you may be interested in. They’ll
(usually) be happy to fax or mail you info on special events,
area businesses, and lodging. I often call to find motels or
campgrounds which accept pets. The lodging people are also very
knowledgable about what is going on in area. If there is a rock
show or other special event, you will want to make your
reservations early - there’ve been times we couldn’t find lodging
within 200 miles! (Another reason to check ahead)

Good luck & enjoy your travels, Kat

Thanks mucho for the traveling tips for Arizona. I have just
made plane and B and B reservations for the Feb. Tucson Gem and
Mineral Show following the the suggestions on Orchid. I had
planned to begin my trip in Pheonix but now I will start in
Tucson. I have something to look forward to in my least favorite
month thanks to this wonderful forum. I have less than one day
to see the show. Anyone have any suggestions?

Also, can someone tell me what “YAK” means in the subject
message?

Only one day to do Tuscon? That’s a tough one! I spend 4 or 5
days and always wish that I could stay longer, although it gets
a bit overwhelming and I don’t know how long I could actually
take it if I had unlimited time. What are you interested in
buying/seeing? If you can specify your interests…i.e. rough,
diamonds, beads, finished imported jewelry, mineral specimens,
etc., I could tell you my favorite shows for those items. It is
truely an extravaganza worth the experience!

Have fun!
Karen

Sorry if I’m a bit of a “yaker” but this is entirely
too helpful for me to be quiet. Regarding the Tucson Gem and
Mineral Show, I’m interested in opals and unusual cabs. Karen,
what are your favorite haunts?

Alice

Hi,

I have less than one day to see the show. Anyone have any
suggestions? 

That all depends on what you’re interested in & what day you’ll
be here. The Tucson show is actually about 20 some shows that
occur during the sam e 2 weeks in Jan/Feb (Jan 25-Feb 16).
They’re not all open for the full tim e, some open & close at
different days. Check the CALENDAR section of Lapida ry Journal
for the dates and locations. A couple of the shows are strictly
wholesale, the rest are somewhere between wholesale & retail +.
Shows usually open at 10AM & run to 9 or 10PM. There’re free
shuttles to take y ou from show to show.

Let us know what you’re interested in & when you’ll be in
Tucson, then we can give you better suggestions. One day is a
little short, I usually spe nd about 3 days just at the AGTA
show.

Dave

The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show is put on by the Tucson Gem &
Mineral Society. It’s the show that start the whole extravaganza
30/40 years ago.

The TG&MS is a retail show that charges admission (it’s the fund
raiser f or the TG & M Society).

The other shows range from whoesale to retail plus.

You’ll find alot of Opals at the G&LW show at the Holidome.
There’ll be opals at other locations also. Cabs & beads are
everywhere, there’s a Bea d show at the Windmill Inn.

Dave