Tucson Gem Show Journal

I spent today tooling around three different shows -- the first was located in a wonderful old mansion (The Manning House). From there I walked over to the Tucson Convention Center to peruse the gem offerings at the American Gem Trade Association show (AGTA). Amazing finished jewelry at every turn. A couple of different artists were displaying lines of work that combined steel with gold. And an artist working in stainless steel had a good crowd around his booth.

I chatted with an artist who designs bracelets that are made from sting ray hides. She explained that fishermen traditionally discard the skins from sting rays, so making jewelry from these hides is a way to use the entire animal.

Just as I was beginning to feel the onset of sensory overload, I found myself pulled toward a display of sunstone at the Boston Gems & Findings booth. This sunstone was a little different than the usual, uniformly colored sunstone that I'd come across. These polished cabs held flecks of hematite! Mined in Tanzania, they have a whole different look than Oregon sunstone. The photos below show a tray of the rough stone.

 Tomorrow -- Rio's Catalog in Motion Show! I'll keep you posted on any new tools we find.

Now, I better turn in and get some rest so that I'll be energized for another day of scouting. 

Cheers  ;)   Jill