Ogling Opals, Amazing Ammonites and Trilobite Treasures – Tucson 2022

Shopping at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show is always an adventure. After missing the 2021 show, Alisha and I were ready to recharge our creativity and replenish our inventory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although we discovered new sources, we were disappointed that so many of our go to vendors were absent this year. The supply chain crisis and travel restrictions due to the pandemic has hit the gem and fossil industry hard. Containers of Moroccan, German and English Fossils were stuck in a transit limbo nightmare. Some hotel courtyards that two years ago were crammed with tables and bustling with shoppers were eerily quiet and many booths were empty. In many instances, the shortage of inventory resulted in higher prices. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our go to Fire Agate stone cutter could not navigate the travel restrictions between Canada and Tucson Arizona. After traveling between Germany and Tucson Arizona, our German Ammonite dealers had empty shelves and were anxiously waiting on promised shipments. Hotel Arizona, the biggest of the Fossil shows was closed due to new management and fossil dealers who did make it were scattered between other unknown venues. Our faceted rainbow moonstone dealers from Jaipur India didn’t come and so it continued. Some days, Alisha and I felt discouraged and then we would stumble across a new source and feel creatively inspired. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nevertheless, Alisha and I had great fun! We walked though the belly of a rattle snake, wore amethyst crystal butterfly wings, discovered new vendors and returned with full coffers ready to begin our design season. Stay tuned!