Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Treasure Hunt – 2024

Sometimes it takes a sharp eye and other times a coy glance to choose our gemstones.

Alisha and I just returned from our treasure hunt at the 2024 Tucson Gem Show. We explore  dozens of venues with a plan of attack and a shopping list. The various shows open on different dates and if we’re not first to arrive when a particular show begins we may miss out on the best fossils and opals not to mention the best prices. We shop for Ammonites and trilobites first because the size and quality we need is in short supply and snatched up quickly by those that know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We can be more leisurely when shopping for Mexican and Australian opals since we are shopping a higher end. Nevertheless, we are still anxious and we visit our favorite dealers that are scattered throughout the city and compare what the various booths have dug up in the previous year. Many mines and pockets are depleted but there always seems to be something new. When we find a rare treasure we are afraid that someone else might buy it before we have a chance to. After visiting and revisiting several Mexican Fire opal dealers, tucked within a tray of ‘pretty’ opals was a stunning treasure that I was quite sure had not been there our visit before. I tried to hide my excitement as I casually shoved it towards Alisha for inspection. Her pupils dilated and we added a few other opals to our inconspicuous tray.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Punta Gorda Mexican Matrix opal is a 66 carat surge of turquoise opalescence.  The meeting of the matrix and the pockets of opal are magical. We are saving this for our collection and to find time to design a one of a kind 18K Gold Wave Surge Ring that will inspire Sinbad to sail the 7 Seas. When we first spotted ‘Honeycomb Lace’ a 79 carat Mexican matrix opal it was love at first sight but beyond our agreed upon budget. Just like bees to honey, we returned to examine this opal three times before succumbing to its orange fire. Selfishly, we are hoarding these and some of our favorite treasures for future designs. Previously we have always offered our opals for purchase but this year we are asking ourselves how we would feel if we sold it without the chance to bring our design vision to fruition?

Alisha and I are both serious and playful. We frolic with dinosaurs and scour the shows for unexpected finds to inspire our new designs. We enjoy dinner together each night after the shows close and if we’re not looking at fossilized  bones we’re chewing on bones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then just like fish stories, there are the opals that got away! One’s we simply cannot afford.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are truly a Mother Daughter team and the week we spend together each year at Tucson is priceless!