Our annual trip to the Tucson Gem and Mineral show is one Alisha and I look forward to. If we aren’t attacked by dinosaurs, we handpick gemstones and fossils that will inspire our season’s creations. This year, just the two of us went and we missed the input and company of John, Scott and Shari who accompanied us in 2017. We shopped until we dropped for 4 1/2 days.
Stalking Dinosaur on a hotel lawn
Nearly every hotel, parking lot and exhibition hall hosts an event. Many of the shows are held in the hotels along the 10 Freeway. Each room is a private showroom and I especially enjoy the multicultural feel of the shows. As we move from one room to another the languages change from Russian to German to Indian. Spanish and Chinese are prevalent as well as a variety of African dialects. Since the exhibitors both sell and live in their rented hotel room, a melange of international cooking aromas waft from the tiny in room kitchens. Many of the hotel venues are open to the public but there are venues that are open to wholesale trade only. As extensive as the overall Tucson show is, after many years, Alisha and I have learned a systematic approach to the show that suits our needs.
Alisha posing beside Canadian Ammonites
Canadian Ammonites
Ammonite Shard
I am always looking for Opals; both Mexican and Australian. I believe I have a good eye for these and I need high quality opals for my one of a kind 18K gold designs.
Marty and Alisha ~ Mexican Opal Booth
Australian Boulder Opals
Scouring the vast event is exhausting, exhilarating and inspiring.
Marty and Alisha at a crystal exhibition
Alisha and I have a great time together! We are so fortunate that this is what we do for work.
Alisha peeking out from the teeth of a gold plated dinosaur skull
Alisha; How about this for a ring?
We are never so serious or too tired to have fun!
Marty posing beside huge amethyst crystal
Selfie of Marty and Alisha below a Tucson lizard sign
Seemingly every parking lot and hotel room has rocks, crystals or fossils for sale.
Tourmaline crystals for sale
Tuscon mineral tent scene
The AGTA show is a wholesale only show and where the big boys and girls come to sell and to shop. Many of the booths rent safes in which to store their inventory. The quality and sheer quantity of gemstones is overwhelming. The event is high security.
AGTA Show, Tucson
We are up early and breakfast and lunch is on the run but at the end of each day, we treat ourselves to a good dinner and look over our day’s booty in our hotel room. I will be posting photos of our high end opals and fire agates on my web site as time permits. Below is just a sampling of one day’s treasures.
Day one – Tucson booty
Alisha – After hour Margarita time