Tucson 2020: Top Ten Picks

I’ve just returned after an exhilarating few days in Tucson for the Gem Show and related events. This was my first time in Tucson and it was an adventure!

My two days in Tucson were divided between learning about new gemological findings on the first day (attending the AGA conference) and walking the gem shows (AGTA and GJX) on the second day. I gained a wealth of knowledge from the AGA conference consisting of a highly distinguished line of speakers. Got to meet and take a picture with Richard Hughes - one of my Idols. He is the foremost authority in Corundum (Ruby and Sapphire) in the world.

I unfortunately walked through less than 10% of both AGTA and GJX (these two exhibitions are across the street from each other). One day is definitely insufficient to explore the gem shows, because you meet a lot of people and end up talking for hours. At least in my case this is what happened. It's hard not to get chatty when people are so interesting!

My top picks from Tucson 2020

Unheated Zoisite

This collection of unheated Zoisite belongs to B&B Fine Gems, shown to us by Dave Bindra.

Zoisite is the gem species Tanzanite belongs to. What many don't know is that a large percentage of Zoisite that come out of the earth is a brownish yellow color, and is heat treated to enhance its color. It's believed approx. 99% of Tanzanite in the market are heat treated. And so, this collection of naturally colored Zoisite is rather rare and remarkable.

Imperial Topaz

This Imperial Topaz of Omi Gems&Inc. was absolutely breathtaking. I forgot the carat weight of the stone, but as you can see it is a large rock. Beautiful color and rare considering size and color.

Tourmailine and Rutilated Qaurtz Crystals

There were boxes and boxes of amazing gem crystals strung together such as below. These two stood out to me because of their unique beauty. The photos don't do justice unfortunately, due to bad lighting their beauty isn't translated into this picture. This was at the Robert Bentley booth. The left is multi-colored Tourmaline crystals (also called watermelon tourmaline due to the colors), and on the right: Rutilated Quartz crystals. The dark rutile needless are naturally occurring inclusions within the colorless quartz crystal causing this black & white effect on the crystal. So pretty.

Yellow Sapphire Crystal

Representing Sri Lanka adequately and appropriately, Winil Gems of Sri Lanka brought this amazing 226 carat perfect bi-pyramidal Yellow Sapphire (corundum) Crystal. This was sold within minutes after taking the picture. What a beautiful freak of nature.

Emerald Crystal

A gorgeous hexagonal Russian emerald crystal - beautiful bluish green color on Crystal. Brian Smith, one of the partners at this business explained that the color although beautiful on the crystal, wouldn't be as saturated if cut/faceted, therefore it is more valuable in the crystal form.

Pauly Carvings

It was such a pleasure discovering the German gem carver/artist Mr. Pauly and his lovely wife and daughter. The Pauly Booth featured fun, whimsical gem carvings of animals mostly among other fun stuff. The carvings were beautifully and masterfully finished. Below Pictures from Left to right: carving of leopard head in a type of Agate (I believe) with peridot eye, Mr. Pauly and his daughter Gabriele, and carving of an Owl with a hat in Rhodochrosite and Onyx. How adorable are these?

Kalosoma

I met Claudia Fernandez on the flight back in fact, not at the shows. She was a buyer attending the shows from Mexico City. Claudia works with a large group of artisans in Mexico. They specialize in jewelry made of woven silk incorporating minerals, mostly beads. They are not 'fine jewelry', but what I call rustic chic, and extra special because these pieces are hand made by an artisan.

'Treasure Hunt' Earrings

This stunning design won the AGTA Objects of Art 2019 prize and totally deserved it. Designed by Logan Cutshall of Hunt Country Jewelers, he has created the scene of a ship wreck and sunken treasure using rough and cut Aquamarine, Heliodor, Opals, Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires, Spinels and Andalusite, set in Gold. Very creative and beautiful design.

Dot_Melanin

My favorite and most memorable item seen in Tucson. These simple yet ultra chic rings are made by German/Israeli designer @dot_melanin (on instagram). The ring shanks are carved out of chalcedony/agate/jasper (aggregate minerals) and topped with a crystal. The few on display had Quartz crystals (Amethyst, Rutilated Rock Crystal and Citrine on them). Very cool!