Tucson Trip Review – Day 2

As a reminder our disclosure/disclaimer: As a reviewer of the products, shows or vendors attended in Tucson is solely that of our experiences and opinions. We were in no way compensated or paid to review or provide feedback, comment or opinions for the Tucson shows we attended. With that out of the way, here’s our review of our recent Tucson trip.

Day 2 started out started out a little warmer, so we headed over to Tucson Electric Park Gem & Mineral Show. What a day, filled with digging through boxes, tents, bins & barrels, a lots of fossils, minerals, beads, jewelry, and much more! The mix of vendors at this show is unlike any other; vendors from all over the US and the globe. Our highlights included finds at Morocco Minerals, Enter the Earth, Sunwest Silver, Village Originals, and a few others. This show is open to the public, but we were able to get some great deals and even bigger finds. There main tent features more in the way of finished jewelry, a large vendor with a hug selection of tools and equipment, and many vendors with beads.

Pros: There is a lot of selection and if you are willing to dig around in barrels, boxes and bins one can find some really unusual and unique items. There are vendors from all over, which give a nice selection; however getting wholesale discounts was not always an option.

Cons: Pricing at Tucson Electric Park was average compared to other shows; not much in the way of discounts unless one is willing to buy in volume. One of the main vendors for raw stock has their own tent, however their prices were higher this year than in past.

Overall: This is still an excellent show that I will continue to attend; different selection, unique items and I love the energy of going from tent to tent on a treasure hunt.

We have already been busy with some of the finds from our Tucson trip - visit our online shop to see our latest custom jewelry designs.

Tucson Trip Review – Day 1

Leaving the deep freeze of south Texas, arriving only to find Tucson is just as frigid in weather! It didn’t keep us from our mission; to hunt through shows, vendors and dig through boxes and tons of product hand picking all our new inventory stock for the coming year. We bundled up and hit the indoor shows first, hoping that in the next few days the weather would lighten up (we were granted our wish!) and get a little warmer to attend some of the outdoor shows. Here’s the first review of our trip to Tucson, the shows we attended and some of our finds.

As a reminder our disclosure/disclaimer: As a reviewer of the products, shows or vendors attended in Tucson is solely that of our experiences and opinions. We were in no way compensated or paid to review or provide feedback, comment or opinions for the Tucson shows we attended. With that out of the way, here’s our review of our recent Tucson trip.

Day 1: Due to high winds and freezing temperatures, we opted for indoor shows and started the day after arrival at JOGS International Gem & Jewelry Show (JOGS). This show has in the past always been a venue representing minerals, rocks, beads, jewelry products and finished products from all over the work; specifically their well known Amber vendors, which appeared (to me) to be a little thin in vendors than in past years. The area of Southwestern jewelry also seemed to be a little thin in the vendors, but big on finished jewelry.

Pros: If you are in the market for finished jewelry, there was plenty of it from all over, mostly overseas. The quality varied from vendor to vendor as well as pricing; you could find some products for less than $100 up to over $1000’s. If cost is no object, then sterling silver at many vendors was just the ticket; but buyer beware that the sterling silver is an overlay and not solid, I had a hard time finding the required .925 mark on most of the jewelry, though the vendors claimed it to be sterling silver. Overall, there are lots of selection but mostly in the finished jewelry products; leaving anyone who is looking for raw materials a little in the wind. This year did have a few more vendors offering displays, boxes, etc. which was nice to see.

Cons: Way too much finished jewelry (although this show usually has a lot), not enough in the way of raw materials for minerals, fossils, natural stones, or beading stock. There lacked the many large and interesting displays such as the famous meteorite from last year that this show is also known for. Some of the vendors appeared to be either packed together so close that we didn’t even get to some because we couldn’t; or strung out too much that one didn’t know where it stopped and another began. There wasn’t enough variety and too many overseas vendors offering less than quality products across the board.

Overall: JOGS is a good place to start but is quickly becoming ‘just another show’ in the arena of overseas vendors with inferior products. The cost of goods was higher than last year and many vendors were not willing to give discounts unless the buyer was purchasing in large volumes, both monetary and stock. Navigating the hall mazes we did manage to find several great finds here at JOGS; a sterling silver ring with a center stone of Mexican Fire Opal with very brilliant red, large ceramic Mexican beads, several faceted and non-faceted odd shaped pendants, quite a few of the pewter spacers and metal beads….just to name a few of the things we picked up here. I’ll continue to watch this show, but I don’t know whether or not I will keep in to my ‘must see’ list of shows in the future, since it was missing several of my big vendors that I do business.

We had several hours left in the day and decided to head over and check out Gem Mall. This is a huge wholesale only show with 2 very large tents full of vendors and their products. We only got through the first tent, so I’ll be reviewing this one later on this week as an entire show.

Stay tuned for more reviews of our Tucson trip and Adventure!!

Tucson World’s Largest Treasure Hunt

Well, at least in the United States it is the world’s largest treasure hunt and the much anticipated ‘Biggest Show’ is about to begin. Starting January 29 and running through February 13, 2011 is the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show.

For two weeks international buyers and sellers migrate across the globe to Tucson, Arizona for a feast of shows hosted across the small town; venues include convention centers, ball parks and empty lots, resorts, hotels and motels and multiple places along the frontage road that runs along east and west of Interstate 10. It accounts for more than 40 sites around the town to thousands of participants and attendees.

There is always something to tantalize the imagination; minerals, fossils, gemstones, jewelry, museum and private collections on display, and lots of beading materials. Many shows are open to the public, but be sure to check the show website for details because many of them are wholesale only and require business credentials to attend.

Check these websites for listings and information on shows:

 Tucson Gem & Mineral Show 2011

A – Z Guide to Tucson Gem & Mineral Show 2011

Jewelry Show Guide

We’ll be highlighting several shows over the next few weeks, as we trek our way across Tucson hunting for our next inventory of treasures for the coming season!

 

To see our artisan crafted creations from the treasures we find in Tucson, browse our collections online at Timeless Designs Ruby Lane!

Sneak Peek Tucson Finds & Review

Another buying season is over in Tucson; vendors have packed up and are now returning home or moving onto the next show and Tucson is probably settling down just a bit until the next big event. Usually we go to Tucson in the 1st week of activities, but because of scheduling this year couldn’t quite make it until the 2nd week.

The difference that I saw was in missing out on the quality and more unique stones and finds in the first week; whereas with the second week it appeared picked over, but pricing was a little cheaper compared to the first week, especially toward the end of the week when the vendors were willing to deal/bargain for their products. I can’t say one show is better than others, just as everyone has their ‘favorite’. But I have my favorites and may have even added a few new ones to the ‘continue to attend list’. It really is up to the person, their schedule, finances, and being able to get to Tucson. Although if you’re in the business of jewelry and lapidary, I would highly recommend going, even just once!

With that said, we still were able to find quite a few unique and unusual finds such as California Palm Wood Jasper, Ivoryite, Star Jasper, Inca Jade, Black Agate/Pyrite, Ammonites (in two different cuts!), Goniatites, and many other stones. But, not to be forgotten, we also got lots of Turquoise, Magnesite, Onyx, Jaspers, Agates, pendants, glass/ceramic and wooden beads, crystals, and much more.

Here’s just a taste of what we did pick up in Tucson….check back and stay tuned as we début many of these stones and more in coming styles this season!



Lampwork, Glass, Cloisonne Beads (to the right)

Wood & Ceramic, Crystals Beads (to the left)

Star & Mixed Jaspers, Black Agate/Pyrite, Turquoise (stabilized/treated - to the right)

Ammonites, Inca Jade Pendants, Spiny Oyster, California Palm Wood Jasper (to the left)


Over the next few weeks, we’ll be doing inventory, restocking and designing……In the meantime, browse our collections to purchase custom designed jewelry.

Tucson Review Day 3 & 4

Heavy rainstorms, winds and lots cooler temperatures still could not keep the Tucson Tour down! Amidst all the downpours, winds and colder temperatures, it almost did not seem like Arizona, but more like an early February Eastern winter and clearer sky has prevailed on Thursday. Here is the rundown review, again, our opinion and experiences of the shows attended over the past few days.

Our Hits:
Tucson Electric Park RV Show – Everything lapidary describes this show; from slabs, raw materials, beads, equipment, tools and did I mention slabs. It was all there at the RV Park show. This is one of the better shows attended this week and definitely should be on a list if you are in the world of lapidary.

Tucson Electric Park Show – This is open to the public but is a pretty good show if your are looking for anything from jewelry, beads, tools, equipment, gifts, and if you hit the tents behind the big show tent, the world of minerals, fossils and anything goes is vented.

Tucson Gem & Mineral Show – Open to the public, The Big One that started it all, located downtown at the Tucson Convention Center. In a word – WOW! This show offers something for everyone and in our opinion is definitely the daddy of them all. The bigger world of all lapidary, minerals, tools, fossils, and more minerals….dealers, clubs, and everyone in Lapidary from all over the world and United States take over the convention center.

Our Misses:
Grant Inn Show – Aside from one or two vendors, this show just did not have anything that I was looking for nor did it hold up to my expectation of other G&LW shows in the area. The main tent is mostly vendors that have African trades, vintage, massive overpriced beads and trinkets, and jewelry, definitely not our ‘cup of tea’.

Tucson Review – Day 1 & 2

Early morning drives to the airport, sleeping on the plane with a short hop and final designation….Tucson! It the ground running first thing in the morning yesterday after arrival, it’s good to be back, but there are some things that need still need some work and this review covers day 1 and 2 of this week’s adventure.

First up, a big KUDOS for the I-10 construction completion!!! It’s really great to drive all around on the new roads, on/off ramps, it really makes it easy to get around. However, the one thing that missing, the Free Gem Ride system that was only a part of the I-10 construction is gone. Though a few shows are offering free show shuttle between their and neighboring shows, you will need to consider renting a car from now on, in addition to everything else. And as far as parking goes, better get to shows early to get a spot; if not and you park on the street, Tucson PD is handing out those tickets as there is no parking on the streets where posted.

Here is our look at the first few days of our Tucson adventure; this year scheduling conflicts moved the trip to the 2nd week of the Gem & Mineral Shows, we’ll see just what’s different or not between coming the 1st week verses the 2nd week.

Disappointments:
JOGS – Just not what it used to be and again this year they are allowing the public in with “Guest” badges; everyone still has to register though to get in. The show was not completely full and had a great deal of finished jewelry; a few good vendors, but prices were high everything and selection was a minimum.
Holidome – Marketed as the “Show not to miss in Tucson”, I would beg to differ. If you are after finished high-end jewelry, faceted precious gemstones, gifts/clothing or anything of that nature, along with very high-end vendors then this is the venue for you. Prices seemed a bit high from last year and the returning vendors that we do shop with didn’t have the quality, selection or pricing as with previous years.

Middle of the Road:
Pueblo Gem & Minerals – Just a ‘so-so’ show with a full line of vendors for everything minerals, rocks, raw, and fossils and beads.
African Art Village – Not really, what I was looking for, but a first this year and probably won’t be on next year’s list either.
Tucson Showplace – Just a very ‘so-so’ show, mostly lapidary, raw materials, just not what was looking for.

Hits:
Gem Mall – This has to be by far the best show we’ve attended this week. An excellent selection of vendors, quality goods and prices are about the same or just above last year. The best news, not open to the public and plenty of free parking and will definitely be back on the list to attend next year.
Various Street Vendors – Starting with Days Inn (Globe-X show) to Rapa River Gem & Mineral Show were good and not bad. Many vendors willing to ‘deal’ but be ready to pay cash to get those deals and show your Sales Tax ID for any wholesale pricing where required by the majority of vendors at these shows.

The Tucson Adventure continues, as we review the different shows giving our own opinion and viewpoint.