Bonnie thought if we won the lottery, this would be a great place to get garden rocks.
I think she likes the Pink one.
Along the frontage road on the west side of I-10 in Tucson are a series of hotels which host gem and mineral shows each year and are collectively known at “The Strip”. Bonnie’s FitBit says she walked over 3 miles today shopping the Tucson’s Rock Show Strip. My bad leg says “yeah you did.”
Anadera, unique clams from northern California
Chunks of colorful Ocean Jasper
These citrine geodes were about 10 foot tall, a nice matched set.
Bonnie with Jeff Anderson at his agate booth at Rapa River
Another fine citrine
Typical of what you see out the back door of hotel rooms
A whole box of rutile stars.
Bonnie, my Bead Lady
Lots of Larimar
We went to four shows today, parking in the middle and walking north then south, stopping at the car to drop off a few things! Our day started and ended with seeing other rockhounds from Michigan. We always stop to see Jeff Anderson and his agates at the Rapa River Show. Jeff is a talented rockhound and has a very useful website “museum” and source of information. If you love agates or datolites you should definitely check it out.
Emeralds in matrix
Yesterday the wind was really fierce–did a job on her hair.
Tables scattered in the road access between hotels
Crystals and statuary
This might hatch early!
Amazing obsidian shining in the sun.
Obsidian
I don’t know what this is, and neither did the guy working in the booth. It looked like quartz crystals with tiny hairy green growths all over. If you know what it is, let me know!
Singing bowls
A whole chorus of Singing Bowls
A whole tent full of Singing Bowls. The metaphysical energy was exuding from this booth.
Yes, they did hatch early!
As you can see from the photos rocks are not the only things to be had at these shows. They aim to have something for everyone, I guess. Some dealers are only wholesale, but there are plenty who will sell to anyone.
The $20 parking lot. Didn’t seem much different than the $5 parking lot.
Nicest Ruby in Zoisite we’ve seen at the show.
Chrysocolla and Rhodochrosite ready for the forklift. The Rhodochrosite was at Riverpark and was asking $3500
I’ll update this with weight later.
Larimar seems to be all over; This is not top grade, but OK,
Always good to look for rough here.
Riverpark
Riverpark.
This is what low-grade Larimar looks like.
Bonnie bought a few beads that she liked and I spent a lot of time talking meteorites and stuff with various vendors.
The shows at the south end tend to be heavy with mineral rough, and metaphysical rooms. We looked and take pictures but didn’t buy anything.
Bruce selling Keweenaw Gemstones and also some very fine Agate. at Travel Lodge.
Very nice Greenstone Bruce was selling
The highlight of the day came at the end of the day when we saw a sign that said Michigan Greenstones. We found Bruce DeWitt from Grand Rapids with a few of our favorite things–Greenstones and Thomsonites. I was admiring his cabochons and he showed ma a couple copper agates. He was surprised that I knew what they are, and I introduced myself. He was even more surprised, since he is an avid follower of the Snob Blog! Our best selling products at Snob Appeal Jewelry are Michigan Greenstone Pendants and cabochons, so we are always happy to talk about them! We had a good chat about how challenging Greenstones are, and how the piles are disappearing. On the way back after we looked around the south end shows we met son Jordan who does silversmithing with Bruce’s greenstone and opals. Best of all, they were familiar with my blog an website, and were happy to meet me. It was a great way to end our trip down Tucson’s Rock Show Strip!
I have so many pictures that I’ve got to do a two-part blog, lest you get too excited.
Check in tomorrow.