Tucson Gem Mineral and Fossil Shows–Electric/Eclectic Park

At 9:30 we were in line to start shopping at the Gem and Lapidary Wholesale (GLW) Show at two giant hard sided tents that are referred to as the Gem Mall. We got a mild soaking of rain before the opening time of 10:00, so everyone was a bit damp, and very eager for the anticipated bargains inside. We can always tell the people we call “Bead Ladies” because they have wheeled luggage of assorted sizes, up to the size of a small Volkswagen. I have no love for Bead Ladies blocking aisles, but it is a necessary evil for a show that is primarily beads, piles and piles of beads. Also, there are numerous booths full of gaudy and tacky imported goods. I am not saying that there are not quality goods at the show, but in general they are few and far apart. Most of these vendors are from various Asian countries, where apparently only cash is accepted. Do you think there might be some tax avoidance involved?.

Pictures are not allowed at this show and there are signs and security guards (picture police) on hand to enforce this rule. It’s a shame there are not the number of tax police as there are picture police. The country could use the extra cash.

I was alone in my quest today, as Bonnie went on adventures with our daughter who lives in Tucson. I walked down every aisle of these giant tents and saw very little of interest for myself. The Bead Ladies seemed happy in their frenzies at the bead tables. However, one dealer at this show had the most beautiful Larimar I have seen (and there has been a lot). I thought the price was quite high, but Larimar jewelry is very popular , so I did buy a couple pieces because they are so distinctive.

Bonnie & I met up later at the Kino Gem and Mineral Show (better known as Electric Park). Happily, these shows are not far apart. I don’t know how to describe this show, it is so eccentric. This year many vendors were here who previously had been in the RV Rock show across the street, since that piece of property has been taken over by the hospital for a helicopter pad and whatever else they have planned. You can never tell what you might see at this show. Everything from tacky foreign imports, guns, rugs, steer skulls, statuary, rough rock, slabs, gemstones, tables, shirts, arnica lotion, rock & gem tools, machines, and of course giant amethyst geodes. And massive amounts of Beads. Beads. Beads.

This show is both inside large tents and outside in show tents. I think I love this show because the treasures are so well hidden and I am so happy when I find something! We saw our good friends from the Traverse City area, Mary and her son Hubert Collins, selling Petoskey stones as usual. Mary is a long-time friend from our Grand Traverse Area Rock and Mineral Club.

I took a a variety of pictures to allow you to get the feel of this show. I took one picture of some beautiful malachite and realized that another friend from our Michigan rock club Dave Perry was in my picture! Later Bonnie met up with Karen Perry in the parking lot. It is a small world, bringing people together through a love of Rocks!

As usual Wade’s Wood and Rocks had wonderful dinosaur bone and a large pile of coprolite if you wanted some “crappy” stuff. Bonnie got some petrified wood beads here, which you seldom find. I found a small gemmy dinosaur bone which I bought for future jewelry-making.

We wandered around Kent’s Tools, which is always an interesting spot to look for things that you didn’t know you needed. They have more specialty pliers than you can imagine! Always busy, the line was pretty short today. Enjoy the picture from today’s adventures. We appreciate all the positive feedback we are getting on Facebook! Stay tuned…

Oh I almost forgot. The Lincoln is stored in Phoenix and is only brought out for the rock shows every year. So its a rock getter.