Tucson Gem Show-Better Late Than Never!

The Tucson Gem show was in February, and I'm just getting around to posting about it.  There were so many photos, I just kept putting off editing them!

The Tucson Gem and Mineral show is an annual pop up market place in Tucson.  From what I could tell, it takes over the entire city and lasts for several weeks.  I had no idea what to expect.  But it was very cool.  The convention center was set up with an official show with tickets required for entry.  The majority of the vendors took over local hotels.  These hotels became shopping malls.  And I met a new friend, Sunshine.

This guy hand makes each knife at his shop.  He was a pretty chill dude.  I think he was carrying.  (he was)

I got the impression it was mostly for retailers.  Everything was cheap and vendors were constantly asking for Tax ID numbers.  But there were all different sorts of vendors from all over the world.  Some vendors had little dyed carved chachkis.  Others had meteorites, and diamonds. It was a great mix of gem dealers/traders and jewelry makers, with more spiritually and energetically sensitive people.  

I don't worry, but when I do, it's about food.  I brought so much to the Gem Show.  We drove down from LA.  But there was this amazing food stand that supplied me with too much jun, and amazing brownies and empanadas.  Nice Food really came to the rescue.  The girl in the picture's name is Natafreak, like Natalie.  I think.  She was like "you gotta try the kava, it'll make your mouth go numb." So we tried the kava.

These were some high end pieces.  Guys come up from Brazil for this show.

The moon rock in my hand was found in Morocco, the larger one on the plate is from Mali.

I thought that would be a cool tile.  And see all that pyrite?  It was half off listed prices.  I bought the smaller of the spine/skull handles.  Gave it to my mom for her birthday.  I hope she uses it.  If not, I'm going to take it back.  That selenite looking bottle on the bottom is hand blown glass made in Massachusetts!