Sunday, February 8, 2009

Snowbird Journal--Wk of 2/2/09--Gem & Mineral Show


The annual Tucson Gem & Mineral Show started this week.  Betsy has been wanting to go to this show for several years.  Our neighbors and family here all told us about how big this show was, but we thought they were exaggerating.  They weren't.  The show actually run's two weeks In addition to the gems,  & minerals there are many bead vendors. Hundreds of vendors set up in tents, motel/hotel rooms, the convention center and even outside their RV's.  I've never seen so many beads, bangles, and baubles in my life.  But in addition to the beads there are dealers selling minerals, huge geodes & crystals, and even fossils.  We walked into one tent and there stood a complete mastodon skeleton.  We also saw skeletons of dinosaur's and cave bears.  Just the thing to finish off that man cave.  One thing that amazes me is the amount of weight shipped into the show by some of the rock and mineral dealers.  They ship product into the show in crates, and 55 gallon barrels on pallets.  On Monday we went to one area of the show and we went to other areas every day except Thursday.  Next week we'll continue to visit other area's.  Rumor has it that some of the gem dealers have diamonds, rubys, emeralds displayed in mounds on tray's.  I've also heard that some of the local thug's are gainfully employed as security personnel by some of the gem dealers.    
photo: Carolyn (Jamie's sister) and Betsy 

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Found you through Cid69. I, too, am amazed at the tonnage shipped for the show. My sis-in-law and I were discussing this yesterday. But, this often makes for really good deals the last week of the "show". Enjoy the winter here.
We have an '87 Airstream so I appreciate your Avion.

"his-self" said...

About the picture. I see the gems, but what kind of rock is that in the front of the picture?

See you next week....