Tucson - in the dark...

Well we weren't in the dark today but we are tonight.  I can't take pictures of my new pretties since we're in the dark.  Interesting that the street lights are still on.  But I took a walk down the street and saw a cellphone light bobbing around and asked the person (a gal) attached to it if her power was also out.  She confirmed it was.  So I'm using my cell phone as a hotspot to write this post.  That's about it for tonight.  We hit Gem Mall and Holidome tomorrow so it will be a busy day!

The living room :)

Tucson - day 2!

Today we were able to go to 3 different shows.  We started at the GIGM Howard Johnson show.  We start our visit with Shellbone of Nevada Turquoise Co.  He always has something interesting.  This time I got some gorgeous Paiute, Blue Web, Turquoise Bonanza and Pilot Mountain beads.  Normally we get to visit with Shellbone and his dad but his dad hasn't arrived yet so we'll have to go back on another to give him a hug.  Here is some of the wonderful turquoise...

Paiute and Blue Web turquoise

We wandered around to see some of the other vendors.  There are always some great rough and crystal sellers at this show.  I bought this gorgeous aquamarine crystal in quartz.  I just loved the contrast of that beautiful aquamarine with the white quartz.

Aquamarine crystal in quartz

Once we finished wandering around the show we headed off to lunch and then our next venue.  We lunched at Las Margaritas for some delicious Mexican food and then headed back down Grant Rd to the Gem and Jewelry Show on Grant.  I first went into Robert Poley's room 2 years ago.  I just love the black jade beads he has in glossy and matte finish.  I also love the ivoryite (aka magnesite aka white buffalo aka white turquoise) beads that he has.  Here is Robert of Sweetwater backed up by some of the gorgeous beads he has.

Robert Poley, Sweetwater

 We also saw this GORGEOUS, polished petrified wood trunk.  Before it was polished it was 30% bigger.

Next on our list to visit was the Miner's Coop Rock Show  We also love to visit with Bob of Really Old Rocks.  Darn if he hadn't already closed up before we got there!  So we didn't get to visit with him but we did get to visit with many other wonderful people.  I spent most of my time with Jan and Jess of Black Hat Trading.  I first got attracted by some cabs that he had.  When I found out that they were from the Royston and Sleeping Beauty mines I had to sort through them to find some pairs for earrings.  Here are the pretties I picked out.

Sleeping Beauty and Royston turquoise cabs

After I finished up with the cabs I started looking at some of the bead strands hanging around.  When I asked where some of the turquoise strands came from I found that they were some old stock Morenci turquoise!  Shwing!  I love turquoise and I especially love turquoise from some of the older mines.  So I HAD to start looking at beads!  LOL!  They also had some old stock poppy/red jasper with some of the interesting colors that were in some poppy jasper beads my Aunt used in designs over 30 years ago.  Here are pics of my picks.

Morenci turquoise and poppy jasper

And once we finished up our visit with Jess our day of gem show hopping was over.  Tomorrow - probably some repeat visits and then JOGS!

It's a New Year and I'm back in Tucson!

Wow - I've been seriously neglecting my blog!  Well I'm back in Tucson for the gem shows so you'll be hearing from me for the next week.  :)  We arrived today and since we left San Diego before lunch and got here after lunch the first thing we did after getting the rental car was EAT!  We're staying in a cute, little, old house and it's very close to our favorite pizza and Oreo cheesecake places - Grimaldi's!  We had a salad, pizza and got some Oreo cheesecake to go.  We then did a quick stop/drop at our little house and headed over to the JG&M Simpson Street show to meet one of my favorite bead vendors Toyo Feng of Feng's Trading.  Here are some of the pretties I got this evening.

Turquoise! and a cape amethyst focal :)

Carved citrine in the center (carved with Chinese symbols that read Long Life), carved carnelian, bronzite and gorgeous, sparkly, twist faceted crystal quartz

A crappy picture with Sleeping Beauty turquoise in the center, the some diamond shaped angelite and finally some gorgeous and hard to find kyanite beads (they have a wonderful shimmer!)

More turquoise!

That was my fun for the day!  Stay tuned for more of our exciting adventures in Tucson.  I'll have more interesting pictures tomorrow since I'll remember to bring my camera!