2025 Tuscon Gem Show

Calling all Gemstone Enthusiasts!

Of all the newsletters we compose, our March edition has always been a favorite. It thrills us to share our Tucson experience, giving you a sense of the excitement we feel being in the presence of the finest and most unusual offerings from around the world. For the benefit of our new readers, Tucson is home to one of the world’s largest gem exhibitions.  Each February we seek out the most inspiring gems and pearls for our collection. The Tucson Gem Show is truly a feast for the senses, packed with gems, minerals, and crystals beyond our wildest dreams.

Howdy form Tuscon

Tucson is a great place to connect with colleagues and friends. Beyond the Gem Show, Tuscon offers many local attractions. During our limited downtime, we decided to explore the Tucson Botanical Gardens. While meandering through this stunning cultivated landscape, it was irresistible to have a little fun pairing our new gem finds with the local fauna.

Adding a Munsteiner to the Collection

Our trip to Tucson wouldn’t be complete without procuring another Munsteiner cut gem. After a careful study of Tom’s remaining loose gem collection, we were both captivated by the unusual color play and one-of-a-kind cut of this tourmaline.

Awe Inspiring Nature

Featured here, are some of the other unusual gems we discovered at the show.

This undulating round slate is embedded with naturally occurring Pyrite crystals. We chose this particular piece because we were intrigued by the cascading pyrite, which carries through to the back side of the stone.  

We couldn't resist this sparkling white drusy quartz which has been gracefully carved into an abstract heart design.

We also found some unique opals sourced from Australia. These opals showcase Mother Nature's exceptional use of color and patterns! The elongated pear-shaped boulder opal was cut with contrasting ironstone, the host rock in which opal naturally occurs.  

John was thrilled just to hold this incredible black opal sourced in Lightning Ridge Australia. While we love all colored gems, opals have always held a special allure.

The Gem Fair in Tuscon is known for spectacles both big and small. Now that we have shown you some of the comparatively small but stunning gems we found, we want to share this awe-inspiring geode. This enormous geode covered the entire side of a building. It was so spectacular in scale and beauty that it caught our eye every time we walked past.

Now we would like to shift gears to the softer, more organic look of pearls. These exquisite, freeform pearls exhibit a beautiful luster and are of natural color.

New Stories to Share

As exhibitors at so many art fairs, it is thrilling for us to be on the other side of the counter. At the gem fair, we are the patrons having the distinct pleasure of hearing fascinating stories from other artists and presenters.

This year we met a gem cutter with an interesting story to share. She had been living in Japan for several years as a translator, sometimes working for a custom gem cutter at his shows. Over time, she took an interest in the process and started to learn the art of gem cutting. Once proficient, she realized that gem cutting was her true calling and has dedicated her career to it. Not only did we love the gem, but we also felt an immediate connection with the passion she shared about her work. We are excited to create something special with her “peachy” color tourmaline sourced in the Congo.

We are ecstatic about our new collection of gems. Our annual gem-buying spree is akin to a painter choosing new colors for their palette or a sculptor discovering a new material with which to carve. If any of these gems stir your curiosity, please contact us. We would love to share more details about them or provide images of the many other gems not featured in our newsletter.

Our Hearts are Touched

Last month, we received an inspiring email from a friend we met years ago at an art show in Alexandria, Virginia. She reached out to share details of a very distinguished occasion on which she wore a special ring we had designed. Upon reading her email and seeing the pictures she shared from the event, we knew we had to speak with her to hear this important story.

Our client's father, August Wilson, was a well-respected playwright, earning multiple Pulitzer Prizes. Shortly after his death in 2005, he was the first African American to be honored with a theatre bearing his name in New York City. In 2021, the United States Postal Service recognized him as a "trailblazer who brought fresh perspectives and previously unheard voices to the stage." and featuring him on the 44th design of the Forever Stamp. Most recently, August was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Live Theatre/Live Performance category. Our client chose to wear the treasured piece we designed to commemorate this significant occasion, honoring her father and his lasting legacy.

We are grateful to our client for generously sharing her special story with us.  Over the years, we have forged close relationships with our clients, many of whom have become dear friends. Our heart is filled with admiration whenever we hear stories about how our designs were worn to mark a momentous occasion. The memory of that event lives on in each piece. It is an honor for us to share these stories with you.

In Memoriam, The Passing of Gem Cutting Legacies

We have had the privilege and honor of working with Munsteiner cut gems and have formed a professional relationship with Bernd and Tom Munsteiner. We looked forward to seeing them at the various gem and art shows over the years, where they always greeted us with a kindness akin to good friends.

Bernd started the movement of freeform gem cutting in the 1960’s. His talent has been recognized internationally through prestigious awards, including AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards, and he is considered one of the most influential gem cutters of our time.  In later years, Bernd alluded to retirement but couldn’t give up his passion. His son Tom continued the legacy, evolving a trademark style that was uniquely his own. Both were relentless in the quest for quality and artful cutting.  Tom’s son Phillip, now in his late teens, has begun to carry the family torch.  

The gem world was devasted to learn of Tom’s unexpected passing late last year.  He was not even 60 years old and still creating evocative designs in his unique style. Then, this summer, we learned of Bernd’s passing. We and everyone in our industry mourn the loss of these great talents.

We have always taken special care in designing jewelry that incorporates Munsteiner gems. We purchased a few of these stunning gems while at the Tucson Gem show this past winter, and we hope that in designing an exceptional piece for them, we are doing our part to keep their legacy alive.

Gem Buying in Arizona

We are still dazzled from all that we saw during our gem buying trip to Tucson, AZ. This desert city comes alive every February as gem, mineral, and fossil exhibitors from across the globe gather to show their very finest pieces. After a two-year hiatus, we were beyond thrilled to return to this jewel in the desert.

Albeit enjoyable, the task of choosing gems for our collection can also be a daunting one, as there are literally thousands of gem and pearl merchants from which to choose. Which gem inspires the most creativity?  Which gems are we personally moved by?  Which pearl speaks the loudest to us?

At the top of our gem buying list was mint color tourmaline. This unique green/blue hue in tourmaline is natural, and is mined in only one place, Afghanistan. Even at a world market, it was difficult to find gems of the color and cut that met our strict specifications.

Some of the other beautiful gems we found include this duo of tourmalines. Both of unusual and natural color, the pinkish tone gem was sourced in Nigeria, the green in Afghanistan.

This delightful “citrus” pairing is comprised of spessartite garnet (orange) and peridot (chartreuse).

And this aquamarine and peridot are waiting to be set into the perfect design!

This is just a small sampling of a rather extensive collection that we purchased while in Tucson. Please contact us at 608-824-0392 if you are intrigued by any of these gems or if you would like to see the collection in its entirety.  In the relaxed setting of our gallery, we can showcase the gems, and share their rich history. 

Fascinating Minerals

While most of our time was spent searching for gems with which to create our fine jewelry, we also spent time exploring the wonderful world of fossils and minerals.  These natural specimens are truly awe inspiring. 

The Making of a Masterpiece

 The following images show the evolution of a custom design ametrine ring.

John meticulously carves the wax model of a ring, that will eventually be cast in gold. Sculpting in wax by hand and feeling the wax allows him infinite opportunity to evolve and perfect the design and vision.

The ametrine shown in this unique ring is of warm golden color with a nuance of purple, while also exhibiting exceptional optics.

The finished ring.

Conception of a Custom Design Engagement Ring

We wanted to share a glimpse into the process of creating a custom designed piece of jewelry with John/Christine Designs. From concept to completion we will work with you every step of the way to insure the piece will be a true treasure. 

Finding the perfect gem:

Rather than selecting a diamond, our clients (and their precious dog Abby) wished to explore the world of colored gems for their engagement ring. We arrived at sapphire, both for its broad range of color, as well as its durability.  John and Christine were able to source six sapphires, five blue and one “peacock” color.  Three gems were standard cushion cut, three were of a custom cutting style called concave faceting.  The custom cut “peacock” color sapphire was the easy winner for its unique color play of golden, green, and blue, as well as unique cutting style.

Defining the design:

After reviewing several design options, our clients decided on a classic, yet contemporary look.  A wax model was hand carved. During that process, we invited them back to the gallery at various stages of the wax carving to get their design feedback. With each meeting, the design was perfected.

John employs the age old method of lost wax casting.

Design Completion:

Next our client then has a chance to review the final wax design before casting.

The design is then cast in gold.

Finished Piece:
Once the casting is complete, the ring will be polished and the stone will be set. The culmination is a beautiful custom made piece of art to mark this momentous occasion. 

In case you were wondering...she said yes! 

Works of art in the works.

Aquamarine pendant, drusy pendant, Munsteiner cut citrine ring, tsavorite garnet pendant, and lapis cross.

Color Our World With Fine Gems

Just a small sampling of the loose gems in our artist “palette”.

Our recent gem buying spree!

We are inspired by the colors and dramatic shapes of the tourmalines and. aquamarine.