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.