EZ-Guide Quartzsite: Plan Your Trip TODAY!

Quartzsite has been described as a mini Tucson Gem Show - don't believe it.  This annual desert event has it's own personality!

The Quartzsite Shows start in November and continue through the middle of February!

The number one thing that separates Quartzsite from Tucson is the RV'ers...this is much more than a Rock Show!  Each January this sleepy little town of just under 4,000 becomes the "boon-docking capital of the West", welcoming over one million visitors annually.  Thousands of Snow Birds escaping colder climes make this an annual meet up - so there are Pow Wows - Swap Meets - Hobby Shows and RV Shows.

So start planning now!

The Quartzsite EZ-Guide is up at: http://xpopress.com/QZ-show-schedule.html

...and there is so much more to the info provided than show guides...

Area RV Parks:  http://www.xpopress.com/QZ-QRV.html
Maps: http://bit.ly/QuartzsiteMap

Photo Credit: Don Ogden, NOCGMS

Can Your Customers Find You Between Shows?

If you are a vendor in some of the larger shows across the country, you know that there can be months between shows...can your customers find you? ...more importantly can NEW customers who may have seen you for the first time at your last show find you?

Denver, Quartzsite, and Tucson are all so BIG - with room after room and row after row of vendors, minerals, gems and findings - the cash always runs out before the wanting.

I am that customer that says, 4 months later in the middle of a new design..."Oh, who was that dealer with those amazing Demantoid Garnet Crystal Clusters!"

Since I didn't have a need at the time, of course I didn't pick up a card or write down the name. So how do I find you? I pick up my EZ-Guide, or go onto the EZ-Guide website - find the show - find the vendor list match it to the floor plan and VOILA! I can click through to your website...or can I?

Mineral & Fossil Supply	T-01
Mineral Mania 96	T-13
Mineral Movies	167
Mineral of the Month Club	BR-01
Mineral Treasure-Madagascar Gemstones	334-335
Mineralien Fossilien Galerie	414
Mineralien Zentrum - Germany	176
Mineralogical Almanac	BR-03
Mineralogical Record	BR-03
Minerals Sarai	274

I know that this seems like a lot of work to find a specific seller, but jewelry designers can verify that it is worth every minute to find something we touched and saw with our own eyes. So when we go that far only to see that you haven't paid for a live link on the website...now we have to go to Google and hope it that we find the same seller - now the process seems never ending and we aren't sure it's even the right place.

Do us, your NEW and prospective buyers a favor, when you plan to do a show pay the little bit extra for a "Live" link from the show page to your website...help us find you after you've left town!

In today's online world...this is the most cost-effective marketing tool and you don't have to buy a print ad to purchase a "Live"link...but why wouldn't you want to?

Shoppers - is there some other way that dealers can help you find them? let us know!

Remembering Al Sargent - Denver Expo & Tucson Electric Park

If you picked up a Denver EZ-Guide at the Denver Gem & Mineral Shows or just flipped through it on the Xpo Press website...you may have seen the write up by Brad Hicks, CEO of Xpo Press, titled "Tucson's Electric Promoter: A Tribite To Al Sargent".

Featuring great personal memories of conversations with Al Sargent and memorializing the dynamic man who was the spark behind the Tucson Electric Park Shows the article brings thoughts of Al to life! ...and that was what Brad hoped for.

We would love to hear your memories for a piece in the 2011 Tucson EZ-Guide...help us flesh out a man that meant so much to the Denver and Tucson Gem Shows. We want visitors to this year's event in the desert to know Al Sargent and everything he meant to the largest show in the country!

We would love to get notes to pass on to Dianna & Josh and to print in the 2011 Tucson EZ-Guide... email your note to Brad at: bradhicks@xpopress.com

In case you missed it - this is from the 2010 Denver EZ-Guide:

Franklin Gem & Mineral Shows: Gem Mining in Macon County

Gem Mining in Macon County

May 5th, 2010

If you are a rock hound visiting Franklin (also known as both the “Gem Capital of the World” and the “Ruby City”) fluming at a local gem mine is a must. Most gem mining in the North Carolina mountains is found in Franklin and in the Cowee Valley north and west of Franklin. Most of the mines have a powered water sluice where you can sift through the dirt and rock, called fluming, as you prospect for rubies, gold, amethyst, aquamarine, sapphires, garnets and many other types of stones.

At some of these mines, visitors search for minerals from the creekbeds, while others sell buckets of stream sediment for washing and sieving at a flume. Some of the mines offer digs for native minerals only, while others offer “enriched” stream sediment, which contains minerals from other parts of the state or world. Admission fees may be charged per bucket or per the hour, depending on the mine, so call ahead for details.

The world’s largest star rubies have been found in the Cowee Valley. This entire area is a gem hunter’s heaven.

Visit these gem mines while you’re in the area . . .

Blue Ridge Gem Mines, 11197 N. US 19 Soco Gap, Maggie Valley, 828-926-8488.

Cherokee Ruby & Sapphire Mine, 41 Cherokee Mine Road off Ruby Mine Road, Franklin, 828-349-2941.

Cowee Mountain Ruby Mine, 6771 Sylva Rd. & 441 N, Franklin, 828-369-5271.

Gem Mine at Gem World, 1884 Georgia Rd., Franklin, 828-349-5411.

Gold City Gem Mine, 9410 Sylva Rd. & Highway 441, Franklin, 800-713-7767.

Jackson Hole, Hwy. 28 & US 64, Franklin, 828-524-5850.

Mason Mountain Mine & Cowee Gift Shop, 5315 Bryson City Rd., Franklin, 828-524-4570.

Mason’s Ruby & Sapphire Mine, 6961 Upper Burningtown Rd., Franklin, 828-369-9742.

Nantahala Gorge Ruby Mine, 11900 US 19/74 West, Bryson City, 828-488-3854.

Old Pressley Mine, Exit 33 off I-40, Canton, 828-648-6820.

Rose Creek Mine, Gift & Rock Shop, 115 Terrace Ridge Dr., Franklin, 828-349-3774.

Sheffield Mine, 385 Sheffield Farms Rd., Franklin, 828-369-8383.

Smoky Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine, Cherokee, 828-497-6574.

Rocky Mountain Bead Bazaar

The Rocky Mountain Bead Society was founded in 1992 by Leslie Sartor as she worked to bring a group of people together with a common passion in the hopes that they would build, support and learn from each other. There were 25 people at that first meeting…today the RMBS boasts a membership of over 200 people.

The Rocky Mountain Bead Society (RMBS) was formed to:

• Advance the study of and education about beads;
• Encourage and promote public appreciation for beads and the art of beading;
• Disseminate information about beads and beading;
• Develop and administer programs concerning beads and beading;
• Establish and maintain an RMBS book collection and library; and
• Publish and preserve writings about the history of beads and beading.

2010 BEAD BAZAAR

The Denver Merchandise Mart

Expo Building

452 E. 58th Avenue (I-25 at 58th Avenue)

Denver, Colorado 80216

April 24 and 25, 2010

HOURS: Saturday 10-6, Sunday 10-5

$5.00 admission EACH day

The Bat Ended Screwt by Kate McKinnon

This Spring Bazaar offers a wide range of vendors, supplies and two full days of classes.

From the amazing Kate McKinnon there are two offerings – her “Bat-Ended Screwt” is a a series of small Screwtlets using simple Ndebele tube – OR – her “Corset Stitched Bracelet” which includes not only instruction on a gorgeous wide bracelet, but also on a removable clasp in fine silver.

Classes in Felted Beads, Chainmaille, Loom Weaving, Metal Clay, Peyote, RAW, 3-D beading, and so much more…

See you at the Mart!

Denver Spring Shows: Colorado Mineral and Fossil Show

Amazonite and Smoky Quartz from Pinnacle5 Minerals

It’s Spring in Denver and that means that the trees are beginning to fill out, the flowers are lifting their faces to the sun and…

It’s Show Time!!!!! Thaw out and visit the Denver Spring Shows!

The Colorado Mineral & Fossil Show is a Martin Zinn Prod. – which, in my book says it all. This show fills two Ballrooms – the Lobby – hotel rooms in both the North & South wings and still overflows into a tent outside!

This show features the cream of the crop of mineral dealers as well as some of the finest fossils and rocks! From Collector’s Edge to Starborn Creations to some fabulous local folks like Artisan Jade and Pinnacle5 Minerals!

See you there!

Colorado Mineral & Fossil Show

April 23–25, 2010

Holiday Inn – Denver Central

4849 Bannock St

Denver, CO 80216-1813

Show Hours: Friday & Saturday 10a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Arizona Mineral and Fossil Show at InnSuites

Arizona Mineral and Fossil Show at InnSuites

Jordi of Faber Minerals

I am slowly but surely recovering photos from my crashed hard drive and came across a great group from the Arizona Mineral and Fossil Show.

This show offers a really wide range of materials – houses some of the finest mineral dealers in the world (in fact it is the home of our friend Jordi Faber) – but what sets it apart is the amazing “hall of fossils”!

Sahara Overland

Shark Teeth (Megalodon no less) from the Miocene Era to paleo goodies like the full skeleton of a Saber-toothed Cat and the tools to collect and clean them from Paleo Tools.

Marine Creatures of all sizes in the Fossil Hall at the Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show in Tucson 2010.

If you want info from this show – maybe you can’t remember the name of a dealer or you found a great Tucson restaurant in the show guide and want to add their info to your trip plans for2011 – remember that you can get a .pdf of the Tucson EZ-Guide on our home page.

2010 Tucson Gem Show is over but not forgotten…

Rapa River is a small show between the Globe X and Pueblo shows, but it has some really fun things to offer...

Well – the tents have been lowered and Tucson is readying itself for the Rodeo and “Walking with the Dinousaurs”! Everyone has made it home safely with their bags of treasures.

Whether you are a jeweler, hobbyist, collector…or you just appreciate beautiful things, the Tucson Experience never disappoints. With rough shows in the gravel and fine jewelry in the designer pavilions, there is something for everyone!

The visual experience that is “Tucson” isn’t available in this range of offerings anywhere else in the world…and so with some photo memories we say goodbye to the 2010 Tucson Gem & Mineral Showcase!

Taiwoo had pearls stacked as high as the tabletops!

The Fossil Room at the Arizona Mineral and Fossil Show at the InnSuites is always fun and if you have children with you - it it a MUST!!!

From the stunning collection of Will Larson, featured collector at the show at Westward Look Resort

Sean Davis offers you simplicity at it's finest - hand carved precious gems on a gold chain.

The Freeway Shows…great variety!

If you aren’t a wholesaler and want to find some great “stuff” the Freeway Shows have something for everybody!!!

Beads: Gemstones, Indian, African, Tibetan…

Gems: Rough, Cabs, Facets, Carved…

Pearls: in every size, color and shape…

Sculpture – even Gems as sculpture!

Parking on Congress near the Freeway and then start at the GlobeX Show at the Days Inn.

Crystal Skull

Tucson Gem Show – Let the excitement begin!

Well – I’m on the ground in Tucson – today is the opening day for several shows. This is the first thing I saw as I entered the Pueblo Show at the Riverpark Inn…

She knows how to find her way around the Tucson Gem Shows!

Open and waiting to see your shining face are:

Madagascar Mineral’s Gem Show at the Norcross – Madagascar Gallery

ABC Direct East and ABC Direct West

1820 Oracle Wholesale Show - yes – it is at 1820 Oracle

African Art Village

Globe X Gem Show at the Days Inn

Granada Avenue Mineral Show

Howard Johnson Gem and Mineral Show at – you guessed it the Howard Johnson

JG&M Exposition – Michigan Street and Simpson Street

JOGS Gem and Jewelry Show at the Expo Center

La Quinta Gem & Mineral Show at…La Quinta Inn

Rapa River Gem & Mineral Show

Rock, Gem and Lapidary Show & the Main Ave. Mineral and Fossil Show at 1201 Main

Tucson Showplace

Arizona Mineral and Fossil Show at Mineral and Fossil Marketplace, Quality Inn and the Hotel Tucson City Center (formerly the InnSuites)

Executive Inn Mineral and Fossil Show at the Best Western

G&LW Tucson Gem Show at the Gem Mall and the Grant Inn

Mineral and Fossil Co-op

Pueblo Gem and Mineral Show at the Riverpark Inn

Tucson Electric Park Gem and Mineral Show

Tucson Electric Park RV Gem Show

American Indian Expo at the Flamingo Ballroom

Fine Minerals International

To Bead True Blue at the Doubletree Hotel

…for more info on these shows visit the Tucson EZ-Guide or pick up your copy at the shows.

EZ-Guide Exclusive: The Meteorite Men

We want to give you a sneak preview of some of the exclusive articles in the Tucson EZ-Guide - first up Lisa Marie talks with the stars of the hit Science Channel show "Meteorite Men"...

The Meteorite Men!

By Lisa Marie Morrison

Back in 1998, an unlikely duo met in Odessa, Texas to do a little meteorite hunting on the way to their first-ever visit to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Shows. Geoffrey Notkin and Steve Arnold had hunted together before, but they could not have expected that ten years later, they would be starring in their own cable network series. Nor could they have predicted the integral role the gem and mineral shows would play in the development of the show Meteorite Men.

In the interim years, Notkin and Arnold would develop reputations as world class meteorite hunters, collectors, and dealers; each establishing their own successful individual businesses. Geoffrey, who is also a widely published science writer, eventually moved to Tucson after becoming enchanted with the desert during his trips to the shows. Geoff and Steve continued to meet each other year after year at the gem and mineral shows and developed great friends and colleagues from within the international meteorite community.

In 2005, Steve Arnold unearthed a 1430-pound Brenham palasite meteorite from a wheat field in Kansas. The news media quickly picked up on the story of this historic find. Then in December 2007, while reading a feature article in the Los Angeles Times about Steve, Ruth Rivin (executive producer at the production company LMNO) recalled a similar clipping from a different periodical. Ruth, who also generates new show ideas for LMNO, contacted Geoff to ask if the pair would ever consider doing an ongoing television series about meteorite hunting. “Having filmed episodes of Cash & Treasuresand Wired Science, and enjoying the experience immensely, Steve and I had already worked up a series proposal,” Geoff recalls. “We were confident there was enough interesting content in the meteorite world to produce three or four seasons of a TV show.”

With the 2008 gem and mineral shows right around the corner, LMNO Productions decided to send Elizabeth Meeker to Tucson to shoot a demo reel. They filmed on location at the InnSuites in the room Geoff’s company shares with Anne Black of Impactika Meteorites and in the scenic foothills of the Tucson Mountains. A five-minute film reel from that day impressed LMNO Productions who signed an exclusive contract with Geoff and Steve.

The idea of a Meteorite Men series was shopped to a number of cable networks and in July of 2008, Science Channel expressed keen interest in the show. They ordered a one-hour special, and in May of 2009, “the pilot episode ofMeteorite Men, Science Channel brought viewers to the farm lands of Brenham, Kansas as Notkin and Arnold searched for pieces of a large meteorite that fell to earth thousands of years ago.” (Science Channel press release.) After airing, the show was picked up by the cable network for six one-hour episodes.

Geoff and Steve had been busy brainstorming ideas of where and with whom to film each episode. “We thought of all the people we’ve met or got to know better over the years at the gem and mineral shows,” Geoff recounts. “Friends and colleagues like Twink Monrad, Sonny Clary and Ruben Garcia. We thought of expert meteoriticists in the field such as Drs. Art Elhmann and Laurence Garvey, academics who could explain the complicated science of meteorites to the viewing public, and complement field guys like Steve and myself.”

The premier of Meteorite Men aired Wednesday, January 20, 2010. Science Channel will run one episode a week for six weeks. The first three episodes overlap the gem and mineral shows and the co-stars have screenings planned for friends and colleagues. “This is the first full TV series ever to combine meteorite hunting, adventure and science. We’re excited to share it with the world,” remarked Steve.

Filmed in and around the Tucson area, the premier episode follows the team’s search for the elusive Tucson Ring meteorite. Coming back full circle to that fateful gem show trip in 1998, the hosts return to the scene of the crime in Odessa, Texas for the second episode of the series. And a rare witnessed fireball in February 2009 over West Texas is the focus of the third episode. “In fact, it was February 15th, our last day of the 2009 gem show, while we were packing up the room at the InnSuites, that I heard about the fireball that would become the Ash Creek meteorite,” Geoff says. “In many ways our television series had its birthplace at the Tucson gem show.”

Both Geoff and Steve will participate as vendors this year at the Tucson gem and mineral shows. Notkin’s company Aerolite Meteorites holds court at the Hotel Tucson City Center (formerly the InnSuites) in room 230, where he will be displaying a wide assortment of meteorites and related collectables. And in another first, Steve will be in room 141 at the Riverpark Inn for the Pueblo Gem and Mineral Show offering the faceted extraterrestrial peridot gemstones found at one of the sites featured on the TV program. More information on the series can be found at www.meteoritemen.com and at twitter.com/meteoritemen.

Follow the Meteorite Men:

Facebook

Twitter

Reprinted with permission from the Tucson EZ-Guide and Xpopress

It is with great sadness that we report – via the RoskinGemReport Newsletter dated January 11, 2010:

Say Goodbye to Colored Stone Magazine

In a recent conversation with David Federman, Colored Stone Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, the magazine will soon be no more. David says this includes the print version, the on-line magazine, and the e-mail newsletters. It appeared as if the bi-weekly e-newsletter and on-line magazine were going to replace the print version, but obviously that was a wrong assumption on our part.

——————————–

There has been no info from the Colored Stone website…Colored Stone/Interweave are the producers of the massive Tucson Show Guide

We have no idea at this time how this will affect the Guide.

Come and see the shows...

We love the Gem Shows and Swap Meets - but there is a lot going on in Quartzsite! the Chamber lists these events - from an Author's Fair to the Fire Department's Pancake Breakfast...all part of the Quartzsite Experience!

AUTHOR'S FAIR
Jan & Feb 2010
READERS' OASIS BOOK STORE

DESERT GARDENS 9th. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL
GEM, MINERAL & JEWLERY SHOW
JAN. 1st 2010 - FEB. 28th 2010

The Main Event
Jan. 9th 2010 - Jan. 24th 2010
Steam Engine Show
Jan 22nd - 23rd - 24th 2010

20th Annual Hi Jolly Daze parade
JAN 2nd 2010

TYSON WELLS ROCK & GEM SHOW
JAN. 1st 2010 - JAN. 10th 2010

NEW CHRISTIE MINSTRELS
Jan 10th 2010 (two shows 2pm & 7pm)
QIA BUILDING

TYSON WELLS SELL-A-RAMA
JAN. 15th 2010 - JAN.24th 2010

Blythe 23rd Annual Bluegrass Music Festival
Jan 15th - Jan 16th - Jan 17th 2010

BIG TENT....SPORTS, VACATION & R.V. SHOW
JAN. 16th 2010 - JAN. 24th 2010

44rd Annual Q I. A. POW WOW
JAN. 20st 2010 - Jan 24th 2010

BIG TENT....HOBBY CRAFT & GEM SHOW
Jan 27th 2010 - Jan 31st 2010

BIG TENT CLASSIC CAR SHOW
Jan 27th 2010 — Jan 31st 2010

4th ANNUAL Willpower/Pawpower ATV PARADE
FEB 13th 2010

QUARTZSITE FIRE DEPT. PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Feb 13th 7am - 10am 2010
QUARTZSITE FIRE STATION

TYSON WELLS ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR
Jan 29th 2010 - FEB. 7th 2010

Show listings courtesy of Quartzsite Chamber of Commerce