#GemShow #Denver - Day Two - All About The #Prospectors

Got to the Coliseum just in time to dodge raindrops on the way in...I had chosen the Coliseum because I really wanted to cover the featured stars from the Prospectors Show on the Weather Channel...

I wasn't prepared for all of the amazing booths on the upper level...everything from Crystal Soaps to one of my favorite Sun Stone dealers and some gorgeous finished jewelry.

But - back on track - I headed downstairs to the main floor.  The Prospectors area was right at the bottom of the stairs and it was great to see that several cast members participated.

The Bussey boys were manning the the first section...with Amanda and Travis next and a fun inclusion was a small table for the Bad Boys of Cripple Creek...and at the end a booth filled with stunning gems and jewelry manned by Dwayne and Marsha Hall.

The customers had Dwayne hopping almost the entire time I was there...he had some really stunning gems!

If you haven't heard of the Bad Boys of Cripple Creek Mining, Inc., from their website:

"Bad Boys of Cripple Creek Mining Company is located in beautiful and historic Cripple Creek, Colorado. Originally established for gold mining in 1890, we produce a very unique type of natural turquoise for sale, in both rough and polished products.

Unlike many other mines and products, our turquoise is NEVER stabilized! It is much harder than other infamous turquoise locations worldwide. Our turquoise runs between 6. 7 and 7. 7 on the mohs scale of hardness, and is not dyed or treated in any way. It will scratch glass!"

Selection of goods from the Bad Boys of Cripple Creek, Inc.

Travis and Amanda had several exciting new finds in their booth see just a few below:

Hematite coated Smokey Quartz Crystals

More on this one coming later...

100% Colorado with the color of a Burma Peridot

Introducing "The Green Scream"

Next it was off to the Marriott for the last day of the Fine Mineral Show and in keeping with the day's theme a talk by Joe Dorris...

Joe Dorris with Show Promoter Dave Waismann

Stunning photos brought us right into the mine with the Dorris family...

Fabulous Specimens in the Pinnacle 5 room at the Fine Mineral Show

#EZGuide - Denver Gem & Mineral Showcase

Denver Gem & Mineral Showcase /
Denver, Colorado, USA

Venues: 10 gem, mineral, fossil and jewelry show locations

Show Dates: September 6 - 15, 2013
Hours and admission requirements vary for each show

Contact: Xpo Press, Inc.
Email: support@xpopress.com

What you will find at the show: Anchored by the Denver Gem & Mineral Society's annual "main show" at the Denver Mart, ten separate gem, mineral, fossil, bead and jewelry shows feature nearly 800 vendors and exhibitors, each displaying and selling their gem and mineral treasures, precious gems and stones, and lapidary products and services. Mineral shows not to be missed are the Colorado Mineral & Fossil Show; Denver Coliseum Mineral, Fossil & Gem Show; Denver Expo Gem Show; JG&M Expo Denver; and one of the finest dinosaur and fossil shows anywhere, the Colorado Fossil Expo. This citywide showcase is bested in vendor numbers in the U.S. only by Tucson's 4,000+ vendors in February.

Map of Denver Gem & Mineral Showcase

View Denver Gem & Mineral Showcase in a larger map

GIA Announces Seminars at Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair

GIA Announces Seminars at Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair

Two GemFests and lab take-in, September 11-17

Two of GIA’s recognized gem experts will offer their expertise during the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, Sept. 11-17. The two GIA GemFests, which are free and open to the public, supplement GIA’s lab take-in services and other offerings during the show.

Dr. Wuyi Wang, GIA’s director of Research and Development, will discuss the identification of Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) gem quality diamonds on Sept. 11. Robert Weldon, GIA’s manager of Photography and Visual Communications, will discuss his renowned methods of photographing gems and jewelry on Sept. 14.

Identification of CVD Synthetic Gem Diamonds with Dr. Wuyi Wang

Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2-3:30 p.m. at the AsiaWorld Expo, Rm 201A 

Separating CVD-produced gem quality diamonds from natural diamonds remains an important issue. Wang will review the recent developments seen by the GIA laboratories in CVD diamonds produced for the jewelry market and the technologies and techniques GIA uses to identify this gem material.

With more than 20 years of expertise in diamond geochemistry and the treatments of diamond and other gem material, Wang holds a doctorate in geology from the University of Tsukuba in Japan and a bachelor’s degree in geology from Beijing University in China. He is widely published in gemological and geological publications, and has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Richard T. Liddicoat and American Gem Society awards, as well as the Dr. Edward J. Gübelin Most Valuable Article Award from G&G.

Photography & Photoshop™ of Gems and Jewelry with Robert Weldon

Saturday, Sept. 14, 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center, Rm S421

Weldon will review critical techniques and tips for effective gemological photography. He will discuss proper lighting for gemstones and jewelry, and how to use depth of field and select the right backgrounds. He will also reveal three tips for post-photographic workflow in Adobe Photoshop™ for accurate, stunning portrayals of minerals, gemstones and jewelry.

Weldon is a GIA Graduate Gemologist, journalist and photographer. His passion and talent have led him on gem research excursions and speaking engagements across the globe including Brazil, Columbia, China, Kenya and Tanzania. Weldon’s works have been chronicled in GIA’s scientific quarterly journal, Gems & Gemology, and various other gem and jewelry trade publications.

GIA at the AsiaWorld Expo, Hong Kong

Wednesday – Sunday, Sept. 11-15 at Booth 3J00

Institute representatives will be at Booth 3J00 from Sept. 11-15 to answer questions about GIA education, instruments, laboratory services and the GIA Retailer Program. The laboratory will take-in diamonds up to 9.99 carats and colored stones Sept. 11-14 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2:30-4:30 p.m. On Sept. 15, the lab will take-in colored stones only from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

GIA at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center

Friday – Tuesday, Sept. 13-17 at Booth 3M059, 3M061

Institute representatives will be at Booth 3M059, 3M061 from Sept. 13-17 to answer questions about GIA education, instruments, laboratory services and the GIA Retailer Program. The laboratory will take-in colored stonesSept. 13-17 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Redeem GIA GemPasses or purchase a GIA GemPassbook™ for special rates on GIA colored stone services at the show. For more details, call GIA’s Hong Kong laboratory at +852-3166-7000 or visit www.giathai.net.  

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu. 

Tucson's Fall Season...Stock up for the Holidays

Did you know that there is a Fall Season in Tucson?  ...no I am not talking about the leaves turning - cactus doesn't have many leaves and the sage is pretty much the same color all year long!

What I am referring to is the Tucson Gem Show - the Fall version!

While this groups of shows is no where near the size of the Spring Shows (which some see as a benefit), it does the trick!  For locals and people in the Southwest area this is the perfect option for restocking needs just prior to the busy Holiday Season.  

So if you have run out of a favorite bead or need more Chrysoprase Cabs (you know that Green is an important color for Spring & Summer 2013 - right?) this is your opportunity to shop three (3) of the larger shows from Spring!

Your selection includes the popular Holidome Show presented by G&LW  - the giant JOGS Show at the ExpoCenter and the Best Bead Show at Kino Memorial Center!

If you aren't able to pick up a Tucson EZ-Guide to the Fall Shows in person click through for a download-able Flip Book!  

Make it a Gemmy Summer in Franklin, NC…

Whether you are a rockhound, geologist or you just love the beauty Mother Nature provides…you must, just once in your lifetime hit the scene in Franklin.

Curious? take a minute to download the online edition of the Franklin EZ-Guide and see if there isn’t something that catches your attention.

With maps of the area, dining suggestions, show dates and hours, vendor lists and more Gem Show EZ-Guides are the choice of travelers and attendees across the country…why?   …because “we know the shows”.

The EZ-Guide describes it this way: “During the summer months rockhounds and tourists converge on the tiny town of Franklin, North Carolina to attend gem shows, do some fluming at the local gem mines, and simply spend their vacations in this stunningly beautiful area at the southern foothills of the great Smoky Mountains. There is plenty to do for everyone who comes to Franklin and Macon County, but rockhounds who come to this area know that it is one of the only places in the world where it is not rare on a casual hike in the hills—if you know what you’re looking for—to return home with a pocketful of precious stones, even rubies, sapphires and garnets! This is what makes Franklin, truly, the Gem Capital of the World.”

…and for those looking for something to do outside the show, the Chamber of Commerce offers these options: “Whether you’re looking for high adventure, fun places for the kids, beautiful scenery, a week on the greens, or the natural wonders of the Smoky mountains, Franklin provides a multitude of wonderful activities. For lovers of gems and minerals, you won’t want to miss the open-to-the-public gem mining in and near Franklin and the amazing collection at the Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum.

The Chamber provides a monthly Calendar of Events for some ideas of ways to spend your time during your stay in Franklin, North Carolina – home of mountain treasures and simple pleasures.”

See you in Franklin?