[Jewelry making - Article 01083] - Re: [Orchid] Tucson panic

[Richard W. Wise]

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Karen,

    Not sure which sat/sun you will be in Tucson.  I spend two weeks
    starting the 28th of January and can no longer see it all. 

    Each show has its strengths and weaknesses and your choice should
    depend on what you are looking to buy.  In 1997 I did a piece for
    National Jeweler a sort of survivors guide to Tucson.  Its a bit
    dated and a few shows have moved but it still covers the bases so I
    will paste it here and let the moderator decided whether to include
    it. 

    Hope to meet you at the Orchid dinner 
    Richard
    www.rwwise.com 
    www.secretsofthegemtrade.com

          --------------------------------------------------------
          Surviving Tucson; Or How to so Twenty Eight Gem Shows in Two
          Weeks Without Breaking a Sweat 

          By Richard W. Wise, G.G., 
          Gemology Columnist 
          --------------------------------------------------------

          Tucson is a must, a true rite de passage for jewelers.  This
          is where you find out "whats new!" and more importantly, at
          what price?  We have been making the annual February
          pilgrimage for fifteen years and each year Tucson gets a
          little bigger.  The 1996 tally was twenty four shows, not
          counting gas stations.  Last year, for the first time, we
          missed two shows.  I know what you're thinking,  "two shows,
          big deal!" 

          Tucson 97 is bigger than ever before!  Twenty eight shows,
          stretching from January 26 through February 16th for a record
          twenty-two days. Fortunately not all of these shows are of
          particular interest to jewelers. This review will cover just
          nine shows which we believe will give you  the meat as well as
          a bit of the spice that makes Tucson the show of shows.  The
          schedule is rigorous, the strategy is simple to get to each
          show on opening day. 

          Fortunately the weather is Tucson is sunny and mild, averaging
          between 68-75 degrees during the day.  Jewelers attempting to
          follow this guide are advised to loose the pin striped suit.
          Wear loose fitting cotton clothing, a light jacket with lots of
          pockets, a comfortable pair of walking shoes and perhaps a hat
          and sunglasses. Also, bring a stack of business cards and half
          dozen copies of your business license.  Warning: National
          Jeweler recommends that you check with your family doctor
          before embarking on any program of vigorous exercise. 

    DAY ONE:  1/26/97 

          The first show to officially open its doors is "Jump-start" at
          the Rodeway Inn on January 26.  The Rodeway is a good show
          because many dealers who show later at G&LW's Holidome get
          started at the Rodeway.  The show is a mix with everything from
          Brazilian goods to oriental rugs, some finished jewelry and
          findings.  This year Jump-start adds 50 booths for a total of
          225.  Its small enough to do in a day with time out for a brief
          lunch. 

          If your looking for fine colored stones, Rodeway is usually a
          waste.  However, a few years ago we came across a tender young
          gem cutter, first year in Tucson,  with no idea about New York
          wholesale prices.  This year the management predicts a
          twenty-five percent dealer turnover.  Need we say more? 

          The Peublo Inn opens the very next day, January 27th.  This
          show takes several days to crank itself up to full volume,
          which is approximately 185 dealers.  The smart money often
          shows up a few days early, say on the 25th. The tent and lobby
          have yet to set up but many of the first floor rooms will be
          open and a lot of dealing goes on before the official opening. 

    DAY TWO & THREE  1/28, 1/29/97 

          The Peublo is one of our favorite shows.  You can find
          anything here from fine ruby and aquamarine to gem Silica and
          Tibetan singing bowls.  How about a Komodo Dragon handcarved
          in fossilized ivory?  You can get it at the Peublo.  There is
          one guy, set up in the lobby, who will sell you a complete
          dinosaur skeleton.  Looking to raise your visibility? 
          Consider the impact of a forty foot  stegosaurus right in
          front of your store window.  Chances are you won't even be
          violating the local sign ordinance. 

          The Peublo is layed out in a square with the tent forming the
          back quarter.  The inner courtyard has a pool and a number of
          small tents selling Thai, Chinese and Greek fast food.  Last
          year they added a salad vendor. This is a great place for
          lunch if you are tired of TexMex.  Speaking of Mexican, Tucson
          is the place to eat Mexican provided your Cholesterol count is
          under 200. 

          To do the Peublo right takes two days.  And thats about all we
          have because both AGTA and GLDA which are known as the "Big
          shows" among the cognoscenti, open on the 29th. 

          South of the Peublo along the I-10 access road there is a
          string of motels and each one hosts a show.  This is the place
          to find mineral specimens, bolo ties, Mexican Jewelry, African
          masks and 5,000 lb. Brazilian Amethyst geodes.  Several of
          these shows are open into the evening 

          So if you are a real glutton for punishment, take a walk! 

          Perhaps a better suggestion; have an early dinner and get a
          good nights sleep because the preliminaries are over, tomorrow
          starts the main event. 

    DAY FOUR:  1/30/97 

          Which to do first.  Both shows are well established and most
          of the dealers are old hands.  Given the choice we will hit
          GLDA.  The shows are located about 1,000 yards apart but with
          pre registration you can walk right into GLDA show at the
          Holiday Inn Broadway or wait in line to have your AGTA
          credentials validated  at the Tucson Convention Center.  This
          tactic gives us about a one hour shopping advantage and an
          hour can be forever in Tucson. We will get our AGTA
          credentials validated the second day of the show when there is
          usually no line. 

          GLDA is a big show, 374 dealers.  There are dealers stuffed
          into every hallway and function room on the first and second
          floors.  So, unless you know someone it doesn't really matter
          where you start.  Its easy to lose your bearings and every
          year we see a few of the Tucson Lotus Eaters, unfortunate
          buyers, glassy eyed and babbling, wandering aimlessly through
          the halls.  One of the highlights is the Intergem group from
          Idar Oberstein, Germany in the upper Starlight room.  We
          attended this years Intergem in Germany.  If you are looking
          for exceptional quality in carvings, cameos and exquisitely
          cut stones, this area is a must. 

          Other than the German group there is no logic to GLDA. 
          However over the years certain informal groupings have
          emerged.  Second floor Mezzanine "gemstone row" is where you
          will find the precision cutters.  Very fine well cut
          traditional gems mostly cut in the U. S.  There is a Sri
          Lankan group in the Mezzanine room at the end of the row. 
          Pearls, opals and Brazilian dealers are usually found on the
          lower level in the Empire Ballroom.  There are always good
          deals to be found. One piece of advise, if you see something
          you like don't hesitate.  These waters are full of sharks! 

          Ok, its the end of the fourth day and you brain is getting
          ready to short out.  You've spent the day at GLDA and seen
          about half of it, found a few good buys and you are worried
          that all the good picks will be taken at AGTA before you get
          there.  To make things worse GJX opens tomorrow as well.
          GLDA!, AGTA!, GJX!  what to do? 

          We like X!.  The show is now in its third year.  GJX started
          with 165 booths in 1995 and grew to 254 last year.  This year
          it remains the same size but has moved on the property so that
          the entrance is directly across the street from the Convention
          Center.  X was certainly the most exciting show of 1996.  So,
          we hedge our bets, arrive early and park at AGTA saunter in
          and get our credentials stamped and spend the morning
          strolling down the wide half empty aisles. 

          Contrary to what some dealers say, there are buys to be found
          at AGTA! Oddly enough, prices on the big three, ruby sapphire
          and emerald, are often the most competitive at AGTA simply
          because many of the 230 dealers carry them and you can play
          one dealer off against another.  Also, this is the show where
          you will find the finest of the fine. 

          Last year I saw an exceptional four carat Demantoid garnet.  A
          perfectly cut, flawless top-gem Brazilian Emerald and a
          breathtaking two carat padparadcha sapphire from Songea,
          Tanzania to name just a few standouts. AGTA is the place to
          educate your eye and the dealers are quite willing to give you
          pointers, especially mid-week,  Its only thursday!, the big
          crowd comes on the weekend 

          In 1995 AGTA added a New Designers Section.  Last years
          participants were impressive.  If you are not a goldsmith here
          is a chance to buy some exceptional gems and work directly
          with world-class designers who can make them up for you.  The
          70 plus designers in this section are some of the best.  Most
          have won Spectrum awards and they love fine colored stones.
          Along the way from check in to the main hall is the Galleria. 
          Walk slowly! This year AGTA is featuring an exhibet of gem
          sculpture as well as the winners of The Cutting Edge and
          Spectrum competitions in The Galleria. 

          After the cool, ordered, professional ambiance of AGTA we take
          a sunny walk across the street to the tents of GJX. X retains
          some of the charm of the old days in Tucson, that is, its hot
          stuffy and crowded. 

          The rewards can be worth the trouble. Last year we found a
          cluster of small Australian opal dealers toward the middle of
          the tent.  Tahitian black pearls were a specialty last year at
          GJX.  There are several dealers with good inventory sprinkled
          about the aisles. GJX is also a mixed bag but, all gem
          dealers, no specimens or fossils at X. 

    DAY FIVE:  1/31/96 

          Five shows in four day, not too bad!  Today is consolidation
          day. We have cruised, gotten oriented, checked prices and
          gotten the flavor of  all the majors excepting one. Today we
          do the Dome!  The Holiday Inn Palo Verde known to gemshow
          regulars as the Holidome.  This show has grown dramatically. 
          It requires two huge igloo shaped tents and the whole main
          floor of the hotel.  This show is a bit out of the way, take
          I10 south seven miles to exit 264B (remember B) Palo Verde Rd
          follow Palo Verde for one half mile. 

          The Dome, in a word, has everything:  Gem dealers, pearls,
          equipment, findings, new jewelry, antique jewelry, synthetics,
          etc.  By now we have accumulated so many badges that we look
          like refugees from a VFW parade. So what one more. Sign up
          is in the main hotel lobby. This is the G & L.W. Show and pre
          registration is possible by writing the show sponsors. 

          The lobby is a good place to start.  Lots of interesting
          equipment, everything from gem scales to cobbing hsmmers.  How
          about a gold pan?  From here we can cruise the two function
          rooms that are chock-a- block with dealers.  We rarely find
          anything of interest here and its on to the tents! The tents
          are layed out in long narrow aisles and it is best to go aisle
          by aisle.  Some excellent smaller American cutter/dealers set
          up at the Dome. We have found some exceptional, very well cut
          stones at this show including some designer friendly Boulder
          Opal.  Chinese freshwater pearls are another big item at the
          Holidome.  We will see pearl dealers with big stocks of well
          priced freshwater at this show. 

    DAY SIX:  2/1/97 

          Survey complete. We have gotten a taste of all the major
          shows. Problem is we need at least a day more at each one of
          them. Today is Saturday and the Jewish Sabbath, so I
          recommend that we go back to AGTA. This is the most popular
          show, Saturday will be crowded but Sunday will be a mob scene. 

    DAY SEVEN:  2/2/97 

          Its sunday, the major shows are very crowded.  GLDA is open
          til the fifth and GJX doesn't close until the sixth so there
          are two other shows that we are going to take in as a change
          of pace. The first is the Whole Bead Show at the Windmill
          Inn. Wait!, I know what you are thinking but, we are not
          talking peace love and tie-dye here.  Over the past several
          years we have seen a renaissance in hand bead making in the
          United States specifically on the West coast. 

          Most are technically called "lamp-work" beads which describes
          the method of manufacture.  Here you will find seventy
          sophisticated craftspeople whose work often surpasses the
          finest Venetian glass. Each bead is a handmade original. 
          There are also demonstrations. You can see just how these
          tiny works of art are made. Hey!, who is running this tour
          anyhow?,  just get in the car and lets go! 

          The Whole Bead Show is relatively small, about 70 dealers. 
          Actually there are two shows running simultaneously, the other
          is called The Best Bead Show, located at The Southwest Center
          for Music, on North Sixth Avenue. We attended our first show
          here in 1995. As a result my wife designed and strung a
          series of elegant necklaces mixing these beads with pearls. 
          Some craftspeople are selling beads that are completely unique
          as well as some doing small production lines. Those less
          creatively inclined  will find designers who have created a
          line of designer jewelry using these lovely beads. 

    DAY EIGHT:  2/3/97 

          Still with us?  Today we are going to a rock show.  Not just
          any rock show but, The Executive Inn which houses one of the
          finest specimen, crystal and rock shows in Tucson. 

          Specimens, particularly crystals, make excellent display
          pieces.  Clients ask questions and provide jewelers with the
          opportunity to wax lyrical about the unique genesis, beauty and
          rarity of the cut product. Gems are fascinating! The more
          people learn the more fascinated they become. Don't neglect the
          first floor rooms to the right of the main exhibition hall. 

          The Executive Inn is a long rectangular building with dealers
          located in rooms on either side of a central corridor. The show
          is in its second day. You will find dealers here who go direct
          to sources in Brazil, East Africa and Pakistan. These are
          mostly mineral dealers but, some will also carry cut and rough
          gemstones. We bought a magnificent 9.50 carat Mt. Mica, Maine
          tourmaline here a few years back. Assuming we have not been
          hung up by the beads, we will spend a profitable afternoon
          here. 

          Nine shows in eight days, not bad!  We have chosen the
          highlights. There are nineteen more shows, the last ending on
          February 16th. Each has something to recommend it. We have
          chosen this group because it is of greatest interest to
          jewelers and few of us can devote two to three weeks going to
          shows. However, if you have a bit more time we suggest The
          Tucson Gem & Mineral Show starting February 13th and oh, yes, I
          almost forgot....! 


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