An Inside Look at the 2015 Tucson Shows
April 30, 2015
New Production of Brazilian Emerald from Minas Gerais – Tucson 2015
Marcello Ribeiro of the Belmont mine showed emeralds from Belmont’s underground mine, including one especially fine 9.22 ct stone. As a GIA team visited Belmont in April 2014, it was interesting to see the gems from this relatively new part of the mining operation for sale at the show.
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Exceptional Red Spinels and Fine Aquamarine – Tucson 2015
Axel Henn of Idar-Oberstein, Germany, showed superbly colored 61.29 ct Tanzanian red spinel, including two pear-shaped gems cut from similar rough, and a spectacular 450.08 ct aquamarine with pure blue "Santa Maria" color.
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Fine Tsavorite and Spinel – Tucson 2015
Bruce Bridges of Tsavorite USA Inc. said that fine stones often return to his inventory after years in a collector’s possession. At the AGTA show, he showcased a vivid, top-quality 12.46 ct cushion-shaped tsavorite fashioned some 15 years earlier, which made its way back into the market in the last two years.
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Fine Corundum, Demantoid Garnet – Tucson 2015
Dave Bindra of B&B Fine Gems showcased fine pink and yellow sapphire, Mozambique ruby, and a superb suite of Russian demantoid garnet. He explained how increased consumption in markets outside the U.S. and Europe is affecting gem supply and forcing many colored gem dealers to turn to the “recirculated” market for their clients.
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High-End Colored Gems – Tucson 2015
Idar-Oberstein’s Constantin Wild displayed a unique 290 ct multicolored suite of specimen-quality gems from all over the world, rare “canary” tourmaline from Zambia, fine rubellite from Brazil and Nigeria, and an array of sets aimed at enterprising jewelry designers and manufacturers.
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Tsavorite Garnet and Mahenge Red Spinel – Tucson 2015
Daniel Assaf of the Tsavorite Factory provided a detailed market update for tsavorite garnet. In this interview, he explains how unprecedented Asian demand for this rare gem has drastically affected availability and pricing for his customers.
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Oregon Sunstone Update – Tucson 2015
Reviews the Oregon sunstone seen at the Tucson gem shows, provides an update of the current market and demand for the gem, and explains an initiative to set up an Oregon sunstone miners’ association.
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Large and Unusual Gems – Tucson 2015
The inventory of Noor Gems Japan Ltd. was characterized by large and unusual gems, including a fine selection of rare blue and pink gemstones: afghanite, hauynite, hemimorphite, and pezzottaite.
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Ginger Garnet, “Fancy” Tanzanite – Tucson 2015
Kobi Sevdermish of Advanced Quality introduced a new pinkish orange to orangy red “ginger” garnets that remains bright in larger sizes. He also outlined the trials and tribulations of sourcing and cutting the unique “fancy” tanzanite crystals his company specializes in.
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Gem Artistry in Smaller Sizes –Tucson 2015
Alexander Kreis displayed his most recent designs: tourmalines in organic fluid shapes resembling the leaves in a tropical forest, citrines evoking the essence of sunrays, and icy blue topaz that mimic the cool brilliance of arctic ice.
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Larger Optic Disks –Tucson 2015
Brian Cook of Nature's Geometry explained the latest step in the evolution of his innovative "wheel of light" optic disks: larger pieces that display more intriguing reflective effects, including a striking rainbow of concentric color bands.
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Unusual Carved Tourmaline Suite – Tucson 2015
Jan Goodman had an exquisite 303 carat suite of particolored tourmaline depicting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, carved in Idar-Oberstein in the 1970s and kept in his personal collection for more than 30 years.
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Gemstones and Jewelry Inspired by Nature – Tucson 2015
Award-winning cutter and designer Jeff Bilgore exhibited two pieces that departed from the norm of colored stones: an exquisitely carved leaf brooch of moss agate highlighted with diamonds, and a platinum pendant panel and chain featuring natural-color fancy diamonds that appeared to float within the frame.
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Rare Stones in Demand – Tucson 2015
Coast-to-Coast’s Brad Wilson explained that rare gems also have a place in jewelry. Innovative designers seek out rare materials such as sphalerite, sphene, apatite, and even afghanite for clients who appreciate the unusual.
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Color-Change Garnets from Tanzania – Tucson 2015
Introduces striking color-change pyrope garnets from Tanzania. Originally thought to be rhodolite garnets when found in the 1980s, these gems turned out to be predominantly pyrope, and the best examples show a strong red-to-purple color change.
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Bold Color Combinations – Tucson 2015
For retailers and designers overwhelmed by the endless rows of gemstones lined up in trays, inspiration could be found at the booth of Stephen M. Avery, which featured brightly colored "statement"-sized gemstones.
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Chrysocolla in Quartz – Tucson 2015
The Rare Earth Mining Company booth displayed a specialized inventory of unique and rare materials, including clear and near-colorless quartz containing blue spots of chrysocolla.
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Cultured Pearl Market Update – Tucson 2015
Fran Mastoloni provided a market summary from his own business perspective. He emphasized surging demand in the Chinese domestic market for all cultured pearl types, plus the need to introduce innovative styles and pearl combinations in contemporary jewelry.
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Chinese Freshwater Pearl Culturing, Overall Market Summary – Tucson 2015
Jack Lynch offered his perspective on Chinese freshwater cultured pearl products and styles, as well as fine South Sea and Tahitian goods.
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Diamond Slices – Tucson 2015
The popularity of gem slices, particularly diamond, is on the rise, as reflected at the 2015 Tucson gem shows.
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Large Namibian Demantoid Garnet – Tucson 2015
The Green Dragon mine yields exceptional demantoid, including a round brilliant seen at Tucson’s GJX show.
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Green Nephrite Jade Attracts Buyers in Tucson – Tucson 2015
An update on the nephrite jade market from the 2015 GJX show.
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Baroque Pearls – Tucson 2015
Baroque pearls were ubiquitous at the Tucson 2015 gem shows.
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Crimson Prince Ruby from Namya – Tucson 2015
An exceptional ruby is discovered in Namya, Myanmar.
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Update on Rock Creek Sapphire Deposit – Tucson 2015
An overview of recently expanded sapphire production at the Gem Mountain mine near Philipsburg, Montana.
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Unique Tourmaline Necklace – Tucson 2015
An unusual parti-color tourmaline necklace and clasp are seen at the 2015 AGTA show in Tucson.
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