Minerals & Gemstone 480x104
 

The Tucson Mineral Show!

I have been too busy getting back into things since Tucson and have not had a chance to make any new postings. Here is my first update from Tucson, where I went to most of the shows distributing flyers for the launch of our new website. My goal in Tucson was to get the community acquainted with the new site.


I don't recommend trying this. Leave this to the professionals.

 


At the Pueblo show, with Steven Bookbinder's massive Quartz Crystals from Brazil.
Notice that giant Smoky in the back!

 


Another masterpiece from Steven Bookbinder.
This is definitley the largest Amethyst geode I have ever seen.

 


Looking into the main TGMS show from upstairs.

 


Another view from upstairs, facing the other way.

 


The iconic blue-cap Tourmaline that was the main theme mineral of the show.

 


This awesome Australian Gold nugget was a centerpiece of the show,
with a full-time guard stationed in front of it.
Weight is 23.26 KG. Found in 2010.

 


These outstanding Emeralds from the Kagen mine in Zambia were dominating!
They rival the best Colombian emeralds in size and color.
Specimens from this deposit are rarely seen, so this was quite an excitement in Tucson this year.

 


One of the many display cabinets displaying the minerals of California, which was this years theme of the show.

 


Native Gold from California.

 


A very aesthetic Aquamarine from Pakistan.

 


The most talked-about Rhodochrosite at the show.
Titled "The Emperor of China", this is an exceptionally large platy Rhodochrosite from Wuton in China.
Exhibited at the booth of the Collectors Edge.

 


Nice display of Calcite and other minerals at the show.

 


A huge faceted Emerald from North Carolina.
According to owner Terry Ledford, this is the largest faceted Emerald from the United States.
Terry, if you get to read it, please post the carat size below!

 


This struck me as really interesting - a native Copper polished bookend!

 


Hiking in the Sonoran Desert on Friday in the Tucson Mountains Reserve near Gates Pass.



Trip up Mount Lemmon after the Show.
This is at Windy Point on the Catalina Highway.

NEW SITE IS NOW LIVE!!!

The all new totally redesigned minerals.net website is finally live!!! After 3 years in the making with every single mineral and gemstones totally rewritten, we hope this site grows by leaps and bounds. We know there are many missing important minerals but we'll expand it with time to complete it as best as possible. Please share your feedback with us and let us know how you like the new website!

We have completed ALL existing data entry!

We have completed all the data entry on the existing minerals and gemstones on the website, and have edited all of them. Every single mineral and gemstone has been COMPLETELY rewritten. Many new and updated localities have been edited for each mineral, the 3-D crystals have been added, and much of the content has been double checked and rewritten. We have also added over a thousand new photos for both minerals and gemstones. The dev site is now ready for launch and we hope this site will be a real big hit! I am heading over to Tucson next week for the big show and my goal is to promote the new site as much as possible!

While much work still lays ahead, and many important minerals and gemstones are still missing, we will be working on getting most of these in within the coming year.

Gemstone Pearl

We completely renovated the gemstone Pearl page:

Several good pictures added as well, though we are looking for some photos of more Pearl varieties.