KINO SPORTS COMPLEX ROCK SHOW TUCSON: 2013

TENTS AT KINO DISPLAY THEIR WARES.

The annual rock shows at Tucson are some of my favorite events and for the last several years I have been able to attend several different venues--from among the 40 or so set up around town.  I suppose there are energetic persons who may visit 25 or 30 shows looking to purchase specimens for resale; however, I am happy just spending time at less than five.  This year, 2013, the weather was quite cooperative for the main event in the Convention Center with nary a cloud in the sky and temps in the 70’s.  However, early on in February some of the outdoor shows experienced cold weather (well at least cold for Arizona) with frosty mornings and some rain. and even snow in the nearby Santa Catalina Mountains.

My favorite outdoor venue is the former Tucson Electric Park (TEP) Mineral and Gem Show now known as the Kino Sports Complex Rock Show.  This show, situated south of downtown along I-10, is set up on a series of soccer fields with free parking, free shuttles, and even offers the opportunity for "dry camping" at a nominal cost.  I enjoy this show since the vendors are quite friendly (often selling from stands situated next to their RVs), the specimens reasonable in price, and the merchandise eclectic in nature. 

MOST OF THE AMETHYST CATHEDRALS WERE SOLD.

 Every year I make a point to visit the “Amethyst Tent” where hundreds of the South American cathedrals are display for sale in all their lavender glory.  This year the prices were really very “cheap” as the dealer may be going out of business.  Large cathedrals were priced in the hundreds of dollars as opposed to thousands as seen in past years (and in other tents).

STRAIGHT SHELLED CEPHALOPODS FROM MOROCCO WERE EVERYWHERE.

HOW ABOUT SOME FARM ANIMALS.

SOME REALLY NICE LAPIS AT A GOOD PRICE.

Some of the more funky items included firearms (this is the “west’), welded figurines, perhaps 2500 dop sticks (in one locality), colorful clothing that reminded me of my youth in the 1960’s, chairs made of petrified wood logs, and 10,000 (probably more) plastic beads. Trilobites were everywhere including several fakes---cast a black bug in resin and plop it on some limestone.  Or perhaps carve out a nice looking star fish and give it a paint job.  Know and trust your dealer!

TRILOBITES FOR SALE.  KNOW YOUR DEALER.

On the other hand, dealers had “lots of” really nice specimens.  If you were looking for sliced agate slabs—thousands were available. Runnin Boar Minerals from Woodland Park (the organizers of the CSMS Show had dozens of really fine amazonite crystals, and some fibrous malachite that was 75% less expensive than some I observed at the main show.  The group from Mt. Ida, Arkansas (who will be at our CSMS Show) sold me a nice gemmy piece of scapolite for a few dollars.  And, since I am a fan of Utah minerals I could not turn down specimens of Wonder Stone, Picasso Marble, and Utah Lace Opal---more on these later.

GET YOUR GENUINE PLASTIC TURQUOISE BEADS.

I also like the Kino Show for some of the “large”, really large, specimens.  At one time I had seen a hand sample size specimen of orbicular granite—here was one several feet long.  Left over from last year were giant-size hunks of a blue copper smear, quartz crystals, and the largest piece of pyrite that I have seen in my life.  

A MIGHTY BIG CRYSTAL.

A NICE HUNK OF POLISHED ORBICULAR GRANITE.

So, if you are in the Tucson areas next year check out the Kino Show. No admission charge, the parking is easy and free with a shuttle—a great way to spend an afternoon or a day.  The displays are often quirky and who would not want to take home a cast-resin skull or tiger?

UTAH LACE OPAL IS A SILICEOUS SINTER.