The BIG day arrived on Thursday, February 13, with
the opening day of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show at the Tucson Convention
Center. The theme for the 60th show was Diamonds, Gems, Silver and Gold; I was in line for a ticket at the
opening bell! As usual, the events and
booths inside the Center were almost overwhelming. I made my way through the many jewelry
dealers crowded in a large “preliminary” room to what I presume is the main
hall—I wanted to see the jewels.
My assessment, and only mine, is that the displays
were not as spectacular as in previous shows.
For one thing, diamonds are small and the crystals are tough to really
see in a showcase behind glass.
Unfortunately, cuts like the Hope Diamond are too valuable and perhaps
too fragile for travel outside their museum home. And who could forget the
AUSROX gold nugget of over 60 pounds displayed a couple of years ago. Perhaps
my favorite year was the Arizona Centennial display of Arizona minerals—wow. At any rate, I enjoyed observing the many
cases at this year’s event and continued to marvel at the many wonders of
nature. Some of my favorites are shown
below.
Made for a mistress!
The Cartier Bandeau was created in the Cartier Paris House in 1920. The 58 carats of diamonds set in platinum
converts to a choker, earrings, bracelet, lapel clip pins and pendant drop.
Does anyone do the Charleston? Maybe the
Lindy Hop?
This tiara from the Smithsonian Institution with
1198 “old mine” and rose cut diamonds set in silver and gold in a garland of
wild roses. The gems are set “en
tremblant” where the flowers are mounted on trembler springs so that every
movement enhances the brilliance and sparkle.
It was created in the mid-1800s.
A ~740 carat carbonado diamond from Africa. This is a polycrystalline diamond composed of
numerous micro- and cryptocrystalline crystallites.
Tiffany and Company created (1950s) this Colombian
emerald and diamond necklace. The three
large emeralds average about 7 carats each.
This piece features diamonds and a 39.80 carat pink
topaz.
~3.4 pounds of mine run diamonds from Zimbabwe seized
by the U.S Customs Office and now in the possession of the Smithsonian Institution.
A mosaic of gemstones
Nearly 40 carats of faceted tanzanite.
The kimberlite diatremes of the Colorado-Wyoming
State Line District have produced several thousand carats of diamonds. I believe all mines are now closed.
The famous Farncomb Hill in Summit County, Colorado,
has produced beautiful wire gold.
California gold on quartz.
Would I ever like to spot this little beauty in the
wild! From western Australia.
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