#TucsonGemShow GIA Heats Up 2016 Tucson Shows… Not-to-Miss Opportunities

January 29, 2016
From a Press Release by GIA

GIA Heats Up 2016 Tucson Shows with Not-to-Miss Opportunities
Lab service, exhibits, alumni event, lab classes, seminars and more

GIA will offer a variety of activities at the upcoming 2016 Tucson shows – from a show service laboratory and not-to-miss alumni party to exhibitions and seminars – that will enrich the visitor experience. The Institute will have a presence at the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) GemFair™, Feb. 2-7, and the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show (TGMS), Feb. 11-14, both taking place at the Tucson Convention Center.
More information is available on the GIA website at http://www.gia.edu/gem-event-2016-agta-gem-fair-tucson. GIA highlights at the 2016 Tucson shows include:

GIA Show Service Laboratory at AGTA GemFair

Show attendees and exhibitors will have convenient access to gem identification and country-of-origin services through the GIA Show Service Laboratory. GIA will accept gemstones onsite at the AGTA GemFair in the Onyx Suite Mondaythrough Saturday, Feb. 1-6 from 9 a.m. to 5p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 7 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Free GIA Seminar
On Friday, Feb. 5 from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Mojave Room, GIA’s Distinguished Research Fellow Dr. James Shigley will provide a free seminar on “The Latest News from GIA Research.” This will include an update on the Institute’s latest research on diamonds, colored stones and other timely topics of interest.
GIA Education
GIA will offer one fee-based lab class and two fee-based lecture/labs during the AGTA GemFair™. Pre-registration is required; call GIA admissions at (800) 421 7250 ext. 4001 to register for the seminars, and visit GIA’s  website to register for the lab.
Diamond Grading Lab Class
Monday through Friday, Feb. 1-59 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The lab class will teach how to grade diamonds consistently and accurately using a modern gem microscope and a jeweler’s loupe. Participants study GIA’s Diamond Grading System; explore time-saving shortcuts to determine a variety of grading factors; and are introduced to methods for reading a GIA Diamond Grading Report. Participants must pass a two-stone practical test to complete the class successfully.
Identifying Gemstone Treatments Seminar
Saturday, Feb. 69 to 11 a.m.
A dynamic presentation and a hands-on lab led by GIA instructors will introduce participants to the various treatment processes used in the gemstone market, as well as treatment identification of commercially important gemstones used in jewelry. 
Identifying Diamond Treatments Seminar
Saturday, Feb. 61 to 3 p.m.
A dynamic presentation and hands-on lab led by GIA instructors will present information on the nature and treatment of diamonds, including laser-drilled, fracture-filled, HPHT, irradiation and multiple treatment processes.
GIA Museum Exhibits
GIA’s museum exhibit “Striking Gold!” will help brighten the AGTA GemFair, Feb. 2-7. A number of transparent yellow gem species and varieties on the market, including sapphire, citrine, topaz and more unusual, collector gem minerals will be on view. At TGMS, Feb. 11-14, the museum will feature an exhibition “Mother Nature Sings the Blues,” featuring blue gems and jewelry to coincide with the show’s “Shades of Blue: Minerals of the World” theme.
GIA Library Exhibit
GIA’s library will feature some of its most venerated books in mineralogy and gemology at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, Feb. 11-14. “Providing Access in a Digital World” will give visitors insight into the library’s recent digitization project. In 2015, the Institute embarked on an extenstive project to make many of its rare and historically significant books available online to the public.
Party at the GIA Gem Mine: Arctic Blast
The GIA Alumni Association will have a “blast” in Tucson during its annual auction, dinner and dance party on Friday, Feb. 5 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the Marriott University Park Hotel. Ticket prices are $55 prior to Jan. 15; $65 after and at the door. GIA alumni, students and industry friends can click  here to purchase tickets.


GIA at the CAD/CAM Pavilion
GIA’s  Jewelry Manufacturing Arts program is at the forefront of jewelry design education – from 3D printer rapid protoyping and casting to prefinishing, setting and buffing. Throughout the AGTA GemFair, GIA experts will answer questions and discuss a variety of relevant topics, including CAD/CAM, zero-shrinkage from CAD file to photopolymer models to rough castings, jewelry engineering priorities, jewelry design concepts, 3D scanning of gemstones and importing content into CAD files for use in making jewelry, and Quality Assurance Benchmarking criteria when CAD modeling. The ongoing series will take place in the AGTA CAD Design Studio, booth 450 in the Gem Hall.
For more details about the Institute’s offerings at the AGTA GemFair™, visit GIA’s website.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.
Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu
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#TucsonGemShow ANNOUNCING – Lineup Change at Tucson Mineral Lecture Series 2016 #PuebloGemandMineralShow #PuebloShow

January 4, 2016

Important Announcement 
LINE UP CHANGE  
Tucson Mineral Lecture Series 2016


On behalf of the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show, Tucson Arizona USA, hosts of the Tucson Mineral Lecture Series 2016, it gives us great pleasure to announce:

The world renowned Peter Lyckberg of Göteborg, Sweden 
will be the first guest speaker on February 2nd 2016









Subject: ” Gem and Crystal Treasures of Afghanistan and Pakistan “

He will be replacing Dr.Raquel Alonso Perez, who had to cancel her participation due to unforeseen circumstances.

Peter Lyckberg found plumbomicrolite at Högsbo, a mineral new to Sweden. In the coming years he found, explored many mineral, ore and pegmatite deposits, first in Scandinavia, followed by the rest of Europe, USA, South America, Asia, Africa and Australia-Oceania.

Consultant for the Swedish Geological Survey regarding 40 ancient deposits of silver, gold, Mn deposits in Dalsland and Värmland counties where he had spent summers locating them in the deep forests…drilling, mining and publishing took place later based on his original exploration and information. In 1977 and 1981 he published his first reports on pegmatite deposits and found giant topaz crystals to 80 kg, large beryl to 1 m, schorl tourmaline crystals to 3 m long in Sweden.

Peter studied Civil engineering at the Chalmers University of Technology which included research work during some years at the Yxsjöberg Scheelite-Cu deposit, and extensive studies of the Malmberget Magnetite deposit in N Sweden where some unique pockets of gem quality golden calcite was discovered. In 1997 he started research with two other Universities but at the end of the year moved from Sweden.

His geological studies continued in various parts of the world including the gem deposits of California, Maine, Minas Gerais and NE Brazil, Namibia, Madagascar, Norway, Finland, Ukraine, Russia, Pakistan and some 45 other countries. In total around 2500 developed mines and quarries were visited and many more undeveloped deposits and veins. Peter has been an active lecturer since 1985 leading many field expeditions and been a long time member of the editorial board of several mineralogical journals including Mineralien Welt. His lectures have been conducted primarily in Swedish, Norwegian, English, German, French and Russian languages.

A new father, Peter was the first non local to explore the mines at high altitude in the Haramosh Mountains, Pakistan where aquamarine, topaz, schorl is mined for specimens of exceptional beauty. He has been advisor in the study and development-mining of many gem deposits and in engineering fields, it was, for instance, he who suggested a large scale operation in Braldu Valley Pakistan where later the finest aquamarine group was found on matrix now in the MIM Museum in Lebanon.

His achievements and contributions to the world of gems and minerals if listed here will require several pages.

We know you will enjoy and be enlightened by his presentation .









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#TucsonGemShow Fine Mineral Shows Announces Special Events for Westward Look Show

December 20, 2015

Fine Mineral Shows announces their special events for this year’s 15th Annual Westward Look Show (February 5-8):Saturday “Collector Day”, February 6th in the lobby of the Westward Look Resort from 10am to 4pm with Featured…

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#AGTA #SpectrumAward Winners – Best of… Category

December 12, 2015

As you may know, the AGTA Spectrum Award winners have their winning pieces on display at the AGTA GemFair Tucson…so stop in to see these beauties close up!Best of Show and 1st PlaceCarvingAllen KleimanA. Kleiman & Co.San Francisco, CASuite of Par…

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#AGS American Gem Society and Jewelers Mutual Promote “Sharing the Rough” #Documentary

September 27, 2015

A very select few were able to view this glorious documentary in Tucson that follows a gem from mine to market – now more should be able to see it in their area…just received a Press Release from company representatives

American Gem Society and Jewelers Mutual 

Take “Sharing the Rough” Documentary 
on Cross-Country Tour



The American Gem Society (AGS) announces a unique collaboration with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company (JM) in bringing Orin Mazzoni’s new documentary film, “Sharing The Rough,” to the public across the country in a series of exclusive screenings beginning early September 2015. 




This unique and evocative film documents the never-before-captured journey of a colored gemstone as it travels from mine to market, while also sensitively exploring the challenges and opportunities of an emerging mining economy in East Africa. Co-hosted by the AGS, JM and local AGS Guilds, the private and public screenings are spanning from the East to West Coasts starting in September and running through the winter. Each screening will be followed by a Q&A session with a “Sharing the Rough” team member. Additional screening dates are available and can be scheduled by contacting local AGS Guild leadership.

“We are excited to make this inspiring film available for viewing in local markets around the country,” says Ruth Batson, CEO of the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories. “The film features the designer, Mark Schneider, as well as the cutter, Roger Dery, both members of the AGS. Having access to the rich, visual imagery of the mine-to-market journey of a gemstone is sure to inspire consumers and gemologists alike, revitalizing our genuine affection and admiration for Mother Nature’s most highly acclaimed treasures.”

The 85 minute film has won a number of awards at film festivals around the globe and creatively explores the stories of individual artisans throughout the supply chain, from miners to cutters to jewelry designers. The director, Orin Mazzoni, himself hails from a third generation family jewelry business, and they are also long-standing AGS members. “Sharing the Rough” is his feature directorial debut, and has proved to be a perfect melding of his two passions: gemology and filmmaking.

“The film truly embodies our mutual passion for jewelry,” said Trina Woldt, Chief Marketing Officer at Jewelers Mutual of the collaboration with AGS and Mazzoni. “History is important to jewelry owners and the story behind the jewelry is what makes no two pieces alike. Those who see Orin’s film will look at their jewelry in a whole new light.”

For more information regarding “Sharing The Rough” or the screening schedule, visit www.sharingtherough.com

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Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show Announces Schedule for Mineral Lecture Series 2016

August 7, 2015

This just in from Aisha Jan, “UPDATE!  Last minute change to the lineup for the Tucson Mineral Lecture Series 2016″Well Aisha it looks like another program of interesting information – See you there!To be held on the evenings of …Tuesday Februar…

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#TucsonGemShow The Varied World of the Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show at the Hotel City Center

February 25, 2015

This is one of those shows that I recommend to people who have a limited amount of time in Tucson (the other is the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show at the Riverpark Inn).  Both of these shows have everything from Fossils to Finished Jewelry – at var…

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#SilentSunday Hotcakes at To Bead True Blue #TBTB #DesignerSpotlight

February 15, 2015

HOTCAKES DESIGNWebsite:     http://www.hotcakesdesign.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hotcakes-Design-Jewelry/253535638309Shop at FAVOR:  http://www.shopatfavor.com

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2015 Mineral Lectures – Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show – Night 2

February 15, 2015
Our hosts Maury & Aisha introduced the speakers and handed out gifts during the breaks
Thank you to the vendors that so generously donated items for the giveaways
TUESDAY:  FEBRUARY 10th 

7:15 – 7:50 pm


 Dr. Don Lum

“Minerals I have Known and Loved”

This talk from Dr. Lum was so much fun – yes he walked us through his mineral collection but who expected such a great sense of humor?   …and his collection is varied and filled with important and beautiful minerals.

Following is a small sampling – the balance can be seen on the Fabre “Friends of Minerals” Forum:  http://mineral-forum.com/message-board




8:00 – 8:30 pm


Peter Megaw

“An Explorer’s Mineralogical  Adventures 

  in Famous Mexican Localities”

Peter Megaw took what could have been a so-so lecture to a much higher level with humor and some really fun old photos – his opener was great.


The children are very friendly and when you ask about their parents they might take you to a mine sight or a pot field (it went on – I won’t).  He discussed the minerals in several locations – St. Eulalia, Naica and the Fresnillo Trend.  The gasps were audible when he went through his photos of Naica and the Cave of Giants!




8:40 – 9:15 pm

Federico Barlocher

FILM: “Namak Mandi Peshawar Pakistan:  
The Mysteries & Secrets of the Legendary 

Gem Crystal Market 
Never Seen By The Public Before”

The indomitable Federico Barlocher has talked his way into the mines and markets of the Mogok Valley and the markets of Chantiburi in Thailand and now he introduces us to the market and miners of Peshawar Pakistan.

We know the gems and crystals from the area are amazing but have you seen the manner in which a deal is made?  the vaults that hold bag after bag of gem rough?  …as usual it was a whirlwind tour!  Bravo Federico! 

Under that towel they are bidding


When in Rome….
Then that important piece came in! …in need of some clean up!

It was sent to Dr. Pezzotta for the professional touch

I wish I could remember the name of this beauty – The Empress of Pakistan?

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JCK Tucson Successfully Closes Out Year 2 at Tucson Gem Week #JCKTucson

February 13, 2015

Press Release via JCK EventsJCK Tucson Successfully Closes Out Year 2 at Tucson Gem Weeks                   Networking Events, Amenities, and Strong Designer Talent Draw New Retailers JCK Tucson wr…

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