Meet The Author – Book Signings at the Tucson Gem Show

January 10, 2013

NAJA (National Association of Jewelry Appraisers)

Booth #11 in the Galleria

at the AGTA Gemfair, 
will host three “Meet The Author” opportunities:


Feburary 6th – 11AM
PEARLS
Elisabeth Strack, FGA

February 8th – 2 PM
World Hallmark Vol. I
Danusia Niklewicz & Lindy Matula

February 8th – 10:30am Gold, Platinum, Palladium, Silver and other Jewelry Metals

Renee Newman will be signing books following her AGTA presentation.
Her Exotic Gems Series will be available along with most of her library.

DEBUT!  Her newest book “Gold, Platinum, Palladium, Silver & Other Jewelry Metals” will be introduced at the Tucson Gem Show.

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David Epstein – For those of you who want to have your copy of “The Gem Merchant” signed, there will be three signing opportunities in Tucson:

Tues. Feb. 5th 10:00-12:00International Pavilion of the GJX, Booth 3010
Friday Feb. 8th 11:00-12:00
AGTA Booth #9 Upstairs
Sat. Feb. 9th 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM 
JEA Reception at the DoubleTree Hotel
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Antoinette Matlins has updated editions that will be available at the Tucson Shows as well as her general library:

At the AGA Tucson Conference – Wednesday, February 6, 2013
At the AGTA GemFair following each of her scheduled Seminars
…and following her seminars at the GLDA Show.

I know that I want a copy of the updated FIFTH edition of “Gem Identification Made Easy” which will be introduced in Tucson!
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Dr. Marco Campos-Venuti’s new volume on Agates & Jaspers will be available in the “Gems In Gems” booth at the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show in the Riverpark Inn – Room 113

“Genesis and Classification of Agates and Jaspers: 
  a New Theory”
  by Dr. Marco Campos-Venuti,
This book contains the explanation of the many questions about the formation of Agate, Jasper and Chalcedony, the formation of concentric bands in agates, the origin of connective channel, the growth of mosses and plumes, the conditions necessary for the formation of horizontal banding, the formation oforbs in jaspers, the genesis of orbicular jaspers, the thunder egg formation. The bood also explains other themes as morphology of the bands, stratigraphy of a banded agate, influence of climatic conditions, types of agate depending on host rock, chemical disequilibrium between jasper and chalcedony. 
All the subject are investigated with a great number of pictures (more than 400) and diagrams making it easy to understand.
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Bob Jones’ new book will be available at the Rock & Gem booth at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show.


The Frugal Collector, Vol. 1
Rock & Gem senior consulting editor Bob Jones’ latest book, The Frugal Collector, Volume I, is now available for purchase. Read about a host of popular collector minerals that will fit the average collector’s budget and their classic sources, and enjoy anecdotes about Bob’s personal experiences over his 70+ years of collecting.
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Announcing the first hard cover book, to cover the art of Paula Crevoshay“Garden of Light”.   A documentary of Paula’s first one woman show to open at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in April 2013.  

The book will preview at the AGTA show in Tucson, booth # 1617. 
There will be signed copies available.



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AGTA Special Events Announcement

January 9, 2013

As you would imagine there are several special events in Tucson during the Gem Show…AGTA recently sent out an announcement and I thought I would pass that info on to you.

These are only the events open to the Public if have affiliations with any Gem or Jewelry groups check with them there are private events almost daily…

GemFair Tucson Special Events
The AGTA GemFair™ Tucson allows buyers the opportunity to meet and greet with fellow industry professionals at the convention center or at one of the many nightly events. These events are a great place to combine business and fun in a laid-back environment. The show is open February 5 – 10, with events starting on February 3.  Don’t miss out on these great opportunities!

Sunday, February 3
17th Annual Coyote Classic Charity Golf Tournament 
Sponsored by FedEx
Omni Tucson National Resort
2727 West Club Drive
Benefiting the Tucson Officer’s Run for Special Olympics
Sign-up 12:00 pm
Shotgun Start 1:00 pm
Coyote Classic Reservation Form

Wednesday, February 6
AGTA Buyer Appreciation Party
Tucson Convention Center, GemHall Floor 
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
All GemFair Attendees Welcome
Get a taste of Tucson with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, libations and live mariachi music on the GemHall floor.

Thursday, February 7 
AGTA GemJammin’
New Location: Gentle Ben’s Brewing Co.
7:30 pm
Join the jewelry industry’s best musicians for a great night of music and fun! Tickets are $10 at the door and all proceeds go to Jewelers for Children.

Friday, February 8 
“Party at the GIA Gem Mine” Annual Dinner, Auction and Dance Party
Sponsored by the GIA Alumni Association
6:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Marriott University Park Hotel
Join us for a silent and live auction, buffet dinner, awards presentation and dancing.
Attire:
 Casual evening or business.
Admission: $65 
All auction proceeds will benefit the GIA Alumni Endowment Fund. Shuttle service from the Convention Center to Marriott University Park Hotel will be courtesy of AGTA.


Saturday, February 9
AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Gala 
Sponsored by the Diamond Council of America
Marriott University Park Hotel
Grand Ballroom
7:00 pm – 12:00 am
Come celebrate the winning designs of the 2013 AGTA Spectrum Awards™ and enjoy a great night of dining and dancing. 
Tickets are priced at $100 per person. 
Call 800-972-1162 for more information.
AGTA Spectrum Awards Gala Reservation Form 
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Ed Swoboda Memorial Planned For Tucson

January 7, 2013

It is with the deepest sadness that I write of the death of Ed Swoboda.  
If you never got a chance to meet Ed, you missed a warm loving father and grandfather, a generous man, a humble soul, 
and a respected Giant in the Gem & Mineral World.

Ed – you will be missed – I will miss your warm smile and greeting!

Quoting Bryan Swoboda’s Facebook page:

Ed Swoboda 1917 – 2013

My father, Edward Swoboda, passed away peacefully last night surrounded by family and love. He was my inspiration for all the important things I ever accomplished in my life and will be so dearly and truly missed.
I am so truly grateful that I was able to spend so much time with him and that he was able to know my wife and children.

I know that he will forever watch over me and I say, Dad, rest in peace. You deserve it. I will love you forever.

We will have a special memorial for Ed in Tucson this year. Details to be announced.”

I know that he will forever watch over me and I say, Dad, rest in peace. You deserve it. I will love you forever.

We will have a special memorial for Ed in Tucson this year. Details to be announced.”


The following is from the description of one of Blue Cap Productions Videos entitled Ed Swoboda – A Life of Gems and Minerals:


“Ed Swoboda – American mineral collector and first recipient of the Mineralogical Record’s newly-created award, The American Mineral Heritage Award created to recognize lifetime achievements in field collecting.

From collecting Benitoite in the 30s to being the first to begin mining Brazilianite in the 40s to finding the Tourmaline blue cap pocket in the 70s and so much more. Ed Swoboda’s career has spanned both decades and continents.”

Ed Swoboda with Peter Bancroft, Discuss the Early Days of the Benitoite Mine:

…and a quick snippet of video I took of Ed’s case a the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show:

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TOMORROW – Pre-Registration DEADLINE!!!!

December 13, 2012

 
AGTA GemFair™ Tucson Buyer 
Pre-Registration Deadline December 14th


The deadline for pre-registration for buyer badges at the 2013 AGTA GemFair™ Tucson is December 14th, 2012. If you do not have your registration form in prior to this date, you will be able to register and pick up your badges onsite in Tucson. If you attended AGTA GemFair™ Tucson as a buyer in 2012, you are automatically registered for 2013. Those who submit a valid email address when registering will receive an email confirmation.  

All registered buyers in the United States and Canada will receive their badges in early- to mid-January for the show, which runs from February 5th – 10th.  International companies can pick up their badges onsite.  It is important to note that the AGTA is working through all of the current registration applications and you will be notified as soon as possible.

The AGTA GemFair™ Tucson is constantly evolving and updating programs to meet the needs of its buyers, and this upcoming year is no different!   Daily drawings where buyers can win big, a new Tools, Technology and Supplies (TTS) Pavilion, a Buyer Appreciation party on the GemHall floor and special appearances are just the beginning to the exciting changes that the show has to offer in 2013!
The show has been the destination for colored gemstone and cultured pearl buyers for over 30 years. GemFair has evolved from loose gemstones and pearls to include extensive lines of finished jewelry, equipment, estate dealers and industry service providers. AGTA offers a comprehensive, free seminar and bench demonstration program onsite. There are also numerous networking events each day, starting prior to the show with the AGTA’s Coyote Classic Charity Golf Tournament and ending with the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ Gala.
If you haven’t registered to attend the AGTA GemFair™ Tucson 2013 yet, go tohttp://www.agta.org/tradeshows/tucson-reg.html to complete your registration today!
For more information call 800-972-1162 or email info@agta.org.

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Sad To Report The Passing of Richard Krementz Jr.

November 22, 2012

Editor’s note: this is one of the AGTA GemFair booths we most look forward to at the Tucson show…sorry to hear of the loss of such an integral part of this company…it just won’t be the same.  We are hoping for great things from the next g…

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MJSA’s At the Bench Live Moves to New Tools, Technology, and Supplies Pavilion

November 16, 2012

MJSA’s At the Bench Live Moves to New Tools, Technology, and Supplies Pavilion at AGTA GemFair

MJSA will present its signature At the Bench Live demonstrations at the 2012 AGTA GemFair Tucson, running twice daily Feb. 5-8 in GemFair’s expanded Tools, Technology, and Supplies Pavilion. The sessions will again feature renowned artisans showing bench and design techniques that attendees can readily apply to their own operations. In addition, related articles from MJSA Journal, the association’s flagship monthly magazine, will be distributed at each session.
The sessions are sponsored by the American Gem Trade Association, and the Bench and Tool Sponsor is the Jewelry Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The schedule includes:
February 5:
Paving the Way: Master Techniques for Pavé and Micro Pavé
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Presenter: Blaine Lewis
With its multiple rows of sparkling gems, pavé adds flash and fire to any jewelry design—but only if it’s done correctly. This session will reveal innovative methods to create and enhance pavé and micropavé designs, including advanced bead setting and bright cutting techniques, tool selection, and tips for proper layout, working with different metals, and handling fragile stones.
A Cut Above: Prepping Your Graver
2:30 to 4 p.m.
Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz
Whether you need to raise beads, bright-cut a channel setting, or add decorative textures and details, the graver is one of the most important tools you can have—but only if it’s properly prepped. This session will discuss shaping and sharpening methods, along with how to care and maintain your graver, to ensure your cuts remain precise and predictable.
February 6:
Texturing and Finishing Options
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Presenter: Lee Krombholz
Fashion experts say baroque will be big in 2013, which means there will be plenty of opportunity for jewelry featuring textures and decorative finishes. Learn a variety of techniques—including hammer finishing, milgraining, hand engraving, and stippling—in which inexpensive hand tools can be used to create a big look.
Techniques for Setting Halos and Side Diamonds
2:30 to 4 p.m.
Presenter: Lee Krombholz
Adding a “halo” of gems around the center stone or incorporating decorative side stones can add flash and sparkle to any design. Discover various techniques and styles—bead settings, split prongs, bright cuts—that help you to create gem patterns offering the perfect accent.
February 7:
Setting Fancy Shapes, Part 1: Prong Settings
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz
Marquise cuts, cushion cuts, slices—gemstones in these and other unusual shapes pose unique setting challenges. In the first session, learn different techniques for shaping and securely fastening prongs, based on the stone and the metal involved. In honor of “Monaco Blue” being named Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2013, issues specific to tanzanite, lapis, sapphire, and similarly colored stones will be reviewed.
Setting Fancy Shapes, Part 2: Thick-Walled Bezels and Channels
2:30 to 4 p.m.
Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz
The force needed for bezel and channel setting can be particularly challenging with fancy shapes: a few bad hammer blows and you’ll have crunching, alignment issues, and misapplied pressure points that lead to stress and cracking. Learn the proper preparation and setting techniques to ensure your walls are aligned and secure.
February 8:
Hand Carving Wax Models
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Presenter: Gary Dawson
A casting is only as good as its model, and in this session you’ll learn how to carve waxes that lead to great castings. The session will include tips for choosing the proper wax, creating an initial layout, removing wax quickly, and achieving fine details. Most important, you’ll learn how to integrate the gem into the model, and create a design that showcases the stone to maximum effect.
Plating Techniques to Ensure Predictable Results
2:30 to 4 p.m.
Presenter: Arthur Anton Skuratowicz
With precious metals prices expected to remain high, plating has become the option of choice for jewelers to add a precious touch while maintaining price points. This session will discuss techniques for both pen and immersion plating, and to ensure cohesion between different metals, and how to create quality coatings that meet consumer expectations and conform to FTC standards.
In addition to being redesigned as a “one-stop resource” for the know-how, supplies, and services needed by jewelry makers and designers, the Tools, Technology, and Supplies Pavilion will be open to attendees from other events: badge holders of the GJX show, the JOGS Tucson Gem & Jewelry Show, and the Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers (G&LW) show at the Holidome will be able to shop the pavilion and attend the At the Bench Live demonstrations.
For more information about the At the Bench Live sessions, go to MJSA.org or contact 1-800-444-MJSA (6572), info@mjsa.org. For more information about the Tools, Technology, and Supplies Pavilion, go to agta.org.
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AGTA Announces GemFair Tucson Seminar Schedule

November 15, 2012



AGTA GemFair™ Tucson – A Learning Experience

The American Gem Trade Association’s annual GemFair in Tucson, AZ, each February is an opportunity for anyone involved in colored gemstones and pearls to learn more about this margin-friendly product category. Whether it is formal educational sessions or the valuable networking opportunities, the AGTA GemFair™ Tucson offers a wealth of information for those who want to build and expand this part of their business.

The AGTA FREE Seminar Program is a comprehensive collection of one hour seminars taught by the leading experts in their fields. Popular presenters such as Richard Drucker, Kate Peterson, Bill Larson, Alan Hodgkinson, Gary Roskin, Cecilia Gardner, David Peters, Cindy Edelstein and Antoinette Maitlins return each year to share their latest information to GemFair attendees. Topics covered include gemology, trends, sales, marketing, events, travelogues, training, social media, fair trade, gemstone cutting and much more. The seminars start Wednesday, February 6th and end on Saturday, February 9th.

MJSA also returns in 2013 with their “At the Bench Live” program for bench jewelers. This daily demonstration provides fantastic tips on a variety of bench-related scenarios by respected jewelers Arthur Anton Skuratowicz, Lee Krombholz, Chris Ploof and Linus Drogs. From repair to design to working with gemstones, there is something for everyone.

Click Here for Detailed Seminar Schedule

Aside from the classroom, the AGTA GemFair™ Tucson offers an incredible amount of networking opportunities with your peers. The exhibitors are all AGTA Members and experts in their chosen field. They will share their knowledge about the key things to look for when purchasing colored gemstones and pearls. They are also the best resource for new finds and current trends. You will also have the opportunity to meet other buyers at the convention center or at one of the many nightly events. These events are a great place to combine business and fun in a laid-back environment.

Continuing education is a key component of most professional businesses and AGTA supports that notion in the jewelry industry by providing the platform for learning at the AGTA GemFair™ Tucson. So, make plans to join us in Tucson in 2013 – to register, go to http://www.agta.org/tradeshows/gemfair-tucson.html.

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#WordlessWeekend – Vendor Spotlight! Gems In Gems

November 9, 2012

Marco Campos VenutiGEMS IN GEMSmarcocamposvenuti@hotmail.comVenuti has a PhD in volcanology and is the editor of the Rivista Gemmologica Italiana. Since childhood he was always curious about the origin of stones and is a passionate collector. &nbs…

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NAJA’s ACE-It Schedule!

October 31, 2012
ACE™ It Conferences by NAJA

Appraisers Continuing Education

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers announces its 39th Annual Winter ACE© It Education Conference to be held in Tucson, AZ, February 3-4, 2013.

The appraisal organization dedicated exclusively to gems and jewelry presents an outstanding program to assist the professional appraiser’s continuing education and an unparalleled networking experience. 


















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Weekend Vendor Spotlight on Rob Lowe Assoc.

October 27, 2012

The Rob Lowe booth at GJX is always slammed and don’t be surprised if you run into some of the biggest names in faceting! …which is an obvious indicator of the quality and reputation of this company’s product.  Whether it is facet rough, pre-for…

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