Chrissy –

I have been going to the Denver show for about 10 years now, since I have a house in Denver, and have watched it steadily expand and change venues over that time. My impression is that prices have not really gone up much more than the basic rate of inflation over time, except perhaps for the high-end specimens offered by the marquis dealers, which most humans cannot afford anyway. The trick is to check out the smaller individual dealers, such as those in the Miners Coop section of the Coliseum show, where some good deals on interesting specimens from offbeat localities can often be had.

The show (actually a whole set of shows) is big, and mostly rather spread out across the east side of the city, except for the finale which is in the convention center downtown. As such, you definitely need a car to get around between the various sites, most notably the Crowne Plaza out toward the airport, and the Denver Coliseum complex closer in (both are just off I-70). The latter show goes all over the place, so be prepared to walk, a lot. Also bring a magnifying glass, a small flashlight or headlamp (not all the dealer tables are that well lit), and a UV flashlight to check for good fluorescent specimens. And wear comfortable walking shoes.

The other consideration is timing. The shows this year go for 11 days, but that is more time that many folks have to spend in Denver. The Crowne Plaza and Coliseum shows start on the first Friday and run most of the week, while the show at the Convention Center runs for only the last four days. During the past few years, I have gone to the first two shows, and given the latter a miss, because I was finding better specimens at better prices by hitting those two shows early (and they have no entry fees, and lots of free parking).

As far as how to search out good specimens at good prices, if you are into haggling then the Moroccan dealers can often be talked down, but this can take some time, and they will want cash. There are also dealers at the Coliseum show with big piles of aquamarine, spodumene, and such from Afghanistan and Pakistan that they sell by a set price per gram, with some piles consisting of higher-grade material that goes for more. But the sorting is not always so good, and if you take the time to root around you can often come up with very nice specimens in the supposedly second-rate piles where things go for less. As noted before, the Miners Coop is also worth a look, as those are smaller individual dealers who tend to price things to sell. Also stop by Michael Shannon’s booth, as he has consistently offered a huge variety of interesting and unusual specimens are quite reasonable prices, and also carries a wide range of supplies and display boxes for housing your purchases once you get home; there is no one else quite like him. At the Crowne Plaza, although there are dozens of booths in the ball rooms, also make sure to go check out the dealers in the individual rooms down the halls off the atrium, a faint echo of the way things used to be when the show was at the Ramada Inn (in those days one guy even used to rent out the laundry room and set up in there); the Russians tend to be back in these rooms, and under current circumstances are often willing to negotiate good prices for nice things.

Overall, I would definitely recommend a visit to the Denver shows. They are not quite as big and overwhelming as Tucson, and in a way that is a good thing, in that you can get a feel what a big mineral emporium is like, but at a scale that is still somewhat comprehensible. And you will probably have a lot of fun overdosing on beauty.

Chrissy –

Staying in Parker, you are actually in a good spot to reach the Denver shows. Just go north on Parker Road to I-225, then take that north to I-70. For the Crowne Plaza show, exit east on I-70, then stay far right and take the first exit to Peoria St. (comes up fast), and then go left at the top of the ramp. The Crowne Plaza is right there on the east side of the road (you will see signs for the show). For the Coliseum show, go back west on I-70, which recently had a major rebuild. Note that this is a busy road with a lot of large trucks. As you come out of the long underpass section, stay right and take exit 275B, which is well marked and indicates the Coliseum and Brighton Blvd. Parking is usually easiest by going under the interstate highway viaduct and over to the left (coming from Crowne Plaza direction), where there is a huge lot, then walking back to the venues north of the highway. If you decide to go to the legacy Club Show at the downtown convention center I suggest getting there on the light rail system, which drops you off at the door, and saves on parking hassles and expense. That show is a good place to meet and talk to people, but not necessarily a place to find great deals on specimens, since it is expensive to rent a booth space there, and the prices reflect this.

At the Crowne Plaza show there is one room that is wholesale only (you need to have a business and a tax number from some state), but 95 percent of that show is open to everyone, and there is a lot to see (including tents and individual dealers in the small rooms). At the Coliseum all the booths are open to everyone, but at many you can get a vendor discount (keystone) if you show your tax number. As noted by others, the upper ring of the Arena tends to be the lapidary, gem and crystal healing section, but the floor of the arena (where Shannon sets up, among others) is full of regular mineral dealers. These also spill out into the extensive outdoor tent section beyond, where you will find many dealers from Mexico, India and Morocco. The weather is predicted to be warm and dry, so the outside shopping should be great (but bring a bottle of water in your day pack). The Miners Coop has in recent years been in the livestock halls next to the Arena (this complex is used for the stock show later in the fall), along with a lot of other bulk lapidary dealers, and the gems-by-the-gram folks. The Coliseum is a venue where you just have to walk and poke around, but it is worth it to do so - sort of like a giant mineralogical scavenger hunt.

Another show that you might consider checking out is the Just Minerals and Crystals show off Sable Blvd. This is a new addition to the Denver shows ensemble, but has good potential. When heading back down to Parker on I-225, just exit at 6^th Ave., go left (east) a block or two, then right (south) on Sable and you are there. There were nice specimens there at good prices last year, and I made a few buys. Since it is right along your way home anyway, it is probably worth a look.

Have fun.