Tucson 2018 - Thursday, 1st February
Last Updated: 2nd Feb 2018By Jolyon & Katya Ralph
This is a LIVE report, keep this page loaded for live updates - new images will appear as they are added.


Everyone is opening up for the day. Rocks & Minerals and Mineralogical Almanac are here in the lobby - remember this is one of the places to come by to get your mindat t-shirts! Sizes are going quickly so get here before they're gone!
- Erin
- Erin

Earth's Treasures has some material from the California Blue Mine, which is actively producing and has high hopes for hitting more blue soon.
- Erin
- Erin

There's also a selection of Hallelujah Junction quartz and Jackson's Crossroads amethyst. Lots of American quartz, from mine to market!
- Erin
- Erin

Self-A-Ware Minerals has an assortment of silvers and golds, with a number of Colorado golds!
- Erin
- Erin

You never know what sorts of things you'll come across in Tucson - a great discussion and show-and-tell of Fisher Quarry, Maine specimens is happening outside the food tent in the courtyard.
- Erin
- Erin

Xtal has a new find of diopside associated with vesuvianite from Plan de Gallos, Vera Cruz, Mexico. I'm being told there were also some "butt ugly (aesthetically challenged) and very expensive" kunzite crystals found closely associated!
- Erin
- Erin

For the Mapimi fans: sphalerite, arsenopyrite, and quartz from Piso 13-14 (Level 6-7), Ojuela Mine, Mexico. The sphalerite is only found at the very bottom of the deposit, so this is a bit of a rarity.
- Erin
- Erin

In the world of blue, Pinnacle 5 also has a new find of blue barite from Shirley Basin, Wyoming.
- Erin
- Erin

A neat quartz cast after fluorite from the Genoa claim, Silverton, Colorado. Collector's Edge.
- Erin
- Erin

There are, of course, a certain number of hazards to be wary of at HTCC. We're on our way now to Westward Look for a preview of what's happening there, but we'll be back here before the show is over.
- Erin
- Erin

Pinnacle 5 and Mineral Masterpieces are busy setting up at Westward Look. Here's an older thumbnail collection from Rob Eames - an 60-year collection not seen in 15 years.

Unique Minerals has a suite of Ojuela paradamites and legrandites that came out recently - very exciting!

Mineral Classics is entertaining my passion for black "uglies" with a small private showing - gersdorffite from Bou Azzer, Morocco.
- Erin
- Erin

Some sparkly things for the rest of everyone: quartz cast of calcite from Xiefang Mine, China.
- Erin
- Erin

Mt. Mica, Maine tourmalines from recent production! From Coromoto Minerals, displayed by Graeber & Himes.

At the annual IMCA (iInternational Meteorite Collector’s Association) dinner. we are going to learn about asteroid space missions and see some space rocks.

Woodcut from 15th century regarding the meteoritic omen to admonish Maximilian I to claim his right to the Holy Roman Empire.

What do you do when a meteorite strikes a road? You collect the meteorite and cut out the section of road and take it home!
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Comments
That cut wulfenite from the red cloud mine looks amazing and I want it
Antonio Nazario
1st Feb 2018 6:24pm
Antonio Nazario
1st Feb 2018 6:24pm
Is it me or are prices following an exponential curve??? If my eyes are correct, did I see really see $8,500 for a amazonite smoky combo... Wow... Granted it is a beautiful, large-ish piece but my gosh that price is really, really, really crazy... Good luck dealers!!! I fully understand the cost of how to extract these is quite high, but I do swear some of the dealers these days are quite ambitious...
Scott Rider
1st Feb 2018 9:06pm
Scott Rider
1st Feb 2018 9:06pm
The Elmwood Fluorite brings to mind something I learned back in December. Notice the change in coloring at the corners. Although the angle isn't good, most likely they are colorless (or mostly so) and enlarged. These are called Carthage corners. Have yet to hear an explanation of how this forms.
Keith A. Peregrine
2nd Feb 2018 2:53am
Keith A. Peregrine
2nd Feb 2018 2:53am
I agree with you Scott. I once heard or read something from a mineral dealer to the effect that "You can't get rich by selling low-end material to poor people". I assume the price point selected is such that it will attract enough customers that will actually buy these specimens. However, what if the collecting community stood their ground and counter-offered with what each considered a "fair price" that they were willing to pay? How many customers would be turned away by the dealer in anticipation of eventually getting the asking price? Perhaps another live report is necessary at the end of the Westward Look Show to see what was left unsold.
Holger Hartmaier
2nd Feb 2018 2:56pm
Holger Hartmaier
2nd Feb 2018 2:56pm
Keith,
There is an article about the phenomena in the January-February 2009 edition of Rocks & Minerals. I forget how much detail it goes into and I believe it discusses the stand-alone corners in particular, but I imagine theres a connection and it may have more information about the formation: http://www.rocksandminerals.org/Back%20Issues/2009/January-February%202009/Crystal-Points.html
Erin
Erin Delventhal
2nd Feb 2018 3:08pm
There is an article about the phenomena in the January-February 2009 edition of Rocks & Minerals. I forget how much detail it goes into and I believe it discusses the stand-alone corners in particular, but I imagine theres a connection and it may have more information about the formation: http://www.rocksandminerals.org/Back%20Issues/2009/January-February%202009/Crystal-Points.html
Erin
Erin Delventhal
2nd Feb 2018 3:08pm
Fantastic show report but please watch your language around the Chinese meteorites.
Lou Rector
2nd Feb 2018 4:28pm
Lou Rector
2nd Feb 2018 4:28pm
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