Topaz with albite, Biangsa, Braldu Valley, Shigar District, Gilgit-Balistan, Pakistan.
The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show is the big, annual event that draws collectors, miners, mineral dealers, gem experts, fossil dealers, and others – literally tens of thousands of people – to Tucson during the first two weeks of February. There is nothing that can compare to the large number of exceptionally fine mineral specimens at multiple venues, the huge volume of more common minerals at numerous locations, and the presence of a truly international community of people who share the common gene that fosters a love of minerals, crystals, and gemstones. As our last month's speaker, Casper Voogt, mentioned, there are dozens of official and unofficial shows, events, and tents that spring up in and around the city during that time.
As in previous years, I was fortunate to meet with old friends, make new friends, reconnect with mineral dealers, see some of the world's finest mineral specimens and fine jewelry, attend some excellent talks at the Tucson Fine Mineral Gallery, and enjoy some outstanding Mexican food.
From left to right: Ken Rock, Aisha and Arif Jan (Rocksaholics), and Col. Jerry Savage (retired).
Highlights for me included the chance to talk with people who actually mine, or have mined, for mineral specimens; learn more about geology, gemstones, and mineral occurrences; and see specimens from some remarkable new finds. But perhaps the best of all was the chance to enjoy some amazing eye candy.
Without further elaboration, here are some visual highlights of some fabulous mineral specimens that surely represent some of nature's finest handiwork. All photos are used with permission of the owners and with the exception of two photos, all were taken by the author.
Tourmaline with smoky quartz, "The Birdsnest," Paprok, Kamdesh District, Nuristan, Afghanistan.Aquamarine, fluorapatite, and quartz, from Shigar Skardu District, Haramosh Mountains, Pakistan.Smithsonite from the El Refugio Mine, Choix Municipality, Sinaloa, Mexico.Smithsonite from New Mexico and hemimorphite from China.Smithsonite from the 79 Mine near Hayden, Gila County, Arizona.Rhodochrosite from the Oppu Mine, Aomari Prefecture, Japan.Brian Kosnar, Mineral Classics, holding a fine ruby on calcite matrix specimen from Mogok, Myanmar.Ruby crystals on calcite matrix from Myanmar.A remarkable corundum crystal on its calcite matrix showing an interface where chromium, which gives ruby its red color, had been depleted during crystallization leaving the rest of the crystal with none of red color. Chromium can also cause fluorescence, which adds to the intensity of the red color.From left to right: Gene Meieran (MSDC's January 2025 speaker), Ken Rock, and Marshall Sussman.Morganite with black tourmaline (schorl), Coronel Murta, Minas Gerais, Brazil.Thomas Bellicam, organizer of the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines show in France, speaking at the Tucson Fine Mineral Gallery.Fluorite, Polish Prodigy Pocket, C-Pit, Okorusu Mine, Namibia."Mushroom" tourmaline, Molo area, Momeik, Kyaukme, Mandalay, Myanmar.Jackson Marin Moraes, Gruta Mineral, with amethyst from Uruguay.Amethyst with calcite crystals, from Uruguay.Vendor with Ethiopian opal pendants at a wholesale jewelry show.Fluorite with barite, Berbes area, Ribadasella, Asturias, Spain.Unpolished malachite specimens for sale. Many more polished and unpolished specimens inside...😄
