[GemGeek]

A Pearl-Guide Pearl Walk -- What a great idea!

I originally found this site by searching for Tucson and pearls. The post was Caitlin's "2 Weeks of Pearls in AZ". It's saved in my favorites and I still use the link to go to the site. Such a great article

I think people would be willing to come to Tucson just to do a P-G pearl walk. Getting into the shows without a wholesale business license can be a problem.

Students can get into most shows, so if you took, say, the AJP course with GIA, you could sign up - timing is important, because they usually want to see a recent course completion letter.

The prime show, AGTA, is the hardest to get into if you want to purchase. You have to show wholesale jewelry-related business receipts of at least five thousand dollars in the previous year, plus other business documentation. But, if you get into the AGTA show, you can use your badge to sign up for any other venue. I suppose that would go for students, as well.

The best way to do a pearl walk would be to do the AGTA and the GJX show across the street. That way you wouldn't have to drive to another show. As long as you're in town, the Holidome show has Evergreen Trading and Majestic Pearls. It takes an entire day to see the Holidome show and it's easy to get lost. REALLY. I always take the floor map, mark what I want to see, and still get turned around. Their numbering systems for the booths are confusing. Or maybe it's just me

To see the shows at Tucson is overwhelming, especially for someone like me who has claustrophobia. From vast convention centers to rows of motel rooms, they are all over town, in every nook and cranny, and sometimes along the side of the road!

Beaders have more options because most of the bead shows are open to the public. If you are interested, Colored Stone magazine posts information on all the shows with hotels, maps and shuttle info: http://www.tucsonshowguide.com/tsg/

Look at the links listed at the lower part of the page for last year's show descriptions to get the info to register for each show. Pre-registering, even for retail shows, will save time when you get there. If you are interested in going to Tucson, you need to book a room now -- you can always cancel later if you change your mind.

Too Much Information! Sorry
Blaire

[Caitlin]

Hi Blaire.
Thanks for the compliment. I think there is a workaround on the agta tag thing unless they toughened up since this year. I take a business card and my resale license.

I said it would be hard to get a motel room in Tucson, but Jeremy got one in one of the hotels near the airport. Still it is better to think ahead. Dinner is another issue. The restuarants are so full you can't get into many of them, especially on short notice. I don't know the workaround for that. Jeremy had a number he called and a service found a restaurant for him in the Starr Pass Marrioit. That hotel is also the home of the GLDA show.

[knotty panda]

Cliclasp: Tuscon is something I think would definitely be worth your time and attention.

[GemGeek]

Can you just picture a room full of people where all the women are wearing pearls? Yum! I do have other dinners to go to, so I hope I get lucky and it's on a free night.

I know what you mean about the restaurants being full. I fell in love with a little Japanese place called Bunbuku. I could eat there every night!

Cheers,
Blaire

P.S. This may require a new thread -- Pearl-Guide Dinner!

[Raisondetre]

Love Japan ... there's always a surreal feeling about the place. Plus the food!

Anyways, which part of Australia is the GIA touring? Just Broome/Western Australia where the pearls are produced? I was hoping to visit one of the pearl farms there, but the travel costs are too prohibitive considering it's within Australia. I'd rather go overseas for the price.

[Pearlgully]

Hi Gem Geek,

I am going to Tucson. Two weeks ago, I booked my plane fare and hotel
room. I AM SO EXCITED. I was there last year and met Jeremy, Caitlin,
and others at the Strack lecture. What a great experience.

Jeremy, I sure hope you give this year's pearl presentation.

A Pearl-Guide lunch and pearl walk sounds wonderful.

For those of you who might even contemplate going, BOOK NOW - cancel later.

Regards,
Gail
Pearl Girl, LLC
New York

[jshepherd]

The pearl talk is looking very possible as of today. I will give more information later.

We are flying through Sydney and on to Darwin. We are going to be spending several days in Darwin while visiting Paspaley's operation by seaplane.

[GemGeek]

Yeah, that weight thing again. I do love seaplanes, though What we do for pearls!

Tucson -- Woo Hoo! Maybe not as good as Tahiti, but if you like gems, pearls, beads and minerals, you'll be in hog heaven.

I bought many strands of dyed pearls from Majestic because they had unusual colors I hadn't seen. I always hold dyed pearls for at least six months because they might fade. Here is one where the color looks different taken from the left and the right. I moved the strands in between. I think it's due to the light source being in front and behind when the pics were taken.

I remember the shock I had when I went to look for the beautiful bright seafoam pearls I bought and found greenish white ones in their place!

Cheers,
Blaire

[Raisondetre]

Oh well, not that I'm actually in Sydney most days, but it would've been nice to see you guys.

[jshepherd]

And we are off... It should be a good trip!

[GemGeek]

Yeah, I'll be packing late into the night while Jeremy sleeps. I always take forever. I'll miss reading all your cool posts. Who knows what fun things will be waiting when we get back?

[jshepherd]

It would have only been a 20-minute packing job if it were not for the added New Zealand stopover. We have 80-90 degree weather everywhere but there. I think it is 50-60 this week...

NZ is a strange addition to this itinerary when Indonesia and the Philippines are just so close! Who knows, maybe it will surprise us.

On the Tucson front! It looks as though the "pearl talk" may not happen. Doug Fiske and I were going to do it together, but the powers that be determined it may be construed as GIA endorsement of a commercial enterprise (PearlParadise.com). After the diamond scandal that sort of thing is a no go! But I respect that if it does hold true across the board.

GemGeek (Blaire),

A Tahitian pearl farmer is possibly going to be on that flight with us tomorrow. He accidentally booked the 2nd departure thinking we would fly together, but yesterday said he would try to switch to be on the 1pm flight. Could be an 8-hour pearl talk all the way to Papeete. That is not too long, eh Caitlin?

[GemGeek]

More pearl talk -- don't encourage me!!!

[Caitlin]

Have a great trip!

That must have been a 14 hour pearl talk we had in Tucson last year! 8 hours is just getting started!

[drea]

Hi Jeremy,
from my understanding the trip was just open to GIA Alumni.. I think I also remember reading that they said the trip was sold out, and apparently in record time (no surprise there!) Looks like it would be an amazing trip!