P
pattye
Guest
What do you want more details about????? Unfortunately we are not allowed to take photos--however Dr. Tom will let us, and Caitlin will do that another day.
Tucson News Please!!!
- Thread starter SteveM
- Start date
Sueki
Pearl Collector & Designer
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2007
- Messages
- 947
Pattye,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the posts.
I've been eagerly wondering how you are all doing.
Thanks for a cracking good diary of how it's all going so far. Looking forward to the next instalments.
And I am definitely going to Tucson next year, come what may.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the posts.
I've been eagerly wondering how you are all doing.
Thanks for a cracking good diary of how it's all going so far. Looking forward to the next instalments.
And I am definitely going to Tucson next year, come what may.
danachit
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2007
- Messages
- 341
ooooOh...thank you for the narration! One of you should have brought a Live Web Cam so those of us stuck back in wish-we-were-there land could have come along...
Btw...that dragon looks like a pearl hemrrhoid. I can just see the finder of that little gem turning it from side to side wondering what on EARTH to do with that glob of glam.
My sites are on Tucson 2009.
Btw...that dragon looks like a pearl hemrrhoid. I can just see the finder of that little gem turning it from side to side wondering what on EARTH to do with that glob of glam.
My sites are on Tucson 2009.
V
Valeria101
Guest
Me? Just curious about the unusual reddish round pearls. The other beauties seem familiar. Wow for the site!
Now that you said it, assuming they'd be Penn pearls starts to make sense. The picture does not show much.
G
GemGeek
Guest
Pearl Guide reporter Blaire is hot on Pattye and Caitlin's heels....
Left San Diego at 4:30 a.m. in order to get to Tucson in time to go to the Pueblo show at Riverpark Inn..
Here is an unperky Blaire, greeting the dawn in her intrepid Plymouth Vibe...
I had to drive for twenty minutes through the mountains in deep fog and total darkness, so I was whooped before I got through the first two hours. The sunrise was worth the wait...
I thought this was cool until I realized that the sun would be directly in my eyes for the next half an hour...
Then everything was gray and drizzley most of the rest of the trip...
I know I'm teasing you! I have pearl photos up the ying yang, but I'll post them separately.
Left San Diego at 4:30 a.m. in order to get to Tucson in time to go to the Pueblo show at Riverpark Inn..
Here is an unperky Blaire, greeting the dawn in her intrepid Plymouth Vibe...
I had to drive for twenty minutes through the mountains in deep fog and total darkness, so I was whooped before I got through the first two hours. The sunrise was worth the wait...
I thought this was cool until I realized that the sun would be directly in my eyes for the next half an hour...
Then everything was gray and drizzley most of the rest of the trip...
I know I'm teasing you! I have pearl photos up the ying yang, but I'll post them separately.
P
pattye
Guest
Ok, it's still Saturday---
Off to the Gem Mall, aka GLW (Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers), where there is lots of pearls, gems and stuff--more of the lower price range. Several pearl dealers there, with what looked like acres of pearls! Stacks piled on tables, boxes under the tables as high as they could go. Made another purchase of nice sized off round purple, nice lustre @ $15 a strand at Evergreen from Roy Chen. Something Caitlin noted this year which was different, prices were by strand, but one was expected to buy the whole hank. So we searched for the hank with the best pearls, and because I bought quite a few, Roy let me pull a few strands from other hanks. I think they are about 8mm, and the color still looked good after I got them out of the building. Caitlin wears her freshadama strand, so we can check the lustre against that. It helps to have a strand for comparison; Jeremy has mentioned that before. Also picked up 10 strands 5mm in matching purple for $5 each. They are actually graded A+, but few strands are actually graded. We felt those were a pretty good value. Lots and lots of dyed potato shape, $1 strand in very large hanks. Although it was the first day of the show, they have got a lot of pearls to sell! Did a lot of looking here--lots of stone beads, crystal glass, little carvings lower end kind of things, gifts, etc.
Next a quick stop at Jay's a local bead shop to pick up a couple of bead boards with a plastic cover, great if one is taking a project somewhere, or just setting it aside for awhile. I had not seen them before with the cover, but a good investment in my opinion for under $5wholesale. Here some strands of shell caught my eye, nicely rounded nugget shape, lovely pinky beige to cream color, about 9mm or smaller, Mississippi river shell, couldnt resist 2 strands, under $5 per strand.
Caitlin may have some other observations to add, we think about you all, and wish you were here, it has been great fun for me so far, and we look forward to seeing some of you soon!
Pattye
so many pearls, so little time
Off to the Gem Mall, aka GLW (Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers), where there is lots of pearls, gems and stuff--more of the lower price range. Several pearl dealers there, with what looked like acres of pearls! Stacks piled on tables, boxes under the tables as high as they could go. Made another purchase of nice sized off round purple, nice lustre @ $15 a strand at Evergreen from Roy Chen. Something Caitlin noted this year which was different, prices were by strand, but one was expected to buy the whole hank. So we searched for the hank with the best pearls, and because I bought quite a few, Roy let me pull a few strands from other hanks. I think they are about 8mm, and the color still looked good after I got them out of the building. Caitlin wears her freshadama strand, so we can check the lustre against that. It helps to have a strand for comparison; Jeremy has mentioned that before. Also picked up 10 strands 5mm in matching purple for $5 each. They are actually graded A+, but few strands are actually graded. We felt those were a pretty good value. Lots and lots of dyed potato shape, $1 strand in very large hanks. Although it was the first day of the show, they have got a lot of pearls to sell! Did a lot of looking here--lots of stone beads, crystal glass, little carvings lower end kind of things, gifts, etc.
Next a quick stop at Jay's a local bead shop to pick up a couple of bead boards with a plastic cover, great if one is taking a project somewhere, or just setting it aside for awhile. I had not seen them before with the cover, but a good investment in my opinion for under $5wholesale. Here some strands of shell caught my eye, nicely rounded nugget shape, lovely pinky beige to cream color, about 9mm or smaller, Mississippi river shell, couldnt resist 2 strands, under $5 per strand.
Caitlin may have some other observations to add, we think about you all, and wish you were here, it has been great fun for me so far, and we look forward to seeing some of you soon!
Pattye
so many pearls, so little time
G
GemGeek
Guest
The pearl girls are in their element!
Okay, the other posting aside from Care Ehret is the same seller Caitlin mentioned - the Peaches from Tenessee, so check out their photos. She was right, they had dark lavender blues and that's what I purchased. I wonder if I was channeling Caitlin???
Okay, the other posting aside from Care Ehret is the same seller Caitlin mentioned - the Peaches from Tenessee, so check out their photos. She was right, they had dark lavender blues and that's what I purchased. I wonder if I was channeling Caitlin???
P
pattye
Guest
Glad you are catching up with us, Blaire! LOVE the photos, as always, they add so much. Bet next year a whole herd of forum folk will show up for the fun and education.......
Sunday, Anyway--to catch you all up. Caitlin and I decided to slow up a bit and pace ourselves, but get together about noon at my hotel--she to give me a knotting lesson and me to refresh her earring making skill. We needed some smaller diameter headpins, and after finding 2 bead stores closed, drive back to --where else--Gem Mall, with it's several booths of sterling silver. Of course, we couldn't get out of there with just headpins, I found the brushed wavy disk spacers I love and small daisy spacers, and at another pearl booth small but vibrant brown fw pearls, $1 per strand, but had to buy all 19 on the hank. They are a great size for spacers, about 3mm.
Selections of silver chain were excellent, too, and in all sizes, a great deal of textures and purchased by the gram. I put extenders on a lot of my necklaces, and like matching small chain to use a few links on the earrings. It gives a nice bit of movement with a pearl or gem below. Still popular are lots of round links of varying sizes, ovals, very nice quality, and very much what is found in the marketplace now. Will have to make another trip back when there is more time to shop.
Now I feel more confident having seen in person how to apply gimp and knot back through the beginning and ending pearls. Thank you, Caitlin!!!! I swear she did the whole necklace from beginning to end in about 20-25 minutes, and we were talking during the whole process!
Pattye
so many pearls, so little time
Sunday, Anyway--to catch you all up. Caitlin and I decided to slow up a bit and pace ourselves, but get together about noon at my hotel--she to give me a knotting lesson and me to refresh her earring making skill. We needed some smaller diameter headpins, and after finding 2 bead stores closed, drive back to --where else--Gem Mall, with it's several booths of sterling silver. Of course, we couldn't get out of there with just headpins, I found the brushed wavy disk spacers I love and small daisy spacers, and at another pearl booth small but vibrant brown fw pearls, $1 per strand, but had to buy all 19 on the hank. They are a great size for spacers, about 3mm.
Selections of silver chain were excellent, too, and in all sizes, a great deal of textures and purchased by the gram. I put extenders on a lot of my necklaces, and like matching small chain to use a few links on the earrings. It gives a nice bit of movement with a pearl or gem below. Still popular are lots of round links of varying sizes, ovals, very nice quality, and very much what is found in the marketplace now. Will have to make another trip back when there is more time to shop.
Now I feel more confident having seen in person how to apply gimp and knot back through the beginning and ending pearls. Thank you, Caitlin!!!!
I swear she did the whole necklace from beginning to end in about 20-25 minutes, and we were talking during the whole process!Pattye
so many pearls, so little time
SteveM
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2007
- Messages
- 1,755
So how did my 'appraisal' hold up?
Wow, can't believe all the activity, while I was stuck on an airplane. I'm so inspired I just might extend my Florida itinerary to Key West and check out those Margarita pearls after all (kidding?got to be another time!).
Blaire, that sunrise was no tease?another of nature's gems! Upon return to the office I'll reciprocate with a photo of us on the trail of 'gems' from the Spanish wine country.
J
jerin
Guest
J
jerin
Guest
Hi Pattye
this is just to thank YOU AS WELL for reporting. It is great to have our fellow members doing this service for us who can?t travel that far....
this is just to thank YOU AS WELL for reporting. It is great to have our fellow members doing this service for us who can?t travel that far....
P
pattye
Guest
Hi All,
It's a good thing to sit down sometimes and think about all we've seen--sometimes not so easy to put into words, but fun to try.
Bead-nucleated pearls--Totally forgot to report on these at the G&LW (Gem Mall) which has the lower end merchandise, no, that does not mean cheap! We are seeing quite a few bead-nucleated pearls. Lots are drops, which seems to be the most common formation. Many varying qualities. Few strands of any type have the grade on them, so one has to rely on good eyesight, or any loupes or magnifying glasses one might have on hand. We saw about 6 strands of 22-23 hugh pearls approx (13-16mm), quite round wrinkly, Kasumi type pearls, with bronzy rainbow colors, $5000. Caitlin did not expect to see anything that high end at this location.
Some of the "piles" of pearls are marked bead- nucleated, and in other cases when we asked, were told they were bead-nucleated. They also had trays with strands of the most pitiful Tahitians we had ever seen, no lustre, huge pits and flaws for $100 per strand. Sarah's booth (Kojima Pearls) had a dish of loose undrilled Tahitians for $20 each if I remember correctly, and they would do custom drilling, a much, much better value, IMO.
Pattye
so many pearls, so little time
It's a good thing to sit down sometimes and think about all we've seen--sometimes not so easy to put into words, but fun to try.
Bead-nucleated pearls--Totally forgot to report on these at the G&LW (Gem Mall) which has the lower end merchandise, no, that does not mean cheap! We are seeing quite a few bead-nucleated pearls. Lots are drops, which seems to be the most common formation. Many varying qualities. Few strands of any type have the grade on them, so one has to rely on good eyesight, or any loupes or magnifying glasses one might have on hand. We saw about 6 strands of 22-23 hugh pearls approx (13-16mm), quite round wrinkly, Kasumi type pearls, with bronzy rainbow colors, $5000. Caitlin did not expect to see anything that high end at this location.
Some of the "piles" of pearls are marked bead- nucleated, and in other cases when we asked, were told they were bead-nucleated. They also had trays with strands of the most pitiful Tahitians we had ever seen, no lustre, huge pits and flaws for $100 per strand. Sarah's booth (Kojima Pearls) had a dish of loose undrilled Tahitians for $20 each if I remember correctly, and they would do custom drilling, a much, much better value, IMO.
Pattye
so many pearls, so little time
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Caitlin
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2004
- Messages
- 8,502
I forgot which thread the comments on time zone in Tucson are. So, I'll put it here. Tucson and most of AZ stays on Mountain Standard time year round. That means when CA is on daylight savings, it is the same time as AZ. During the winter when CA is on standard time, AZ is one hour later than CA.
P
pattye
Guest
Hi All--
Today the G.L.D.A. and the GJX opened. They are very popular--and Tucson is gearing up for this weekend, which is the biggest in the approx 3 weeks of overlapping shows. The lines were long to get in, more security guards, more checking of credentials, etc. People were pushing and crowding, I thought I was at a Macy's sale or something. These shows have booth after booth of high quality cut gemstones, gemstone strands, including diamonds, emeralds, lots of rubies, also finished jewelry and high end pearls. It was amazing to find booth after booth with huge south seas and tahitians, strand after strand, with prices like $32,000 wholesale, etc. Of course, we made a beeline for Sea of Cortez booth. Enrique, one of the other marine biologists was there, and Douglas will arrive on Saturday. We picked out some mabes ($90 ea) lovely colors! So much fun to see in person! Many of the pearls they had were pre-sold, and folks were to pick them up at the end of the show! If they had taken them earlier, there would have been nothing to see! And honestly, there were not a lot of pearls. So I have a better understanding of just how small the harvest is. When I mentioned I was one lucky enough to have a full strand, Enrique gave me a little scolding, saying that they are much to precious to make into strands! I assured him they are a great great treasure to me!
All in all, it is truly amazing to see such top quality gems all in one place! Oh, roommate Elaine Wootten arrived late Tuesday, so we have been having a great time comparing notes, and Caitlin was with us for much of today's adventures also.
Pattye
so many pearls, so little time
Today the G.L.D.A. and the GJX opened. They are very popular--and Tucson is gearing up for this weekend, which is the biggest in the approx 3 weeks of overlapping shows. The lines were long to get in, more security guards, more checking of credentials, etc. People were pushing and crowding, I thought I was at a Macy's sale or something. These shows have booth after booth of high quality cut gemstones, gemstone strands, including diamonds, emeralds, lots of rubies, also finished jewelry and high end pearls. It was amazing to find booth after booth with huge south seas and tahitians, strand after strand, with prices like $32,000 wholesale, etc. Of course, we made a beeline for Sea of Cortez booth. Enrique, one of the other marine biologists was there, and Douglas will arrive on Saturday. We picked out some mabes ($90 ea) lovely colors! So much fun to see in person! Many of the pearls they had were pre-sold, and folks were to pick them up at the end of the show! If they had taken them earlier, there would have been nothing to see! And honestly, there were not a lot of pearls. So I have a better understanding of just how small the harvest is. When I mentioned I was one lucky enough to have a full strand, Enrique gave me a little scolding, saying that they are much to precious to make into strands! I assured him they are a great great treasure to me!
All in all, it is truly amazing to see such top quality gems all in one place! Oh, roommate Elaine Wootten arrived late Tuesday, so we have been having a great time comparing notes, and Caitlin was with us for much of today's adventures also.
Pattye
so many pearls, so little time
Last edited by a moderator:
SteveM
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2007
- Messages
- 1,755
Thanks so much for the continuing reports, definitely feel better prepared for my planned first-ever visit next year.
Josh
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2007
- Messages
- 837
I still haven't met Caitlin or Pattye but hope to tomorrow.
Sarah and Fuji of Kojima Pearls and Pacific Pearls (respectively) have been my guardian angels. They share a booth and are both known far and wide for their expertise, kindness, amazing pearls and professionalism. They do just about all kinds of pearls but insiders know them as THE premium source for unfindable natural pearls. Their family has been in the pearl biz for several generations so they make farmers like me look like real upstarts.
Sarah and Fuji of Kojima Pearls and Pacific Pearls (respectively) have been my guardian angels. They share a booth and are both known far and wide for their expertise, kindness, amazing pearls and professionalism. They do just about all kinds of pearls but insiders know them as THE premium source for unfindable natural pearls. Their family has been in the pearl biz for several generations so they make farmers like me look like real upstarts.
J
jerin
Guest
Hi Josh,
I just wanted to let you know that I have a video of Fuji Voll?s father, who is/was known as the "Pearl King" in Japan. It was a german production, very informative and he had a very good reputation.
In one scene he and his daughter showed some of their very huge inventory of pearls - it was amazing!
Ask him about it, perhaps he has some left for You or any of our members, it really was most interesting to get advice (in that case it was about BEUTIFUL Akoyas) and pictures from one of the largest auctions did show the amazing crops......
BTW: See if you can get a pic of Enrice and Douglas together with You, that would be nice....
I just wanted to let you know that I have a video of Fuji Voll?s father, who is/was known as the "Pearl King" in Japan. It was a german production, very informative and he had a very good reputation.
In one scene he and his daughter showed some of their very huge inventory of pearls - it was amazing!
Ask him about it, perhaps he has some left for You or any of our members, it really was most interesting to get advice (in that case it was about BEUTIFUL Akoyas) and pictures from one of the largest auctions did show the amazing crops......
BTW: See if you can get a pic of Enrice and Douglas together with You, that would be nice....
Hi Jerin,
I just wanted to ask a question about your post. I have only heard of Kokichi Mikimoto being referred to as the Pearl King of Japan. Does he have any realtion to Fuji Voll's father? Do you know what his father's name is? I am just curious because it has never come up in any of my conversations with jewelers here. They all speak highly of Mikimoto(the man, if not the pearls), so I was just curious on who I was missing out on. Thanks!
