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Post by Toad on Apr 2, 2006 21:34:18 GMT -5
Gemkoi brought up a point regarding the gem shows in Tucson vs. Quartzsite. Said that Quartzsite would probably have more rough while Tucson would have some but might be more geared toward finished stones, jewelry and etc...
Anyone else been to both. I might be able to do both on one trip as there seems to be overlap. Which would you choose?
Please vote even if you haven't been (like me) as long as you've done some research. Comments would be great as well.
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Rockygibraltar
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,404
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Post by Rockygibraltar on Apr 2, 2006 21:49:21 GMT -5
I think if you are going mainly to purchase rough then I'd recomend Quartzsite. But, Tucson is well worth seeing. I vote for both if you can swing it.
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Post by Cher on Apr 2, 2006 22:08:53 GMT -5
I'd try for both but if you absolutely can only do one then do Quartzite. (I voted for both though)
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Post by Condor on Apr 2, 2006 22:13:32 GMT -5
Been to Tucson several times. This past January I went to Quartzite for the first time. For what I like to do which is tumbling, I prefer Quartzite. Lots, and lots, and lots, of different types of tumbling material. More of flea market feel. In Tucson, there are many shows with many hotel rooms booked by the sellers selling high quality gems. I have been lucky a few times and paid minimal $ because a seller had to catch a plane and had to sell his stuff. I bought about twenty pounds of Andean Opal and about ten pounds Charoite that way. For show, and the awesome experience go to Tucson. For rough, and getting down to Earth, go to Quartzite.
Condor
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turnedstone
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 766
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Post by turnedstone on Apr 2, 2006 22:38:39 GMT -5
I have been to both in the same years twice and one year hit laughlin nv. too. It really depends how much time you have . Quartzsite has many shows at different times starting just after the holidays into the middle of Feb. all with diff. kinds of dealers .I think the prices are better in Quartzsite than in Tuscon. Laughlin i go to because the turq. is cheaper there than the other two shows. Tucson is so big it can get to you if you try to see it all,but i like it if nothing else just to look at all the rocks in one place no show can match that wowser.but I too say both are a must if you hit the time right you shouldn't miss one over the other. George
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Post by LCARS on Apr 3, 2006 0:41:02 GMT -5
If you can, do BOTH! It's a no brainer really... ;D
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Post by Toad on Apr 3, 2006 5:39:16 GMT -5
Thanks for all the feedback. Glad a bunch of you have actually attended.
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Post by joe on Apr 3, 2006 8:30:42 GMT -5
If you can only get to one show I think the Quartzsite would be better. I love the rough rock.
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jrtrio
has rocks in the head
With10 tumblers tumbling the sound is so delicious!Send me more of those little red fellas, please?
Member since February 2006
Posts: 535
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Post by jrtrio on Apr 3, 2006 8:51:28 GMT -5
Gemworld has mentioned that it's favoring Blythe since Tuscon is too expensive for the average buyer and Quartzite is getting to be too much like a flea market with less Rock Dealers and more "Made in China" sellers. What's the main feel around here? So far I've read that if you tumble then Quartzite is the place to go. I have a Nephew in Tuscon who's not been to Blythe yet. He travels the shows for his step-mom who's into Beading. He's a good son. So, he get's me business cards with Website addresses on them and he gets beading material that his step mom has on a list she sends him.
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RedwoodRocks
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2003
Posts: 762
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Post by RedwoodRocks on Apr 3, 2006 12:02:30 GMT -5
Depends on the purpose of the trip. For rough rock, in speaking with Banjo, then Quartzite. If to see some awesome mineral specimens then Tucson. While checking the net, some of the hotel rooms rented for selling stuff goes for about $2,000 for two weeks. The dealers have to mark up their prices to cover their show rooms.
Cal
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Post by gemkoi on Apr 3, 2006 16:02:20 GMT -5
Toad, remember, they are not the far away from each other. SO if you're traveling from Chicago, its well worth seeing both. That way, the next year you will not only know what you want more, but you'll know a better idea of what to expect from each show.
And to the note on Quartzsite showing more Flea market stuff, this is true, in essence, The flea markets start up in November, and run till March in Quartzsite. With the main concentration of rock vendors setting up in January.
Desert Gardens is the place for good rough, and so is the Powwow. Outside of those two shows in Quartzsite, most other shows have at least 50% flea market crap. So you can easily make a 1/2 day trip i Quartzsite and still come away satisfied.
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Post by Toad on Apr 3, 2006 20:15:39 GMT -5
What the heck. I was getting all ready to hit Quartzite for the last 2 days of that show and then head on down to Tucson for a few days... Now I have to look into Blythe too?
Ah well, better too much info than too little.
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Post by Toad on Apr 3, 2006 20:45:48 GMT -5
The last info I can find on the Blythe, CA show is 1998. Does anyone have a link to more current information? Is Blythe still running?
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turnedstone
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 766
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Post by turnedstone on Apr 3, 2006 20:51:46 GMT -5
i stay in blyth and i didnt know they had a show. Didnt go this year had surgery(Hernia). Last year (05) one of the dealers i know said the chinese bought the main event site so this made alot of them mad as they were already asking for more money.Some said they had already signed on for the Laughlin show. So back to blyth is it new something that just started. Tell me more please. George
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Post by BAZ on Apr 3, 2006 21:53:06 GMT -5
I didn't know Blythe had a show either, it may be a smaller show. I think Condor hit the nail on the head though.
You will find a lot more vendors selling strictly wholesale at Tucson. Quartzsite can be a real trip, hot air balloons, ultralights and people watching. Get ready for traffic jams though and trying to find a place to park but, hey, we rockhounds don't mind that kind of stuff when it comes to spying cool gems and minerals all day right?!?!
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Post by BAZ on Apr 3, 2006 22:00:31 GMT -5
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Post by rockyraccoon on Apr 4, 2006 5:59:33 GMT -5
toad i voted for both. if you are going, i just can't see missing either show.
kim
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Post by Toad on Apr 4, 2006 19:05:42 GMT -5
I think I'll be hitting both, but it is too early for 2007 information. Doesn't appear Blythe is still going, so at least I won't have to hit 3 shows. I'll get in touch with some rock clubs too to see about doing some collecting while I'm out there.
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Post by joe on Apr 4, 2006 23:34:09 GMT -5
Whatever you choose have a great time. Do you have the willpower to save all the rock money 'till then? Hope so.
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