RockingRuralMo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2022
Posts: 136
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Post by RockingRuralMo on Jul 31, 2022 11:44:46 GMT -5
Hello Lapidaries!
I hope this is the right forum for this question. There aren't a lot of great cabbing rocks where I live. There's a bit of chert, but that's about it. So I need to buy my rough, which is actually fine with me - I'm probably a better lapidary than rockhound anyway.
There's also not a local rock shop near me, so I have to either wait for local rock shows (there are 2 clubs that hold 2 shows a year within 60 miles of me, and they've been great, but they're small) buy online, or travel.
I'm willing to travel to get to a good show, but I wouldn't want to waste precious vacation days going to a show that doesn't have what I want. I'm a newer lapidary, and mostly still working with lower-cost materials. (Have bought petrified wood online, some agates and jasper at local shows, quartz here and there, have enjoyed sodalite but don't have much of it, etc.) Is there a show or other source that's worth the travel? (I'm in the center of the USA now, and a 3-5 hour drive to any major airport.)
Are there online sources you'd recommend instead?
I'm involved with the local club, but it's not super active - just a monthly meeting and 2 annual shows - no classes or swaps or other opportunities to source materials.
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Post by parfive on Jul 31, 2022 12:11:49 GMT -5
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Post by Rockoonz on Jul 31, 2022 12:18:26 GMT -5
How close to KC are you? I have been to this show, and plan to attempt to be there for the '23 show once we find out the dates, didn't see them announced anywhere. I have a brother living in KCMO. If you can get whatever paperwork you need from the state to be a "business" without too much expense you can also get into the wholesale side of the show. kcgemshow.org/They also have a FB group and I saw a post for a show in Joplin that may be worth a drive. www.facebook.com/Kansas-City-Gem-and-Mineral-Show-546297262050552/If you want to travel further and are looking primarily at rough, desert garden in Quartzsite is a great place. I may have a travel trailer there for a month or so next year, depends on cost and logistics. If you go in time for the PowWow mid January you could probably return via Tucson and catch the first arrivals, but rough is not as common there. There is also the RTH get together on PowWow Saturday to consider. I hear Denver is pretty good too if traveling that time of year is better. |
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Post by Rockoonz on Jul 31, 2022 12:29:16 GMT -5
Yep, and also what Rich said. There are members here, myself included, who can make up flat rate rough boxes for you. I think you need to have a minimum number of posts to start a thread in the buy and sell section requesting specific items, but you can read ads and respond by PM or reply in the ads. Tommy ? In the meantime you could work up a wish list and a budget. |
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RockingRuralMo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2022
Posts: 136
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Post by RockingRuralMo on Jul 31, 2022 21:01:32 GMT -5
How close to KC are you? I have been to this show, and plan to attempt to be there for the '23 show once we find out the dates, didn't see them announced anywhere. I have a brother living in KCMO. If you can get whatever paperwork you need from the state to be a "business" without too much expense you can also get into the wholesale side of the show. kcgemshow.org/They also have a FB group and I saw a post for a show in Joplin that may be worth a drive. www.facebook.com/Kansas-City-Gem-and-Mineral-Show-546297262050552/If you want to travel further and are looking primarily at rough, desert garden in Quartzsite is a great place. I may have a travel trailer there for a month or so next year, depends on cost and logistics. If you go in time for the PowWow mid January you could probably return via Tucson and catch the first arrivals, but rough is not as common there. There is also the RTH get together on PowWow Saturday to consider. I hear Denver is pretty good too if traveling that time of year is better. Wow. That Joplin show is what got me started! It had been a really stressful year at work, and I took a last-minute day off to go do something fun just for the variety of it. It was glorious! My family must have noticed, because I got a slant cabber and trim saw under the Christmas Tree last year. It's been a rewarding way to re-distribute my workaholic tendencies!
My home is about 3 hours from KC. This was one of the bigger shows on my radar. There's not a lot about it on youtube (where I go to check out shows) so I couldn't tell if there would be an abundance of rough, or if it was more finished stuff. KC also has direct flights to Denver, so I thought about that show, but sill like having expert input on the rough there. Thanks so much for the help!
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RockingRuralMo
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2022
Posts: 136
|
Post by RockingRuralMo on Jul 31, 2022 21:04:27 GMT -5
Yep, and also what Rich said. There are members here, myself included, who can make up flat rate rough boxes for you. I think you need to have a minimum number of posts to start a thread in the buy and sell section requesting specific items, but you can read ads and respond by PM or reply in the ads. Tommy ? In the meantime you could work up a wish list and a budget. I've been looking at that buy/sell forum a lot. You're right, of course, about the wishlist and budget. There are so many things I want to just try - like Pietersite and Tiger Iron, and there's always a new material right around the corner. Those variety boxes look great. When my forum cred is adequate, it'll definitely be worht a try! Thanks!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jul 31, 2022 21:44:58 GMT -5
Post a lot and you'll be there in no time!  There's also the Full Moon Rock Shop on Facebook. Both roy and catmandewe (Tony) are members that sell there. They have on-line sales through the week with some other folks. Some do BINs and other are auctions. Roy and Tony both have website stores, also. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2022 21:57:22 GMT -5
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Post by stardiamond on Jul 31, 2022 22:34:38 GMT -5
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