- A few opals

Palm Harbor, FL - USA

Here are a few small opals I just cut. . . .





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- Tucson

Palm Harbor, FL - USA

I'm back home, unpacked and back to work. However, I wanted to mention a few things about my recent trip to Tucson.

The number of buyers attending the shows in Tucson this year appeared to be significantly down from last year - and attendance last year was very low. Other dealers I spoke with agreed that attendance was down. It also was clear that the number of dealers was down.

However, in spite of the smaller number of buyers, I was very pleased with the results. The buyers who did show up were interested in buying opals and spent a few dollars.

On my last night in Tucson I went out for for dinner with Mauro (an Italian gemologist, stone wholesaler, dealer in antiquities, manufacturer of glass cameos and my next door neighbor in Tucson for over the last 10 years). We went to a very nice seafood restaurant (curious to eat seafood in Tucson) and met a few other folks for dinner. Among those at our table for dinner were a talented metalsmith who conducts hollowware workshops in Europe, an award winning gem cutter, a former editor of a major industry publication and a gentleman who once actually held the unset Hope diamond in his hand. Conversation that night was entertaining and the mahi-mahi I ordered was delicious.
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- Back Home

Palm Harbor, FL - USA

Yesterday I finally got back home after a trip of about 4,600 miles.

Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by my booth in Tucson. I very much appreciate your business and you visiting my booth to say hello.

Soon I'll be back to work, slicing and cutting new material . . . yes, I'll be posting pictures.

- Tucson

- last day

Maple and brown sugar oatmeal for breakfast

- Tucson Booth

My brother in the Booth in Tucson

- Second Day of GJX

Tucson, AZ - USA

. . . just finishing leftover pork fried rice and a bowl of maple and brown sugar oatmeal for breakfast - yum, yum . . . about to hop in the car and get the booth ready for another day.

Yesterday was a good day. Not as busy as opening day, but still good. The attendance clearly is down for previous years. This year I'm particularly grateful for my customers and for their continued business and support . . . and thanks to all of my new customers. . .

I'd post pics of the show, but taking pics inside a wholesale trade show is a no-no. I may sneak a few of my booth.

My brother's ready, gotta run . . .

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- GJX Opens

Tucson, AZ - USA

The GJX opened yesterday. It was a great opening day for me, although buyer attendance in Tucson this year appears to be way down.

. . . gotta run, off to another hopefully great day . . .

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- Tucson

Downtown