Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
- Digging and Living
Cunnamulla, QLD, Australia
Here are a few photos of mining and critters and the sky and footy (that's what Aussies call rugby - what they refer to as "football" or "footy") - there were 2 finals recently - AFL and NRL - and a truck I was stuck behind when trying to get some fuel . . . enjoy.
Click on the photos to see larger versions.
Here are a few photos of mining and critters and the sky and footy (that's what Aussies call rugby - what they refer to as "football" or "footy") - there were 2 finals recently - AFL and NRL - and a truck I was stuck behind when trying to get some fuel . . . enjoy.
Click on the photos to see larger versions.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
- A New Open Cut
Cunnamulla, Qld, Australia
Earlier this season some digging was done on a new open cut at my mine. On Monday and Tuesday two of my friends provided me with a great deal of help with that cut. Andrew lent me his 40 ton excavator and Lindsay used it to enlarge the cut and remove the first 15 or so feet of dirt. A big thank you to both of them.
Below are photos of the cut developing . . . .
(Andrew & Len in the foreground, Lindsay in the excavator)
(Len taking a closer look as Lindsay works on the ramp)
Yesterday I went to a nearby artesian bore to wash some clothes and a mother roo with her joey came for a drink.
Earlier this season some digging was done on a new open cut at my mine. On Monday and Tuesday two of my friends provided me with a great deal of help with that cut. Andrew lent me his 40 ton excavator and Lindsay used it to enlarge the cut and remove the first 15 or so feet of dirt. A big thank you to both of them.
Below are photos of the cut developing . . . .
(Andrew & Len in the foreground, Lindsay in the excavator)
(Len taking a closer look as Lindsay works on the ramp)
Yesterday I went to a nearby artesian bore to wash some clothes and a mother roo with her joey came for a drink.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
- Back in Koroit
Koroit, Queensland, Australia
After 60 hours of flights and layovers and 15 hours of driving, I'm finally back in Koroit. The drive to Koroit took longer than usual because much of it was at night and there were literally hundreds of kangaroos. Unfortunately, I hit 3 of them.
It's unusually hot, which means many reptiles are out and about. I haven't seen any snakes yet, but I have seen many lizards.
Right now I have to run, but hope to be posting again soon with a few photos.
Again, thank you to Len and Kim for letting me using their computer.
After 60 hours of flights and layovers and 15 hours of driving, I'm finally back in Koroit. The drive to Koroit took longer than usual because much of it was at night and there were literally hundreds of kangaroos. Unfortunately, I hit 3 of them.
It's unusually hot, which means many reptiles are out and about. I haven't seen any snakes yet, but I have seen many lizards.
Right now I have to run, but hope to be posting again soon with a few photos.
Again, thank you to Len and Kim for letting me using their computer.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
- a Soaked Singapore
Singapore, Singapore
Here is a poor, but rather Whistler/Turner-like, photo of Singapore in the rain.
Tomorrow morning I'll be in Australia . . . then, on Thursday, off to Koroit.
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Here is a poor, but rather Whistler/Turner-like, photo of Singapore in the rain.
Tomorrow morning I'll be in Australia . . . then, on Thursday, off to Koroit.
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Monday, September 19, 2011
- another step
Singapore - Singapore
After a brief wander around it appears that the Singapore airport is nicer and more comfortable to spend the night in than many hotels I've stayed in.
Tomorrow, after I've had some sleep, I might add a few photos - the Koi pond is beautiful.
nite nite
- making progress
Inchon AIrport - South Korea
Progress is being made. I'm about to re-board Singapore Airlines SQ-15 to Singapore after spending less than an hour here . . . time to go.
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Progress is being made. I'm about to re-board Singapore Airlines SQ-15 to Singapore after spending less than an hour here . . . time to go.
.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
- on the way to Koroit
Phoenix, AZ - USA
For my birthday my brother used some of his frequent flier miles and gave me a ticket to Brisbane.
Now I'm waiting in the Phoenix airport for my next connection. It's going to be a long trip - from Tampa to Phoenix to San Francisco to Seoul to Singapore to Brisbane. . . . .not quite direct, but it was free ... and will take about 60 hours.
.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
- Rough Opal & Off to Koroit
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
After spending the last couple hours out in the sun sorting rough Koroit opal, I'm taking a break and having some lemonade.
Much of the rough I just sorted will soon be for sale on: www.koroitstore.com . . . by soon, I mean within the next 48 hours.
On Sunday I'll be on the way back to Australia. I'll be bringing my computer with me this time - so I hope to be doing a better job of keeping you informed and updated here and I also hope to be periodically adding parcels of rough opal for sale on koroitstore.com while I'm still in Australia.
Now back to work . . .
After spending the last couple hours out in the sun sorting rough Koroit opal, I'm taking a break and having some lemonade.
Much of the rough I just sorted will soon be for sale on: www.koroitstore.com . . . by soon, I mean within the next 48 hours.
On Sunday I'll be on the way back to Australia. I'll be bringing my computer with me this time - so I hope to be doing a better job of keeping you informed and updated here and I also hope to be periodically adding parcels of rough opal for sale on koroitstore.com while I'm still in Australia.
Now back to work . . .
Sunday, August 28, 2011
- Rough Koroit Opal
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
I'm in the process of putting together parcels of rough Koroit opal for sale. Feel free to email me if you're interested or if you have any questions (koroit at gmail dot com).
.
I'm in the process of putting together parcels of rough Koroit opal for sale. Feel free to email me if you're interested or if you have any questions (koroit at gmail dot com).
.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Briefly . . .
Koroit, Queensland - Australia
Unfortunately my posts here during this trip have been sporadic and poorly written. I appologize. My access to the internet has been brief and sporadic. Often there are other people around and while trying to compose and type I'm involved in at least one if not two conversations.
During this session on the internet I have tried to deal with some details regarding paperwork concerning my exploration permit. I've exchanged a few emails with the department of mines. Unfortunately, once again, I feel like the protagonist in Kafka's The Trial - desperately trying to make sense out of a morass of confusing, contradictory, annoying and illogical exchanges, ever changing rules and regulations and abrupt and uniformative replies to my questions. However, the end of my story probably will not be the same as the end of Kafka's story.
Unfortunately my posts here during this trip have been sporadic and poorly written. I appologize. My access to the internet has been brief and sporadic. Often there are other people around and while trying to compose and type I'm involved in at least one if not two conversations.
During this session on the internet I have tried to deal with some details regarding paperwork concerning my exploration permit. I've exchanged a few emails with the department of mines. Unfortunately, once again, I feel like the protagonist in Kafka's The Trial - desperately trying to make sense out of a morass of confusing, contradictory, annoying and illogical exchanges, ever changing rules and regulations and abrupt and uniformative replies to my questions. However, the end of my story probably will not be the same as the end of Kafka's story.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Blue Sky & Exploration
Koroit, Queensland - Australia
There is something special about the sky in the outback of Queensland on a sunny day. The sky glows with a rich saturated blue like nothing I've ever seen back in the US of A.
Yesterday, under such a sunny sky, I spent a few hours going for a walk with a few friends on our exploration permit. It was a very interesting walk. We found a few old mine shafts (in one of the shafts was a rather large dead snake), some old workings, some potch and some color! Plenty of solid ironstone and nuts are visible. It looks like it will be very interesting and we will be pegging a few new mines in the area.
Today I went for a crawl through an old, but recently exposed tunnel at my mine. The tunnel is about 30 years old . . . and I found some color. We'll be mining that area in a couple of weeks. . . and we'll be so very grateful for the beauty we'll uncover!
Next week I'll be packing a backpack and going for a lengthy walk on our Exploration Permit and taking a look at a larger area than we explored yesterday.
Thanks to my friend Len - at this moment I'm sitting in his mining camp and using his computer. His camp is simple and comfortable and includes a fireplace I made nearly 10 years ago. Len's camp is made from scraps of steel and pieces of corrugated iron with a state of the art satellite dish on the roof.
It's always an adventure and there's always something to be learned. . . and there's always a reason to say thank you to the universe.
There is something special about the sky in the outback of Queensland on a sunny day. The sky glows with a rich saturated blue like nothing I've ever seen back in the US of A.
Yesterday, under such a sunny sky, I spent a few hours going for a walk with a few friends on our exploration permit. It was a very interesting walk. We found a few old mine shafts (in one of the shafts was a rather large dead snake), some old workings, some potch and some color! Plenty of solid ironstone and nuts are visible. It looks like it will be very interesting and we will be pegging a few new mines in the area.
Today I went for a crawl through an old, but recently exposed tunnel at my mine. The tunnel is about 30 years old . . . and I found some color. We'll be mining that area in a couple of weeks. . . and we'll be so very grateful for the beauty we'll uncover!
Next week I'll be packing a backpack and going for a lengthy walk on our Exploration Permit and taking a look at a larger area than we explored yesterday.
Thanks to my friend Len - at this moment I'm sitting in his mining camp and using his computer. His camp is simple and comfortable and includes a fireplace I made nearly 10 years ago. Len's camp is made from scraps of steel and pieces of corrugated iron with a state of the art satellite dish on the roof.
It's always an adventure and there's always something to be learned. . . and there's always a reason to say thank you to the universe.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Koroit - Accident, Flying Doctor, So Strange
Cunnamulla, QLD - Australia
Two weeks ago, on Friday July 8, while driving along a winding outback dirt road between two opal mining fields in Koroit, I came across a scene I hope to never experience again. I was the first to arrive at the scene of a head-on collision approximately 60 seconds after it occurred. It involved two vehicles and three people.
I'll spare you the details, but there were broken bones and blood. I did the best I could to assess and stabilize those involved and quickly drove to the nearest phone to get help. Police, ambulances and a fire truck eventually arrived. Many other miners from the area pitched in and helped. Luckily Jack Barnes and Ross Barton from the Department of Mines office in Quilpie happened to be nearby and offered help and the use of their GPS and satellite phones. Many thanks to Jack and Ross.
The Flying Doctor landed a plane nearby to fly the two most seriously injured people to a hospital in Brisbane. The third person was taken by ambulance to Cunnamulla and then later flown to Brisbane. All three people will be ok, although two of them are still in the hospital after having multiple operations.
This accident occurred on an outback mining road. If I had not come by it could have been well over a day or two before anyone found them.
Our time here is beautiful and brief. We are such fragile creatures. Give your loved ones a hug and a kiss, be grateful and wear your seat belt.
On a lighter note - some pretty rocks have been coming out of the ground. Opal production in Koroit is down, but not non-existent. . . and in a month or two I expect it to be increasing - details later.
In many ways this has been the strangest trip I've ever had to Australia since I first set foot here in 1987. Some of the story can be shared and some of it will need to remain unshared . . . I will try to put some of it into words soon.
Two weeks ago, on Friday July 8, while driving along a winding outback dirt road between two opal mining fields in Koroit, I came across a scene I hope to never experience again. I was the first to arrive at the scene of a head-on collision approximately 60 seconds after it occurred. It involved two vehicles and three people.
I'll spare you the details, but there were broken bones and blood. I did the best I could to assess and stabilize those involved and quickly drove to the nearest phone to get help. Police, ambulances and a fire truck eventually arrived. Many other miners from the area pitched in and helped. Luckily Jack Barnes and Ross Barton from the Department of Mines office in Quilpie happened to be nearby and offered help and the use of their GPS and satellite phones. Many thanks to Jack and Ross.
The Flying Doctor landed a plane nearby to fly the two most seriously injured people to a hospital in Brisbane. The third person was taken by ambulance to Cunnamulla and then later flown to Brisbane. All three people will be ok, although two of them are still in the hospital after having multiple operations.
This accident occurred on an outback mining road. If I had not come by it could have been well over a day or two before anyone found them.
Our time here is beautiful and brief. We are such fragile creatures. Give your loved ones a hug and a kiss, be grateful and wear your seat belt.
On a lighter note - some pretty rocks have been coming out of the ground. Opal production in Koroit is down, but not non-existent. . . and in a month or two I expect it to be increasing - details later.
In many ways this has been the strangest trip I've ever had to Australia since I first set foot here in 1987. Some of the story can be shared and some of it will need to remain unshared . . . I will try to put some of it into words soon.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
- Back to Koroit Soon
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
On Saturday I'll be on the way back to Koroit. Of course I'm very eager to get there and get digging.
My trip to Australia will be a bit different this time. I'll be taking QF8, a relatively new Qantas flight which goes from Dallas / Ft Worth to Brisbane non-stop. That will take 16 hours . . . and I'll be sitting in the cheap seats . . . I hope my neighbors are agreeable folks or the seat next to me is empty.
Mr UPS just delivered my new Suunto zone 5 compass. A bit of exploring is on the schedule for this trip.
I will try to keep you updated . . .
On Saturday I'll be on the way back to Koroit. Of course I'm very eager to get there and get digging.
My trip to Australia will be a bit different this time. I'll be taking QF8, a relatively new Qantas flight which goes from Dallas / Ft Worth to Brisbane non-stop. That will take 16 hours . . . and I'll be sitting in the cheap seats . . . I hope my neighbors are agreeable folks or the seat next to me is empty.
Mr UPS just delivered my new Suunto zone 5 compass. A bit of exploring is on the schedule for this trip.
I will try to keep you updated . . .
Sunday, June 12, 2011
- New rough Koroit opal parcels - 2PM Today
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
New parcels of beautiful rough Koroit opal will be in my store (www.koroitstore.com) between 2PM and 3PM today (Florida time).
Happy cutting!
.
New parcels of beautiful rough Koroit opal will be in my store (www.koroitstore.com) between 2PM and 3PM today (Florida time).
Happy cutting!
.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
- New rough Koroit opal parcels
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
Photos of 11 new parcels of rough Koroit opal have just been added to my flickr account: Koroit on flickr.
Soon those parcels along with about 10 more will be for sale in my online store: koroitstore.com.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask: gene [at] koroit [dot] com.
Photos of 11 new parcels of rough Koroit opal have just been added to my flickr account: Koroit on flickr.
Soon those parcels along with about 10 more will be for sale in my online store: koroitstore.com.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask: gene [at] koroit [dot] com.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
- Soon More Online
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
The photos of six more parcels of rough Koroit opal have been uploaded to my flicker account: Koroit on flickr.
Sometime tomorrow those parcels along with a few others will be for sale on my online store: www.koroitstore.com.
Thanks to everyone who has visited and made a purchase!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
- Online & Underground
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
In a few hours, at about 1pm FL-time, I'll be adding new parcels of rough Koroit opal for sale on my online store: www.koroitstore.com. I'll probably be adding a few more Sunday or Monday. Feel free to let me know what you'd like to see in the store.
You can see photos of the parcels that will be for sale on flickr: Koroitstore on flickr
. . . and you can see a few other photos of Koroit and Australia and etc on the rest of my flickr account: Koroit on flickr
Yes, I'm still here in the US of A . . . and it's frustrating. I'm very eager to get to Koroit and get digging. Some of my friends are now at my mine digging and finding color and the indications look very promising . . . I want to be there. In a month I expect to be there.
A few pieces that will be on www.koroitstore.com:
In a few hours, at about 1pm FL-time, I'll be adding new parcels of rough Koroit opal for sale on my online store: www.koroitstore.com. I'll probably be adding a few more Sunday or Monday. Feel free to let me know what you'd like to see in the store.
You can see photos of the parcels that will be for sale on flickr: Koroitstore on flickr
. . . and you can see a few other photos of Koroit and Australia and etc on the rest of my flickr account: Koroit on flickr
Yes, I'm still here in the US of A . . . and it's frustrating. I'm very eager to get to Koroit and get digging. Some of my friends are now at my mine digging and finding color and the indications look very promising . . . I want to be there. In a month I expect to be there.
A few pieces that will be on www.koroitstore.com:
Thursday, June 2, 2011
- Rough Koroit Opal 2
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
Pretty rocks that soon will be for sale in my store: www.koroitstore.com.
Sorry to duplicate this pic - it was an experiment. Photos uploaded using Safari will not supersize here, but photos uploaded with Firefox will supersize here. I'll be using Firefox.
Pretty rocks that soon will be for sale in my store: www.koroitstore.com.
Sorry to duplicate this pic - it was an experiment. Photos uploaded using Safari will not supersize here, but photos uploaded with Firefox will supersize here. I'll be using Firefox.
- Rough Koroit Opal In My Store
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
Here are a few pieces of rough Koroit opal that will soon be for sale in my online store: www.koroitstore.com.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
- Store & Photos & Mining & Passing
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
There are two new sites of mine you might find interesting . . .
. . . Just a few days ago I started an online store: www.koroitstore.com. Right now the store has parcels of rough Koroit opal for sale. Soon I hope to be adding opal cabs as well as cabs of other stones. Please feel free to let me know what you'd like to see for sale in the store.
. . . I have also just added quite a few photos to my flickr account: www.flickr.com/photos/koroit/. Here you will find photos of opals, opal mining and the area around Koroit as well as higher resolution photos of the material for sale in my online store.
In about a month I hope to be back in Koroit digging. Some of my friends are currently at my mine working in an area I've never mined before. I'm eager to get back there and see what treasures this new area has been hiding for the last few million years.
As some of you know I've been granted an EPM (Exploration Permit - Minerals, also frequently called an "EP") which gives me the sole rights to conduct exploration for minerals (but neither oil nor gas) in a 4 square mile area about 6 km north of Koroit. Of course I'm eager to get to the EP and see what beauties are just below the surface. I am looking forward to providing you with very exciting and colorful updates on the exploration process.
Recently Johnny Kovac, a miner in Yowah, was killed in a mining accident. As a result of this accident and a variety of developments in the government of the state of Queensland, there are going to be changes in the rules, regulations and enforcement relating to opal mining in Queensland. Some of this makes rational sense and has to do with common sense safety precautions and, unfortunately, some of it appears to be the result of a state government looking to milk more money out of wherever they can and bureaucrats who have no experience with mining or with life in the outback or rural areas creating new and unnecessary regulations and paperwork because more regulations and paperwork today seems to insure that they will have a job tomorrow.
A result of the above mentioned changes is that during this mining season I am being required to attend a "workshop" which will teach me how to "develop and implement a health and safety management system".
The letter I received from the Queensland Government Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation states:
"The workshop is free of charge to one person from each operation and an information pack and certificate of attendance will be provided to each participant. Morning tea and light lunch will be provided."
As I said, I understand mining is very dangerous and certain standards and rules need to exist to ensure safety. I can understand being required to take a safety course. However, if the Queensland government really is so concerned about miner safety, then why are they limiting attendance to only one person from each operation? Shouldn't they want as many people to attend as possible? . . . or is that complimentary "light lunch" too pricey to provide to too many people just to save a few lives? As an aside, for me to get to one of these workshops and free light lunches I'll have to travel about 2,000 km round trip, spend one day traveling there, a day at the workshop, a night in a hotel at my expense and a day traveling back to Koroit, covering all the travel expenses myself and chewing up at least 3 days of my time - there is no free lunch.
In addition to the sad news of the death of Johnny Kovac, another long-time Yowah miner, Victor Hirtl also recently passed away. Victor was a character. I'm not saying that in a good way or in a bad way. He was one of those personalities who left an impression. He owned the mining lease next to me in Koroit and would occasionally come to visit his mine and stop by my place and sit down for a yarn or a whinge (as they say in Australian). He had been in the opal business since dinosaurs roamed the outback and was a source of amazing stories from his incredible life. He was a man of strong opinions and possessed a vocabulary that clearly and colorfully left no doubt regarding how he felt about politics, the future of the opal business, other opal miners or anything else. I liked Victor and enjoyed chatting with him. Victor was a character and he will be missed. I wish him the best of luck on the next part of his journey.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
- A Few New Koroit Opal Cabs & AUD
Safety Harbor, FL - USA
Here are a few new Koroit boulder opal cabs . . .
. . . and the Aussie dollar (AUD) is at US$1.0940 - ouch!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
- Expenses and Poo
Palm Harbor, FL - USA
As the price of oil is steadily over $100 per barrel and gas is around $4 a gallon in the USA and the Australian dollar has sailed past US$1.07 one wonders what the expenses are going to be like during this mining season. I plan to be open cutting and doing some exploring even at much higher costs than normal. Every step of this process is an adventure - sometimes involving treacherous serpents, sometimes involving treacherous exchange rates and expensive diesel.
A few of my friends have arrived out on the field in Koroit and have set up their camps. The main news from Koroit is that many camps and their contents are covered in blankets of mouse poop. One miner reported killing over 50 mice in his camp the first night he was there.
As some of you fans of this endeavor probably are aware the rainfall in southwest Queensland over the last two years has been greater than at any other time since white men invaded Australia. As a result of the rain, almost all forms of life there are growing and reproducing at unheard of rates. There are types of wildflowers never before seen by people who have lived in that area for over 60 years. Of course common grasses are growing like crazy which gives the mice plenty of food and shelter. And, I would assume, plenty of mice will mean plenty of those creatures who dine on mice . . . yes, I will expect there to be more snakes slithering about than have been there in over 200 years.
If only the rain would help the opal to grow too!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
- Before & After - A skinned Koroit Opal Nut
Palm Harbor, FL - USA
Take a look - before & after, see what's hiding under the skin . . .
There is some problem uploading the video here on my blog, but you can see it on YouTube by clicking this link: http://youtu.be/_5PGIYm8UCc
Thursday, April 7, 2011
- A multicolored opal rub
Palm Harbor, FL - USA
This is a pretty piece of rough opal from Koroit that has a lot of potential -
Here is a link to the video on YouTube (the video quality on YouTube may be better than here):
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
- A lively piece of rough
Palm Harbor, FL - USA
Here is a very pretty, colorful and lively piece of rough from Koroit. It is part of a nut. The exposed layer of color and pattern was only a few millimeters beneath the skin of the nut.
Of course the piece looks much better in person.
Here is a link to the video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfjOmFttqMw
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
- An Interesting Piece of Rough
Palm Harbor, FL - USA
Here is an interesting and flashy piece of rough Koroit opal. The video does not do it justice.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
- A Few New Koroit Opal Cabs
Palm Harbor, FL - USA
Koroit is known for its interesting matrix opals, but some very nice clean-faced material comes out of Koroit as well.
Here are a few Koroit boulder opal cabs I just cut:
Friday, February 4, 2011
- Empty & Frozen Tucson
Tucson, AZ - USA
Yesterday my brother saw signs at a few hotels saying "Rooms Available". I have been at the shows in Tucson every year for over 20 years and have never before seen such signs at local hotels. Usually hotel rooms in the area are sold out months ahead of the show.
The sub-freezing weather continues . . . at 8:45am it is 24 degrees F. . . but the high today is supposed to be 56 - still below average, but higher than yesterday.
In spite of the low attendance and the uncomfortable temperatures, I'm doing well and am very grateful.
There is not much higher quality Australian material around.
Ethiopian material is everywhere. Supposedly prices at the mine have recently doubled. Many dealers have both rough and cut stones at a wide range of prices. It seems like a strange and changing market.
Yesterday my brother saw signs at a few hotels saying "Rooms Available". I have been at the shows in Tucson every year for over 20 years and have never before seen such signs at local hotels. Usually hotel rooms in the area are sold out months ahead of the show.
The sub-freezing weather continues . . . at 8:45am it is 24 degrees F. . . but the high today is supposed to be 56 - still below average, but higher than yesterday.
In spite of the low attendance and the uncomfortable temperatures, I'm doing well and am very grateful.
There is not much higher quality Australian material around.
Ethiopian material is everywhere. Supposedly prices at the mine have recently doubled. Many dealers have both rough and cut stones at a wide range of prices. It seems like a strange and changing market.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
- Frozen Tucson
Tucson, AZ - USA
The temperature in Tucson this morning is 19 degrees F. . . the high today is forecast to only hit 37 degrees. Yes, these record lows will make it unusually uncomfortable for dealers and buyers and almost certainly will have a negative impact on business.
So far it looks like the number of buyers is pretty low, maybe a few more people than last year, but far below what has been typical over the last 10 years. Luckily even though the number of bodies is low, those who are here seem to be serious and are spending money.
I'd post more photos, but in my show and most others, photos are a no-no.
. . . time to grab breakfast and get to the booth . . .
The temperature in Tucson this morning is 19 degrees F. . . the high today is forecast to only hit 37 degrees. Yes, these record lows will make it unusually uncomfortable for dealers and buyers and almost certainly will have a negative impact on business.
So far it looks like the number of buyers is pretty low, maybe a few more people than last year, but far below what has been typical over the last 10 years. Luckily even though the number of bodies is low, those who are here seem to be serious and are spending money.
I'd post more photos, but in my show and most others, photos are a no-no.
. . . time to grab breakfast and get to the booth . . .
Sunday, January 30, 2011
- Yum Yum
A great start to today and I'm off to attack Tucson. . . .
If you'd like to see photos or brief videos of anything in particular, please email me ( koroit@gmail.com) and let me know.
I might upload a few more pics and videos I took from along the way.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
- Tucson Trip
Palm Harbor, FL - USA
In a few short hours I'll be on the way to Tucson where I'll be showing some beautiful Koroit boulder opal cabs and specimens.
Keep your eyes open here and on Facebook for a variety of photos from my trip and of the show.
In Tucson I'll be at the Gem & Jewelry Exchange (also known as GJX), in booth 105, February 1 - 6. . . . I hope to see you there!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
- Floods
Palm Harbor, FL - USA
For the past year much of Australia has received record breaking amounts of rain. In the past few weeks the rain has been particularly devastating to Queensland. People have been killed and still many are missing - and there has been billions of dollars in damage.
Much of Brisbane is now under water. The river flowing through St George peaked at a bit more than 13 meters above its normal level. At its peak, the river, which normally is less than 50 meters wide was a kilometer wide. Although most of the rain steered clear of Cunnamulla, its residents have not had fresh vegetables or milk for over three weeks because transportation has been cut off.
Although there has been more rain than normal in Koroit, my mines are fine.
Monday, January 10, 2011
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