- 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

- 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):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx2R-wg9pMc

- 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

- 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.

- 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:

- 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.

- 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 . . .