This Year’s Notes on AGTA Tucson from Edward Boehm

The Tucson Gem & Mineral Shows look like they will be busy busy busy this year! Hotels are booked, finding a rental car is tough and many flights into Tucson are sold out! Signaling an encouraging forecast for the rest of 2012. The AGTA Gem Fair, held in the Tucson Convention Center is one of our favorite trade shows. We always look forward to reconnecting with friends, clients and colleagues.

This year I will be speaking at the AGA Conference (Accredited Gemologists Association) on February 1st, 2012. My presentation, The World of Spinels, focuses on sources, treatments and quality characteristics. The hands-on session will provide a great opportunity to learn about the nuances that expert spinel dealers look for when grading. I will also be giving a presentation at the GILC (Gemstone Industry & Laboratory Conference) on January 30th, 2012. Please let me know if you would like to participate by contacting me at edward@raresource.com.

As usual, we will have at our booth our inventory of fine gem quality spinels, untreated blue, purple, and yellow sapphires, rubellite and indicolite tourmaline, outrageous garnets and many other incredible stones.

The mineral portion of the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show at the Tucson Convention Center officially begins on Thursday February 9th and will continue until Sunday. The theme for this year’s main show is “Minerals of Arizona” featuring fine gem quality crystals or specimens. Many museums, as well as private collectors, will add to the beauty and allure of their collections.

Wishing you all continued success and looking forward to seeing you in Tucson and beyond,