Swag From Tucson Gem & Mineral Show

Tucson late January/early February hosts the largest gem and mineral show(s) in the United States. Shows because there an enormous number of independent shows; from the higher end AGTA and JGX to a semi infinite variety in motels, expo center etc. From meteorites to fossils... examples of anything and everything mineral that comes from the earth. 

Past visits have been primarily to enjoy the many beautiful stones; marvel at the extraordinary diversity. There was some on this trip: 

On this occasion we had a mission: locate sources of rough agate for a design in development. This took us to some new venues where we met a number of interesting collectors quite devoted to agate in it's various formats. Of course, as per usual, several pieces caught our eye to be used (somehow) for one of a kind Vitae Ascendere pieces. Two such are these small agates, one from Utah the other from Madagascar:

Both different however each engenders thoughts of diffusion patterns - perhaps pendants? How to expand the vision of diffusion based growth around the minerals? (Future entry)

Where does one start?

Tumbled Emeralds - quite clear, robust green

We also met with a friend from Germany, who runs a shop that carves stones. The focus of his company is mechanical (i.e. computer controlled) machining (he is third generation in the company). The town in which he is located; Idar Oberstein has been a center of stone and gem carving for centuries. As he prepared for Tucson he visited young artists and bought some pieces to display, one of which quite caught our eye:

How to extend the spiral feeling into a pendant? Time will tell