Tucson 2015

[GemGeek]

It's that time again! Elisabeth Strack says hello to everyone and has let me know that she is speaking on Wednesday, February 4th at the AGTA Show at 9:00 a.m. We customarily meet for her talk and then conduct a pearl walk between AGTA and the GJX shows and down to Pueblo, if there is time.

Because the Cultured Pearl Association of America has their party Wednesday night, we should be holding the PG dinner on Thursday night. We walked practically the whole day last year and Caitlin missed the dinner because of it. I was completely exhausted and my feet were sore. So this year, less official walking because the dinner just isn't the same without her.

Check AGTA.org for entry requirements. Some people are signing up for the GIA online pearl class so they can qualify as a student. If you come with business cards, a business license and a resale certificate, you should be able to get in without showing invoices. Some years they can be harder to get into than others. There are a lot of shows and many are also open to the public. Even in Tucson, the new JCK show is extremely hard to get into without documentation of a full-time jewelry business. But you should be able to get into Elisabeth's talk without a badge.

Woo Hoo!

 

[Katbran]

I have a question about this fair. I find the site a bit confusing..who is actually putting this show on? It looks like there are several shows at the same time run by different groups. JCK - I know they do Las Vegas but are they mostly finished jewelry or are there lots of pearl wholesalers and stone strands as well? Findings?? Which shows are the most worthwhile if I'm not interested in finished jewellery?

 

[CortezPearls]

Count me in! I will be there for the talk and the walk! Will love being with you all, give you a big New year's Hug and listen to Elisabeth's talk.
See you real soon!

 

[jshepherd]

There are a lot of shows going on all at the same time all over Tucson during February. Caitlin or GemGeek could probably break them down a lot better than I can.

Hisano and I are planning to be there! We look forward to the walk, the talks and of course the dinner!

 

[GemGeek]

The JCK show at Tucson is new and therefore still getting established. I suspect there will be many more vendors this time around. It can be notoriously hard to get into JCK without strong credentials and I witnessed a little fracas at the front desk last year where someone wanted to get in, but didn't meet the exacting documentation demands and were turned away. This year, however, it may be easier. The email I received from AGTA specifically asked if I wanted to add my name to get into JCK Tucson. The standards are being relaxed to get more traffic. This happened in Las Vegas when the financial meltdown was at its peak.

The best shows for pearls, close enough to circuit on foot, are AGTA, GJX and Pueblo (at the Riverpark Inn). If you can get into AGTA, you can use your show ID to get into GJX and the non-public area of Pueblo. That is where we will be going on the official pearl walk.

You haven't lived until you have cruised the giant Holidome show. The Gem Mall show is also very large and you can get shells there. The Holidome show is great for findings, fun pearls and gem beads. I like to pick up CZ briolettes at Evergreen. There are shuttles that run to the different shows. Parking can be expensive if you can even find it, so go early if you are driving.

Show info with links to shuttle, etc.: http://www.tucsongemshows.net/coming.html

Caitlin's faboo guide from a few years ago: https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91&highlight=tucson+show+guide

If you don't have the documentation needed to enter AGTA as a buyer, you can sign up for an online gemology class and bring proof of your status as a student. I strongly suggest you sign up for a GIA class, www.gia.edu. (Start with Jewelry Essentials, $165.00 to see how you like it.) This will allow you to join AGTA as a student member for a $50 fee and you will get entrance to the show as a student member.

 

[Katbran]

GemGeek - Thanks very much for that information. I'm waiting to hear from the AGTA - just wrote to them yesterday. The course is a good way in as well. I'm assuming there is nothing to stop the 'students' from buying. I've got admittance approved from JCK so I'm alright with that. I just didn't know what shows were good to visit..and how many groups needed to approve one for admittance. Be nice if you only had to get one approval. lol Again, thanks for that ! I'll look at Caitlins guide.

 

[Caitlin]

Not too much has changed in the companies and the show since I wrote that report except the prices -it isn't much of a guide- the same shows are in the same places every year. Two of the biggest shows are the AGTA which sets up in the Community center, and the GLDA which sets up at The Starr Pass resort hotel. Those two shows are membership organizations where members show under their auspices. The GJX is a tent that rents booths to wholesalers like Sarah and Douglas -as is the Pueblo Inn. All the above are downtown or very close to downtown

The Holidome that Blaire mentioned also rents booths to anyone, so it has a marvelous eclectic bunch of stuff, not just fine gems and pearls, though plenty of those too. If anyone want to visit more places than those on the Pearl Walk, I'd put the Holidome at the top of the list, though I also like the GJ&w, (I know I have the letters wrong), but it is a fascinating show. Literally and acres of inexpensive Chinese pearls and for educational purposes- a few of absolutely the worst examples of horrible Tahitians or souffle pearls you'd ever not want to see- the bottom of barrel. I call those shows "The tents" because they are the sideshows of the main event.

And there are always the bead shows which I haven't mentioned- but there are several of them all over town, It is bead show paradise during the gem shows around here.

 

[Katbran]

Excellent info Caitlin, thanks very much. It is very confusing when you try to sort out what's happening from the various web sites. Looks like you just rock up with a fistful of invoices and info - must slow things down terribly to not pre approve people?

Can student AGTA members buy from their show?

 

[GemGeek]

Students are not allowed to purchase at AGTA. If you have a resale licence you might be able to talk someone into it, but you could also get kicked out if you get caught.

 

[GemGeek]

JCK took over the Starr Pass resort and I understand that the Holidome has moved. Things are changing!

 

[Caitlin]

The Holidome itself is changing names? That happens a lot in Tucson. Or is it moving to another Holiday Inn? Is the GLDA quitting Tucson or did it move to the old Holidome (lol) - or something?

 

[Caitlin]

kat- They do pre-approve people who attended last year's show, so as long as you attend, you get the passes ahead of time next year. Still, there are long lines every AM at the AGTA for all the folks who didn't get pre-approved.

 

[dkan 168]

I am planning to attend in 2018, not just for pearls, but for coloured gemstones too.

DK

 

[GemGeek]

GLDA sold out to JCK from what I can tell. I don't see their show listed and it was very slow there the last time I saw it - a ghost town.

Holidome tent is moving, but it's not far from the Holiday Inn. The sister show, also G&LW, is the Gem Mall and the Holidome looks to be almost next door now. Two great fun shows. Wear your most comfortable shoes!

 

[Katbran]

Wow this thing is bigger than Ben Hur ! All good on the AGTA , they just sent me an email to say I'm 'on the list' ... now I just need to find a way to get to America in February...

I'm going to have to study all this info. I can see where this thing is so big that it would be easy to waste a lot of time going to the wrong stops. Thanks for all the good advice.

 

[kojimapearl]

Hello my dear pearls.
As per usual, we will be in booth 107 of the GJX.. hoping to meet you all for the talk, depending on how busy we are.. but definitely for dinner!
So very much looking forward to the show, we are busy preparing many new designs and organizing all the pearls. It is always so much fun to see all of our friends from around the world and meet new ones.
Please count me in for dinner (and let me know if there is anything I can do to help!)
Happy New Year , Sarah

 

[Lady_Disdain]

I can't wait to read the reports and see the photos. It will almost make up for not going myself.

 

[la_corsetiere]

Can't wait to experience this myself in a couple of weeks! My eyes are already blinded and my pillow damp from anticipatory drool. Looking forward to seeing some of my pearly friends soon! Squeeee!

 

[GemGeek]

Yes, La Corsetiere and Clyde didn't waste any time meeting pearl luminaries... Chi of Galatea.


Our favorite in the CPAA awards - little h and Hisano Shepherd.


More of Hisano's designs. The gold background made photography difficult...



This unusual bracelet called Seven Wonders was by Bimal Koley.


Late lunch at El Minuto...look at that cheese crisp with chorizo sausage!!!


Jeremy and the Pearl Guide Dinner table just before 16 pearl lovers descended. Thanks to our hosts, Jeremy and Hisano Shepherd.


And Douglas on VIDEO!

 

[BAS]

Thank you so much for the photos! Makes me smile!