ISG at Tucson 2011: Countdown to Tucson

ISG at Tucson 2011: Countdown to Tucson

by Robert James, President, International School of Gemology, ISG Newsletter, January 25, 2011

The Countdown to Tucson and the ISG at Tucson 2011 events continues. Today we want to highlight some special vendors at the GJX Show in downtown Tucson, along with a few important AGTA vendors that we missed last week.

The GJX Show is perhaps the most favored location for gemstone dealers based on the wide diversity of dealers there who come from every corner of the world. The isles are always crowded and business is always hot at the GJX show. Below are some of our favorite dealers who are to be found there. Don't miss any of these folks as they have established themselves with a solid reputation with the ISG. Mostly good....a few not so good. Here they are...

GJX in the Tent across from Tucson Convention Center

Ande Jewelry & Mineral Co. (GJX Show Booths: 1108, 1109, 1110)

Don’t miss this chance to see the people who started the whole damned andesine fiasco! Both Jewelry Television and Direct Shopping Network have listed Andegem as the source for the undisclosed, diffusion treated andesine that has rocked this industry. If you really want to have some fun, wait until Chris Rose walks by the Andegem booth. YIKES! Fireworks from Mr. Chen that are absolutely not to be missed. But check out the source of this andesine situation right here at the Andegem booth.

Beija-Flor Gems (GJX Show Booth: 1008)

Specializing in true Paraiba Tourmaline, Colorado Rhodochrosite, Red Beryl, Sapphires and more. Excellent resource for gemstones and great folks to work with. Bob is a long-time friend and important information resource for the ISG Community.

ColorFirst Co. (GJX Show Booth #1430)

A major supplier of colored gemstones from around the world who has helped us tremendously. Absolute committment to integrity and proper representation. Raja Shah and his folks have been highly instrumental in assisting the ISG in obtaining study specimens for our research. Excellent gem dealers that is a "must see" on every buyer list.

Ceylon Jewels Mfg. (Pvt) Ltd. (Booth: 608)

A great organization from Bangkok. Specializes in all types of gemstones and jewelry. Long-time friend of the ISG Community and supporter of ethics in the industry.

Chatham Created Gems Inc. (Booths: 137, 138)

Chatham wrote the book on modern lab created gemstones that raised them to an art form. The future of the gemstone industry includes created gemstones and Chatham Created Gems is your primary source. Plus, they are great people to work with.

Dust Devil Mining Co. (GJX Show Booth #4205)

Oregon Sunstone at its finest. These folks operate one of the most famous mines in Plush Oregon, and are the epitome of what is right about this industry. Absolutely do not miss meeting them and adding Oregon Sunstone to your product list.

Exotic Gemstones LLC (GJX Show Booth: 4206)

Jewelry designs in Oregon Sunstone that must be seen. In fact, my wife owns several designs by Karla and loves every one of them. I don’t come home from the Tucson Gem Shows without a new one. That’s about the highest recommendation I can give any vendor at Tucson. The design at left is from Karla's excellent collection.

Galaxy Gems (GJX Show Booth: 714)

Direct miners of a vast array of Brazilian gemstones. We once again include these good folks on our “recommended” list as a great source and good people to work with.

Gemfrance (GJX Show Booth: 914)

Everyone take what you have learned about diffusion treated andesine and go by this booth to see what is claimed as Congo Andesine. Just as a learning experience. To date Dr. Sikirdji has not been able to provide any proof that this Congo mine actually exists. In fact, based on his own claim that the mine is located in rebel held territory in the Congo, it is actually illegal for US consumers to purchase Gemfrance’s “Congo Andesine” as it is helping finance a terrorist organization……if Dr. Sikirdji’s claims are accurate.

John D. Dyer (GJX Show Booth: 1530)

This young man is absolutely one of the finest gemstone artists I have seen. Award winning designer and cutter who is at the leading edge of the future of this industry. You absolutely must visit his booth and see the future of this industry in both design and people.

Kaufman Enterprises (GJX Show Show Booth: 314)

Specializes in facet rough and custom cut gemstones of all kinds. Perenial favorite with the ISG Community members.

Kruess Optronic GmbH (GJX Show Booth: 1201)

World renowned resource for gemological equipment and supplies.

Litto Gems Co. (GJX Show Booth: 111)

We have no idea why these people are still claiming to sell “Tibet andesine” when the China National Gem Testing Lab folks, and others, have tagged it a hoax. What does it take to put a stop to this kind of thing? We don’t know. But we have many specimens from Litto gems and they all test as diffusion treated. It’s worth a stop to see more specimens of this material that the Peretti expedition called a very elaborate hoax.

Lowe Associates - Robt. P. Lowe, Jr. (GJX Show Booth: 205)

Excellent supplier of Brazilian gemstones as well as other world sources. We hear a lot of good things about these folks for quality and integrity. Repeat listing on our recommended vendor list and good people to work with based on a lot of customer reports.

OTF Gems - Org. Tavares Filho (GJX Show Booth: 3010)

One of our closest friends and supporters from Brazil. Specializes in Brazilian gemstones as well as exceptionally knowledgeable in the gemstone industry. Wonderful resource for our research and long time dealer and friend of the ISG Community.

Perlas del Mar de Cortez (GJX Show Booth: 1221)

Mexican round cultured pearls and half pearls. Do no miss the opportunity to see the Mexican produced pearls that are of the highest quality. These folks have helped us with our ISG Pearls Course materials and study specimens for years. Good people to work with and outstanding pearl products.

R. W. Osmond & Associates (GJX Show Booth: 235)

These Aussies specialize in some of the finest chrysoprase and opals you will find anywhere in the world, and at excellent prices. Outstanding group that we have enjoyed working with for a couple of years now. Don’t miss them as they offer unique gems, carvings and other items that you will not find elsewhere.

Rough & Ready Gems, Inc. (GJX Show Booth: 700)

Unique gemstone briolettes and ultrasonic drilling services. Great people to work with and repeat favorite of the ISG Community.

Tucker Gems/Sid Tucker, L.L.C. (GJX Show Booth: 236)

Solid wholesale resource for colored gemstones. Return members of our recommended list and long-time members of the ISG Community.

Tairona Co. (GJX Show Booth #410)

Imports a wonderful array of colored gemstones specializing in emeralds, sapphires and tourmalines. Paul is a long-time friend of the ISG Community and our efforts to further integrity in the industry. It is wonderful to work with folks who still believe in the foundations of this industry where honesty and integrity are first and foremost in business.

Did we miss you? Let us know. We have a special list coming out next week for anyone we missed. Just let us know.

OOPS.....in our AGTA Favorite Vendor listing we missed the following:

Taylorcorp. (AGTA GemFair Booth #1110)

Wonderful source for colored gemstones with a world class reputation for quality and integrity. Long time supporter of ethics in this industry and of the ISG Community. More important, a fantastic resource for colored gemstones that you will want to make sure is on your list.

American Sapphire Company (AGTA GemFair Booth #526)

Many reasons to be sure and see these folks. They produce outstanding natural sapphires from the US. Rare opportunity to obtain local gemstones from local mines that will increase your revenue streams in profits and beauty.

Glenn Preus, G.G. (AGTA GemFair Booth #525)

Colored gemstone supplier with experience and knowledge that many will find refreshing. Long-time supporter of the ISG Community and our efforts to increase ethics in the industry.

Perlen Yukie U.S.A. (AGTA Booth# 625)

Specializes in Japanese Freshwater Pearls from Lake Kasumigaura, Japan, as well as Cultured Akoya Pearls and Cultured Akoya Keshi. Great friend of the ISG Community and supporter of ethics in the industry.