Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Tucson Electric Park's Mineral and Fossil Showcase
February 3, 2007
We went to the Tucson Electric Park's gems, minerals, fossils, jewelry, lapidary equipment supplies and tools showcase composed actually of two shows: the open air/tent show and the RV show, which is patterned after the Quartzite show.
The TEP continues to impress. The anchor dealers give this show its character, including Kent Tools and the Diamond Pacific Tool tents, the Alpha Supply Tent, the Norcross-Madagascar tent, the Moroccan fossil tent, and the Brazilian, Peru, and Mexican gem, rocks, and arts tents. A big seller yearly is the Le Raphia Vert-Madagascar mineral and fossil tent which sells at wholesale prices some of the most colorful rocks, minerals, ammonites, and nautilus. It helps that its owner is a pretty and charming lady. Her German partner handles the tent, while she maintains another table at the Days Inn show. Another must see is the Michigan corals tent with its very accommodating and charming dealer.
One new innovative feature at the TEP show is the Electric Park Learning Center; which aims to inform, educate, and train for free enthusiasts and the public on lapidary equipment and other polishing techniques in one central tent. Note however, that individual dealers will happily answer questions and do an impromptu tutoring at their respective tables. Seashells, animal skins, heads, Chinese imports, and unpolished stones were on sale as well. The enclosed slideshow also shows some huge crystals and rocks, some fashioned into artistic pieces, selling in the tens of thousands.
Grapevine news revealed that well recognized petrified dealer Johnson Lapidary has sold out and retired.
At the TEP RV show, we were blown away by Wade's dinosaur bones, the Kentucky agates, the knives made out of bones, and by the nice folks at the Wood Shed. Even Pynk Floyd was a hit (see slideshow).
We went to the Tucson Electric Park's gems, minerals, fossils, jewelry, lapidary equipment supplies and tools showcase composed actually of two shows: the open air/tent show and the RV show, which is patterned after the Quartzite show.
The TEP continues to impress. The anchor dealers give this show its character, including Kent Tools and the Diamond Pacific Tool tents, the Alpha Supply Tent, the Norcross-Madagascar tent, the Moroccan fossil tent, and the Brazilian, Peru, and Mexican gem, rocks, and arts tents. A big seller yearly is the Le Raphia Vert-Madagascar mineral and fossil tent which sells at wholesale prices some of the most colorful rocks, minerals, ammonites, and nautilus. It helps that its owner is a pretty and charming lady. Her German partner handles the tent, while she maintains another table at the Days Inn show. Another must see is the Michigan corals tent with its very accommodating and charming dealer.
One new innovative feature at the TEP show is the Electric Park Learning Center; which aims to inform, educate, and train for free enthusiasts and the public on lapidary equipment and other polishing techniques in one central tent. Note however, that individual dealers will happily answer questions and do an impromptu tutoring at their respective tables. Seashells, animal skins, heads, Chinese imports, and unpolished stones were on sale as well. The enclosed slideshow also shows some huge crystals and rocks, some fashioned into artistic pieces, selling in the tens of thousands.
Grapevine news revealed that well recognized petrified dealer Johnson Lapidary has sold out and retired.
At the TEP RV show, we were blown away by Wade's dinosaur bones, the Kentucky agates, the knives made out of bones, and by the nice folks at the Wood Shed. Even Pynk Floyd was a hit (see slideshow).
For More information:
Tucson Electric Park Gem & Mineral Show
What: Minerals, gems, fossils
When: Feb. 2-17, 2008
Where: Tucson Electric Park/Kino Sports Complex — E. Ajo Way Between Kino Pkwy. & Country Club Rd.; 2500 E. Ajo Way.
Advance Information: TEP Gem Show, Inc., (520) 883-6447; fax (520) 883-0527; e-mail TEPgemshow@cs.com.
Tucson Electric Park RV Gem Show
What: Minerals, gems, some jewelry
When: Feb. 2-17, 2008
Where: Tucson Electric Park/Kino Sports Complex — E. Ajo Way Between Kino Pkwy. & Country Club Rd.; 2500 E. Ajo Way.
Advance Information: (800) 983-0133; fax (405) 330-9955; e-mail teprv.gemshow@yahoo.com.
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