Handmade Gemstone Jewelry - at the gem show

 

Going to a gem show is a grand adventure if you're a gemstone junkie. I walk in the door and it's just like it was when we went to the toy store when we were kids. Everything is so cool I want it all.

Everything looks so pretty on the surface, but just like men, you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find the handsome prince! Gems are very expensive and there are at least as many undesirable gemstones as desirable ones.Always near the front door is the man who sells the really nice, clear gemstones. Amethysts, spinel, labradorite, citrine, tourmaline, aquamarine. All really, really expensive, and all AAA quality. Exquisitely beautiful gemstones in briolettes, rondelles, pendants, rounds, teardrops, barrel shaped. However, one has to be careful to not get an expensive bead or two with serious flaws and to not overpay - it's definitely possible to get fleeced.

Then it's off to find some good pearls. There are a lot of pearl dealers at gem shows but amazingly, few good pearls. At the last show I finally found a seller who had some really nice pearls. Again, pearls of all sizes, shapes and prices. I could really get into trouble at these shows.Then I walk past rows and rows of awful gemstones looking for good ones. I have an interesting reaction to gem stones. When I see awful gemstones I feel rather icky. It's the feeling we all get when we look at something rather unpleasant. When I find stones I like, the feeling is the opposite. It's the same feeling I get when I see a sweet baby or a beautiful sunset or a great dog.

I always stop by the seller of premier and rare turquoise. I just cannot pass by this booth. I've gotten to know the seller, who is also the miner and the cutter. He gives me the turquoise scoop. This guy really knows his turquoise! Sometimes I get very carried away buying turquoise, and sometimes I have a little restraint. Turquoise is definitely one of my favorite stones, and all American turquoise is becoming extremely expensive and some close to impossible to find. When there are rare treasures to be had it's very hard to resist.

The bottom line is, while in some ways a gem show is like Disneyland, it's a buyer beware situation. One has to be really careful. I've made a lot of mistakes and have my share of useless flawed treasures. After all, I'm very picky about what I sell.