Visited Tucson gem show this year, would recommend for all to attend, opalholic or rock-a-holic in the future. The show is so big; you can't see all of it in a week or two periods (if serious in lapidary). Many shows are wholesale only and require a resale tax license. However, most of the restricted shows are for finished products and are not for the small cutter (little to no rough). The area west if I-10 (Days Inn & Howard Johnson, opposite side of I-10 from the civic center) and the Tucson Electrical Park are the 1st and 2nd's places the small hobbyist should attend.
Since there is no standards for rough opal, I planned to visit many and return to buy, The prices for the same quality can be wide and varied, However time would not permit my plan, So I just brought and a 1/3 of what I brought I am now sorry for. I mainly buy the low end to match my market. The brightness factor is the key to buying. Although, I tried to remove my self from the seller's bright lights, I did not always succeed. The pricey opal's will shine under varying light.
There was no shortage of opal dealers in Tucson, more than pass years I have attended, though most were geared for high end and out of my price range. I brought more Ethiopian Opals (bright color) than others and hopefully I will not be sorry later and they crack on me (I know to limit the heat during cutting). Mexican Opals seems to be a bargain this year (larger pieces and more color for the money) But I have plenty of Mexican and did not buy but a small amount of Mexican. I brought a few Aus Opals parcels. One parcel I would like to give back and one I wish I had brought more.
Bill
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