Top Ten Tucson Tips & Tools!

It’s that time of year again – to get knee-deep in rough precious stones and cutting art from every corner of the planet. To get down and swim in it. To see more crystals and sparkling stones and rough than I thought was in the world – before I first went to Tucson.

Every year, people ask for Tucson Tips and Tools. For 2014, I’m going to offer my short list:

1. If you have contacts, reach out to them. Who will you see; when and where will you see them; and what are they bringing?
2. If you don’t have contacts yet, get ready to make them. Make sure you have a good supply of business cards and note-taking tools and plans to insure you build a good list. I integrate the “who has what” with “what I got from who” in my notes – a practice that has been very valuable.
3. Take as much time as you can get in the City. I’ve spent up to 8 days in Tucson – and still not seen everything. The shows are numerous and spread out. And, each one can be overwhelming by itself. Also, budget your time carefully.
4. Whether you’re early or late, you can still do great. Some people say go early and “get there first”. Others say go late and “get the last day discounts”. I say every day has opportunities – and you want to find those and work them, whatever they are.
5. Have a plan for what you’d like to find – and ask for it. But, don’t depend on finding it. You may search the entire show and find no Sphene, but walk right past plenty of opportunities in Aquamarine. So, have a plan, but also be prepared to notice the opportunities in front of you and capitalize on them.
6. Take a good tool kit, but don’t walk down the street with an optivisor on your head. You’ll look like a mark – and get a magnifying glass burn! When you leave the show, hide your badge immediately. Or, you’ll look like a mark.
7. My Tool Kit Includes:
   • Loupes
   • Tweezers of different sizes
   • Lights, including fiber-optic for directional lighting
   • Lots of business cards
   • Supply of baggies
   • My own scale
     The Department of Weights and Measures is known to “audit” vendors (article) – and confiscate “unlicensed” scales. They can have a huge headache if their scale isn’t certified. So, many vendors are relieved if they see you have your own scale.
     
   • Calculator – to communicate/negotiate as well as calculate
   • Immersion cell & clean-up stuff
   • Pens & Pencils
   • Extra batteries
   • Hanneman Filters
8. For Pete’s sake, be polite – and recognize that you’re entering the “home” – at least the temporary one – of every dealer. Recognize that they are from different countries and cultures. Try to be sensitive to expressions, talking distances, customs, etc. As they are a guest in this country, you are a guest in their room. And, a little basic courtesy can go a long way toward you having a good deal – or even seeing what you want to see. If you want to put something into an immersion cell – ASK FIRST. And, then make sure you clean up after yourself!
9. Remember to have fun. That’s what precious stones – and life – are about.
10. Use some situational awareness as you’re moving around the show – and especially in the parking lots and between shows. There are lots of police, but thefts have increased in recent years, so use awareness.

If you have some tips you’d like to share – or questions or comments – please leave them below. I’ll try to answer all of them. And, if something you say – or ask – inspires an article or video, I may express my gratitude in more than words…