Quartzite, AZ

[gunsil]

I finally made a pilgrimage to the huge Quartzite rock and gem shows, drove all the way out from NY. First three pics from the Desert Gardens show, next Tyson Wells, and last from the PowWow show. It was a rockhound/lapidary dream!! So many tons of rough, slabs, and cabs, spent a good part of two days there a week apart, was totally blown away at the amount of people running saws, making cabs and slabs right in their vending spaces. I picked up some nice slabs of piertersite, polish flint, a couple pounds of rough condor agate nodules, and a bunch of imperial jasper nodules. Also got good deals on a new Barranca 10" saw blade and new 2&3/8" Diamond Pacific wheels for my mini cab machine I use to make inside curves on some of my cabs. Was hoping to find some old stock high end ocean jasper but none was to be found. I highly recommend this show to all rockhounds, lapidaries, and mineral specimen collectors. If you only have limited time to attend I recommend going when the PowWow show is running.

 

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[Terry Soloman]

Always a great time at the "Q."

 

[Mrdigz]

That's so sick.

 

[MrLee]

Awesome Gunsl. And I thought my 4hr drive from OC was a slog. It really is a rockhound's paradise. I picked up a lot of material, blue lace rough, turquoise, fluorite, ocean jaspers, fire opals, opals, boulder opals, and my personal favorites, gold specimens!

 

[Mackaydon]

Looks like a nice piece from the Pala (Ca) tourmaline mine tailings.
Don.....

 

[Mrdigz]

Awesome Gunsl. And I thought my 4hr drive from OC was a slog. It really is a rockhound's paradise. I picked up a lot of material, blue lace rough, turquoise, fluorite, ocean jaspers, fire opals, opals, boulder opals, and my personal favorites, gold specimens!
View attachment 1410229 View attachment 1410230

As far as pricing goes do you get a lot for your money? My Brother lives in Henderson NV and I go out to visit/ hunt at least once a year. I would take a trip there if the prices were good.

 

[MrLee]

Prices are great there and the selection is huge. The nice thing about the Desert Gardens show is many of the dealers are smaller and more willing to work with you on prices. Apart from Desert Gardens there is another show just east, same side of the freeway in warehouses. I found this side to be made up of larger dealers, many from foreign countries and just not friendly, not easy to work with, prices were retail, fixed. Additionally, there are permanent shops on the north side of the freeway, T-rocks, being one. They've got a lot of rough, some at reasonable prices, some a bit pricey, but selection is good.

Overall, it's 1 of the yearly shows I make sure to go to for material/specimens.

 

[ChampFerguson/TN]

Thanks for the tip. Those shows are near the top of my To Go To list.

 

[kcm]

I sorta envy you guys who like to travel a lot. Gunsil - GREAT post, sir!! Mr. Lee - I'm drooling over that nugget!

 

[MrLee]

I sorta envy you guys who like to travel a lot. Gunsil - GREAT post, sir!! Mr. Lee - I'm drooling over that nugget!

Those are 2 different nuggets. I was drooling too when the seller pulled them out from his "stash" in the RV. My budget only allowed me those two though. First time I ever bough gold specimens and now I'm wondering why it took me so long!

 

[Mrdigz]

Prices are great there and the selection is huge. The nice thing about the Desert Gardens show is many of the dealers are smaller and more willing to work with you on prices. Apart from Desert Gardens there is another show just east, same side of the freeway in warehouses. I found this side to be made up of larger dealers, many from foreign countries and just not friendly, not easy to work with, prices were retail, fixed. Additionally, there are permanent shops on the north side of the freeway, T-rocks, being one. They've got a lot of rough, some at reasonable prices, some a bit pricey, but selection is good.

Overall, it's 1 of the yearly shows I make sure to go to for material/specimens.

Thanks for the info! I'm planning on going next time around! I will definitely need to limit how much money I take with me that day.

 

[unclemac]

my aunt and a couple cousins too...winter there every year