Anyone been to a public gem show - is it worth going?

[SparkleRx]

I just saw in my newspaper a gem show is coming near my town. There is a side for the public (retail side) and a side for the vendors (wholesale side). It will be near my town within a month and was wondering if anyone had ever gone and is it worth it?

www.intergem.com is the link but it doesn''t really have that much info for the public side.

Just curious if they sell loose or mounted jewelry and if they are high quality. I looked at the exhibitors coming to my area but don''t recognize any of the names. I would assume there would be a no return policy.

 

[geckodani]

I''ve been and am going again. More to ogle the pretties than anything, LOL. The last time I went I got some gorgeous pearls and had my sister in law make me a bracelet for my wedding. They had set stuff as well, but I don''t remember the quality.

 

[luvmyhalo]

I''ve been to 2 of these in the LA area. I''ve purchased some cute stackable bands that I wear quite often. Price was great, quality...not top notch, but for the price, they''re great for some fun rings to wear.

As far as returns, I''m sure it varies per vendor but I had a ring that a diamond fell out of and the vendor gave me a full refund. If you do purchase anything, just be sure to get a receipt, get their contact information and write down the person''s name who you dealt with.

You should go!!! Some good stuff, some not so good, but they''re a lot of fun.

 

[kcoursolle]

I''ve been to one and it was fun! I didn''t end up buying anything, but I enjoyed it. There is a lot of variety in terms of quality and price of items. There was everything from beads to very high end jewelry, but ingeneral some of the retailers were slightly pushy, but then some were great. I''m not sure I''d make an expensive purchase at one of these, but it could be fun for a cheaper purchase.

 

[Selkie]

Yes, I''ve been several times. In fact a group of us are meeting to go to the Santa Monica show this weekend. It''s fun, though the sheer number of vendors and customers can be overwhelming (and there''s a lot of things like beads and costume jewelry I''m just not interested in). The return policy probably depends on the vendor, so check before buying. I had a big fiasco with USPS losing a ring I''d bought from a vendor (he had it sized and shipped to me), and he was pretty accomodating with replacing it.

 

[dee96789]

The Denver Gem and Mineral show was just here this last weekend and it was a blast, the one here had exhibts of minerals and fossils from around the world as well as vendors for retail and wholesale. There was a lot of interesting things to look at, finished pieces, loose gemstones, to geode cracking, to instruments. For six bucks it was well worth the entry fee just to wander around and see the hundreds of vendors.

I looked at some of the loose gems, and some of them were entering their cut gems into a cutting competition and there were some amazing gems they had cut, including a aquamarine that was a rich green blue color, nothing like the softer blues I normally see. This piece was priced at about $11k, but I can''t remember the carat weight.

I didn''t buy anything expensive there, just a couple of uncracked geodes that they cracked for us, and a beautifully cut amethyst set in silver for about $80. I don''t know enough about gems to be willing to spend much more for other gems, but if you do, you might be able to find some beauties.

 

[jewelerman]

Gem shows are worth going to...talking to people,handling the gems,beads,and jewelry is a great way to learn and ask questions...as you study you will learn what info that was given you at these shows were traue and false.

 

[loriken214]

I''ve been going to the Houston Gem Show for many years and have enjoyed it each time. There is SO much to see, both high end all the way to costume. You can spend all day there. Once you''ve purchased something from a vendor, you will begin receiving free passes for future shows. The Houston Show comes to town four times a year.....usually in January, April, July and October.

I hope to be able to go to the October Show....it is always the best because the vendors bring lots of things for the holidays.

Lori

 

[pjean]

Do those of you who go take a loupe?

 

[Skippy123]

Hi there, I did go to that gem show where I live (NM), it was awful,

I really think it depends on your city. I bet big cities are better!!!

 

[Fly Girl]

We have small local gem shows here. I think its always worth a look just to see the pretty rocks! Last show I purchased a couple of inexpensive beryls just to study on my own at home.

I''ve learned to appreciate what makes a nice stone, I now understand how beryls gleam in the light, and I have become a big beryl fan.

I think it''s worth a visit if you have the time. You just never know....

 

[KatSullivan]

I just went to the intergem show in San Mateo a couple of weeks ago. It was SO much fun! I agree with everyone else when they say that is was really overwhelming. There are so many vendors that you get lost and can''t remember what you saw and where you saw it.

I WILL say that you can find some really good deals. I got a really nice white gold setting for under 250 for a garnet I brought with me. I totally brought my loop and busted it out like a crazy person. The vender didn''t blink an eye! The setting I got has four, small, diamond sidestones. They actually show arrows! The vendor that I bought my setting from ran me over to another vendor and they set my garnet and re-sized it right in front of me for an extra 40 bucks.

The vender also had really pretty sapphire and diamond Tiffany swing eternity replicas for only 220! I didn''t buy one but I plan on calling him up and ordering one. I would suggest bringing cash since the vendors prefer it.

I had a lot of fun and my skeptical boyfriend actually had a good time too. I would really recommend it!

 

[SparkleRx]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I believe I am going to go if my schedule doesn''t change and am excited! My question is - who are these vendors? I don''t recognize any of them. Are they "traveling vendors" who go from show to show? My first thought when I saw the newspaper article was that the local Jewelers would all be at the show, but I guess I was wrong.

I really wish I had someone to go with me

None of my friends are in to jewelry even 1/10th the amount I am. I could take some friends but would feel rushed since I would know they weren''t having nearly as much fun as I would be having (but...maybe I could convert a few?). Even my b/f offered to drive me down but he has no interest in jewelry and his eyes glaze over when I start talking about sparklies.

But, I am looking forward to going so wish me luck!! I have a loupe but don''t even know what I am looking for.