Bay Area gem show today!

[innerkitten]

The San Francisco Gem and Mineral Society is putting on it's yearly show this weekend. I've been twice before and loved it! It's on Treasure Island this time. There is a coupon for two dollars off admission on their web site.

 

[movie zombie]

i expect a report, innerkitten!

 

[Enerchi]

i expect a report, innerkitten!

Oh please share details, if you went! Pics too!

 

[innerkitten]

Well I had a great time . As usual I picked up a few things to make stuff with in class. But the truth is I don't have enough time to make things out of all of them. That's okay because it's just fun to play with it all. There was some great stuff and of course you can bargain with most of the dealers. Some of the crystals and specimens are really cheap if you like that type of thing ( I do). I bought some American turquoise and one Chinese cab from my all time favorite booth. He has great stuff every year. I guess he sells other peoples collections. Also bought two moonstones from another seller, one peach and one white cushion shape. A small peach colored carnelian from a cabber who had huge a table full of interesting agates. Also a few other bits and pieces including some American turquoise beads, some faceted quartz, pale brown and smoky, and some agate and geodes.

 

[innerkitten]

... I need to do a better photo shoot with the moonstones one day. They look cool with the right lighting.

 

[chrono]

I like the moonstones - they look like little buttons!

 

[Fly Girl]

I have a designer pendant with one of those peach moonstones. Amazing look with the appearance of light glowing from inside the stone.

I don't wear it much in summer, since the peach color blends into my skin. But, against a black sweater, say, it really pops.

 

[movie zombie]

thanks for the update! love the moonstones!

 

[Enerchi]

I love that square moonstone and am Intrigued by the facet quartz. What are your plans for which stones? Are there pre determined items you are going to set them into??? Do tell!!!!

 

[innerkitten]

I love moonstones too. I'm always on the lookout for them whenever I attend a show. The facted quartz would be cool in some sort of bypass design ( the smoky and pale brown), but they are kind of large for a ring together at about 9 or 10mm. Maybe as a brooch? Right now these are falling in a very long line of stones future class projects. Right now I'm attempting my first basket setting in class and it's kind of hard. I almost had it finished and them I melted the whole thing (oops). Now I'm starting from scratch again. Plus I'm also working on a pair of earrings.

 

[Enerchi]

Oh that all sounds like fun!! Moonstones are supposed to be the travellers stone - given in the past to people heading off on a journey of significant distance or time. Also one of June's/Cancer's birthstones. Sounds exciting to take a jewelry making course but a bummer about melting your work at the last minute!!!

 

[yanaazul]

Intergem in San Mateo this weekend -- so I went over yesterday, and realized there was an antique show in the next hall, so went there instead! (Not supposed to be buying anything at Intergem anyway, have spent quite enough lately...)

There was jewelry, of course, but also silverware, china, pocketknives, enameled cases... really lovely stuff. I've been looking for a pietra dura keepsake box, but didn't see anything. Didn't buy anything at all, just had fun looking.

One vendor had a tiny french-cut ruby eternity band that was perfect. If any of you bay area PSers are looking for a 2mm french cut ruby eternity, yellow gold, about a size 5, go today! The vendor was Burton Collection, they aren't on the web.

I was wearing my art deco sapphire line bracelet. That got a lot of attention at an antique show, unsurprisingly...

 

[minousbijoux]

Wow, that sounds great! I have been keeping myself at bay all weekend and am so darn proud of myself. It is ridiculous that I feel a need to purchase whenever I go. I have certain things on my wishlist, and yet even if I don't find them (I'm sure I wouldn't), I could easily drop several bills.

So hiking instead! Looking at the gems of nature!

 

[yanaazul]

Hee, minous! Yes, as much if not more beauty to be found in nature!

I am proud of myself for not buying anything! There were such pretty things that were tempting, just to have because they're pretty -- you know, engraved sterling silver salt spoons and cigarette cases, guilloché enamel compacts, Japanese woodwork... I totally have that covet-collector impulse. Very bad.