Gem Shows 2014--help for a newbie

[KristinTech]

I have read on and off how posters here have attended gem shows. Are there particular national or international certification agencies that sponsor these shows? Have the PS-approved vendors participated with exhibitor booths? How do these shows work--are there generally deals to be had, or is it more just for the IRL perusal of stones only typically seen on the internet?

 

[chrono]

A few I like to make a beeline for are:
Nomad's
PrimaGems
VanceGems
ParaibaInternational
and a few more I cannot remember off the top of my head.

You have to know what you are doing though when going to the shows, otherwise, leave your money at home and take the time to see a variety of gems and learn to understand what you are looking at. Yes, there are deals to be had but one can also easily overpay or get ripped off.

 

[dk168]

I would advise getting a 10x loup or better and learn how to use it, if the OP does not already have one.

I wish I had before I bought my first CS which was a small emerald, and was concentrating too much on the colour and did not request to see it under magnification, and managed to see a dark spot near one of the corners, DOH!!!

DK