Precision cutters who usually go to Tucson?

[Bex]

I saw a notice on Gemfix's page that they'll be in Tucson next week. That got me wondering who else might be there buying rough. I'm still hunting for an engagement ring stone, and thought it might be worthwhile to ask someone to be on the lookout for rough so I could commission something. I'm just not sure who to ask!

 

[NKOTB]

I know Gene and Peter are going. You could try one of them.

 

[minousbijoux]

Roger Dery, Lisa Elser, probably Jeff White, likely Jim Rentfrow. I got the impression in a conversation a while ago that Jeff Davies might be going, but really haven't spoken to him recently. I would say that given its the biggest event of the year, the majority of them will be there.

 

[BlingObsession]

Jeff Davies is not going to Tucson apparently, but some of his stones are.

 

[minousbijoux]

Jeff Davies is not going to Tucson apparently, but some of his stones are.

Thanks for clarifying that.

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

I know for sure Peter is. Asked him to be on the lookout for some stones for me. He's super nice if you wanna ask him.

 

[Roger Dery]

Roger Dery, Lisa Elser, probably Jeff White, likely Jim Rentfrow. I got the impression in a conversation a while ago that Jeff Davies might be going, but really haven't spoken to him recently. I would say that given its the biggest event of the year, the majority of them will be there.

Unfortunately Jeff White mentioned he cannot go this year, but there will be others.

In the past week, I contacted 82 other faceters for a project I'm working on. Surprisingly, for this year, many of them are not going to Tucson - and many are people I'm sure we would have seen there previously. In addition to the others noted above, I am certain both Peter Torraca and Gene Flanigan will be there.

 

[minousbijoux]

As always, Roger, thanks for braving our shark infested waters to respond. I hope Tucson is very, very good to you.

 

[lelser]

I'll be there again this year. I love Tucson!

Lisa
www.lisaelser.com

 

[Roger Dery]

As always, Roger, thanks for braving our shark infested waters to respond. I hope Tucson is very, very good to you.

Well Minou - Tucson may be very good to me, but not in the usual way of finding exciting gem rough. We are having a press party for the documentary on one day, then delivering a one-hour presentation regarding the making of the film for AGTA participants.

And, I hardly think these are shark infested waters.... way too much fun for that!

 

[Bex]

Thanks so much for all the replies! I've only been looking for a stone for about 4 months, and have picked up a few others that I love along the way, but I'm still relatively new to all this. What is the protocol for asking a cutter to be on the lookout for rough or stones? If it appropriate to talk to a couple, or would that be considered gauche?

 

[minousbijoux]

As always, Roger, thanks for braving our shark infested waters to respond. I hope Tucson is very, very good to you.

Well Minou - Tucson may be very good to me, but not in the usual way of finding exciting gem rough. We are having a press party for the documentary on one day, then delivering a one-hour presentation regarding the making of the film for AGTA participants.

And, I hardly think these are shark infested waters.... way too much fun for that!

I'm not surprised, given your pivotal involvement in the documentary. I see it now - Roger Dery, the next reality tv star in 'Bagging the Big One'. It would a nice hybrid between 'Prospectors' and 'Gem Hunt' and we PSers wouldn't have to roll our eyes and groan so much like we do for 'Gem Hunt'!

 

[cm366]

Hi Bex, hope you find what you're looking for! I suspect most cutters will be aware that you might be asking around, but if what you want is truly uncommon then the two or three faceters you ask might end up bidding against each other for your stone. It's frequently easier just to stick with one who's established enough to see and evaluate a lot of fine rough, as all the folks who've been mentioned (and especially those who've chimed in!) are.

 

[Starzin]

We really look forward to Tuscon reports so vendors please come back and give us a picfest and rundown on the state of the gem world

 

[corundum_conundrum]

Gary Braun of finewatergems will be hunting for gems in Asia and will not be in attendance.

 

[Roger Dery]

Gary Braun of finewatergems will be hunting for gems in Asia and will not be in attendance.

And Gary is not traveling alone, as he has Steve Wallner of Westview Gems traveling with him. No need to bother with Tucson if they have opportunities in Asia.

 

[Roger Dery]

As always, Roger, thanks for braving our shark infested waters to respond. I hope Tucson is very, very good to you.

Well Minou - Tucson may be very good to me, but not in the usual way of finding exciting gem rough. We are having a press party for the documentary on one day, then delivering a one-hour presentation regarding the making of the film for AGTA participants.

And, I hardly think these are shark infested waters.... way too much fun for that!

I'm not surprised, given your pivotal involvement in the documentary. I see it now - Roger Dery, the next reality tv star in 'Bagging the Big One'. It would a nice hybrid between 'Prospectors' and 'Gem Hunt' and we PSers wouldn't have to roll our eyes and groan so much like we do for 'Gem Hunt'!

Hey Minou, we've never bothered with cable TV here, so have not watched full episodes of either show - just a couple of the 2-minute clips on their website.

That being said, Sharing The Rough is geared more toward the documentary crowd exhibiting many locals including the individual miners, the mine owners and local operators. While I may have a part in the film, it is more about what happens to a piece of gem rough from when it is found, till it is mounted in a piece of jewelry.

Nested in all that, I'm sure there will be footage of gem searching, visiting some active mines, maybe some negotiating between dealers, and other fun stuff that happens when actually in the bush looking. And, not to reveal any specific situation, there were a few really funny moments of things that only happen in Africa.

 

[minousbijoux]

Sorry, reread what I wrote and it totally was not clear. I was by no means comparing you to the over the top, take-your-life-in-your-hands ( ), pseudo documentary series that Gem Hunt is. But your documentary Sharing the Rough, is the real deal, with the real experts, among others, you. Hard for me to believe that reality tv won't eventually figure out what a - pun intended - jewel in the rough you are, and decide to offer you the next big series deal.

I, for one, really look forward to seeing the documentary.

 

[lelser]

Hi Bex, hope you find what you're looking for! I suspect most cutters will be aware that you might be asking around, but if what you want is truly uncommon then the two or three faceters you ask might end up bidding against each other for your stone. It's frequently easier just to stick with one who's established enough to see and evaluate a lot of fine rough, as all the folks who've been mentioned (and especially those who've chimed in!) are.

I can almost always tell when something is trending on PS, because I'll get 5 different cutters asking me for the same piece of rough

Lisa
www.lisaelser.com

 

[minousbijoux]

I can almost always tell when something is trending on PS, because I'll get 5 different cutters asking me for the same piece of rough

Lisa
www.lisaelser.com

Darn! I guess we should learn not to post.

 

[corundum_conundrum]

I can almost always tell when something is trending on PS, because I'll get 5 different cutters asking me for the same piece of rough

Lisa
www.lisaelser.com

No harm in skipping the middle man.