Scenes from JCK 2006

[JohnQuixote]

Balloons, beauty… and a beast.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Paul drove us to dinner in his convertible.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Look closer... Tres appropot!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Cruising in the back of Paul’s sweet ride.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Our sushi dinner was fabulous. Wink and Garry kept the orders coming. Great food. Great company.
On the left (behind Paul) is Maurice, one of the world's most prominent sawers of rough! (we let him do the cutting at dinner, obviously)

 

[JohnQuixote]

Wink needed some winks...Maurice was worn out from cutting...The Aussies left to do...whatever it is that Aussies do...

So Paul, Lieve and I decided that, when in Vegas, do as the Vegans do: We won about $100 playing video poker!

But then Paul went to the restroom and spent it on rough. Bad Paul!

(unless he turns a profit of course)

 

[widget]

Great pictures, John! Thank you!

(I especially appreciate the shots of the baubles...)

widget

PS: Is it just me, or does anyone else think John looks like Henry XIII??? (maybe it''s the crown....)

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Hi John,

Thanks for the great photos. I was unable to make the JCK show this year. Peter Yantzer was equally gracious to me last year at the JA show in NY ( July) last summer. Peter and Jim Caudill spent one hour explaining the AGS cut grade one on one to me. Two great guys!

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[hlmr]

What fun! Thanks for sharing your pictures and stories with us!!!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Dreampt about Garry Holloway last night....I''d share but what happens in my head in bed, stays in my head.....

cheers--Sharon

 

[hlmr]

Date: 6/4/2006 8:36:20 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:

Dreampt about Garry Holloway last night....I''d share but what happens in my head in bed, stays in my head.....

cheers--Sharon

HAHAHAHA - Sharon you bad girl you!

 

[researcher]

Wow, John! What could be better than diamonds, cars, good company, and drinks (especially Blue Moon, one of my favorites)?!?!

Thank you so much for sharing with us!

I can''t wait to hear more!!!

 

[Queenofhearts]

Actually me thinks he does resembles Henry V. Now alls he needs is a throne.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 6/4/2006 9:12:23 PM
Author: Queenofhearts
Actually me thinks he does resembles Henry V. Now alls he needs is a throne.

 

[jadeleaves]

Date: 6/4/2006 9:21:18 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 6/4/2006 9:12:23 PM

Author: Queenofhearts

Actually me thinks he does resembles Henry V. Now alls he needs is a throne.

LMAO!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Awww...thanks for the hand shots of Mrs. Yantzer! Very pretty rings indeed!

 

[msdarlinjoy]

Hi John ~

Thank you for the wonderful pictures and commentary!

I was smiling thru the whole thread!

Looks like you all had a great time surrounded by knowledge and friendship!

I am sure it would have been just fabulous to tag along! (Me thinks ... or Me wishin!)

Take care, and looking forward to any additions to this great thread!

 

[msdarlinjoy]

Wink Congrat''s on the spotlight being on you in Vegas!

I saw the ray''s all the way from the PNW!!!

Date: 6/3/2006 5:20:24 PM
Author: Wink
If I listed all of my heroes that I have spent time with this week I would sound like a very pretentious name dropper, but I will tell you that this is the real reason I come to Vegas, for the educational information and the opportunity to pay homage to my heroes. I do not know if you can begin to imagine the feeling of being with the great people of my profession and getting to sit and talk with them. To me it is the elixor of life and a renewal of energy and dedication to become an even better gemologist/jeweler so that I can be worthy to join them again next year.

I consider myself truly blessed to work in such an incredible industry where the great ones welcome one and all into their midst and openly share their information and experiences with one and all.
Wink

Wink,

Thank you for being so heartfelt and candid

... Yes, I can just imagine thru your words how blessed you feel.

Just as you, I am sure many PSr''s just like me feel the same way about you, and others who take the time to share the knowledge with us, and do so with passion.

Thank you to all the prof''s in this proffesion!

Take care to all, and have a great day!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 6/3/2006 5:20:24 PM
Author: Wink

I hope John puts up more pictures again. I have to say that our time together has been a LOT of fun, and tomorrow I get to physically meet Brian the Cutter and Leslie. Brian and I have been 'friends' for years, although we have never actually met. Same with Leslie, only for not quite so long. It seems impossible that I only actually met John Quixote last year as we too have been friends for much longer than that.

If I listed all of my heroes that I have spent time with this week I would sound like a very pretentious name dropper, but I will tell you that this is the real reason I come to Vegas, for the educational information and the opportunity to pay homage to my heroes. I do not know if you can begin to imagine the feeling of being with the great people of my profession and getting to sit and talk with them. To me it is the elixor of life and a renewal of energy and dedication to become an even better gemologist/jeweler so that I can be worthy to join them again next year.

I consider myself truly blessed to work in such an incredible industry where the great ones welcome one and all into their midst and openly share their information and experiences with one and all.

Someone asked where was the brotherly love between Phil and Peter. I can assure you that it is alive and well. Peter came to Phil's presentation and introduced several of us to Phil before the presentation began. They went out to dinner together that evening and both spoke well of one another during their presentations. Peter mentioned to us that he wondered what were the odd of two brothers running the two major labs. He decided it must be genetic. If so it is a good trait!

By the way, even though the two labs have some strong dissagreements between them on how things ought to be done, they are still friendly with one another and recognise that each is bringing things to the table and that is a LOT of agreement between the two systems as well. This was emphasized during Michael Cowing's presentation and I think it bears thinking about.

Back to work, there is someone in line waiting to use this computer, I have tied it up long enough.

Wink

Wink, I echo all you've said above. It's enriching to attend the workshops, speak with trade leaders, take in the exhibits and have meetings - and it's just as rewarding to spend time away from the business with good friends you admire from the business.

Brian and Lesley were delighted to spend time with you today. You have been a regular, upbeat voice on the phone for them, but there is nothing like a dose of 'live Wink' to raise a person's spirits.

It's more uplifting than the oxygen they pump into these hotels and casinos.

Thanks for the fellowship and the always-inspiring discussions. Safe travels to you tomorrow.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 6/4/2006 4:57:25 PM
Author: Modified Brilliant

Hi John,

Thanks for the great photos. I was unable to make the JCK show this year. Peter Yantzer was equally gracious to me last year at the JA show in NY ( July) last summer. Peter and Jim Caudill spent one hour explaining the AGS cut grade one on one to me. Two great guys!

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

You''re welcome Jeff. It''s my pleasure. I wish everyone (pro and non-pro) could attend, but we can''t arrange that, so I hope the photos share a glimpse of the information exchange and the fellowship. PS has provided our group of attendees with much in common: If you come next year I hope we get to meet in person.

I agree. Peter, Jim, Jason and the AGSL staff are intensely, intrinsicly motivated about this stuff... Their excitement is contagious.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Thanks again for the thanks and kind comments.


Researcher: Blue Moon it was - with an orange slice. Good for healing flat feet after walking the floor all day.

DS: You're welcome. I should have thought of the hand shots - appreciate the assist.

Miss Darlin Joy: So glad to bring the smiles to you (mission accomplished).

Sharon:

 

[JohnQuixote]

I completely forgot to give credit to Wink for the balloon crown. No kidding: He always has a few balloons and can whip up a floral arrangement or crown at a moment's notice.

Date: 6/4/2006 9:21:18 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 6/4/2006 9:12:23 PM
Author: Queenofhearts
Actually me thinks he does resembles Henry V. Now alls he needs is a throne.

Strm, you never were a very good speller. It's Whiteflash, not Whiteflush.

Back to school for you young man.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Today was spent in on the floor and in meetings. The exhibit area is similar to last year (images from 2005 here). More photos to come, but the Rapaport breakfast is early in the morning, so they will wait until tomorrow.

 

[Dancing Fire]

JQ

thanks for posting all these neat photos.

btw; love your new title....Director of Consumer Education.

 

[JohnQuixote]

OH. One last post...

Returning from dinner, Paul, Lieve and I spotted this guy repairing the VERY machine we got our Vegas 'winnings' from last night!

 

[yeewl]

Hi John,

Many thanks for those kool pictures from JCK. It''s very nice of you to spend time (late nights) to post and edit them for everyone to see.

 

[fire&ice]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Brazilian exhibit. What FINE eyecandy! Thanks for posting. Such an unusual juxtaposition of color!

 

[belle]

Date: 6/4/2006 9:21:18 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 6/4/2006 9:12:23 PM
Author: Queenofhearts
Actually me thinks he does resembles Henry V. Now alls he needs is a throne.

that was totally distasteful and disrespectful.
for you to complain about an outhouse picture posted correlating to the facesless entity of gia and then post this and attribute it to an active and respected member of our community is beyond dissapointing.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Date: 6/4/2006 8:36:20 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:

Dreampt about Garry Holloway last night....I''d share but what happens in my head in bed, stays in my head.....

cheers--Sharon

I would not worry. Garry is very experienced in ''virtual'' action.

Live long,

 

[pricescope]

it was storm''s way to say Thank you to John for reporting from Vegas, belle,...well i am being sarcastic just not to THAT extreme.

And it''s all we are asking for ...really...