The weather was beautiful!
Started seeing more and more of the Oregon Sunstone than in the past.
Lots and lots of Tanzanite in smaller sizes and lighter violite color.
As far as the rough goes, there didn''t seem to be any big find with large quanties and good prices.
Most rough prices were up 20% from last year or more. Aqua was in short supply and about double from last year.
Nothing really struck me as standing out any more than previoius years.
I got a brief note from the show concerning my favorite - sapphires.- Blue prices are up significantly, yellows are in very high demand for some reason. More to follow - I hope.
Full report from the GIA Website.....part of text below
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February 10, 2006
Industry Analysis: Tucson Report – Rising Prices, Flat Sales
Despite soaring prices for many types of gemstones, business at the various Tucson trade shows was spotty, with some exhibitors reporting gains while others saw declines.
Coming off a generally lackluster holiday season, exhibitors at the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), Gem & Jewelry Exchange (GJX), Worldwide Gem & Jewelry, and Gem and Lapidary Dealers Association (GLDA) shows reported that business, after a strong start, was generally slower than last year. Part of the problem may have been that prices for many of the most popular gemstones were 20–40% higher than at last year’s shows. Dealers cited increased global competition for goods, declines in the U.S. dollar, and more aggressive pricing by miners and source-country dealers as the reasons.
Top sellers were better-quality, unheated blue and pink sapphires, emeralds, and – new this year – opaque/semi-opaque stones, particularly opals and cat’s-eye/star cabochons.....