Hi friend!
As I sit here marveling at some of the stones I’ve picked up recently, mostly from the big gem show here, I thought you might like to see. If you don’t know, the Tucson gem show is a series of 49 gem shows over three weeks spread across the city occupying tents, convention centers, hotel rooms, and warehouses. People come from all over the world to buy and sell and many of these displays are like wandering through the halls of a museum.
I used to travel here for a weekend every year for this event, but now that I live here I feel spoiled that I get to mosey in and out as I please–not having to rush and fill my few precious days with gem hunting.
The truth is, I didn’t really need more gems as I have a minor hoarding situation here: a stash of stones I’ve been collecting for twenty plus years. But the blinders went on and I went out anyway. The other truth is I blow my relatively small–in comparison to what I’m seeing in these halls of gems– budget within a couple hours of the first day, every time.
There is certainly a thrill to this hunt! My uncle, whom I used to stay with when coming to the gem show, loved seeing my gem haul each day. He was fascinated by what I chose and why I chose it. But it’s not an easy thing to explain.
You choose a stone because it speaks to you, because it makes you feel something. This might be why we choose anything. But I’m looking for a certain display of color, a unique inclusion (something cool inside the stone like a rainbow), a shape to fit a design I have in mind, or simply because it delights me.
Many years ago I sold crystals, working for a Brazilian crystal dealer, and people wanted my help picking out stones. They would be looking for one that was “good for” something….abundance, love, etc. But my answer was often to trust the ones you are drawn to, the ones you have a hard time putting down. Learn to trust when something resonates with you!
I got a lot of opals, because I love them, and because people last year were asking for them. Turquoise as well. And a variety of others….some I have plans for and some I don’t, yet. But just looking at them fills me with joy, possibility, and creative ideas. (even if they ultimately sit in my stash box for another 20 years, I really ought to get better about this).
I hope you enjoyed this little peek into my gem world….it can be really overwhelming setting out to look for stones. Lots of distractions and overwhelm with the sheer volume of what’s out there…which perhaps makes each one that finds its way to me and eventually into a piece of jewelry even more special. I hope they resonate with you too.
Thanks, as always, for being here!
Xo Meryl
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