Stunning cluster of quartz crystals roughly two feet in diameter
Photo - Richard Snyder
According to their website, the
is the "largest, oldest and most prestigious gem and mineral show in the world." The show has "enjoyed international stature since the 1970s, and was the first gem and mineral show to bring the hobby enthusiast, the public, and the curator/professional together for discovery and discussion."
Paul Wiseman and Richard Snyder in front of a spectacular crocodile fossil
Photos - Kirsten Honeyman, unless otherwise indicated
Paul Wiseman has been attending the Tucson show for years. It is a wonderful opportunity to find one-of-a-kind treasures for clients looking for that certain something to enhance their decor. Paul has a long-standing relationship with many of the top dealers, and they greet him by name as he moves about the show. Paul's spouse, Richard Snyder, has had a life-long passion for minerals, and the two make a formidable team: Paul zeros in on what is aesthetically beautiful while Richard adds helpful guidance as to the specimen's quality and provenance.
Pair of fossilized palm fronds
Museum quality Woolly Mammoth fossil (10,000 to 15,000 years old) found in North America
Fabulous conference table made of two booked slabs of fossilized wood
Paul sits on a naturally formed lingham stone found in the Narmada River in India
Paul and Richard always stay at the
, a storied property with great character and charm. The exceedingly polite young staff add to the of pleasure staying at the hotel.
Grounds of the Arizona Inn
Photo - Inn website
Cozy library where morning coffee and afternoon tea are served
Photo - Inn website
Tucson is a fascinating area, so taking side trips from the show rounds out the experience. The flora and fauna of the surrounding high desert create an other-worldly experience.
Paul at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum near Tucson
Mountain lion exhibit at the museum
Photo - Richard Snyder
Saguaro cacti on the grounds of the museum
Returning from the show, one feels as though one has been in a far-away land, not a place only a hop, skip, and jump from California!
~