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Post by Toad on Mar 15, 2010 16:22:55 GMT -5
Why are most of the great rock shows in areas where they already have a lot of great rock just laying on the ground? CA, AZ, OR come to mind.
I know it cost a lot to ship (freight) rocks to IL, OH, and other neglected states. But don't they realize how starved we are for materials. They'd sell everything and go home with back-orders for more.
Then again, the fact that we don't have a bunch of great rock laying on the ground might mean there are less lapidary people in these areas to begin with.
But now I'm over-thinking it. Just a rant. Thanks for listening.
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Post by Donnie's Rocky Treasures on Mar 15, 2010 17:59:46 GMT -5
I can relate to that!
Donnie
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Mar 15, 2010 20:38:43 GMT -5
I think there's less interest in these areas Todd. At the local show I have been to, it seems that jewelry and crystals or specimens made up a large majority.
There is mainly agate and some jasper available, but more "unusual" items I look for are non-existent there.
For example, I wanted to find a slab of pietersite this past weekend, and there was nothing close to it. I saw a few cabs of it, but that's it.
Nate
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reelman
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 114
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Post by reelman on Mar 15, 2010 21:17:15 GMT -5
Many of the dealers who sell rough material drive to shows in their trailers or motorhomes and carry the rock. Too expensive to do circuits that far from home.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 15, 2010 21:33:31 GMT -5
I think you got it when you said the biggest majority of rock people live in the rock areas. I think it is the entire west side of country really. The central part has rocks but they are deeply buried. And yes, it costs to transport rock and table costs have to be considered. We pay up to $200 per table. You have to have a profit return. Buy more rocks and more dealers will bring them.
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Post by johnjsgems on Mar 15, 2010 21:37:44 GMT -5
Toad, I'm on my way to San Antonio show. I decided to bring some small windowed dino bone and Australian black jade. I'll count the pieces I sell at the 3 shows and let you know if it was worth hauling. Texas has some really serious rock people
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Larry
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 267
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Post by Larry on Mar 15, 2010 22:20:14 GMT -5
I hear ya. We have a show in Rochester, NY that I've been to once and it was decent... slabs priced too high but at least they were available. I went to one in Buffalo last year and it was tough trying to find somebody with decently priced slabs. There was one vendor but they were soooo expensive for what the material was. I finally got pointed to a guy that had tons of them... at home in his basement.
The great news is that we have each other. You are not going to get better deals than many of the ones posted one this site. I've spent $80 on slabs at the above shows and thought to myself that I could have got waaaay more and better for my money here. Why did I even bother. It's nice to look around though, I just doubt I'd buy much anymore.
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Mar 16, 2010 5:44:53 GMT -5
I plan on going to the one in Buffalo on the 28th, in the afternoon. That's where I get my shattuckite and a few small slabs. I think the tables there are $100 each...a lot of the vendors are fairly local.
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Post by Toad on Mar 16, 2010 7:35:49 GMT -5
The ones I went to in IL and WI had mostly finished jewelry. Occasionally I'd see cabs, more often slabs, and only very rarely rough rock to tumble or slab. That's all right I guess, as Larry said we still have RTH - and the occasional deal on the web or ebay...
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Haleysdream
has rocks in the head
K-9 unit Rock Hounds
Member since January 2010
Posts: 654
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Post by Haleysdream on Mar 16, 2010 14:11:27 GMT -5
I hear you all, I'm from Wisconsin & yes it's hard to find a really good show close to home. They are just staring up again so I'm anxious to go to them and see what 's new, PLUS get out in the hills to dig. Spring is here . I think.
Nancy
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chinook203
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since February 2006
Posts: 849
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Post by chinook203 on Mar 16, 2010 21:50:09 GMT -5
Theres a rock show in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio in April.
We were looking through rock shows trying to decide if we want to do one in April. We are just afraid we would do well with the druse.
What about out west people, do you think the great sparkly druse would sell at a show out west?
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Post by Toad on Mar 17, 2010 8:34:51 GMT -5
Do you have info on the one in Cuyahoga Falls? Never mind, I found it.
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sford13
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2009
Posts: 119 
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Post by sford13 on Mar 17, 2010 9:02:01 GMT -5
I have to agree. Went to a show last fall in Springfield, IL. Most of it was jewelry. There was a couple people selling specimens and one table had some slabs. I did end up buying some slabs but they were pretty pricey. No one selling rough really. I was able to pick up a couple good pieces of agate and jasper cheap thru their silent auction. But then had to spend hours with a hammer trying to make tumbling rough. Totally understand the vendors mentality though. You have thousands of general public and then probably a few rockhounds. And maybe a couple tumblers at best. Who are you going to try and cater to? Guess I can save my time and money this year.
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Post by stonesthatrock on Mar 17, 2010 9:50:40 GMT -5
as ralph and i travel around the country this summer we would love to be able to do some shows here and there along the way......... not sure i will be able to get it organized. it sure would be fun, though.
mary ann
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Post by tkrueger3 on Mar 17, 2010 18:55:35 GMT -5
John (jsgems) - you just rang my bell! dino and black jade! Awrite! I hope I can find your display amongst all the bead sellers!
Of course, I have to bring my sister - but that way, you'll know it's me - we'll probably be the 2 biggest people there! LOL!
Tom
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