|
|
Post by sheltie on Jul 16, 2013 10:29:23 GMT -5
Laguna lace is one of my favorite pieces of rough and I'm looking for sources other than eBay and etsy. Does anyone have any recommendations? Also, how does one go about getting a source in Mexico that might supply rough of this and other rough?
|
|
|
|
Post by Bluesky78987 on Jul 16, 2013 17:49:57 GMT -5
The Gem Shop has it, in about 50 different varieties and grades.
|
|
|
|
Post by sheltie on Jul 16, 2013 18:09:34 GMT -5
Actually, I was thinking about getting a source in Mexico, not a retail source. I do like the Gem Shop however.
|
|
QuailRiver
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,640
|
Post by QuailRiver on Jul 17, 2013 4:27:44 GMT -5
Getting a source in Mexico isn't going to be easy unless you fly/drive to Chihuahua yourself and work out a deal with the ranchers who own the land the agate is mined on and purchase a few tons. And such a deal may even require you to have to hire a crew, rent a backhoe and dig it out yourself. And be prepared to pay the local cartel for permission to do business in their territory (not kidding). Frankly in my opinion you are much better off buying select material from the Gem Shop or from El Paso Rock Shop. Both are already well connected with sources in Mexico and carry nice material at fair prices. Buy in bulk to get the best price.
|
|
|
|
Post by sheltie on Jul 17, 2013 8:36:12 GMT -5
I'm afraid you're right. I don't want or need the type of volume they would require and dealing with the cartel isn't my idea of fun.
|
|
elementary
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,077
|
Post by elementary on Jul 17, 2013 11:09:01 GMT -5
And then you deal with the honesty of the people you hire.
There's a story out of Tuscon about a well-known dealer who has source of material in mexico. He was expecting a shipment to arrive during the show, and then got word that there was a truck parked on a street corner selling rough from the back -----> it was the shipment he was expecting and the drivers (not the best paid people) decided to up their pay grade by selling off some of the material.
At least, that's the story I heard....
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2013 11:20:29 GMT -5
Lowell, that stuff happens.
I had a buddy in the reptile business sent a truckload of stuff with two employees to the biggest show of the year. They showed up with half the load. They stopped at a few stores and a small show on the way.
Talk about huevos. Wow!
|
|
Sabre52
Cave Dweller 
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,504
|
Post by Sabre52 on Jul 17, 2013 12:40:04 GMT -5
Sheltie: You might think abut a trip to quartzite next year. Don't know if they still show up but there used to be some guys bring a whole truckload of lace to Quartizte. I used to spend hours going through the pile and they had some great stuff at very good prices. They also were at Snyders Pow Wow, the CFMS show and Nipomo a few times. I would expect them to show now and then at the larger Texas
shows too as guys with trucks out of Mexico hit the San Antonio show now and then and Texas shows are way closer for them than California ones.....Mel
|
|
|
|
Post by sheltie on Jul 17, 2013 13:44:25 GMT -5
Sheltie: You might think abut a trip to quartzite next year. Don't know if they still show up but there used to be some guys bring a whole truckload of lace to Quartizte. I used to spend hours going through the pile and they had some great stuff at very good prices. They also were at Snyders Pow Wow, the CFMS show and Nipomo a few times. I would expect them to show now and then at the larger Texas shows too as guys with trucks out of Mexico hit the San Antonio show now and then and Texas shows are way closer for them than California ones.....Mel Mel, I went this year for my first time and will probably go back again in Jan, Good Lord willin' and the creeks don't rise! I did go visit the guy who had the big truck loaded with laze and even bought a few pieces of rough from him. He was selling his lace (that's all he had at the PowWow) for $5 per lb. Since it was my first time there, I didn't know the protocol very well so I didn't really dig through his piles like I should. I will next time. Besides, Tony (Catmandewe) was there and I always enjoy spending both my money and my time with him. I'm going to have to start paying attention to the show in Texas as well. I haven't been a show goer but that may have to change. Denny |
|
turnedstone
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 766
|
Post by turnedstone on Jul 17, 2013 23:50:40 GMT -5
The gem shop has a mine in that area and is as close to the source as you will get.
George
|
|
Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,504
|
Post by Sabre52 on Jul 18, 2013 8:09:36 GMT -5
Denny, Just to show you how long I've been collecting agate, he first time I bought lace at quartzite, it was 5o cents a pound. last time I paid $4 so your $5 sounds pretty much in line for the times.....Mel
|
|
|
|
Post by sheltie on Jul 18, 2013 10:13:54 GMT -5
Denny, Just to show you how long I've been collecting agate, he first time I bought lace at quartzite, it was 5o cents a pound. last time I paid $4 so your $5 sounds pretty much in line for the times.....Mel Mel, You much be MUCH older than I (I'll be 72 next month)!  Denny |
|
stoneviews
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2009
Posts: 1,864
|
Post by stoneviews on Jul 20, 2013 21:57:27 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by sheltie on Jul 21, 2013 8:10:07 GMT -5
Thanks for the link.
|
|
