Incredibly enthusiastic, VERY aware of how much I don't know

JackTrick · **Joined:** Mon Aug 19, 2019 2:30 am **Posts:** 35

Hello there!

I'm a gemstone enthusiast that is utterly enchanted at the combination of art, science, and history that goes into gems and minerals.

Earlier last year I wanted to do more with my appearance so I started collecting and wearing jewelry. I loved colored stones, but I found that the options for men was fairly limited. This lead me to start collecting loose gemstones with the intent of getting them set.

I then joined a couple of communities, started doing research, met some lovely people, and gradually found myself with a wonderful new passion. Now my budget for getting stones set is sometimes threatened by acquiring new gemstones, microscope parts (big thanks to Stephen Challener for his advice here), or other fun gemology tools.

I have a couple of friends that are either lapidaries, or wanting to become lapidaries, and I like the idea of me helping fill the role of amateur gemologist/researcher for them. I've got a lot to learn, however.

Current favorite oddball gemstones:
Pezzottaite, Kornerupine (some pictures here), and Benitoite.

Also, I'm going to the Tucson gem and mineral show this year. My first time visiting! I am excited and nervous!

arglthesheep · **Posted:** Wed Jan 08, 2020 3:10 am

Welcome Jack

Its a perfect place here to get many informations on your journey!
Best wishes
Nik

Lowjiber · **Joined:** Mon Jul 16, 2018 2:32 pm **Posts:** 44

Welcome Jack. Tucson huh? Take lots of money.

Barbra Voltaire, FGG · **Posted:** Wed Jan 08, 2020 2:40 pm

Hi Jack Trick!
You should go to the GemologyOnline dinner.
It attracts a solid crowd.

My advice would be to take a wee notebook and stapler. Take lot of notes and business cards at the show and staple them to your notes. This may sound silly, but it is really useful, especially when you get back home.

My personal favorite venue is GJX.

dchallener · **Joined:** Mon May 26, 2014 9:42 pm **Posts:** 926

Warning about Tuscon: I have heard the following multiple times:
"The first time I went for (n) days and had X amount of money. I planned on spending X/n each day.

The second day I went to the bank."

Barbra Voltaire, FGG · **Posted:** Wed Jan 08, 2020 8:31 pm

Hmmm sounds like I said that. :oops:

JackTrick · **Joined:** Mon Aug 19, 2019 2:30 am **Posts:** 35

Ha! You all's financial advice is well taken. A friend of mine is considering just taking cash and stopping once that's empty.

Barbra Voltaire, FGG wrote:

My advice would be to take a wee notebook and stapler. Take lot of notes and business cards at the show and staple them to your notes. This may sound silly, but it is really useful, especially when you get back home.

Good idea! I hope to take copious notes.

Stephen Challener · **Posted:** Thu Jan 09, 2020 2:47 pm

JackTrick wrote:

Ha! You all's financial advice is well taken. A friend of mine is considering just taking cash and stopping once that's empty.

Fun but dangerous, since there are so many, many temptations. I'm glad my brother is there when I go since he is a lot better at saying no than me.

Barbra Voltaire's #1 Choices for
Gemological Insturments

ESSENTIAL SOFTWARE