International Gem, Bead and Jewelry Show???
Q.I have a chance to go to the International Gem, Bead and Jewelry Show this weekend. Has anyone ever been to one of these?? I don't want to spend the money in gas and admission if they aren't that great and don't have many beads or findings. Are they good, fair or bad???
A.Although I haven't been to the Texas shows, I go regularly to the International Gem & Jewelry shows in PA. IF you subscribe to Lapidary Journal, they always have an ad in there which you can cut out for free admission to any Int'l Gem & Jewelry show in the country. The shows are twice a year here, with the Spring shows concentrating on beads, cabs, Bali silver, jade pendants, gemstone fetishes, vintage glass beads, lately they also have a lot of precious beaded strands - ruby, emerald, sapphire, some of which are mixed together. If you have a wholesale license, most dealers (even if they are not in the wholesale section) will give you a percentage discount and of course, you don't have to pay tax. The wholesale section varies a lot at these shows - sometimes it's great and you can save a lot, sometimes the prices are just as high or higher than the regular floor. I've found the Fall shows concentrate more on finished jewelry. These shows are also good to attend to see what is coming into the marketplace - faceted beads and large, nugget type beads are popular here.
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