Review: Seattle International Gem and Jewelry Show 2006
March 18, 2006

Review:

This is one of the biggest shows that Seattle ever sees and certainly the biggest show I've been to (I've pretty much been limited to the local seen so far). This show is essentially a traveling commercial enterprise. It brags of literally a thousand or more exhibitors though I would have guessed a still very impressive (by my standards) 500 or so. I did see only about half the show as the other half was only open to wholesalers. This show does attract organizations from all over the U.S. and with connections all over the world. The emphasis is clearly on gems and jewelry as the name implies.

To be truthful, this show isn't really my style. I'm really more interested in rock hounding, minerals and crystals and less on gems and jewelry but in the end I always say "I love all rocks!" so it was still fun for me. I've never seen so many loose stones... so many sparklers ! And all the vendors I spoke with were very friendly and cheerfully entertained my "what is THAT!" questions and chatted about there business connections around the world. I wasn't buying myself but I overheard many in the midst of negotiations so haggling is apparently popular.

It seemed to me that if you're in the market for a loose stone (or several) then this is one great place to be.

Like I said I'm more into the rock hounding side of things - I was surprised to discover a handful of vendors more focused on crystals and mineral specimens. And as it happens, they tended to be more upscale than I usually see - lots of museum quality material and it was the first time I'd seen a raw gemmy tanzanite crystal the size of my thumb!

There are no special arrangements made for Kids at this show and I think they would probably be major bored.

The organization: International Gem and Jewelry Show, Inc.