Jay King is back – Feb. 16-18!
Well it’s that time of year once again. I’ve spent all January catching flights and visiting all kinds of mines. Now it’s time to return home and head out for the Tucson Gem Show once again. For those of you who don’t know about the Tucson show, it’s like the super bowl for rock hounds, and gem and jewelry manufactures. This particular show is only held once a year, and isn’t really one show but several shows all being held simultaneously. It lasts over a month starting in the middle of January and lasting until late February. As far as I know it’s the largest event of this type in the whole world. During this event people gather from all over the world and bring the materials they’ve mined or the crafts and jewelry they’ve created. If you can’t find what you want in the fossil world or gemstone world at this event, it probably doesn’t exist. It doesn’t only take over the entire town of Tucson Arizona, but also small towns like Quartzite and as far north as Laughlin Nevada. If you’ve never been then I definitely recommend you put it on the must do list for this lifetime. Even if you don’t buy anything, which I think you would find difficult, it’s worth just going to people watch and see the sites. I usually have done my shopping with the miners previous to the show or we meet to finalize our deal during the event but I’m never surprised when I find something new and different or make a new contact.
So this week I return back to home base in Florida. Someone who knows me well once asked me, “You live in several places that I know of. Which do you call home?” I like to say it’s a small town called Samsonite. Because home is where I wake up that particular day. This has become a way of life for me and I wouldn’t change it for anything else in the world. I love meeting new people and experiencing other cultures. I get to see so many things that most don’t get to see and sometimes I have to say when things are running rough I question why it is that I keep doing this, but after we’ve made it through the rough waters it’s always a rush and something to laugh about and of course another story to tell.
Since this trip will require numerous stops I’ll be flying myself out and so when I get home I have time to repack my bags and then off to the great southwest. I return on the 16th, 17th, and 18th for my February Mine Finds show. It’s funny because some of what you will be seeing was collected or negotiated at last Februarys Tucson Gem Show; I have put pictures of the rough for two items coming up in the show, along with the beautiful pieces of jewelry we created. It takes a long time from the time we make the initial discovery till we get the pleasure of showing you what we discovered and created. I also want to make sure that you all tune in and checkout our Today’s Special – it’s favorite of all the women in my life and I am so looking forward to sharing with you! So time to kick the tires and light the fires.
Until then Safe Travels, J
Is the copper cleaning kit going to be available this visit? I so want to be able to wear my copper jewelry. Can’ t wait to see what you have in the April shows.
It’s 2am in the morning and I’m writing you and playing with the new copper cleaning kit here at my desk. I have to tell you this is so cool. It cleans copper and silver like a dream. It is so simple and very easy. Trust me if I can do it anyone can. It is really a great product and a great package. The answer is yes. Hope to see you soon. J
Hi, Jay. Looking forward to your show tonight!
I just saw a news story on TV that showed a VAST new mine that’s recently been discovered in Mongolia (the Gobi Desert, I think). There were numerous trucks “as large as houses” lined up to take out the copper, gold and silver from the site, which, they said, is an area as large as Manhattan. It’s estimated that this new mine will provide 1/3 the GNP of Mongolia in the future!
So, if there’s copper, will there be turquoise too? Do you have any plans to visit that site? What an adventure that would be!
Last summer I was in the SW, doing archaeology. I got to visit your new store just after it opened in July (the girls said that you had just visited the store the day before) — a long drive across town from Old Town, where I was staying, but well worth it! I’d love to meet you someday…
Jay i bought a gorgeous turquoise necklace from you years back. its all different colors and it one of your biggest necklace that you made, very heavy. anyways i save this piece just for special occasions. i have only worn it 2 times and when i got it out the pouch the other day i seen i had white stuff all over my shirt. and when i turned one of the boulders around half of it has turned all white and it is just crumbling. can you please tell me how i can get in contact with you to get this fixed. and what causes this to happen. thanks so much your fan dianna
I want to know about the copper cleaning kit too. Have been searching HSN online and still cannot find anything. Shouldn’t it be on there by now? Help, Jay!
Hmmmm, could it be the TSV for Wednesday?
The cleaning kit is now available! Item number 263-098
Yes, I just saw it pop in, they put it up some time this morning after 7am. So excited!
Jay,
I purchased an necklace back in December, when it arrived it was not strung. I talked to someone at HSN and because they didn’t have any in stock they said to contact you. I sent it out to be restrung and received it about a week ago. I don’t like, there’s a lot of wire showing where the hook is…almost looks like beads are missing. I have so many of your pieces and none are finished like this. Do I send back again? Is this normal for repair?
Thank you for your help
Portia
I can’t even imagine how you could receive a necklace from us that wasn’t strung in the first place. It didn’t leave our facility in Albuquerque in that condition. As far as how we repaired it I would just have to know the style you purchased. In some cases we do leave wire exposed on some designs to allow for it to flex around your neck and not break. If you aren’t 100% happy with it please contact us again and let me know and we will make sure that we replace it or give you something that you are happy with. I can’t tell you how sorry I am this has happened. Best J
Jay i havent figured out how to write my own question on here, so i just have to do it this way. i bought a gorgeous turquoise necklace from you years back. its all different colors and it one of your bold necklaces, very heavy. anyways i save this special piece just for special occasions. i have only worn it 2 times and when i got it out the pouch the other day i seen i had white stuff all over my shirt. and when i turned one of the boulders around half of it has turned all white and is just crumbling. can you please tell me how i can get in contact with you to get this fixed. and what causes this to happen. thanks so much your fan dianna
Hi Jay,
Can’t wait for the next show – April??
Am still hoping you do a nice Lapis bracelet as you said. The Lapis cross jewelry is nice and hopefully you have a bracelet now. I like the design. I did not buy the cross jewelry as I already have 4 of your necklaces with Lapis. Sure do need a bracelet tho. I do not like the two you now have in stock. Hopefuly the Lapis is not the dark stones mentioned in the reviews. I also prefer silver but I realize it brings the price up. I like that scroll design cuff you did with the Sleepng Beauty Turquoise, that would be great in Lapis also.
Thanks for what you do. Durango is 65 degrees now – snow gone. Very scary here with the fire danger as we live in the forest. I know you grew up skiing at Purgatory. Safe travels.
Sheryl
I have several really cool lapis and sterling cuffs coming up. I’m not sure if they are April or May but they have been placed. I’m returning back to Florida today from overseas, so I’m glad to be going home. I can’t believe its 65 degrees in Durango this time of year. We use to ski well into April. Best J
I LOVE, LOVE your jewelry. I really want lapis earrings made like the Compitos turquoise filigree drop earrings which are heart shaped. How about making some. I’m sure other ladies would like them too.
Jay, thanks very much for taking care of my problem with the pendant. Jill was superfast in responding to my request. It is just wonderful to know that there are still great companies out there. Thanks also to HSN for showcasing your great variety of jewelry.
Jill like everyone that works with me really care about our viewers and making sure you are always taken care of. Thanks for letting me know it went well. I’m in Morroco working on next Febuarys TS today. Best J
Jay, I made my first purchase from you with the copper & turquoise bib necklace TS with all the matching pieces. I am a little concerned with so many people saying that they are having a problem with the copper tarnishing. I haven’t had that problem but I have only worn the pieces a couple of times. Also, I am very diligent with returning them to the plastic anti-tarnish bags they came in. Can you please let me know where and when I can purchase the kit to keep my jewelry from tarnishing? I do not want to wait until I have a problem. They are beautiful pieces and I want to keep them in pristine condition. Thank you Jay. Rose
Rose for most it hasn’t been a huge problem on tarnishing. Like I’ve said any metal will tarnish. It is just oxidation. The new cleaning kit is finished and will be offered on HSN.com before my April event and I should have them for sale during the show. As always please rest assured that if you buy anything from us we will always take care of any issue that might arise with our designs. Best J
Hi Jay, I wanted to know the origin of the turq in HSN# 233439. I would also like to know what the inspiration for the silver dangle is. I like this earring . It has a real desert feeling to it. I grew up in Arizona, married an easterner and get very homesick for the desert from time to time. Some times your designs stur up my emotions. Best to you and yours….
Hi sorry I’m traveling overseas now so it takes a while to get things answered. The turquoise is Red Skin. This mine was started as a Japanese tin mine during WWII. They found turquoise in the 1990’s but about five years ago the mine was flooded and now is very hard to come by. The design is a feather with a bird infused into the design. Best J
Jay, thanks for a wonderful visit and lots of beautiful items. Do you have plans to bring your collar with the loop? Think about it, please. Maybe in an 18 inch length. Thanks so much and look forward to next time.
We will have several of the new collars in silver and the favorites for April. Best J
Hey Jay,
Love your line, you have turned me into a huge rock hound, can’t wait to see the new stuff. I have a request for you. Could you design a keeper for the longer length necklaces. I guess I have too large a head to double the 42″ necklaces but like to wear them doubled. It would be nice to have a silver/copper piece that I could slip on the necklace to double it. Maybe something along the lines of a large staple, that would allow the weight of the necklace to hold it in place. I think it would be popular. Thanks.
Thanks for the idea I’ve had several requests and have a few designs I’ll see when we can get it placed. Best J
hey jay! loved this show! bought about 6 peices in december. 5 this time around. got all the lapis and silver cross set. love it! am hoping for a sizable matching bracelet? i admire the small peices but they are for the petite girls or the modest ones. i am not either. i like the big stuff. love the cuffs your doing with designs. i want one like that with lapis, only bigger!! lol! i love turq too dont get me wrong. but lapis is somehow becoming my favorite. ive gotten several of your peices over this past year and now im obsessed. so..silver cuff, cool design or even plain, make it huge. lol thanks jay!
Well big and bold is what I like to design for sure, and lapis is even more rare than turquoise, so thats a good choice. I’m in Albuquerque designing away this week so I’ll see what I can come up with. Thanks for your support. Best J
Jay, I received the butterfly lavendar opal necklace. WOW! What a fantastic design and beautiful combinaton of stones. Well done, my friend! I also bought the peppermint opal ring to go with an older peppermint opal necklace of yours and I love it also. Thanks to you and your staff for all your hard work!!!
Thanks for watching, we have some really cool things coming you way soon. Best J
Hi Jay,
I really enjoyed your Mine Finds Show last weekend. So many beautiful pieces. Will there be anymore unusual opal finds this year? I have your confetti and rosella pendants and just love them. Is there any chance you will be bringing back more ice cream opal? I saw pictures of it and it looks so beautiful. Looking forward to your April Show.
Take care and keep the Mine Finds coming!!
Yes I’ve already replied but some amazing new fire opals. J
Hi Jay,
I really enjoyed your show last weekend. So many beautiful pieces. Will you be having anymore unusual opal finds this year? I have your confetti and rosella opal pendants and just love them. Also, is there any chance you will be bringing back any ice cream opal? I saw photos of it and it’s just beautiful. Looking forward to your April Show.
Take care and keep the Mine Finds coming!!
Yes precious opals, jelly opals, and lots of new colors. Even a new bright pink opal. Best J
Hi Jay, I just received the earring, oval turq bead with the silver shield shape dangle. The silver has a cut out design with a touch of stampato. As a turquoise lover, I like to know the origin of my blue gems.where does that turq come from? It is a nice blue and a very showy style. What was the inspiration for the silver design? it remindes me of desert plants. They also have a feeling of wind.Best to you and yours…
Hi thanks for writing. Could you send me the HSN style number so I’m sure I give you the correct information. I’m pretty sure I know which design but there are three that come to mind and two differant turquoises for those designs. Best J
Jay, love your jewelry. Have a problem with pendant. One of the turquoise beads has come off and been lost. Didn’t notice til I went to wear it again. Can you help with replacing this stone? It is a round copper pendant with 12 stones in the border and 9 in the middle. It is one of the border stones that has been lost. Thanks in advance for any help you can supply. Great shows this past week-end.
If you go to HSN Customer service and enter my name it tells you how to send us your personal information in a secure manner. Then we will fix it or replace it free of charge. Anything you buy from us you can be assured we will always take care of you. Best J
Hi Jay, Me again. I was wanting to tell you how much I have enjoyed another pendant I bought a while back. It was the Astrophyllite (with black obsidian bead necklace). An absolutely beautiful gemstone! Looking forward to seeing what you do with that Ethiopian Opal.
Be Safe! Donna
Hi Jay,
Just got my orders. One was the black tourmaline and copper pendant with beaded necklace.
It is beautiful, but the pendant will not fit over the beads. I know, I couldn’t believe it either. Kept trying, but pendant will not go over the beads. I see it is sold out too! I can wear the beads separately, and put the pendant on something else, but I would like to be able to wear them as one necklace. I have not talked to customer service yet…. maybe they have “extras” in stock for problems. Another of my items ordered is the Tyrone turquoise pendant in rose/copper… also a winner! Most of my Turquoise is more blue, so I am really excited to have a piece which is more green…. Love it!!! Take Care … Donna
Hi yes I have more Rainbow cal-silica rough coming so I’ll see what I can do. Glad you loved the TS it is quite special. Best J
Hi Jay, I tried contacting customer service, but got no where..I have the saddle mountain copper and turquoise necklace. The first time I put it on the string connecting the beads to the clasp broke. I would like to know if you could please repair this for me. I brought it to two jewelers but I was afraid to leave with them, not knowing if they would repair it correctly..I believe it was the first one you made like this in copper, I also have the ring and bracelet..I love your jewelry, when I wear each piece (300) pieces or more it feels like they were made just for me..Thank you for your help in this matter..Marianne
Marrianne if you go to HSN customer service on dot com and enter my name it should tell you how to send us your personal information in a secure manner. If that doesnt work then please let me know and I’ll see what can be done. I’ll fix anything for free J.
Jay, still waiting on the copper cleaning kit. Love the copper jewelry but have some pieces that I just cannot wear because they are so tarnished. Any idea as to when the kits will be available. So desperately want to wear my copper pieces. Thanks so much!!!
Yes I should have had them this event they are ready now but we got late approval on our label so it is now in production. I’ll post on the blog as soon as we get them in stock and make sure you get one. I’m so sorry for you having to wait. Best J
Hi Jay. I purchased the lapis scrollwork ring and the necklace and earrings in the phosphosiderite desert rose collection this visit. I have a request. If you bring back the today’s special in the future, can you please bring the ring and bracelet back in lapis. I have the original lapis necklace and earrings in this design and am missing the co-ordinating pieces. Thanks!
We can’t bring the TS back but I’ll see what can be done about offering the matching pieces in lapis. Thanks for your request Best J
Greetings, Jay!
Loved all your shows this weekend. I just heard you say your butterfly was made of purple opal from Mexico. I was wondering if it is from the same location as the lavendar opal cross you had not too long ago. I love that cross. Thanks again for making it.. Blessings 2 u, Teresa PS I agree with Colleen that gals love cross, hearts, and flowers. I am crazy for flowers, in dresses and jewelry. Have a wonderful day.
Thanks glad you enjoyed the event. It warms my heart you did. Yes there is only one purple opal deposit I’m aware of in the world and thats the one in Mexico. Best J
Jay what is the difference between “copper” and “rose metal”? You keep referring to some sort of treatment you are doing to prevent copper from tarnishing. Is rose metal what is treated?
Okay copper is copper alloy but just copper. Avery special jewelers copper more pure and higher tensil strength. We are now doing an eco plasma silica treat on them to preserve the shelf life and make them more tarnish resistant. The rose metal is a new custom blend of silver and five other metals that looks like rose gold. It is only made for us. Hope this answers the question. J
Hey Jay
Have been buying your things for a while now and for the most part have loved them all,have sent a few things back tho. I was wondering if you might ever do jewelry in Aquamarine? It is my b-stone. SAFE TRAVELS!!!!!!!
Oh yes one of my favorite gemstones when I can get it. I’m out now but I’ll be heading to South America soon and its on my list. Last was a necklace probably over a 1000 carats. Best J
Hi Jay,
You’ve shown lots of wonderful jewelry on HSN during your long weekend. I would love to see more rectangular rings – I have one of yours in turquoise that I just love. I would like to have a tiger’s eye rectangular ring and how about some more tiger’s eye earrings. Also, I really like to have some earrings to match the carved coral and turquoise necklace which was a TS a few years ago. I’ve requested these several times; but I’ll try to be patient. :) Do you still live in Albuquerque, or is Florida your main home now?
Okay and I write your requests down. Sometimes I just can’t get it on the show or can’t get the material. If we don’t do it soon please contact me again and we’ll see what can be done. I have five homes but live mainly in Florida now when not traveling and we are based in Albuquerque. Best J
Hi Jay, just purchased your multi gemstone cuff, #233-526 and understand you will be offering several more cuffs in the future months to go along with it. Have you considered offering the coordinating pieces on auto ship delivery over the next year so that interested people (ME!) can be guaranteed the new releases? Would hate to miss one…….
Oh my gosh why didn’t I think of that one. What a great idea. I’ll e-mail my buyer Thanks J