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(Left, exterior of show room; center, malachite (white square is price tag) from Ausrox, with permission; right, exterior of facility.)
Where: 1835-1893 N. 11th Avenue.
What: 2008 review: A great collection of mineral dealers. Mike New, Top Gem's owner, has developed a sincere, enthusiastic following over the years. Arizona Bead Dog waited in quite a long line, around 75 people (some folks had lined up an hour before the opening), and when the gates opened, Mike gave a small speech, mentioned some of his products, introduced his family and staff, and then invited us in. Mike's son told Arizona Bead Dog that Mike gives a speech every year. Everyone listened, and after he finished, most customers ran into the building; one stumbled--it was a frenzy. Once inside, the momentum continued as buyers rapidly filled boxes/flats with palm-sized, clean mineral specimens and carried 5-6 flats at a time. Top Gem offers a variety of mineral specimens. Arizona Bead Dog learned that on opening day, Mike caters a Mexican lunch buffet with a Mariachi band. But Top Gem is only one of a collection of dealers (see photos below), and all had beautiful, clean specimens, ranging in price. For example, the malachite hunk above is from the Congo, offered by Ausrox for $8500 to wholesale buyers. Other dealers carried tumbled gem stones, bookends, mineral specimens, and huge quartz crystals from Brazil.
Inside or Out: Inside new block buildings. Very clean.
 
(Inside Howard Schlansker's show room, with permission.)
Parking: Inside the dealer area (see photo below), but best on the sides of the street; it's a quiet street and parking is easy to find.
Food: None.
Rest rooms: Clean public restrooms on site.
2011 dates: Friday, January 28th through Sunday, February 13th.
Show hours: The first day, January 28th, the hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; from January 29th to February 13th, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Shuttle route: Citrine/Tanzanite.
For additional information: www.topgem.com.
(Exterior of showrooms; these are located directly left, or south of the building pictured above.)
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