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| · November 23, 2003 · |
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· Gems and Minerals in Arizona (November 21, 2003) - When it comes to gems and minerals, Arizona is a rare find!
Arizona is a state known for its vast open lands, deep canyons and mountains that seem to extend across the entire horizon. All the layers of volcanic rock, sandstone, limestone and shale give the landscape striking colors and unique formations. With all of these geological features, it should come as no surprise that Arizona is also rich with gems and minerals created by millions of years of geological activity. Southern Arizona: Rich in Gold and Copper Kick off your gem search at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show (held at the Tucson Convention Center), the largest show of its kind in the world. This year the show, which is held January 30-February 15, 2004, celebrates its golden (50th) anniversary with an abundance of gold, including some found in a Spanish shipwreck and the nugget that started the California Gold Rush. Aside from the gold, the show also features mineral jewelry, gems, fossils, beads, meteorites and mineral and jewelry dealers from around the world. When visitors stop in Bisbee, they should be prepared to don a slicker, helmet and miner's headlamp for the Queen Mine Tour. Queen Mine opened in 1877 and was one of the richest copper mines ever discovered. Today, visitors can board a train to ride through the mine and hear miners tell their firsthand experiences there. The Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum, a member of the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program, is where visitors can learn about Bisbee's rich mining history Phoenix & Central Arizona: Mining and Mineral History Next, swing by the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum, located in the heart of Phoenix. With more than 3,000 minerals on display, the museum is a feast for the eyes and a fascinating lesson in Arizona's rich gem and mineral history. Of particular interest is Prospectors' Day, which will be held on February 21, 2004. Museum staff will show visitors how to pan for gold, so they'll be ready to explore the state for their very own gems! Arizona's West Coast: Hot Spots for Gems Located west of Phoenix on Interstate 10, the town of Quartzsite is a hot spot for mineral-lovers, particularly in January and February. Eight gem and mineral shows, plus more than 2,000 vendors, convene to create one of the world's largest open-air flea markets. Northern Arizona: Sacred Sites and Sacred Stones Visitors will want to head to northeast Arizona for the beautiful and unique turquoise. The Navajo Nation, which considers the stone sacred, makes its turquoise creations available to the public in specialty and jewelry stores statewide. Navajo's other sacred stones are white shell, abalone and jet. Tourists may also take a geological tour of the Grand Canyon, where they can see amazing rock and fossil specimens up close. Parts of the canyon have some of the best sites for exposed sedimentary strata in the world. No matter what part of Arizona you visit, you're guaranteed to find unique treasures and beautiful craft work. For more information about finding gems in Arizona, visit www.arizonaguide.com. For great fall travel deals, visit www.arizonavacationvalues.com. Additional media information can be found at pressroom.arizonaguide.com. Media Contact: Jacki Mieler 602-364-3697 jmieler@azot.com |
| Produced by Judi Janofsky, Rich Steck and the Golf Press Association |