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Covid, war, financial uncertainty...we can all agree this has been a bit of a rollercoaster to the start of the 2020's..
For nearly 30 months, there hasn't been a major mineral show in Europe, and though shorthanded, we had to attend our favorite gem and mineral gathering on the continent in Sainte Marie Aux Mines!
Elena and Valeri held the fort down in Toronto, and I - Mike - packed a carry on to avoid our hectic Toronto Airport madness (they are losing checked in bags, massive lines, and headache after headache), and flew down to Frankfurt. My best friend Alex who I invited less than a week prior, hopped on a plane in Los Angeles and decided to join me when I told him we will be staying in Alsace (best white wines in the world?)
After a stop in Baden Baden to relax after the flights in the natural spring spa (and load up on German beer), we drove down to a little town Bergheim, a half hour away from the show. I was lucky to find accommodation, as the show attracts tens of thousands of people ,and being in a small town of just a couple thousand permanent residents, hotels get booked quickly within an hour driving distance of the show.
Hope you enjoy the picture stories about our adventure:
First stop in Baden Baden Germany, catching up with Alex after our long flights over a nice cold beverage
A little rainy for most of the trip, which wasn't as bad as the 40+ celcius days that are sometimes the norm at this show
The welcoming crystal statues when entering Sainte Marie Aux Mines
Main hall of the show in the center of the show with all the high end dealers
A street of dealers at the show with beautiful hills in the background
Having fun buying gems - love my job!!
Bergheim, our home away from home for 5 days. Little town in Alsace France
Some beautiful specimens on display
Our friends with their beautiful Malachite selection from Congo
Armenian Turquoise, the color is breathtaking! Got some beautiful pieces available now from Armenia and also from Iran
Wow, Azurite carved elephants along with Shattuckite and Chrysocola
Cant' help but drool over some of these specimens!
So cool, Rhodochrosites from kazakhstan, which my dad Valeri mined in the 70s. Very little of this material is on the market
Typical lunch, fresh bread with cured meats, pate, stinky cheese and a cold beer
Always on a hunt for pieces for my personal collection as well
After the show, checking out wineries for some natural organic wines!
Beautiful round Tsavorite beads, first time we got this rare Garnet in this shape! Available online
Streets of Colmar. That little street between that pink and yellow house has six, that's right SIX michelin restaurants!
Except for one day, this was the scenery with the rains, keeps the heat away but also makes it hard to be an outdoor dealer
Hangoing out in Strasbourg for an evening visit
Beautiful streets of Strasbourg - fell in love with this city, such a wonderful historic vibe
Julien and I, made friends with an owner of Charles Frey winery, got a private tour and he even almost a whole bottle with us talking about the history of this wonderful 3rd generation business
am I doing it right? oh who cares... its delicious
Stopped in Metz, a cool city in northern France, and Alex found a record shop - which he said was great even by LA standards
Stopover in Luxembourg, richest country in the world.
Did a nice 60km bike ride along Saar river in southwestern Germany near Trier - birthplace of Karl Marx
Last stop of the trip in Idar-Oberstein, perhaps Europes gemstone capital for over a century
View from our hotel room over Idar-Oberstein
A globe made with stones
Beatiful Rhodochrosite and Rhodonite display at the mineral museum in Idar-Oberstein
How cool is that, Mercedes sign made with Russian Tourmaline
Snooping around
Need that coffee between the wines and the beers
Church built in a mountain in Idar-Oberstein
Beautiful Tourmalines on display at one of the shops in Idar-Oberstein, visited over 20 dealers but ran out of time, as there are nearly 100 permanent businesses selling stones in this small town. Have to leave something for next time :)
Thanks for your time, until next time!
Mike P
