The Gem Shop: Tucson Edition: Cold Mountain Thundereggs

A sea of rock bags.

It is time again for the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show down in Tucson, Arizona. The Gem Shop has been a vendor at the show for over 35 years and it is one of our favorites. The atmosphere in Tucson is so much fun and you never know what is going to happen. Gene and Veronica headed down to Tucson January 20, 2013 to set up the Tucson Showplace. As stated earlier, you never know what will happen in Tucson and this year already is proving to be no different. After some shipping difficulties, The Gem Shop is happy to announce the arrival of Cold Mountain Thundereggs!

Rough Cold Mountain Thundereggs.

Veronica and worker unloading the truck.

The rock is here! Ready to unload the goodies.

The Gem Shop first debuted Cold Mountain Thundereggs at the Denver Coliseum Show in September 2012. These beautiful Thundereggs were sold out in only two days! Roughly translated from the Spanish, Sierra Fría, this thunderegg comes from the Sierra Mountains in Mexico between the cities of Aguascalientes and Zacatecas. Cold Mountain Thundereggs are similar to Butterfly Jasper but offer a brighter range of colors. Also the thundereggs can contain water banding and features red, mauve, or black “webbing.” While technically a rhyolite due to its thunderegg nature, Cold Mountain Thundereggs are highly silicate and filled brecciation. This material takes an exceptional polish which makes it ideal for both cabochons and specimens. The rough nodules usually have a bumpy exterior, but occasionally can be smooth. Nodule sizes can ran from 2 inches to 8 inches, with the average size ranging between 3-4 inches.The Gem Shop has several tons of this material available for purchase at the Tucson Showplace Show February 1-17, 2013, as well as on our website, thegemshop.com, and by phone at 866-377-4666.