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To celebrate our 45th year of business, on Saturday 6th February we threw a party up at our house in the hills. To celebrate this Sapphire Anniversary the party theme was all things blue!

Over the years we have been known for the parties we give – back in the days before Tucson became a month long event, collectors and curators gathered in Laguna Beach before heading to Tucson. These parties were held for more than 10 years and the last one even got a farewell writeup in the mineral magazines. This year is our 45th year in the mineral business so let’s celebrate! It’s a Sapphire anniversary and also going along with the show theme of “Shades of Blue” we decided on a Blue Ball. We usually rent this house from our friend Ron and it’s a great party house high on hill overlooking the city and the Catalinas. First step: turn the house blue!!! You could see it for miles. Thanks to Scott of Total Lighting what a memorable sight it was!!!
Over the years we have been known for the parties we give – back in the days before Tucson became a month long event, collectors and curators gathered in Laguna Beach before heading to Tucson. These parties were held for more than 10 years and the last one even got a farewell writeup in the mineral magazines. This year is our 45th year in the mineral business so let’s celebrate! It’s a Sapphire anniversary and also going along with the show theme of “Shades of Blue” we decided on a Blue Ball. We usually rent this house from our friend Ron and it’s a great party house high on hill overlooking the city and the Catalinas. First step: turn the house blue!!! You could see it for miles. Thanks to Scott of Total Lighting what a memorable sight it was!!!
The view just before party begins
The view just before party begins
Love my balloon lady!
Love my balloon lady!
Later in the evening these seemed to be wrapped around the dancers
Later in the evening these seemed to be wrapped around the dancers
Linda, the ballon lady, doing her magic
Linda, the ballon lady, doing her magic
The stage is set inside
The stage is set inside

 

Wayne and Dona celebrating 45 years in the business
Wayne and Dona celebrating 45 years in the business

 

The martini and oyster luge ice bar was a huge hit! The ice sculpture lasted another three days in the yard. Thanks to the very talented Ray.
The martini and oyster luge ice bar was a huge hit! The ice sculpture lasted another three days in the yard. Thanks to the very talented Ray.

 

Ice crystals below the ice bar
Ice crystals below the ice bar

 

Kristalle branded blue M&Ms!
Kristalle branded blue M&Ms!

 

Kendra has been our bar help for most of our parties – what a gal – she is so good. A baby on the way but there she was again! You can see Kendra nights at Acacia Restaurant.
Kendra has been our bar help for most of our parties – what a gal – she is so good. A baby on the way but there she was again! You can see Kendra nights at Acacia Restaurant.

 

Dona with our chef for the evening: Albert Hall of Acacia Restaurant (a former Iron Chef winner) – Albert has cooked for us for many years.
Dona with our chef for the evening: Albert Hall of Acacia Restaurant (a former Iron Chef winner) – Albert has cooked for us for many years.

 

"The help" David & Audrey Lloyd, David Spiller
“The help” David & Audrey Lloyd, David Spiller

 

Wayne and Lois
Wayne and Lois

 

Wayne and Stephanie
Wayne and Stephanie

 

Dona with one of the most special ladies in the mineral world: Jean Smith
Dona with one of the most special ladies in the mineral world: Jean Smith

 

Getting into the groove
Getting into the groove

 

Tana likes to party
Tana likes to party

 

Andy of Siber & Siber bluing it up!
Andy of Siber & Siber bluing it up!

 

Joaquim Callen and Eloise of Spanish magazine MineralUp
Joaquim Callen and Eloise of Spanish magazine MineralUp

 

Paul Harter of Phoenix really got into the blue thing: blue tux with sapphires – really Paul?????
Paul Harter of Phoenix really got into the blue thing: blue tux with sapphires – really Paul?????

 

Now here's a pair of dandies!
Now here’s a pair of dandies!

 

Jeff Scovil found his blue hat (that’s Carl Francis behind him)
Jeff Scovil found his blue hat (that’s Carl Francis behind him)

 

Lois with Marshall Sussman
Lois with Marshall Sussman

 

Ludmilla Cheshko with the blue haired Russian contingent!
Ludmilla Cheshko with the blue haired Russian contingent!

 

Nadine and Ed
Nadine and Ed
Lois, Wayne and Walt Blair
Lois, Wayne and Walt Blair

 

Marcus Origlieri, Bob Downs and Robbie enjoying those martinis and the view.
Marcus Origlieri, Bob Downs and Robbie enjoying those martinis and the view.
George Stacey and Kerith Graeber
George Stacey and Kerith Graeber

 

Carl and Diane Francis
Carl and Diane Francis

 

Mitch from our favorite Tucson Police Dept. - love these guys
Mitch from our favorite Tucson Police Dept. – love these guys

 

Audrey Lloyd and Ian Jones looking ever so fetching
Audrey Lloyd and Ian Jones looking ever so fetching

 

Lois and Robbie with Horst Burchard whoi seems happy to be where he is
Lois and Robbie with Horst Burchard who seems happy to be where he is

 

I can always count on Tom Prazier and his crew to get into the spirit – only at our parties can you find the Smurf family!
I can always count on Tom Praszkier and his crew to get into the spirit – only at our parties can you find the Smurf family!

 

Tomak - so huggable
Tomak – so huggable

 

Lloydie is entertained
Lloydie is entertained

 

Rhonda and Dan Kennedy are a wonderful couple and they look great in blue!
Rhonda and Dan Kennedy are a wonderful couple and they look great in blue!

 

Neil Luppescu swapping Smurf stories
Neil Luppescu swapping Smurf stories

 

Mike Rumsey from NHM, London and Scott Werschky
Mike Rumsey from NHM, London and Scott Werschky

 

I always knew Alan Hart was SUPER!!!
I always knew Alan Hart was SUPER!!!

 

Ed (aka the Fun Police) tests the Martinis and finds they are of adequate strength
Ed (aka the Fun Police) tests the Martinis and finds they are of adequate strength

 

Ian Jones and Ed Loye
Ian Jones and Ed Loye

 

The Dorris brothers and Terry Ottaway (curator at the GIA) awaiting their Martinis!
The Dorris brothers and Terry Ottaway (curator at the GIA) awaiting their Martinis!

 

Stefan Stolte and Dave Bunk
Stefan Stolte and Dave Bunk

 

Randy and Susan Parnagian - sweet!
Randy and Susan Parnagian – sweet!

 

Gunther Neumeier and Karen Wendell
Gunther Neumeier and Karen Wendell

 

Marcus with Diane and Dan Weinrich
Marcus with Diane and Dan Weinrich

 

The Larsons!
The Larsons!

 

Wayne and Jaye Smith
Wayne and Jaye Smith

 

George Dobb, Jeannie and Bill Larson, Kerith Graeber
George Dobb, Jeannie and Bill Larson, Kerith Graeber

 

Ed and Tony Fraser
Ed and Tony Fraser

 

Albert does Beef Wellington like no other – YUM! Accompanied by risotto with lobster and shaved truffles.
Albert does Beef Wellington like no other – YUM! Accompanied by risotto with lobster and shaved truffles.

 

Doug Wallace chowing down
Doug Wallace chowing down

 

Jean Smith and Jaye Smith (legends!)
Jean Smith and Jaye Smith (legends!)

 

The patio overlooking the city – John White in the middle
The patio overlooking the city – John White in the middle

 

John Veeveart had no complaints about his dinner – is that blue eggs I see on his plate?
John Veeveart had no complaints about his dinner – is that blue eggs I see on his plate?

 

Christiano Ferraris having a ball!
Fabio Ceschino having a ball!

 

Krystle, brother Tom and Wayne
Krystle, brother Tom and Wayne

 

Jessie Fisher
Jessie Fisher

 

Diane Francis and Joan Kureczka ripping!!
Diane Francis and Joan Kureczka ripping!!

 

Bryan Swoboda showed his moves with Wayne trying to imitate.
Bryan Swoboda showed his moves with Wayne trying to imitate.

 

Yes Bryan….you are ever so cool!
Yes Bryan….you are ever so cool!

 

Bryan Swoboda, Rachel Perez (Harvard) and Alan Hart and I see Christophe Gobin in the background.
Bryan Swoboda, Rachel Perez (Harvard) and Alan Hart and I see Christophe Gobin in the background.

 

The surprise guest of the evening: Rusty Kothavala!!!! with his wonderful partner Toby. So many at the party had not seen Rusty in over 20 years and he was THE hit of the evening. Thank you Rusty and Toby – you brought more joy to the night.
The surprise guest of the evening: Rusty Kothavala!!!! with his wonderful partner Toby. So many at the party had not seen Rusty in over 20 years and he was THE hit of the evening. Thank you Rusty and Toby – you brought more joy to the night.

 

Look at Krystal Dorris rock on! Take that girl off the mountain and she can party…..with Tom Spann.
Look at Krystal Dorris rock on! Take that girl off the mountain and she can party…..with Tom Spann.

 

Rock on!
Rock on!

 

Great DJ had them dancing until midnight
Great DJ had them dancing until midnight

 

Ed Loye calls this his “end of night squiffy vision”
Ed Loye calls this his “end of night squiffy vision”

 

The day after...
The day after…

 

Everyone has said this was THE BEST party ever. Thanks to everyone who attended. What better way to celebrate this anniversary than surrounded by good people!!!

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