Joining the AGTA

I feel funny having a “Joining the…” post two posts after a “Joining the…” post, but it’s my own fault for not getting the rest of my GIA museum photos processed and uploaded. (By the way, I should tell you all about my GIA visit and labs, before I go there again, a month from today. Eheh.) ANNNYYYWAYYY….

So I’m going to Tucson in February, after my lab. Yes, TUCSON!!! (Just for the weekend.)

This all started when I noticed that my Gem ID lab in Carlsbad (January 30 – February 3) coincides with the first week of Tucson’s rock-n-gem show extravaganza, including the AGTA Gem Fair. (39 shows spanning three-ish weeks. Intense.) At first, I only thought as far as, “what sucky timing, that’s the week I’m in lab!” Then someone asked how far Tucson was from Carlsbad. The gears, they turned. Flights and lodging arrangements came together. And suddenly, I was going straight from lab, to the airport, to Tucson. TUCSON!!!

My first purpose in going to Tucson is networking opportunities, and as such, I want to go to two wholesale shows: AGTA Gem Fair and GJX. Since I could join AGTA as a student member now (and thereby qualify for pre-registration), I sent off my check and proof of enrollment in early December. (Lest I forget, my second purpose is to oggle as many gems and minerals as humanly possible, without uh… bankrupting myself. Eheh.)

So I’ve been waiting for what I thought would be a small packet from AGTA: a letter, a membership card or whatever, maybe a pamphlet. Instead, today, I got a BOX OF FUN. What you see here is numerous information booklets; the latest issue of their magazine, Prism; two DVDs of AGTA Gem Fair seminars (from 2010 and 2011); the AGTA Source Directory (members), including wholesale suppliers, retailers, appraisers, and a student section (thats-a ME! Or it will be, next time it’s published.) Also, an AGTA lapel pin, a membership certificate, a pretty postcard, and two window clings (I put it up, with my GIA Alumni cling, in my home-office window. That way, people driving down my street can see how awesome I am. Or something. Awesome is probably not the word that applies here.)

I’m amazed at what my AGTA membership entails, and all the benefits I’ll get from it! Admission to the AGTA Gem Fair in February seems like a bonus, compared to what I’ve already received.