QUARTZ SITE
THE HUNT FOR ROCKS AND HISTORY
STORY AND PHOTOS BY HELEN SERRAS-HERMAN
The pyramid and camels have become iconic symbols for the town of Quartzsite, reflecting the story of a camel driver that brought camels in the American desert.
The main event that brings the most visitors into town is the Annual Quartzsite Improvement Association show, the QIA Pow-Wow
The town of Quartzsite is located near the western border of Arizona. It’s at the crossroads of the east-west corridor between Phoenix and Los Angeles, and the north-south passage, which follows the Colorado River, towards Lake Havasu City to the north and Yuma to the south.
During the hot summer months, Quartzsite is a quiet place with about 4,000 year-round residents. That population explodes in the winter months, to over one million; making Quartzsite a spirited oasis in the desert and the destination for many rockhounds and lapidaries from every corner of the world. Some winter visitorsthe snowbirds as the locals call them, come with their motorhomes and stay for 4-6 months, while others rush through the town for a few days. My husband and I fall into the latter category, as we usually visit Quartzsite for two to three days.
Quartzsite takes center stage in January, a couple weeks before the big gem and mineral shows in Tucson. During the months of January and February, Arizona becomea spotlight for all rockhounds, mineral collectors, gem enthusiasts, and jewelry lovers. Visitors come mainly for the gem and mineral shows, but they also enjoy side trips to museums, guided tours of copper mines, and explorations of the rugged landscapes that made the West famous.
The mild winter climate fosters this annual trek for many visitors. Although some years we have been surprised by nature’s fury with intense rainstorms in Quartzsite and Tucson that flood the tents and almost paralyze the shows. However, usually, we enjoy the traditional desert weather- sunny and warm days and clear and crisp nights. Sometimes the night temperature drops below freezing, and the water in the tubs with slabs becomes ice-cold. This makes it almost impossible to put your hands in and sort. As many attendees have limited time, they are anxious to start their show routes early in the morning but soon find out that cold nights command a slow start in the morning for the outdoor vendors.
Even your short ride from the parking lot to the show is done in a unique style carriage: a tractor-pulled wagon, courtesy of QIA.