The general consensus among exhibitors at the Tucson gem shows was that the appetite for building stock has substantially improved compared with recent years. For a few classic stones, however, the market appears to be at a standstill. Retail jewelers are reportedly moving away from rubies because the prices are simply too high for most markets. Current price levels for fine material have transformed the market for this gem into practically a memo-only business. On the other hand, sales of sapphire in both blue and the fancy colors were reportedly solid.By all accounts, collector and unusual stones represent the hottest segment of the trade. “The market is very upbeat,” says Geoffrey Watt of Mayer & Watt, an exhibitor at the American Gem Trade Association GemFair. “We are seeing a lot of interest in the exotic and unusual gems this year.” Watt exhibited an impressive inventor