A strong showing at February’s gem shows bodes well for the tradeGemstone markets in the United States remain positive. Dealers have had an opportunity to digest information regarding buying and spending patterns in Tucson and are generally confident about the direction the market is going. Reports from the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show in early March were also mostly upbeat, with both fine colored gems and diamonds reportedly in high demand.Price increases for popular sizes and qualities in the classic gems continue to drive interest in lesser-known gem materials. Agates, opals, garnets, beryls, diopside, and a host of other affordable gems are selling well.One trend identified during the Arizona gem shows in February is the strong interest that retail jewelers are showing for gems mined in North America. There are quite a number of stones produced domestically, mostly in sm