Tucson Gem & Mineral Show
For 56 years now, Tucson has hosted one of the largest gem, mineral, and fossil showcase in the United States. The event started out as just the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show run by the Tucson Gem & Mineral Society. Satellite shows began to pop up around town because of the popularity of the show, and today there are 50 individual shows at 47 venues. Thousands of vendors come to Tucson each year to sell everything from museum grade fossils to ready-made jewelry to precious stones worth thousands of dollars each.
What to expect
The first time you go to Tucson during “gem show season” you will be amazed at this town’s ability to turn into a destination for rock hounds, jewelers, bead makers, collectors, and jewelry lovers. A quick drive down the freeway and you notice huge white tents in nearly every parking lot of every hotel. Make sure to pick up “the bible”, the large, full color show guide to find the shows that interest you. Some shows are geared towards raw stones and minerals, some fossils, some components for jewelry, and some for wholesale jewelry.
What to bring
If you want to attend some of the gem shows, you must wear comfortable walking, or shopping, shoes. Dress in layers as the temperature outside is generally cool, but it can get quite warm inside the tents. Serious shoppers bring wheeled bags to lug around their load of rocks, fossils, gems, and jewelry. Most venues offer food and beverages, and there are restaurants nearby to most shows.