Tucson Gem Shows

For gem, mineral, and fossil lovers around the globe, the annual Tucson, Arizona gem and mineral shows in early February are the highlight of the collecting world. Thousands of dealers display their ‘wares’ at around 20 different wholesale shows located throughout Tucson and set against the backdrop of the Arizona desert. Approximately one million buyers and sellers attend this wild west show each year. The shows take place in a variety of venues- a convention center, hotels, motels, tents, parking lots, and this year, even out of the back of a U-Haul parked on the side of the road (selling fossil mammoth ivory from Fairbanks, Alaska). Hotel reputation has nothing to do with the quality of gem materials being sold inside. Each show has a different flavor, from fine mineral crystal specimens at the Holiday Inn Express to fabulous fossils at the Days Inn to large, rare precious gems within a very secured convention center. The booths and venues vary tremendously. One booth might have only extremely fine gems, with over 20 million dollars of inventory displayed, while another will have much less expensive inventory, with only $100,000 to be seen. However, you never know which booth will have the perfect gem or the best bargain.

To get an idea of all these shows, click here .

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