If you love rocks, fossils, gems, people and the desert then you need to take time to visit the Tucson Gem Show at least one year. The gem "show" is actually a series of shows that run
from the end of January to the 2nd or 3rd week of February.
This year there were 43 different shows that
spanned the entire city of Tucson. They
ranged in size and set-up from the relaxed atmosphere of the Miners Co-op show
(about 30 vendors with pop-ups, tents and motor homes selling in an
open field in the north part of Tucson) to the more sophisticated and LARGE
wholesale shows like GJX, Gem Mall and Holidome (with hundreds of vendors in what
appear to be permanently placed "tents" that are the size of very
large warehouses). If you have a
wholesale license you really have to visit these large shows. I have never before seen plates of diamonds,
rubies, emeralds, sapphires and who knows what else lined up on tables
sparkling up and down every row of the show.
Most of these shows don't allow pictures but I was able to get this
picture at one of the more relaxed shows, with the cooperation of the
seller. Imagine this replicated over and
over again as you go up and down the rows of vendors.
On the other end of the spectrum is the rock (a/k/a rough)
used to create the gorgeous cut and polished gemstones I use in my designs. You'll find rough at just about every show in
Tucson. It ranges from the small nuggets
of emeralds and rubies to large chunks of semi-precious gemstones like
amethyst, tiger eye and lepidolite. A
lot of the semi-precious gemstone rough is stored and sold from buckets and big
metal barrels. Here is just some of the
rough I've seen in Tucson over the years:
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| Lepidolite Rough |
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| Tiger Eye Rough |
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| Amethyst Geode |
If you like to see the remnants of plants and animals
from millions of years ago come to Tucson!
I know our planet has a lot of things hidden inside because the supply
of fossils at the Tucson shows has never diminished in the years I've been
going to the show. Here are some of the
cool fossils you can find in Tucson:
Although gems and minerals are the focus of the show
there is always lots more to see. Here are some cool metal sculptures:
You can also find items for home decor such as gemstone bowls and a table top made from rock. That is my mom standing next to the table top for perspective.
So, if you have some free days in February next year take
a trip to Tucson and see all the amazing beauty and bounty that mother nature
provides for all of us who love gems!
9 comments :
Very cool!
Looks like quite an adventure!
I've always been a little terrified of such a large show. But you've brought it down to what looks like a doable event! Thanks for sharing!
Love pretty rocks! good info here on possibilities at the shows besides finished stones and bead strands. Thanks, Susan :)
I want to go back. Love these shows.
I am envious of your experience. Lovely gems and the photos are wonderful.
Thanks for sharing your experience Susan! I bought more rough this year and loved the Miner's Co-op. Those vendors are so helpful and friendly. We should grab a lunch together next year at the show!
Great info, I've never been to Tucson, so this is really informative. Now I know, I absolutely must go - your pictures are fantastic! Thanks!
Looks like you saw a lot of great stones and gemstones, thanks for sharing!
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