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Tucson Gem & Mineral Show

Coordinates: 32°07′50″N 110°34′58″W / 32.1306°N 110.5827°W / 32.1306; -110.5827
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Overview of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show TM, Tucson Convention Center, 2011
Tsumeb dioptase, 2007 show
Protoceratops and Velociraptor fossil replicas, 2007 show


The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase is not a single event at a single location, but rather 40+ independent shows that take place annually in late January and February at multiple locations across the city of Tucson, Arizona. The word "showcase" is used to denote a group of shows, but most people simply refer to all the goings-on as 'the gem show'. Most shows are free and open to the public; the exception being a few "to-the-trade" gem/jewelry/diamond shows which require registration with a business license. Shows host vendors who offer minerals, fossils (including dinosaurs), gems, jewelry, meteorites, art, beads, supplies, tool & machinery, art, rough, and just about anything else that has come from the Earth (and space). Venues include parking lots, hotels, gigantic climate-controlled tents, warehouses, the Tucson Convention Center, and many others. Shows vary significantly by price-point, quality & rarity of items offered, focus (such as primarily on minerals, or fossils, or meteorites, etc.), start-date, hours, duration (some are for just 2 days, while the 22nd Street Show is for 18 days) and whether they host special exhibits from museums, private collections, etc. The Tucson EZ-Guide offers a map and comprehensive listing of the 2018 shows.

Pets are not welcome at any show, as these events are places of business where a single specimen can be priced as high as $350,000. But all pocketbooks are served with some of the most affordable items being offered by scores of Moroccan dealers selling fossils from the Sahara. Families with well-behaved children are welcome at most venues.

The show that started it all is the one named The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, which is produced by the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society. Their show has been held annually since 1955 and now occupies 181,000 square feet (16,800 m2) of the Tucson Convention Center. Many museums and universities, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Sorbonne, have displayed at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. The first Tucson Gem and Mineral Show was held in an elementary school in 1955 and shortly thereafter moved to a Quonset hut at the Tucson Fair Grounds. In 1973, it moved into the Tucson Community Center, first occupying the North Exhibit Hall, then expanding into the Arena and upper Arena concourse. After the completion of the new facility in 1990, which is now called the Tucson Convention Center, the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show now occupies the Arena, Exhibition Halls A-B-C, Galleria and Ballrooms. This show takes place during the last 4 days of the Showcase, while all 40+ others begin sooner.

The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is one of the single highest revenue-producing events for the Tucson economy. The estimated economic impact in 2014 was $120 million. [1]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Gem showcase makes big economic impact". Arizona Daily Star. January 30, 2015. Retrieved 2017-10-15. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)

Media related to Tucson Gem & Mineral Show at Wikimedia Commons

32°07′50″N 110°34′58″W / 32.1306°N 110.5827°W / 32.1306; -110.5827

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