5 fun facts about the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase
This year’s gem show consists of more than 47 shows and 4,000 vendors. They are strewn across Tucson and most are open to the public. That includes the Tucson Convention Center, Kino Sports Complex, and the fairgrounds. Many hotels also set up can’t-miss white tents that showcase even more goodies. Schedules and locations for each show are available online.
By Gloria Knott, Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Fact 1
Updated
The 1967 show at the Tucson Rodeo and Fairgrounds drew a modest crowd. After its 1955 beginnings in a school auditorium, the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society moved its annual show to the Quonset hut at the Tucson Rodeo and Fairgrounds on South Sixth Ave., at Irvington Road.
Just 15 vendors were at the first show in 1955. About 1,500 people attended.
Fact 2
Updated
Sights from inside the 22nd Street main tent.
This year, 50,000 people are expected to attend.
Fact 3
Updated
Bisbee minerals were some of the viewing attractions at the 1962 Tucson Gem & Mineral Show displayed by the Arizona Bank in Bisbee. — Credit: Tucson Gem & Mineral Society archives
The Tucson Gem & Mineral Society started it all. Today, their show is just one component of the citywide showcase and is still ran by mostly volunteers.
Fact 4
Updated
David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star 1994
The original show was housed in a local elementary school before moving to the Pima County Fair and Rodeo Grounds in 1956. TGMS’ show, the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, is now housed at the Tucson Convention Center.
Fact 5
Updated
Jim Cresawn, who traveled from Virginia, looks at a table of crystals at the 22nd Street show during the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017.
Among the gems that have traveled to Tucson for attendees to gawk at: the Logan Sapphire — 423 carats, cut from a crystal in Sri Lanka, and one of the world’s largest blue sapphires; a 100-ounce gold crystal; a 390-carat Burmese ruby crystal, and a 13-foot amethyst cathedral geode.
If you go
Updated
Melis Cohen looks over the strands of crystals she’s buying from the booth run by Queenly Global Trading, Richardson, Texas, during the JOGS Gem & Jewelry Show at the Tucson Expo Center in Tucson, Ariz. The JOGS show, featuring about 200 exhibitors, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and runs through Sunday.
Tucson Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Showcase
When: Saturday, Jan. 27—Sunday, Feb. 11. Individual shows have different dates and times.
Where: All over Tucson. Visit xpopress.com or visittucson.org for more details.
Et Cetera: Downloadable guide at visittucson.org/gem-show-app
2018 Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase map
UpdatedClick the icons for more information. Click the window icon on the upper right of the map for a larger version.
