5 must-see shows during the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase
So many gems, so little time.
The annual event continues through Feb. 11 — Visit Tucson calls it the “world’s greatest treasure hunt” — and boasts dozens and dozens of different shows.
Not sure where to start? Here are 5 suggestions.
1. New Mineral Show
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These petrified-wood faces were presented by Madagascar Minerals at the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase in 2016.
Tucson’s New Mineral Show is said to be affordable for vendors and attendees alike.
Organizer Marcus Origlieri told the Arizona Daily Star last year that if you can afford a cup of coffee, you can afford a rock at his show.
TNMS runs from Jan. 30 to Feb. 5 at West Grant Road near North Flowing Flowing Wells Road.
2. 22nd Street Mineral & Fossil Show
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Scott Sprencz, right, and Ed Kloehn, haul in an onyx luminary for the "Art of Decor Onyx" booth at the Tucson 22nd Street Mineral and Fossil Show.
The 22nd Street Mineral & Fossil Show welcomes more than 200 vendors and features incredible finds such as meteorites, dinosaur fossils, Himalayan jewelry, and minerals from Madagascar.
The show begins a bit earlier than most, Jan. 25 and continues through Feb. 11. It's at West 22nd Street and I-10.
3. Tucson Gem & Mineral Show
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Skip Pedersen, of Cornish, N.H., examines a hunk of amethyst quartz at the Western Woods tent at the Pueblo Gem and Mineral Show at the Riverpark Inn.
The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, the big event that closes out the showcase at the TCC, is a must-visit.
This is the oldest of all the shows and runs from Feb. 8-11 and charges a $13 admission fee.
The show is home to more than 250 dealers.
4. Tucson Kino Gem Show
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Shoppers walk along one of the tents where items from the North Lake Trading Co are on display at the Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E Ajo Way during the 2013 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.
The Tucson Kino Gem Show hosts more than 230 vendors across the Kino Sports Complex on Ajo Way.
Highlights include pearls from Hawaii, minerals and fossils from Morocco, rainbow-colored gemstones, and Native American drums.
The show is Jan. 26 to Feb. 11.
5. Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show
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Kristi Lee, right, takes a picture of some tubbed minerals at the Quality Inn location during the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017. Lee and Dan Moseley, left, traveled from Washington state, who have recently started in the wholesale business, to visit this year's show.
The Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show also welcomes hundreds of vendors and has three locations: Hotel Tucson City Center downtown (Jan. 25—Feb. 7), the Ramada Limited Tucson West (Jan. 27—Feb. 10), and the Mineral & Fossil Marketplace on Oracle Road (Jan. 27—Feb. 10). Folks can find African art, minerals from Russia, gold nuggets, and beautiful stone creations.
If you go
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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.
