Tucson Gem and Mineral Show Reviews

Get to Know Your Vendors at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

I've been to the Tucson show several times. Be careful. It's very addictive!

I've purchased two new colors of topaz, already faceted. One was labeled "glacier blue," a very bright blue, deeper than Swiss Blue. The other was teal colored. I also purchased some lab-created emerald and several odd lots of faceted stones from vendors I've dealt with before.

Going to the show enables me to meet people face-to-face, which really means a lot for future purchases. I love visiting with people I've done business with before. Once I know the people I'm dealing with, my online/mail purchases are so much easier. I've also taken a faceting class there. Many classes are available. They fill up fast (and so do the hotel rooms).

Carol

Be Ready to Track Down the Best Prices

I'm a faceter and I've been going to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show regularly for the past 15 years. I buy both rough and cut stones. It's a very big show, so it really helps if you know what you want and can stay long enough to search for the best prices. The prices are not as good as going directly to the mines in Asia, but since I don't want to travel now, Tucson is the next best thing. Prices can be very good to very expensive for the same things. If I'm going to buy in quantity, I always try to track down the sources.

Janice

From Mammoth Tusks to Amethyst Chunks

You won't believe what you'll see until you actually go to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. The whole town is taken over by gem dealers, buyers, rock hounds, mineralogists, and geologists. Tucson is two weeks long and sports 25 shows with over 20,000 vendors. You'll find everything. I mean everything, from a matched pair of 8′ long fossilized mammoth tusks to amethyst chunks the size of your fist, as well as the finest emeralds, rubies, and diamonds, all at below wholesale prices. Tucson is the gemstone trading center of the world for those two short weeks. Most people plan a year ahead of time to make sure they have a place to sleep. Every hotel, motel, or dirt lot is turned into vendor space during the day and sleeping quarters at night.

Good luck,

Douglas LeGrand, GG

More IGS Member Reviews of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

Editor's note: Under Lapidary Clubs and Shows as well as Gem Tourism, you'll find more reviews of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, including:

• A double review, one by a professional gemologist who has attended Tucson many times and one by an amateur at the show for her first time.
• IGS member reviews of the 2002 show.
• Jeff Graham shares his Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in-depth reviews from 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
• IGS member Richard Edley's review of the 2015 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.

You'll also find reviews of other gem shows and destinations, as well as a gem show FAQ and a guide to gem business etiquette.