Tucson 2002

This year we asked our members for their impressions of the Tucson show. Below are their impressions. For those who have never made it to the Tucson extravaganza, this should give you a good idea of what it is like.

As a teenager I was a junior member of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society and showed competition mineral specimens at the first show. Held in the cafeteria of an elementary school, the show was small but well attended. Every year since I’ve been astounded by what this event has become! Many wonder why Tucson has grown to such a large show or why the location is important. The warm winter climate is partly the reason but the local mineralization is the main reason. Early on this area was recognized for it’s colorful, fabulously crystallized secondary lead, copper, and zinc minerals.

Bisbee, Tiger, Old Yuma, Flux and Glove Mine specimens are known to any serious collector on the planet. From early on, if you were a serious collector or dealer, Tucson had to be at the top of the list.

For me, this year’s events were overwhelming and, hard as I tried, I didn’t get to see everything. Being registered…