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Tucson AZ Gem ShowSee the World's Largest Collection of Gem and Mineral Shows at the
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The Tucson Convention Center floor was covered in a dazzling array of gems and minerals.
While others oohed and aahed over sparkling amethyst geodes, nuggets of gold that looked like abstract sculpture and emerald, ruby and sapphire jewelry sumptuous enough for a princess, we were mesmerized by a fossil.
A spectacular saber-toothed tiger skull stopped us in our tracks.
This rare, complete skull was beautiful in its simple elegance and yet still fearsome with its dagger-like canines, for which the long-extinct cat was named.
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| A saber-toothed tiger skull is just one of the fossils seen at the Tucson AZ Gem Show |
We love the annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show because here you can feel like you’ve trekked around the globe, visited another world, traveled back in time and pick up a little bling for your "someone special", too, all in one place.
This world-famous show is the largest event of its kind anywhere, drawing over 25,000 people to sell, buy and just browse.
If you love to make your own jewelry, want to see a rock from another world or just like to look at things that sparkle, this Arizona gem and mineral show is for you.
Dealers and buyers come from around the world to sell and buy precious gems, minerals, jewelry, beads, fossils and meteorites.
This year, the 54th annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show 2008 runs Feb. 14 – Feb. 17 in the Tucson Convention Center in downtown Tucson.
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| Amethyst geodes are popular items at the Tucson AZ Gem Show |
In addition to 250+ vendors selling their treasures, you’ll see over 125 exhibits featuring spectacular gems, jewelry and minerals from private collectors and museums like the Smithsonian Institution and the British Museum.
We’ve spent hours wandering the tables, amazed at the diversity and sheer number of specimens.
Some of our favorites included giant formations of malachite and azurite, large pieces of petrified wood and miniature animals, including elephants, cats and birds, exquisitely carved from turquoise, jade and other minerals.
Every year, the Tucson AZ Gem Show chooses a special theme.
In 2008, the theme is Minerals of the USA.
This is sure to be a very special event as you will be able to see a family tree of USA minerals all in one public venue.
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| USA mineral specimens like this botryoidal malachite will be featured during the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show 2008 |
The exhibits will travel from some of the top USA mineral museums, and from privately held collections.
Thirty-nine famous American mineral localities will be spotlighted, with each locality represented by the finest specimens collected from that spot.
It will be an once-in-a-lifetime exhibition.
Past Tucson AZ Gem Show themes have featured:
- Minerals of Australia
- Gold
- Chinese minerals.
Every year, there is something new and different to see.
Other Tuscon AZ Gem Show exhibits have included:
- a cast of a full-size mastodon – the elephant-like mammal that once roamed during the Ice Age
- a micro-minerals room, where you can view tiny crystals through microscopes
- rocks from other planets
- a "mineral maze" for children.
There will also be lectures and experts on hand to answer all your questions.
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| Beads and other jewelry supplies can be purchased at several of the Tucson Gemshow tents |
The Tucson Gem and Mineral Society held the first show back in 1955, for members, collectors and rock hounds to show off their private collections.
Today, the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is part of the larger Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase.
The Showcase is held annually for two weeks every winter, generally during the first two weeks of February.
In 2008, the Tuscon AZ Gem Show will run from February 2 through February 17.
There are around 50 individual shows scattered around the city at motels, warehouses and parking lots.
Just about everywhere you look, you’ll see the large white tents of these smaller shows, offering gems, minerals, fossils, jewelry, beads, African art, Native American art and more from around the world.
Highlights of the Tucson Gem Shows include:
- Tucson Westward Look Mineral Show – held at the Westward Look Resort, this show offers some of the best minerals and meteorites from dealers around the globe.
- Tucson Electric Park Gem and Mineral Show – large public show with fossils, minerals, gems, beads, jewelry, findings, lapidary equipment, supplies and tools.
- African Art Village – has about 100 exhibitors offering African masks, beads, statues and artifacts from throughout Africa.
- T Rex Museum Show has dinosaur exhibits, fossils, art, paintings, murals and casts.
- American Indian Exposition offers authentic American Indian crafts and arts from over 50 tribes. Buy direct from the artists and see them at work. Tribal dances held on weekends.
Most of the Tucson AZ Gem Shows are free. While some shows are open only to wholesalers and dealers, many are open to the public.
Admission for the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show at the Tucson Convention Center (TCC) is $9. Children 14 and under are free with a paid adult.
| √ Tucson Gem & Mineral Show Notes Saturday, February 16, 2008 is "Military Appreciation Day" and all active and retired military and their dependents with military ID are admitted free of charge to the TCC Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. Each wholesale Tucson AZ Gem Show sets its own policy. Buyer registration usually requires a copy of your business license and/or tax-exempt certificate/resale tax identification and your business card. |
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This information was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, availability, access, directions, prices and exhibit space availability and costs should be confirmed directly with the individual shows before making reservations and/or travel plans.
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