Tucson Gemshow TipsTips to Help You Get the Most From
|
 |
| Tucson Gemshow Tip: If you’re a newbie, visit the main gem show at the Tucson Convention Center |
Are you a Tucson gem show newbie?
Then the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show at the downtown Tucson Convention Center is a must.
This retail-only show is huge with over 200 vendors.
This is the main show and is a great introduction to the world of gems and minerals.
It has some of the best exhibits and a dazzling array of minerals, antique beads, dinosaur fossils, jade sculpture, cut gems, jewelry, jewelry supplies and more.
However, if you’re only interested in specific items, you can save time by visiting one of the smaller, specialized shows.
There are about 50 smaller shows spread out all around Tucson, selling everything from high-end gems to Tibetan turquoise and coral jewelry.
 |
| Tucson Gemshow Tip: The American Indian Exposition offers Native American jewelry like this squash blossom necklace |
Try The Best Bead Show or The Whole Bead Show.
Looking for dinosaur eggs?
Check out the Arizona Mineral and Fossil Show or the T Rex Museum Show.
Not big on gems and minerals?
Visit the African Art Village and the American Indian Exposition.
If you’re a wholesaler, the two "must see" shows are the American Gem Traders Association Show at the Tucson Convention Center and the Gem and Lapidary Dealers Association Show at the Starr Pass Marriott Resort and Spa.
Wholesale / Dealer-only Shows: don’t bother trying to get in if you aren't a wholesale buyer.
For wholesale and dealer-only shows, you must present a resale license, tax certificate, business card and/or photo ID for entrance.
These shows also require registration. For most wholesale shows, you can register in person at the show itself. A few of the larger wholesale shows, such as the AGTA GemFair, may require advance registration online through their websites.
√ Tucson Gemshow Tips #2: Get the Guide
The Tucson Show Guide has information on all of the shows, nearby restaurants and shuttle service.Hard copies of the guide are available at the Tucson International Airport, the downtown Tucson Visitor Center in La Placita Village (100 S. Church Avenue) and at the shows.
You can also view it online at www.www.jewelryshowguide.com.
√ Tucson Gemshow Tips #3: Prices at the Tucson Gemshow
Prices are pretty much the same from show to show. |
| Tucson Gemshow Tip: Shop around for specimen pieces like this quartz. Prices and quality can vary greatly. |
Vendors don’t generally haggle. However, it never hurts to ask.
Prices generally don’t go down at the end of a show because dealers need their stock for the next show they go to.
Don’t feel like you have to buy the first thing you see. Take time to look around because it’s easy to spend all of your money fast.
However, if you see something you really like, you may want to buy it. If an item becomes “hot,” prices may go up fast.
Keep your eye out for bargains. If you see a “keystone” sign, that means the item is half-price; a “double keystone” means that it is a quarter of the displayed price.
It’s easy to get carried away and spend every dime you have. Before you start buying, set a spending limit and don’t exceed it.
If you are thinking about becoming a serious collector, learn about what you are interested in before you go.
That way, you’ll know what the item is worth and when you are paying too much.
√ Tucson Gemshow Tips #4: Use the Shuttle
Use the GemRide™ shuttle because parking at individual shows can be very difficult. |
| Tucson Gemshow Tip: The Tucson Visitor Center at La Placita has maps, guides and a helpful staff to answer questions |
Operated by ParkWise and the City of Tucson, The GemRide™ shuttles are the way to go with their 30-seat semi-coaches with TV screens that display visitor info.
Shuttles stop at most shows and the drivers know about basic show details.
Best of all, it’s free.
Four city parking areas are hubs for the shuttle routes:
- Congress Street - west of Interstate 10
- Tucson Expo Center – Irvington Road at Interstate 10
- 22nd Street and Interstate 10 frontage road – on northeast side; considered to be the easiest lot to access.
- Tucson Convention Center – Granada Street Entrance
Parking is $5/day at most lots. See the Tucson Shuttle Map in the Tucson Show Guide. You will also be able to pick up maps at all show locations.
The GemRide™ Shuttle will be operating February 2-18, 2008.
For additional GemRide™ Shuttle information, call (866) GEM-RIDE.
√ Tucson Gemshow Tips #5: Make Your Room Reservations in Advance
Because this is Tucson’s biggest event, you need to book your Tucson hotel room as far in advance as possible.That's because many of the Tucson Gem Shows are either in some of the hotels and motels, or they are set up in the parking lots.
You’ll even see dealers working out of their motel rooms, so lodging is at a premium.
If you are booking a room at the last minute, try lodgings that are away from the shows; that is, those that are on the northwest or northeast side of Tucson.
The Tucson suburbs of Oro Valley and Marana are the next closest towns to try.
If worse comes to worse, you might have to book a room in Benson, AZ, to the east of Tucson or Casa Grande, AZ, which is to the north.
If you're driving down from Phoenix, Scottsdale or Glendale, it is about a 2½-hour drive south of the Valley of the Sun via Interstate 10.
√ Tucson Gemshow Tips #6: Dining during the Tucson Gemshow
Restaurants will be just as busy as hotels and motels. A little advance planning will help make your meal times go more smoothly. |
| Tucson Gemshow Tip: Several Tucson gem shows specialize in fossils like this Jurassic ammonite |
- Car pool if you can and arrive early.
- Choose restaurants that are near the ParkWise lots or along the GemRide™ shuttle routes.
- Try to dine at off-times to avoid crowds. Many of the gem show buyers and dealers dine late, so eat early.
- Make restaurant reservations as soon as possible, if the restaurant takes them.
- Dine at restaurants away from the shows.
- Pick up food at one of metro Tucson’s farmers’ markets or at a local market like Whole Foods or AJ’s Fine Foods (both of which have great delis) and take it with you.
Also, many shows will have some food vendors on site.
Note: This information was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, availability, access, directions, prices, Wholesale show policies and exhibit space availability and costs should be confirmed directly with the individual shows before making reservations and/or travel plans.
Return to Tucson Gem and Mineral Show page
Return to Arizona-Vacation-Planner.com Home Page from Tucson Gemshow Tips page
Legal Disclaimer: Arizona-Vacation-Planner.com accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.
