Tucson Gemshow Tips

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.

Tucson Gemshow Tip: If you're a newbie, visit the main gem show at the Tucson Convention Center

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 45 smaller shows spread out all around Tucson, selling everything from high-end gems to Tibetan turquoise and coral jewelry.

Want beads for making your own jewelry?

Try The Best Bead Show, To Bead True Blue, or The Whole Bead Show.

Looking for dinosaur eggs?

Check out the Arizona Mineral and Fossil Show or the 22nd Street Mineral and Fossil 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 GemFair Tucson at the Tucson Convention Center and the Gem and Lapidary Dealers Association Show at the Starr Pass Marriott Resort and Spa.

Tucson gemshow tip for 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.

This handy book has information on all of the shows, nearby restaurants and the current shuttle service arrangements.

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.jewelryshowguide.com.

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.

Tucson Gemshow Tip: small boxes of assorted minerals like these are an inexpensive way to start your own collection

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.

The AGTA GemFair will run a free shuttle service between the Tucson Convention Center and most AGTA preferred hotels.

Tucson Gemshow Tip: The Tucson Visitor Center at La Placita has maps, guides and a helpful staff to answer questions

Also, many shows sponsor private shuttles. See this link for a list of 2012 Tucson Gem Show Shuttles.


City Buses

Tucson's SunTran bus system also offers a special 7-day Gem Show Pass. For just $18, the pass provides unlimited rides for seven consecutive days from the time of first use. It will be accepted on all Sun Tran routes from January 14 - February 21, 2011.

You can purchase the pass online at the SunTran web site. Or you can buy one at the Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau at 100 S. Church Ave, or call 1-888-2-Tucson.

SunTran has routes that travel to downtown Tucson, the Tucson Convention Center and to areas near several of the shows. You can plan your trip, check routes and times, and see details at their web site: Sun Tran.com.

Another option is to use the free Downtown Loop Shuttle, which stops at a few spots that are within walking distance of several shows (runs weekdays only). Call (520) 792-9222 for more information.

Tucson Gemshow Parking

If you are planning to drive, there is limited parking available at the shows (you should call individual shows for details).

Parking convenient to downtown and frontage road shows is at the following parking hubs:

• Simpson Street / 22nd Street & I-10 frontage road (northeast corner of I-10 & 22nd),
• Congress Street & I-10 frontage road (Congress west of the river),
• Tucson Expo Center (at the JOGS show) on East Irvington Road.

Parking lots are open daily 8 am - 8 pm. Daily fee for most lots is $5.

Additional parking is available at these downtown lots:

• Pennington Street Garage - 110 E. Pennington St. at Scott Ave.
• City & State Garage - 498 W. Congress, 1 block east of I-10.

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 want to stay close to the big Tucson Gem Show, check out this list of Hotels near Tucson Convention Center

Or you may prefer to stay in one of the many wonderful Tucson B&Bs, which range from historic downtown properties to B&Bs tucked away in the desert surrounding town.

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.

See our Tucson Hotels guide for specific recommendations for Tucson area hotels.

If worse comes to worse, you might have to stay at one of the hotels in Benson, AZ, to the east of Tucson, or at one of the hotels in Casa Grande, AZ, which is to the north.

Tucson Gemshow Tip: Purchasing pendants like these is a good option for beginning jewelery makers

• Car pool if you can and arrive early.
• Choose restaurants that are near the ParkWise lots.
• 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.

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