Tucson Gemshow Tips

There is so much to see and do at this 2+ weeks long international marketplace that it can be hard to decide where to begin.

This is also Tucson’s biggest annual event, drawing almost 55,000 visitors and over 3,000 vendors from around the world.

With all those people, just getting around can be an adventure in itself.

By taking a few moments to do some advance planning before you head off to the show, you can make your experience much more enjoyable and a lot less stressful.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tucson Gemshow Tip: Several Tucson gem shows specialize in fossils like this Jurassic ammonite

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.

• 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 Wild Oats or AJ’s Fine Foods (both of which have great delis) and take it with you.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has been widening I-10 from Prince Road to 29th Street.

Interstate 10 is open through this area, although it is narrowed to two lanes in either direction.

All entrance and exit ramps are closed between this stretch.

The frontage roads in this area are open and there are signs directing you on how to reach downtown Tucson.

You can expect heavy traffic during commute hours. Also, there will be occasional nighttime and cross street closures.

If you're driving from the north, Oracle Road, which runs through north Tucson and leads into downtown, is an alternate route.

From the south or the airport, take I-10 and exit at 29th Street. Follow the signs to reach downtown.

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