Tucson Gem and Mineral Show Guide 2011
Your unbiased guide to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
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Tucson Gem Show Preview 2011
It's that time again! The annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show starts at the end of January and continues through the middle of February. Contrary to how it may sound, the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is not a single show, but rather a group of shows and exhibitions appearing in Tucson at about the same time.
This year there are almost 40 separate shows. Think of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show as the Hajj for jewelry and gemstone lovers. Every self-respecting jewelry lover, beader and rock hound should make it a point to make the pilgrimmage at least once during their lifetime.
Vendors descend on this otherwise sleepy college town in huge numbers to peddle their wares to a voracious crowd of hobbyists, retailers, rockhounds, wholesalers, and deal-seekers. There are deals like nowhere else, as many sellers at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show come directly from factories in India and China to offer their goods directly to the American market.
History
In 1955 the original Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase was held as an exhibition at a local elementary school by the Tucson Gem & Mineral Society. Based on its initial success, the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show became an annual event that was originally aimed mainly at mineral lovers and rock hounds.
As the original show has grown over the past two decades, the "Tucson Gem and Mineral Show" (a trademarked name for the original show, now held at the Tucson Convention Center) has come to refer to the behemoth event that brings an estimated 55,000 visitors to Tucson in a two week period. When someone says they are going to the Tucson Gem Show, most likely they are talking about the overall group of shows held in Tucson, rather than the specific Tucson Gem and Mineral Show™.
Reputation
The Tucson Gem Show is spoken of in India in almost mystical terms. For the uninitiated foreign supplier, the chances for success are low, especially in the first year. While booth space is relatively inexpensive for a two week show, recouping the costs of inflated hotel prices, airfare, car rental, food and incidentals can be difficult.
Talk to anyone involved in the jewelry industry and they will vouch for the importance of the Tucson Gem Show. It offers buyers and sellers of all nationalities and a venue to meet, socialize and make deals.
Competition is fierce in terms of both price and quality. With tight margins and lots of comparable products, the market is often skewed in the buyer's favor. Negotiations often revolve on pennies, especially when larger buyers come with cash and a willingness to spend it.
What is on offer at the Tucson Gem Show? Everything from "rough" minerals (unpolished rocks) to finished jewelry. Beads are in abundance, including semiprecious, precious metals and obscure cuts and species of stone. There are wholesale shows and retail shows, shows for high-end stones, shows that focus on rough, and everything in between.
Vendors come from India, Thailand, China, Mexico, Brazil, Poland, Italy, Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Canada, Russia and more than a handful of other places, just to sell at this once-a-year extravaganza called the Tucson Gem Show.
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