Tucson Gem and Mineral Show Tips 2011
Your unbiased guide to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
|
Tucson Gem Show Tips
The first thing to realize about the Tcuson Gem Show is that it is huge. There are almost 40 shows, each with anywhere from dozens to hundreds of vendors. Some vendors show in multiple locations, some only have a single booth.
With this in mind, here is an ad-hoc list of do's, don'ts and some helpful hints.
Pace Yourself
If you try to do it all in one day, you won't see anything, and you'll get frustrated along the way. There is no way to see everything at the Tucson Gem Show. It's massive, and many shows just aren't worth the effort if you only have two or three days.
Prioritize
Check out our list of shows, including themes, then decide on visiting a couple each day you are in Tucson. It's a good idea to check out the shows ahead of time so you have an idea of what shows you are interested in and able to visit (some are restricted to commercial buyers).
When You Buy
Discounts can be had, if you spend enough with one vendor, or if you buy in bulk of a particular item. Foreign vendors are particularly willing to bargain, but they are also better at it than most Westerners, so negotiate hard. Try to compare similar items from one vendor to another, if possible, to get an overall idea of a particular booth's pricing structure.
Caveat Emptor
"Buyer Beware!" as the old saying goes. If you are buying rubies, you had better know a lot about them, including quality, inclusions, treatments, cuts and price points. If not, you may end up with a great deal on something that's not quite what you thought it was. You can really tell a lot by talking to the vendor and following your gut.
Chit-Chat
The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is a great place to meet old friends and make new contacts. People come from all over the world for the show, many with tons of experience that they are willing and happy to share with the person next to them. Don't be afraid to say hello, you just may find out something you didn't know, get a hot tip, and end up with a new contact.
The Good Stuff Goes Fast...
Some shows, specifically Holidome, are mob scenes on opening day. Popular products can sell out quickly, so if there is something in particular you want, get there early. The down side is that you will have to deal with the madding crowds. Such is the Tucson Gem Show!
Where to Go
For commercial buyers, the larger shows at Tucson Gem Show like GJX, Gem Mall, Holidome, Quality Inn (formerly Rodeway), and Howard Johnson are major destinations. Holidome and Gem Mall are a series of enormous tents erected one after another on the same side street near the Holiday Inn.
You can visit Gem Mall and Holidome in one day, but two days is a better bet. There are smaller shows between Holidome and Gem Mall that are worth visiting. GJX is mostly higher end jewelry and loose stones, but almost all shows have a mix of jewelry, beads, stones and more.
Pre-Register
The lines to register can be ugly, so be sure to register ahead of time if at all possible. See our Tucson Gem Show Schedule page for a list of shows and their corresponding websites. If you have limited time (don't we all) and want to maximize your efficiency, the last thing you want to do is stand in line on the first day of the Holidome to get your buyer's badge.
Also, some companies, notably Gem and Lapidary Wholesalers and AKS have more than one venue. The nice thing about this is you register once for a badge that lets you in several shows.
Commercial Buyers
Be sure to bring verification of your status. You will not be allowed into wholesale shows unless you can prove who you are and what you do. You should bring business cards, business checks, resale certificate or tax license, and invoices from the last 30 days of a good amount (over $250) from a commercial supplier of jewelry, beads, supplies or equipment. GJX is especially strict, and you will not be allowed in unless you have the proper documentation. make several copies of each item, because each show has different registration requirements and you will need to register several times.
Accomodations
Finding a place to stay can be difficult, especially nearer to the show. Everyone raises their prices for the last week of January and the first two weeks of February. The Tucson Gem Show is big business, and when demand goes up, so do prices.
If you are trying to book a hotel online for the Tucson Gem Show, forget it. The major chains all black out availability during the Tucson Gem Show dates, so nothing will be available online. Instead, visit tripadvisor.com and get the direct line to hotels that fit your budget as rated on their unbiased site.
When you call the hotel direct, you are often (but not always) bypassing the 800 number and checking directly with the hotel itself. You will have much better luck this way. Also, if you are a AAA member or have a corporate plan with any of the major chains, you can knock off a little from the price.
Getting Around
The best way to get around is by car, but this can be a hassle, especially when it comes to parking. There is usually a lot of parking, but not necessarily near the actual venue. Often, shuttles run between shows, and these can be the fastest way from point "A" to point "B." The exception to this is at the beginning or end of the day, when the shuttles are mobbed.
Eating
Good luck here, too. Restaurants are crowded, especially the good ones, from around 5:30pm to around 9:00pm. Be prepared to wait. There is some decent food at the shows themselves, and prices aren't too bad either. The food court at Gem Mall is pretty tasty and affordable.
Getting it all Home
So you've spent more than you had budgeted at the Tucson Gem Show, and now you need to get all your precious (and valuable) finds home. You have several options, depending on what you bought. If it's lightweight and fairly compact, you can probably just put it in your carry-on. If it's too heavy for that, the next best thing is to ship it by FedEx or UPS. Putting things in your check-in luggage is asking for trouble. Things have been known to "fall out" of bags in transit, never to be seen again.
Shipping from the Tucson Gem Show can be a pretty simple and relatively cost-effective affair. At Holidome, FedEx has a booth, but it isn't open on Sundays usually. FedEx also has a storefront in the Butterfield business park right across from Holidome, but it get's really ugly at times. There is also a UPS tent behind the AKS Show at the La Quinta Inn.
A better solution for shipping your Tucson Gem and Mineral Show finds is going to a UPS store or a Kinko's. Both stores have several locations in Tucson, and they stock all the packing materials you will need to get your goods home safely. Many Kinko's are open 24 hours, an added bonus!