Best Guide for the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
What Is the Show All About?
This year’s Tucson Gem and Mineral Show runs for two and a half weeks, from January 27 to February 11, 2018. Almost 4,000 trade companies will be gathering in town, representing every continent across the globe. Over 40 locations around town will be displaying gems, minerals, rocks, and fossils. The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is the largest show of its kind in the world.
Tucson Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Showcase
Saturday, Jan. 27—Sunday, Feb. 11.
Some Individual shows have different dates and times.
Locations are all over Tucson.
Who Is the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show For?
The gem show is for one and all. Anyone with an eye for beautiful and interesting things that come out of the ground will find something to tickle their fancy. So even if you don’t know a geode from a geocache, feel free to stop by and see what you can see.
But the show is also for experts. Researchers, writers, and artisans from all over the globe visit Tucson for the mineral show, whether to sell, buy, display, or simply take in all the minerals.
Transportation and Shuttles at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
With over 40 venues, two and a half weeks’ worth of events, and tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of visitors, getting around for the show can be hectic. Luckily, all the transportation information is available in one place.
You can find details about transportation, including streetcar, bike sharing, and parking on this Visit Tucson Gem and Mineral Show page.
Main Shuttle Hub
Tucson Expo Center:
3750 E. Irvington Road
Tucson, AZ 85714
Gem Show Transportation and Shuttle Info on the Fly
You can take your guide with you and have all the transportation information you need with Gem Show apps. Download the apps on these platforms:
Where Are the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show Locations?
JCK Tucson in the Westside District
http://tucson.jckonline.com/
3800 W Starr Pass Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85745
Phone: (203) 840-5684
Toll-Free: (800) 257-3626
Dates: Jan. 31 – Feb. 3
Hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm and on Feb. 3 only, 9:30am – 4 pm
Includes: Finished jewelry and loose gemstones from over 100 designers and suppliers who have highly unique collections.
Main Avenue Gem Show in Central District
http://www.mainavegemshow.com/
1202 N Main Ave
Tucson, AZ 85705
Dates: Jan. 28 – Feb. 11
Hours: 10 am – 6 pm and Feb. 11 only, 10 am – 5 pm
Phone: (520) 889-1840
Includes: Large architectural pieces, fossils, lapidary rough and equipment, finished stones, slabs, and more.
JOGS International Exhibits Winter Show in the Southside District
https://jogsshow.com/
Tucson Expo Center
3750 E Irvington Rd
Tucson, AZ 85714
Phone: 213-629-3030
Dates: Jan. 25 – Feb. 5
Hours: 10 am – 6 pm, Feb. 5 only, 10:00am – 4:00pm
Includes: The Main venue of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show with nine pavilions. Has the largest selection of wholesale rough stones, gem stones, and jewelry during the Winter Tucson Gem Show.
JG&M Simpson Street in the Presidio District
http://jgmexpo.com/tucson/
601 W. Simpson Street
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: (520) 889-1840
Dates: Jan. 27 – Feb. 11
Hours: 10 am – 6 pm and Feb. 11 only, 10 am – 4 pm
Includes: Jewelry, gems, minerals, gold, silver, crystals, statues, beads, tools, and equipment.
AGTA Gem Fair in the Tucson Convention Center District
http://www.agta.org/
Tucson Convention Center (Granada Ave Entrance)
260 S Church Ave
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: 214-742-4367
Toll-Free: 800-972-1162
Dates: Jan. 30 – Feb. 4
Hours: 10 am – 6 pm and Feb. 4, only, 10 am – 4 pm
Wholesale only.
Includes: loose colored gemstones and cultured pearls, as well as a stunning selection of designer and manufactured jewelry.
Madagascar Minerals Gem Show in the Central Tucson District
http://www.madagascarminerals.com/
201 W Lester Street
Tucson, AZ 85705
Phone: 520-882-8884
Dates: Jan. 19 – Feb. 12
Hours: 9 am – 6 pm
Includes: Mineral products from Madagascar, including Labradorite, Colorless/Rose Quartz, Orbicular/Regular Jaspers, Petrified Wood, Citrine, Blue Calcite, Celestite, Fossils, Ammonites, Carvings, Spheres, Gem Mosaic Slabs, Rough.
To Bead True Blue in the Southside District
http://www.colorsofthestone.com/
Casino del Sol Resort
5655 West Valencia Road
Tucson, AZ 85757
Phone: (530) 274-2222
Dates: Jan. 27 – Feb. 3
Hours: 10 am – 6 pm
Includes: 700 booths, galleries, merchant displays by artisans, designers, beadmakers, jewelers, metalworkers, gemcutters, clay and fiber artists. Products included rare lampwork glass bead masterpieces, polymer and silver clay beads, antique beads, as well as many textiles. 400+ workshops.
Fine Minerals International Show in the Presidio District
http://finemineral.com/
450 N. Granada Ave
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: 520-792-8500
Dates: Jan. 27 – Feb. 10
Hours: 10 am – 6 pm
Includes: Three exclusive dealers only, specializing in the finest minerals, gems, lapidary artworks and petrified wood.
GIGM Show–Howard Johnson Gem and Mineral Show in the Westside District
http://gigmshow.com/
1010 S Freeway Rd
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: 520-251-1800
Dates: Jan. 26 – Feb. 10
Hours: 9 am – 7 pm
Includes: Rhodocrosite, Lapis, Brazilian Stones, Beads, Moroccan Fossil, Lapidary, Zeolights, Aurora Treated Quartz, Arkansas Clear Quartz, and Smokey Quartz Crystal, jewelry, Jade Sculpture, Chinese Minerals, Ruby, Lapis, Amber Jewelry,
Best Bead Show in the Southside District
http://www.bestbeadshow.com/
Quality Inn and Suites
5251 S Julian Dr
Tucson, AZ 85706
Phone: 610-909-2674
Dates: Jan. 29 – Feb. 3
Hours: Mon, Wed – Fri 10 am – 6 pm, Tues 10 am – 8 pm, Sat. 10 am – 5 pm
Includes: beads selling booths and classes
WHOLESALE ONLY SHOWS
JG&M Michigan Street in the Southside District
http://jgmexpo.com/tucson/
3000 Michigan Street
Tucson, AZ 85714
(520) 889-1840
Dates: Jan. 27 – Feb. 11
Hours: 10 am – 6 pm and Feb. 11 only, 10 am – 4 pm
Wholesale only.
Includes: Artifacts, Beads, Carvings, Crystals, Finished Jewelry, Fossils, Gemstones, Glass, Lapidary, Lapidary Equipment, Metaphysical, Mountings & Findings, Rocks, Silver, Specimens, Supplies, Tools
1820 Oracle Wholesale Show in the Central Tucson District
http://1820oracle.com/
1835 N. 11th Ave
Tucson, AZ 85705
Phone: 520-622-6633
Dates: Jan. 24 – Feb. 11
Hours: 9 am – 6 pm
Wholesale only.
Includes: Dealers from around the world. Holistic items, fossils, polished goods. Over 600 varieties.
See More Shows
For a full and detailed list of all the gem and mineral shows and locations, Gem Show Central provides you information on dates, locations, maps, transportation, and information about whether a show is wholesale only or available to the public.
What Should I Bring?
Remember: you’ll be spending the day on your feet, so be sure to wear comfortable footwear. Consider bringing food and drink along with you, or at least make sure to have cash on hand for food. If you’re bringing children with you, make sure to take what you need to provide for them.
In short, have with you what you’d bring along for any other day out.
Watch Out as You Cross the Street
Especially if you’re coming in from out of town, make sure to take care crossing the street. It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the rush of the show. Remember, these streets are not sidewalks even though there will be such large crowds of pedestrians: cars will still be driving on the roads. Pay particular attention near the venues of the more crowded events where it’s likely many people will be jaywalking and paying little attention to crosswalks.
Take care to follow these tips when you’re out at the show:
- Cross at a crosswalk.
- Stay alert.
- Make eye contact with drivers, particularly at intersections where they are making turns.
- Don’t walk while intoxicated.
- Don’t walk while texting or being otherwise distracted.
Regardless of whether coming to this event is for fun or business, it’s important to be safe at the show.
Plan Well and Have Fun
The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is set up to be one of the crowning events of the year. If you’re stopping in from out of town, make sure to plan your transport to and from the event and plan your meals. Check out local restaurants in the district near your venue for some local fare.
If you’re from out of town, take some time to learn what events you want to visit, and consider taking in other attractions while you’re in the area.
For all the fine researchers, artisans, dealers and wholesalers who make the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show possible: thank you for bringing your art and business to our city. May you have a successful show this year.
