Okay, here is my sharing about the Tucson Gem Show 2024:
Man, the Tucson Gem Show this year was a wild ride! I’ve always been a rockhound, and this was my first time making the pilgrimage to Tucson for this massive event. Let me tell you, it’s not just a show, it’s an experience.
First off, I booked my flights and hotel way in advance. Tucson gets packed during the show, so you gotta plan ahead. I flew in a few days early to get settled and do some sightseeing. The Mission San Xavier del Bac is a must-see, absolutely stunning. I also checked out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which was awesome. You get to see all kinds of desert critters and plants.
When the show finally started, I was like a kid in a candy store. There are so many different venues, it’s almost overwhelming. I spent a couple of hours just wandering around the main event, checking out all the different vendors. There’s everything you can imagine, from rough stones to polished gems to fossils.
- I made a beeline for the Poor Boys Opal booth at the GIGM Globex Gem and Mineral Show. Heard good things, and they didn’t disappoint. Snagged a sweet little opal for a decent price, about 50 bucks.
- I also picked up a big chunk of morganite from Mozambique. It’s rough, but I’m hoping to get it cut into a really nice gemstone. Fingers crossed!
The sheer scale of the show is mind-blowing. I talked to people from all over the world. Everyone’s there for the same reason – a love of rocks and minerals. It’s like a big, global family of rock nerds.
One thing I quickly learned is to pace yourself. It’s easy to get “Gem Show Fever” and just buy everything in sight. I made a list of what I was looking for before I went, and I tried to stick to it. Also, I made sure to compare prices and not just buy the first thing I saw.
The show runs from January 27th to February 12th, so there’s plenty of time to explore. I ended up going back several times, just to soak it all in. It’s like a treasure hunt, you never know what you’re going to find.
My advice for any first-timers:
- Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking.
- Bring cash. Some vendors don’t take cards, especially for smaller purchases.
- Don’t be afraid to haggle. It’s part of the fun!
- Most importantly, have fun! It’s an incredible experience.
So yeah, that was my Tucson Gem Show adventure. I’m already planning my trip for next year. Maybe I’ll see you there!
