What is the largest gem show in the United States?

Tucson, Arizona

There are hotels and motels in Tucson, with something for every taste and price range. For more information and a complete list,check here for hotel rates, availability and reservations online.

This January and February, mobs of rockhounders, gem dealers, paleontologists, Native Americans, geologists and the just plain curious will converge on Tucson, Arizona for the annual 2022 Tucson Gem Shows and Associated Events. During the Winter 2022 Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil event, over 47 different independently owned and operated shows will be held during the month, with over 3,000 exhibitors citywide.

The colossal Tucson Gem Shows and Associated Events are by far the largest gem and mineral shows on earth. It's not a single show or held at a single location. It consists of dozens of major independent shows held at various locations throughout the city. Some of the finest mineral specimens known to exist in the world are displayed at the show. Besides those for sale, there are displays by museums, noted collectors and dealers, and competitive displays from expert and beginning collectors, which many regard as the show's highlight.

The main show, the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show presented by the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, will be held February 10 through the 13th at the Tucson Convention Center. This year, there will be over 80 spectacular exhibits in the “Fluorescent Mineral Pavilion” presented by the Fluorescent Mineral Society. Some 250 retail dealers will display a huge variety of minerals, fossils, jewelry, and lapidary crafts.

The 22nd Street Mineral, Fossil, Gem & Jewelry Show is Tucson's most-attended gem show. It is open to the public and no registration is required. 2022's show is the largest ever, and all dealer booths are sold out. There is convenient on-site parking ($5 weekdays and $10 weekends - no RVs, buses, trailers or trucks over 20 feet can be parked on-site of the show) and free admission. 2022 Dates are January 27 – February 13, 2022 (10a to 6p Daily).

An estimated 60,000+ people from more than 20 countries attend this event usually held in early February. More than 25 museums and universities from around the world, including the Smithsonian Institution, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Sorbonne in Paris bring special collections and displays to the show.

Shades of Blue: Minerals of the World

Lectures are presented by eminent curators, mineralogists and hobbyists on collecting, photography, mineralogy and other topics. The show also includes a Saturday night dinner and awards program for professional, amateur and junior competitive exhibitors, including the Paul Desautels Trophy for the finest crystallized mineral specimens; the Lidstrom Memorial Trophy for the best single specimen; and the Neal Yedlin Memorial Trophy for the best micromount display.

Meanwhile, in parking lots, motel rooms, lobbies, lawns, tents, vacant lots and RVs throughout the city, tens of thousands of locals and out-of-towners gather at satellite events searching for retail and wholesale gems, mineral, jewelry, American Indian designs, fossils, dinosaurs, rare books, tools and any items possibly associated with the gem, mineral and fossils trade.

For retail dealers of gems, minerals, fossils, jewelry and crafts throughout the western US, Tucson is THE place to be in February. This is where most of these dealers re-stock their inventories for the coming year.

If you're interested in attending the Annual Tucson Gem & Mineral show, be aware that lodging is difficult to come by unless it is booked many months in advance. Nearby Saguaro National Park has no camping facilities, but Catalina and Picacho Peak State parks north of Tucson offer camping with RV hookups at reasonable rates.

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There are hotels and motels in Tucson, with something for every taste and price range. For more information and a complete list, click here for rates, availability and reservations online.

What is the largest gem show?

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