The annual Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase is just around the corner, and here at Crystal Allies, we are extremely excited to announce that we will be a part of this year’s festivities. Each year, the event brings countless gem enthusiasts and thousands of vendors to the Tucson area to experience dozens of shows over the course of two to three weeks. This year, we will be vending the Kino Gem & Mineral Show, one of the largest independent shows taking place during the event. This will be our first time exhibiting at a tradeshow focusing on rare quality mineral specimens, and we couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity to show off our products and meet other gem and mineral enthusiasts.
If you are not familiar with the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase, you are in for a huge treat! This city-wide show spans several days and includes dozens of events, some of which feature hundreds of independent vendors. Whether you are a collector looking for the perfect new piece(s) to add to your collection, a reseller looking to stock your shop, or a jewelry maker in need of gemstones for your creations, you can find everything you need during the annual Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase.
Keep reading to learn a bit more about the event and what to expect.
2020 Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase Event Details
Before we dive into everything that makes this event so incredible, let’s go over some of the most important details regarding when and where it is happening.
When
The 2020 Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase is scheduled to run from January 30, 2020, through February 16, 2020. The hours for specific shows during the event may vary. You can see a full list of all of the shows that are scheduled for the event here.
Where
The entire city of Tucson becomes a playground for gem, mineral, and fossil enthusiasts throughout the course of the event. Shows are scheduled to take place at more than 45 venues, hotels, and tents throughout the city. Check out this map to get a better feel for where everything is happening.
Giveaways!
Crystal Allies is pleased to offer free giveaways and special Kino Gem & Mineral Show promotions. Now through January 31, 2020, you can enter to win a FREE $500 mineral specimen by clicking here.
By the way, every visitor gets a FREE gift by coming to our booth at the 2020 Kino Gem & Mineral Show. Yes, that's right! We are also hosting a Grand Prize Sweepstakes where 3 lucky winners will win $5,000 worth of mineral specimens.
Travel Tips for First-Time Attendees
If you are heading to the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase for the first time, it’s important to plan ahead so that you don’t end up feeling completely overwhelmed upon your arrival. Flying into Tucson and renting a car or taking a taxi into the city is the easiest option. Some people, however, choose to fly into Phoenix then make the 2-3-hour drive to Tucson to save some money on airfare.
When you’re looking for a hotel room, be sure to find one that is near the shows. This will allow you to access the show’s shuttle buses easily. Tucson is not a good city for walking, and means that you won’t have to worry about navigating from one show to the next and trying to find parking.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase is one of the largest exhibitions of its type in the world. Even if you have been to other shows in the past, it is likely that you have never experienced one quite like this. The entire experience can be a bit confusing – especially for newcomers – but it doesn’t have to be. By familiarizing yourself with what to expect, you can be prepared to enjoy all of the incredible things that this event has to offer.
TYPES OF VENDORS
One of the most important things to know is that there are three different types of vendors that coexist at virtually all the shows that take place during the event.
First up are the retail dealers. They set up and sell their stock just like they would at any other show. However, they typically showcase only their best specimens in order to attract the serious buyers that attend the Tucson shows. However, it is also possible to score some great deals from retailers who are trying to move lower-price specimens during the event. Be sure to ask the seller if they have anything special or new. They may have something that will truly blow you away!
There are also wholesale importers who bring vast quantities of gemstones, minerals, and/or fossils from specific regions or countries. Typically, they are looking to move as much of their stock during the event as possible and, in many instances, they only sell to businesses. They often offer great deals on specimens purchased in bulk.
Lastly, there are commercial collectors who mine minerals themselves and bring what they find to Tucson to sell. Often, these collectors dig minerals at claims that they exclusively own, so they are a great source for unique stones that may not be widely available. They spend the entire year digging in the field and usually sell their finds for a moderate profit, so checking out the commercial collectors is a good way to score a deal, too.
HELPFUL BUYING TERMS
Because vendors come to the Tucson shows from all around the world, specimens may be priced in many different ways. Most commonly, though, they use a certain pricing system, such as:
- Net: The buyer pays the full price listed on the item.
- Keystone: The buyer pays 50% of the price listed on the item.
- Double Keystone: The buyer pays 25% of the price listed on the item.
- Triple Keystone: The buyer pays one-third of the price listed on the item. This term is not frequently used.
- Wholesale: Only buyers with established businesses and valid documentation may purchase.
- INTERLAGOS: In the INTERLAGOS pricing system, the numbers correspond with the numbers 1234567890. In other words, a mineral priced “IRL” would cost $156.
When you visit a vendor, look for a sign with any of the terms listed above to determine their pricing system. If you cannot find anything that indicates which system the vendor uses, ask. It is better to ask questions than to be confused about how pricing works.
THE SHOW CIRCUIT
The show circuit is one of the best (and often most confusing) aspects of the Tucson showcase. There are more than 45 shows throughout the event, and the beginning and end dates of each show are staggered. The main show – The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show – is held at the Tucson Convention Center and is an absolute must-see. It is the biggest and best show and it is where you will find stunning specimens from some of the world’s leading mineral dealers. There are also lectures where you can learn more about various mineral-related topics.
Of course, there are plenty of other shows that are pretty amazing, too. At any of the shows, pick up a copy of the Tucson EZ-Guide to learn more about all of the shows, dealers, shuttle bus routes, etc. (Be sure to flip to page 23 to check out our full-page ad!) The mainstream hotel shows are definitely worth checking out. There, every room is booked to a dealer, and the dealer sets up the display in their room.
There are also large shows set up at other venues throughout the city. The Kino Gem & Mineral Show runs from January 30 through February 16, 2020, and is located at the Kino Sports Complex. Featuring more than 200 vendors from around the world – – it offers a huge assortment of gems, minerals, fossils, one-of-a-kind specimens, beads, finished jewelry pieces, and more. At this event, there is even a UPS office on-site to help ensure that your purchases are sent directly to your home or business safely. Freight carriers are also available for larger shipments and for specimens that are too fragile to ship via UPS. Admission and parking for this event are free, and there is a free shuttle bus as well as a food court.
The Kino Gem & Mineral Show is one of the largest independent shows, and it is an excellent place to score great deals on rare and unique minerals. At Crystal Allies, we are thrilled to be exhibiting at this show and will be showcasing some of our finest and rarest specimens.
CONCLUSION
Whether you are a collector or a seller, the 2020 Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase is one event that you do not want to miss. You can find us at the Kino Gem & Mineral Show in booth #86 inside of the North Pavilion Tent. And don't forget - every visitor gets a free gift! Learn how to enter our Grand Prize Sweepstakes where 3 lucky winners will receive $5,000 worth in mineral specimens. And of course, we are giving away a $500 mineral specimen online for the month of January. At Crystal Allies, we are honored to be a part of the 2020 Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase. We wish you safe travels and look forward to seeing you at the show!
At Crystal Allies, we are honored to be a part of the 2020 Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase. We wish you safe travels and look forward to seeing you at the show!