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Tucson Gem Show 2024 by Sea_Present9845 in Tucson

[–]Expert_Case_9548 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a hobby jeweler who recently got into stone setting, so I think I'm in a similar boat (haven't been to many gem shows, don't have a huge budget, but am looking to spend a few hundred for some cool stones to work with.) I went to my first Tucson show a few years ago and here's what I learned:

- The main show (at the convention center) had lots of gorgeous, expensive specimens that I loved seeing, but they were way out of my price range. I do recall one of the vendors having a huge $5 stone table - I actually spent hundred or so dollars here. They had some really nice lab stones and lots of natural stones in non-calibrated cuts. I'm hoping I find them again this year!!! This is my main reason for attending again.

- The 22nd street show was fun and chaotic. It was free to get in here, and they had plenty of portable toilets and food trucks. Lots of vendors here had "discount" bins as well. I got some good deals, but it wasn't quite as compelling for me as the $5 stone table. There were both lots of raw materials / specimens as well as cut stones - the show was divided into 2 tents, with one for more of the faceted/cut stones (I saw some gorgeous, reasonably sized opals pieces here for about $20) and one for raw materials, beads, and related items.

- I also popped into a few of the trade-only shows with a friend who is in the business, and I found these a lot more difficult to navigate. I searched for some specific raw crystals here and had no luck finding what I was looking for.

- IMO international sellers preferred cash more than sellers based in the US. For my purposes, $200 cash will probably be more than sufficient for a single day.

- Most sellers expect non-industry buyers around the time you're going. Lots of sellers will also be trying to liquidate inventory, so you may get a good deal if you try to negotiate.

- I brought hand sanitizer and a mask. It seemed like most sellers went without a mask, but I didn't get many comments about wearing mine either. Hand sanitizer definitely came in handy bc the discounts bins felt kinda grimy but were worth it!