It’s that time of year again…The legendary Tucson Gem & Mineral Show is gearing up for its 61st appearance in Tucson. What began as a little “club” show has turned into the largest show for collectors, designers, shop owners and bead hoarders in the world. There are also private collections from museums on display, from the Smithsonian Institution and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
That’s all well and good, but why are we here? To sell you BEADS! Beads are the largest growth product in recent years at the show. If you’ve never been to the Tucson show, or even a bead show, be prepared to have your mind blown. There are approximately 49 different venues across Tucson from which to from which to choose. Each venue contains dozens, if not hundreds of vendors. Most shows are open to the public, and some are wholesale only-requiring a business license to even walk through the door.
My favorite show is the Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers Gem Mall
4475 South Country Club Rd, Tucson, Arizona 85714
It is a wholesale only show, my fave to find great beads for my shop.
.