The 2009 annual Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase, also called the Tucson Gem Show and Tucson Gem & Mineral Shows, is already gearing up.

The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show ™ is held every year on the second full weekend of February. Dozens of gem shows are held throughout downtown Tucson and nearby hotels.

For 2009 and beyond, more downtown hotels rooms are being planned for the 2010 Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil shows. A major downtown revitalization program, Rio Nuevo, is leading the effort to build new visitor asnd cultural facilities, more hotels and accomodations.

The yearly gem shows and exhibits attract the world's best minerals, jewelry, lapidary and publication dealers from across the USA and beyond to Downtown Tucson and the Tucson Convention Center.

Be aware of construction around the downtown and the 1-10 freeway

For the next two years, the Intertstate-10 freeway entrances and exits are closed from 1-19 to Prince Road. This will cause a great inconvenience to unaware dealers and visitors, and even those prepared to handle the great divide. The Interstate-10 (I-10) freeway exits at Congress are also closed. The entire project may not end until 2010.

Driving along the frontage road near Downtown is reduced to 25 mph because of the pedestrian traffic and congested vehicles due to the construction. View Tucson Freeway Cameras.

Free Downtown Tucson Shuttle

City officials advise gem show visitors to use the free shuttle to get to downtown locations. Get a T.I.C.E.T.- get a free ride around Downtown Tucson with the Parkwise shuttle. Many stops at parking garages, dealers sites and the University of Arizona. Read more about the free downtown shuttle.

Watch Freeway traffic on the Internet

2008 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show ™ Details

The Tucson Gem, Fossil and Mineral Show ™ is held at Tucson Convention Center Exhibition Hall and the Arena. An estimated 240 retail dealers will share the Exhibition Hall and the Arena areas of the Tucson Convention Center with a variety of mineral, fossil, jewelry, and lapidary crafts.

Dates: February 14-17, 2008
Theme: "Minerals of the U.S.A."
Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.,
Sunday; 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Admission
Tickets are available at the door of the Tucson Convention Center (Ticket Office 520-321-1000) and all Tucson Convention Center outlets after January 17, 2008. Admission is $8.25 plus a $0.75 Tucson Convention Center ticket tax. Children 14 years and under are free with a paying adult.

Saturday, February 16, 2008 is "Military Appreciation Day" and all active and retired military and their dependents with military ID are admitted free of charge.

For more information about the Tucson Gem Shows:

Tucson Gem & Mineral Society, 520-322-5773: www.tgms.com
Metroplitan Tucson Visitors & Convention Bureau: http://www.visittucson.org/gemshow/