|
The yearly Tucson, Arizona gem shows attract the world's best minerals, jewelry, lapidary and dealers from across the world to Downtown Tucson.
The theme for the 2012 Tucson gem shows will be Arizona's minerals in celebration of the state centennial celebration in February. Dealer shows began at the end of January 2012.
There are two annual Gem Shows held in Tucson, AZ each year. The fall Tucson Gem Shows is held in September. The more popular winter gem show is held in January and February.
For the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show™ there are about 250 retail dealers sharing the Exhibition Hall and the Arena areas of the Tucson Convention Center.
The 58th Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show™ is held February 9 - 12, 2012 at the downtown Tucson Convention Center.
Winter 2012 Tucson Gem Shows
The upcoming 2012 Tucson gem, mineral and fossil show dates begin on January 28, 2012 for wholesalers. The public gem shows run from February 9-12, 2012.
For those few weeks in February 2012, Tucson will host dozens of separate gem shows, with hundreds of dealer displays for the general public.
The Tucson Gem Shows are a collection of different events held at over 50 locations through the Downtown area.
Dozens of shows and exhibits are running at the same time. Most of the gem shows are free. Hours of operation vary by show.
The main event is the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show™ held at the Tucson Convention Center (TCC).
This show attracts thousands of visitors and over 250 mineral, gemstone and jewelry dealers.
For 2012 and beyond, more downtown hotels rooms are being planned. A major downtown revitalization program, Rio Nuevo, is leading the effort to build new visitor and cultural facilities, more hotels and accommodations.
The Tucson Gem Shows are collectively called the Tucson Gem, Fossil & Mineral Shows, sponsored by the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society.
Downtown shuttles
Since the free shuttle program Gem Ride was largely funded by state money to ease transit during the I-10 Widening Project, the service is continued this year.
Many shows will be running private shuttles. City officials advise gem show visitors to use parking garages, dealers sites and other shuttle services. Call each show to find out their shuttle options.
The Sun Tran Bus Free Downtown Loop runs every 30 minutes. Park your car in a garage and take the free shuttle or purchase a Mineral Show Bus Pass. One way fare is $1.50 for adults; kids 5 and younger are free. A day pass is $3.50 and buses stop by most shows. For bus schedules and passes, check www.suntran.com or call 520-792-9222.
Downtown Parking
There is limited parking at shows downtown (call individual shows for details). The shuttles are a better option to get around downtown and from show to show.
Two parking garages are convenient to downtown and frontage road shows. Downtown Tucson parking lots are open daily 8am-8pm. The daily fee for most lots is $5.
- 22nd Street (northeast corner of I-10 & 22nd)
- Congress (Congress west of the river).
Additional parking is available at these Tucson downtown lots. Fees are $5 per day on weekdays. The Pennington Garage has free parking on weekends.
- Pennington Street Garage- 110 E. Pennington St. at Scott Ave.
- City & State Garage - 498 W. Congress, 1 block east of I-10
The Tucson Convention Center has parking for $8 a day and $15 valet parking.
Parking is available is also available at the JOGS show at Tucson Expo Center on East Irvington Road.
For more parking information, call ParkWise at 520-791-5071. Read more about Tucson Downtown parking.
UA Mineral Museum Exhibits
"The 100 Year's of Arizona's Best: The Minerals That Made The State" and "Treasures of the Queen" exhibits are on display at the University of Arizona Mineral Museum. Read more about the new UA Mineral Museum exhibits.
Tucson Gem Features
More information
The 2013 Tucson Gem Shows will be announced at the beginning February 2012. See some posted events for the 2012 Gem Shows.
|
