Blog Post

World's Largest Gem Show: world record in Tucson, Arizona

Mar 14, 2023

Tucson, Arizona, United States--The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show produced by the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society has been held annually since 1955 and now occupies 181,000 square feet (16,800 m2) of the Tucson Convention Center, setting the world record for being the World's Largest Gem Show, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

Photo above: World's Largest Gem Show: world record in Tucson, Arizona. Photo: TGM Show/Wi kipedia

"It’s the largest, oldest, and most prestigious gem show in the world, contributing millions of dollars to the local economy every year — $131 million to be exact, over three weeks," the KVOA reports..

"65,000 people are coming here and they have money in their pockets," said Felipe Garcia CEO of Visit Tucson. "They’re going to restaurants to shop, they're spending money and leaving the money here."

""With the history of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society a little non-profit and educational group that started off as a collection of rock hounds who met in a parking lot, to now selling out the Tucson Convention Center," said Jane Roxbury, director gem show and convention services for Visit Tucson."

Photo above: World's Largest Gem Show: world record in Tucson, Arizona. Photo: Tucson Gem and Mineral Society

"Each winter, some 65,000 visitors descend on Arizona for the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase to admire and acquire shiny new pieces to brighten up their lives. With thousands of vendors setting up shop and 50 separate shows around the city, it's less an exclusive experience than a cosmic jumble sale where nothing is too large or too ostentatious to catch somebody's eye; and nothing is too unusual to lure in curious passers-by," the CNN reports.

"While diamonds and precious stones hold a place of honor, there's no shortage of oddities for sale, from animal pelts and skulls to personalized rubber ducks. Over the course of a single day of this year's showcase, which ran from January 30 to February 14, photographer Daniel Arnold saw a $70,000 geode "the size of a Volkswagen Beetle," a baby goat being led around a parking lot by a cowboy, and enough tie-dye to rival a Grateful Dead concert."

Photo above: Dioptase Specimen, Museum Quality, Tsumeb It's unusual to see dioptase so gemmy, such a large mass on matrix and such unusual deep color. This is one of my favorite minerals and to see this specimen up close was a thrill. This is about 4" long and worth hundreds of dollars. Best view is large, of course. Photo: Cobalt123 via Wikipedia

"The colossal Tucson Gem Shows and Associated Events are by far the largest gem and mineral shows on earth. It's not a single show or held at a single location. It consists of dozens of major independent shows held at various locations throughout the city. Some of the finest mineral specimens known to exist in the world are displayed at the show. Besides those for sale, there are displays by museums, noted collectors and dealers, and competitive displays from expert and beginning collectors, which many regard as the show's highlight," the Desert USA reports.

"An estimated 60,000+ people from more than 20 countries attend this event usually held in early February. More than 25 museums and universities from around the world, including the Smithsonian Institution, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Sorbonne in Paris bring special collections and displays to the show."

"Lectures are presented by eminent curators, mineralogists and hobbyists on collecting, photography, mineralogy and other topics. The show also includes a Saturday night dinner and awards program for professional, amateur and junior competitive exhibitors, including the Paul Desautels Trophy for the finest crystallized mineral specimens; the Lidstrom Memorial Trophy for the best single specimen; and the Neal Yedlin Memorial Trophy for the best micromount display."

Photo above: World's Largest Gem Show: world record in Tucson, Arizona. Photo: Krieger/YouTube

"The original, oldest, and most prestigious show is the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show®,held annually at the Tucson Convention Center in the city's downtown district, which features 160-plus exhibits and a packed schedule of seminars and lectures.

"However, and this is where it gets confusing, you'll find many locals often use the generic phrase "gem show" to refer to both TGMS and the 40-plus official and unofficial shows, events, and tents that spring up near and around the city around the same time," the Visit Arizona reports.

"Unlike other exhibitions, the Tucson (lowercase) gem show is fairly democratic in who is able to sell as a vendor. Coast along the major highway, Interstate 10, and nearly every hotel and motel will have signs touting their own show(s) where individual rooms are transformed into pop-up shops selling everything from crystals and African crafts to jewelry, clothing and single gems from Asia, Europe, Latin America, India and the U.S. Other, larger shows will rent out football-field-sized tents near stadiums or lease event halls to house their hundreds of vendor booths."

Photo above: World's Largest Gem Show: world record in Tucson, Arizona. Photo: Krieger/YouTube

"The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase are gem and mineral shows that take place annually in late January and February at multiple locations across the city of Tucson, Arizona. Most of the shows are open to the public, except for certain trade shows which require registration with a business license.

The key event of the Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase is the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show produced by the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society. This show has been held annually since 1955 and now occupies 181,000 square feet (16,800 m2) of the Tucson Convention Center. Many museums and universities, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Sorbonne, have displayed at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.

"The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase is one of the single highest revenue-producing events for the Tucson economy. The estimated economic impact in 2018 was $120 million." (Wikipedia)

Photo above: World's Largest Gem Show: world record in Tucson, Arizona. Photo: Krieger/YouTube

"The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show®, founded in Tucson in 1955, is said to be the largest, oldest and most prestigious gem and mineral show in the world. It has enjoyed international stature since the 1970s, and was the first gem and mineral show to bring the hobby enthusiast, the public, and the curator/professionals together for discovery and discussion," the Visit Tucson reports.

"Our purpose is to encourage interest and study in geology, mineralogy, lapidary and allied earth sciences.

"The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show® is open to the public and features over 225 retail dealers, 150 Special and Guest Exhibitors, Competitive Exhibitors, a Junior Education area, free lectures and a Saturday evening program."

Photo above: World's Largest Gem Show: world record in Tucson, Arizona. Photo: Tucson Gem and Mineral Society

"Our Special & Guest Show Exhibits provide a rare window into private and museum collections of the mineral world's stars. It is with great pride that the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society and the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show® Committee showcase different treasures each year," the official website says.

"There are an estimated 250 Retail Dealers sharing the Exhibition Hall of the Tucson Convention Center. An unparalleled variety of mineral, fossil, jewelry, lapidary crafts and related publications are presented under one roof. The Saturday Night Awards & Reception on February 10, 2024 will include hors d’oeuvres, awards ceremony, slide competition awards.

"The Society and the Show Committee invite approximately 3,000 Arizona school students to attend the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show® free of charge with their teachers and chaperones. This affords the children a special opportunity to view the exhibits and shop with the Dealers on Friday morning of Show week."

Photo above: World's Largest Gem Show: world record in Tucson, Arizona. Photo: Tucson Gem and Mineral Society

Testimonials from TripAdvisor

"Beautiful Convention center. The layout of the show was very nice. Parking was simple and we really enjoyed visiting.

"Even if you can resist buying a gorgeous piece of jewelry, or an intact geode, or affordable samples of rocks and fossilized bones, go enjoy the exhibits about the history of mining in Arizona, biographies of some leaders in the industry and hobby, and speak with the artisans who create wondrous works of art. Recommended!"

"Overall, the gem and mineral show presented fantastic pieces, stones we had not seen or never heard of."

"The Convention Center in Tucson is perfect for the gem show. Not too big, not too small. The location is close to the Highway and close to the downtown. Always seems to go smoothly."

"The largest, oldest and most prestigious gem and mineral show in the world. Many of the rocks and minerals there are museum quality. If you don’t purchase a thing, it’s still very worth going . On Friday, they have incredible learning opportunities for school children. There is so much to see and do, it’s takes days to even begin to enjoy it all . The Convention Center offers two-day passes.There is even an amazing micro mineral room where very knowledgeable geologist help you discover the world of micro minerals as seen through the microscope . A great learning experience and they even give away specimens to take home and enjoy, at no cost !"