/ Modified feb 3, 2015 2:55 p.m.

Gem Shows Expected to Draw 55,000 Visitors, Exceed 2014

Precious stones, fossils, more: 2 weeks of mineral madness under way at 40+ venues around Tucson.

Story by Emily Huddleston, AZPM Intern

Meteor Rocks On Shelf Spot
AZPM

The 61st annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil shows are under way in Tucson, with 55,000 treasure hunters expected in the next two weeks, in what is the city’s biggest tourism event.

The mineral madness sprawls across the city, with shows at more than 40 locations. The main event will be the big showcase at the Tucson Convention Center Feb. 13-15.

Dan Gibson, director of corporate communications at the convention and visitors bureau known as Visit Tucson, called it the best such show shows in North America.

"It is the variety of exhibitors, the quality of merchandise that comes through here," Gibson said. "Just the fact that you have mom and pop merchants up to giant corporations that are selling their gems here. There is something for everyone, which is great.”

Last year, the shows generated $120 million in direct spending, and Gibson said more people are expected this year, so the economic impact should grow.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona