Huge Petrified Wood Specimens at the Tucson Gem Show
The Tucson Gem Show is one of the largest gem and mineral shows in the world, featuring thousands of exhibitors from around the globe.
Held annually in Tucson, Arizona, the show offers a wide variety of gems, minerals, beads, jewelry, and other lapidary products for collectors, hobbyists, and industry professionals.
The event takes place over two weeks in starting late January and features both wholesale and retail sales, as well as educational lectures and demonstrations.
Whether you're a seasoned collector or a first-time visitor, the Tucson Gem Show offers something for everyone interested in the world of gems and minerals.
Gemride Shuttles Are Not Running 2023
Gemride, shuttles provided by the City of Tucson for the Tucson Gem Show, is cancelled again this year due to Covid. The buses have been shut down since 2021.
Luckily, the Tucson public transit is free. The Sun Link street cars that travel throughout the downtown core will take you within walking distance of the downtown shows.
You will need to take an Uber or rent a car to see the shows in South Tucson, like Jogs and the Holidome.
Skip The Line Using Budget Fastbreak
I rented my car from Budget Car Rental using the FastBreak loyalty program. If you pre-book online through Fastbreak, you can pick up your car keys without lining up at the regular rental desk.
Fastbreak has a desk located just outside the Tucson Airport in the rental parking lot (about a 5 minute walk from baggage claim). Often the keys to your rental car are already hanging on a board located next to the rental kiosk. It's so convenient!
Parking Downtown Tucson
Before heading out to your first gem show, locate the closest parking/shuttle area beforehand.
Public Parking
498 W. Congress Street
260 S. Church Ave.
45 N. 5th Ave.
Depot Plaza Garage
110 E. Pennington St.
Pennington Street Garage
My Favorite Shows
Here are some downtown gem shows that I recommend. Some of the shows require registration before entering. The links are to Google Maps addresses of the venues. Happy gem hunting!
Downtown Gem Shows
GJX (wholesale, need license)
198 S. Granada Ave.
22nd Street Mineral, Fossil and Gem Show (open to public)
Northwest corner of 22nd St. and I-10 Highway
Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show (open to public)
Riverpark Inn, 350 S. Freeway
Rapa River (open to public)
292 S. Freeway Ave.
Mineral & Fossil Co-Op (open to public)
1635 Oracle Road
Oracle Mineral, Gem and Fossil (open to public)
1801 N. Oracle Road
South Tucson Gem Shows
The following show are located south of downtown Tucson. The easiest way to get here is by car.
JOGS (wholesale, need license)
Tucson Expo Center
3750 E. Irvington Road
To Bead True Blue (Open to public)
Casino Del Sol Resort & Convention Center
5655 West Valencia Road
Gem Shows plus Parking and Shuttle Areas
The map below contains most of the gem show venue locations and parking. Here is the map in Google Maps. The Purple pins are parking areas and the blue pins are the shows.
Tucson City Gem Show Maps
