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Tucson Gem and Mineral Show Attracts Vendors from Around the World

Wednesday, 01 February 2012 01:33

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Thousands of gem and mineral enthusiasts from around the world flocked to Tucson this week for the 2012 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. Lasting from January 26 – February 12, and held at over 40 different locations throughout Tucson, vendors showcased and sold everything from minerals, gems, fossils, beads and even diamonds.

 

Since its start in 1955, The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show has grown to be the world’s largest natural history showcase of its kind. Vendors can be seen putting up shop in hotel rooms, convention centers, ballrooms, parking lots and tents throughout Tucson, primarily along the I-10 interstate.

 

 

Vishal C. Pai, a vendor from India, has been in the business for 40 years, though this is his first time at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. Located at booth E21 in the 22nd Street tent, Pai’s company, Rainbow Rocks & Gems came to Tucson to sell various geological mineral specimens and semi precious stones of all sizes, shapes and colors from his native country of India.

“The business has been low so far, hopefully it will get better this week.” Pai said, “It was a long way to travel.”

 

Es- Seouani Abdellatif however has been traveling across the world from Morocco for the past five years to attend the show.

“It is very far to travel, but we will be here for three weeks selling our minerals and fossils from different places in Morocco.” Abdellatif said. According to Abdellatif, his company Hiba Minerals located at booth A19 in the 22nd Street tent, differs from other vendors at the show because his gems and minerals come from cities all over Morocco. In addition to attending the Tucson show, Abdellatif attends gem and mineral shows in Germany and France, other popular shows amongst the vendors.

 

Minerals and stones are not the only items for sale however, customers are also able to buy items such as rugs, wooden statues, leather goods, premade necklaces and other jewelry items. “I drive in each year for the show, it is absolutely amazing.” Said California native, Kimberly Johnson, as she picked up a pink, heart shaped stone at a booth in the 22nd Street Mineral, Fossil & Gem tent. “I come to get different beads and jewels for my jewelry business, and always find myself going home with a car full of treasures from around the world.”

 

The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show is ongoing and open to the public from January 26 – February 12. For more information go to their website: http://www.tgms.org/

Further information: http://www.jewelryshowguide.com/

 

Written by Emily Kjesbo You are reading Tucson Gem and Mineral Show Attracts Vendors from Around the World articles

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