Tucson Rock and Gem Show

Does anyone know how one obtains a pass to get into any of these
shows? I am wanting to attend and buy but I understand one needs to
get a pass to get in. I don’t want to get down there and find I
can’t come in. I am mainly interested in stone beads but will do a
few stones. Also, thanks in advance and greetings from Juneau,
Alaska. Beasley’s Art Gallery Rick @Richard_A_Beasley

    Does anyone know how one obtains a pass to get into any of
these shows?  I am wanting to attend and buy but I understand one
needs to get a pass to get in.  

I went last year. Most of the shows require proof that you are
representing a legitimate business, since they are wholesale shows,
so you should bring documentation including copies of the business
license, state tax ID/resale number, and business cards.

– Leah

www.michondesign.com
@Leah2

Hi Rick,

            Does anyone know how one obtains a pass to get into
any of these shows?  

Many shows (there are over 20 different shows) require proof of
being in the jewelry/lapidary business. This proof can be as simple
as a sales tax/business license &/or a business card. The primier
shows like the AGTA & GLDA show are a little more difficult to gain
admittance to. For the most part you can get your ‘Buyer’s Badge’
for each show at the entry to that show. The Calendar section of each
Lapidary Journal lists the dates & contacts for most of the Tucson
shows.

The Tucson Gem & Mineral show (the one that started it all) is
having it’s 50th anniversary show this year & as you may have
guessed, the feature mineral is GOLD. This show charges an admission
fee, about $5.00.

Dave

Rick, You can early register for all the shows, but you must do it
one at a time. Do a search for Tucson Gem Shows and you should find
all the necessary. You will be in your glory looking at
beads in Tucson. I am a dealer in finished faceted and cabochon
stones at the G+LW GemMall. Last year there were three other stone
dealers and all the other bead dealers. I would estimate 100+
dealers in this one location and it will be expanding for next year.
These bead dealers are direct from mostly China and India. Beads by
the ton, truckload, string, hank, box, any way you want. I saw
buyers coming in with hand trucks and leaving several times with the
truck stacked full of boxes of beads and carvings.

Your major problem will be finding lodging so do it now or you may
be too late. Tucson is a wonderful two week extravaganza of the best
the whole world has to offer in stones. Don’t miss it.

Gerry Galarneau, In sunny still way to hot, 100 degrees Phoenix,
Arizona USA. Cutting some Nipoma Marcasite in Quartz, Flame Agate,
Faceting some fluorite, etc www.galarneausgems.com

It depends on the show. Most of them will admit you with a sales
tax/business license from your home turf and a business card or
company letterhead. Generally you register when you enter the
particular show.

KarenK
Desert Dreamer Designs
http://members.cox.net/desertdreameraz

Rick, Most of the shows that have beads and stones will require only
a tax license and a business calling card which are presented at the
entrance of the show. If you have a license and card you will be
able to see a major portion of the show and lots of bead vendors.
The G&LW show has a lot of bead vendors at the Roadway Inn. The
shows that are very tough to get into are the shows that show
faceted gems and higher end jewelry. Lee Epperson