Tucson Gem Show

The Gem Show has just arrived in Tucson, AZ. This is one of the highlights of the year as dealers from all over the world arrive to display their precious gems, world-class amazing fossils, human-size crystals, intricately carved stone, bone, wood and many other fascinating things. The dealers, traders, buyers, and general public are equally colorful as they represent the full spectrum of human character (and caricature). The show spreads all across town in almost every hotel, sports arenas, the convention center, and nearly every open space within a short distance of the central downtown area. And there are always amusing stories of misadventure, too. One of my favorites is about a vendor who hid his substantial wad of money in a napkin stuffed in the trash can in his hotel room for safe-keeping. Naturally, it got thrown out with the rest of the trash. See the photos below for a sampling of Gem Show treasures.

Fossil gallery

Ammolite Fossils

Packaged dino

Giant Gila Monster