In this post, I'll show some of the public mineral exhibits and cases from the show. I took a picture of almost every case at the show - the only ones I could not get were a few where it was to crowded to sneak in for a good shot. Most of the exhibit cases pictured are of the fluorite show theme, though there are a others that managed to get themselves exhibited here.
These will be divided into multiple posts. Click on an image to enlarge.
The Tucson Gem & Mineral ShowTM Show is the main Tucson event and the grand finale of shows. This show is the one that started all the others and made Tucson the rock, mineral, and gemstone mecca it is today. The show is held in the Tucson Convention Center, which is the city's largest exhibition venue.
I took many photos at this show. This first report outlines general pictures at the show to give a feel of what the show looks like. More reports on this show, including the special exhibit cases and individual minerals at the show, will be forthcoming.
Entrance to the Tucson Convention Center from S. Granada Ave
Fluorite: Colors of the Rainbow poster at the show entrance
The crowd gathering on the top foyer of the Convention Center
Partial view of the show floor
Another view of the show floor
Down below on the show floor
The outdoor area behind the show where people are gathering for lunch
Some guy dressed as a fossil fish with a moving mouth giving out cards
Hershel Friedman in front of the Rocks and Minerals Booth with his ad
Hershel Friedman in front of the Mineralogical Record Booth with his ad
Table at Rob Lavinsky's booth with some funky Chinese material,
his flyer for the Chinese exhibit at the University, and the Minerals.net contest flyers
We have blasted ourMinerals.net March newsletter. See the contents below and click for the larger version.
This show was previously known as the Tucson Electric Park show, and it is in south Tucson away from most of the other buzz. The Kino Sports Complex show is adjacent to another show called "The Rock Show". "The Rock Show is composed of tents and dealers selling out of RV's, and the Kino Sports Complex has many tents, some of them very large. These shows features all the regular mineral, gemstone, and bead dealers, but also have giant rocks and ornamentals which are very interesting to see.
Here are just a few pictures from this show:
Row of tents at the Kino Sports Complex
Huge hunks of Prehnite from Mali at the Kino Sports Complex
RV's and tents at "The Rock Show"
This show is located along the westbound strip of the I-10 Freeway. The show is a dense agglomeration of large and small tents, outdoor tables, and motel rooms with outdoor overflow. The buzz and activity at this show is amazing, with the density of dealers and pedestrians truly fascinating. Most of the dealers are foreign, and there is a considerable represenation of Brazilian, Chinese, Pakistani, Morrocan, and Indian dealers. There are gemstone and bead dealers combined with wholesale and retail mineral establishments. Here are some pictures from the show:
Side wall of the bustling Howard Johnson
The inner courtyard of the Howard Johnson
The back of the Howard Johnson with the La Quinta in the back
Note the sliced and polished Larimar on the foreground onthe table
More dealers in the Howard Johnson parking lot
Tents in the parking lot of the La Quinta
