Minerals.net

The InnSuites show in Tucson is very popular, and is really a destination unto itself. It takes place in the Hotel Tucson City Center, formerly known as the InnSuites. The show is still generally known as the InnSuites, despite the fact that the hotel name has changed and that the show's official name is the Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show.

This show, which is run by Marty Zinn, is located just north of downtown Tucson. The hotel it is in is a large and sprawling complex with hundreds of rooms connected by various buildings surrounded by grassy courtyards, palm trees, and orange trees. There is a lot of activity here, with mineral enthusiasts in all corners of this large complex checking out the hundreds of dealers who have set up their mineral displays in their hotel rooms. 

Almost all the big and important dealers have a presence at this show. There is great variety of mineral quality and price tags, with a wide range of high-end minerals in the thousands of dollars, down to very affordable collector specimens. This show is mostly minerals, with a lot fewer jewelry and bead dealers than at the other shows. There are also lots of people to socialize with, and you'll certainly meet many important mineral personalities while traversing the hotel complex. You'll also encounter the various dinosaurs that are placed in the hotel courtyard year after year. 

Aside from the many dealers in the hotel complex, there are more dealers in tents outside the complex, and of course Daniel Trinchillo's "Fine Mineral House" right outside the hotel property. This makes the area one big mineral destination. Parking and admission to this show are free, which presents an additional nice perk. 

Below are some of the interesting mineral specimens or new finds that I encountered at the show. Click any picture to enlarge it.