12 Tips for Rockhounding Tucson's Greatest Shows

Tucson in February becomes the international hub for buying and selling colored gems, rocks, minerals and fossils.

From amateur enthusiasts to professional gemologists to school groups to lapidarists to jewelers, the city of Tucson is host to all things stones.

Attending the shows for the first time can be overwhelming. The Tucson Convention Center and surrounding streets are filled with booths and displays. Hotel rooms and lobbies across the city become showrooms. There are lectures, opportunities for children and places for serious enthusiasts and professionals to connect with experts and beautiful stones. While there is no way to see all the shows, planning ahead will help you make the most of the time you have.

Here are 12 tips to get you started...

#1 BOOK WELL IN ADVANCE

Hotels, motels, Airbnb and VRBO offerings as well as the guest rooms of friends and family will be quickly reserved for the weekend. Some have found bookings so limited that they’ve opted to stay up to two hours away in Phoenix. If you’ll need a rental car, book that early as well.

#2 DO YOUR HOMEWORK

If you are there on a mission to find a particular kind of gemstone, be prepared by understanding where the vendors of that type of stone will be. Take time to review the vendor list carefully. Map out where you’d like to go and who you want to meet with keeping your priorities in mind.

#3 USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM

Perhaps you know someone who has been to the shows before or who has a specialty you can learn more about. Ask if you might shadow them through the shows.

#4 HAVE A BUSINESS CARD

Be prepared to make connections. You never know who you might meet and what you might need in the future. Consider this a relationship-building opportunity. You may hit it off with a certain gem or stone vendor and want to stay in touch. Take the time to start building relationships that will support your hobby or budding business.