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Tucson Gem & Mineral Show facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase is a huge event in Tucson, Arizona. It's a collection of many shows where you can see and buy amazing gems, minerals, and fossils. These shows happen every year in late January and February. They are spread out across the city.

Most of the shows are open for everyone to visit. However, some are "trade shows." This means they are only for people who have a business license and register beforehand.

The main event of the Showcase is the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show. The Tucson Gem and Mineral Society has put on this show every year since 1955. It's so big that it now fills about 18,100 square meters (181,000 square feet) of the Tucson Convention Center! Many famous museums and universities, like the Smithsonian Institution and the Sorbonne, have shown their special collections here.

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What is the Tucson Gem Show?

The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase is a very popular event. It brings together people who love rocks, minerals, gems, and fossils from all over the world. It's like a giant treasure hunt where you can find sparkling crystals, colorful stones, and ancient dinosaur bones.

When Does the Gem Show Happen?

The Showcase takes place every year. It usually starts in late January and continues through February. This is a great time to visit Tucson, as the weather is often sunny and mild.

Where is the Gem Show Held?

The shows are not just in one place. They are held at many different spots all over Tucson. The biggest and most famous part, the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, is at the Tucson Convention Center. Other shows might be in hotels, tents, or other venues around the city.

History of the Tucson Gem Show

The first Tucson Gem and Mineral Show was quite small. It started in 1955 in an elementary school. Soon after, it moved to a Quonset hut at the Tucson Fair Grounds. A Quonset hut is a lightweight, curved building.

How the Show Grew Over Time

In 1973, the show moved to the Tucson Community Center. This building is now called the Tucson Convention Center. It started in one hall and then grew to fill the arena and other areas. By 1990, after new parts were built, the show took over the entire Arena, Exhibition Halls, Galleria, and Ballrooms.

How Many People Attend the Show?

A lot of people come to the show! From 1996 to 2010, about 1,300 dealers came each year. These dealers came from 49 different states in the USA and 32 other countries. This shows how important and international the event is. The show in 2021 was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why is the Gem Show Important?

The Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase is very important for the city of Tucson. It brings a lot of money into the local economy.

Economic Impact on Tucson

In 2018, it was estimated that the show brought about $120 million to Tucson. This money helps local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and many other services in the city. It's one of the biggest events for making money in Tucson each year.

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