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Tuscon Show Tips

Here are some Tuscon show tips:

  o The Tuscon show is the largest Gem and Mineral show in the world.
    It is actually several shows scattered throughout Tuscon, mainly at
    the convention center and various hotels.  The shows run
    through the entire month of February, though not all at the same time.
    Some of the shows are only available at the beginning the February,
    and others at the end of February.  Plan accordingly.

  o Try to get the Tuscon show guide to plan your trip and decide where
    to go.  If you are a suscriber to the Lapidary Journal, you will
    receive the show guide automatically in the mail.  The show guide
    is free at the Tuscon airport and various Tuscon hotels.

  o Hotels book up fast for the Tuscon show, so if you plan to stay
    at a hotel, make your reservations well in advance.

  o Since the shows are scattered throughout Tuscon, a car is essential
    to get around.

  o Most of the shows are in hotels, and the dealers set up their
    wares inside their hotel room.  There are signs outside the room
    door identifying the dealer.  You just go down the hallway, room by
    room.

  o Dealers from all over the world come to the Tuscon show, and the
    selection is overwhelming.  Competition is also fierce among the dealers,
    which often drives the prices down to wholesale levels.
    Prices are often negotiable, so barter away - at least it doesn't hurt 
    to try.  As is generally the case, shop around, and you will get
    good deals.

  o The Tuscon show gives you an opportunity to meet dealers in person
    whom you may have corresponded with only via telephone, mail and 
    email. I can guarantee you that in person they will appear totally 
    different than from what you had imagined they would look like.

  o Decide ahead of time how much money you want to spend.  It is
    very easy to overspend at the Tuscon show (boy, do I know this one!).

  o Meteorites are just a small part of the Tuscon show, but well represented.
    I also collect fossils, and it took me about 3 days to go through all of 
    the shows to see all of the fossils and meteorite dealers.  If you 
    are also interested in gem and minerals, then I feel sorry for you as
    spending a week at Tuscon is probably not sufficient to get through
    everything. 

Ron Baalke