heartsnbruises:

fuckyeahtucson:

TUCSON GEM & MINERAL SHOW
January 28 - February 12, 2012
All over the place, Tucson, AZ 

So what’s the fuss all about? It’s the world’s biggest gem and mineral show! 

What should I expect? I’ll be honest. It’s a lot of rocks. Pretty rocks. Ugly rocks. Massive and small rocks. Rocks that used to be animals. Rocks that used to be rocks. Rocks that were pulled from the deepest, darkest places from the other side of the planet. Rocks that you cannot possibly afford. And along with the rocks will be an international cast of travelers, sellers and buyers. At the TCC you can also hear lectures and view exhibits of gems/fossils from some of the finest collections in the world. 

Alright, I’m interested, so where do I go? Where don’t you go?! The word “biggest” is a bit of an understatement. This is not just some giant convention center show. Oh no! Along with that main show at the TCC you have hundreds of several smaller shows being housed out of many many other venues, including but not limited to hotels, parks, fields, warehouses, shops, vacant lots and more hotels.  The hotel shows tend to be the weirdest, as you will find yourself meandering in and out of foreign travelers private hotel rooms, where along with their luggage you can pry at their gleaming goods.  Hit up the link below to the event website for more details on exact locations.

All in all… the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show can by extremely overwhelming and over priced for the common citizen, especially at some of the more wholesale oriented venues, but it’s just one of those things you’ve got to try and experience regardless.  It’s such a huge event that brings so many people from all parts of the world, so to not take half a day to wander through those creepy hotel rooms of friendly smiles and shiny stones would be a waste of such a unique experience.  

More info at: TGMS.org / Photo by: kimmus122

FUUUUUUCK YEEEEAAAAAAHHHHH! seriously, this is the time when Tucson practically explodes. imagine a trade show, any trade show. now imagine it taking up nearly EVERY hotel, motel, swap meet, flea market, pop-up tent in a parking lot, convention hall and large open space in a large metropolitan area. THIS IS THE TUCSON GEM AND MINERAL SHOW. you literally can’t go more than five miles in any direction without tripping over someone selling rocks, beads, fossils, jewelry, or anything else shiny object-related. IT’S INFUCKINGCREDIBLE.

speaking of that, does anyone want me to pick anything up for them once February rolls around? (Kat, I’m looking for labradorite strands for you)

i love the gem show! I miss tucson.

Actually, one of my students I met IN TOKYO was like, “YOU’RE FROM TUCSON? I GO TO THE GEM SHOW EVERY YEAR!!!” O_O