Tucson Gem & Mineral Show
Hi friends! Amanda and Stef here. We just got back from the world-famous Tucson Gem & Mineral Show in Arizona, and we are still buzzing with excitement. This was our first big buying trip of 2025, and honestly, it felt like a magical treasure hunt mixed with a whirlwind vacation.
Instead of staying in a hotel, we booked a cozy Airbnb tucked away in the desert. The host had told us ahead of time that the property was friendly to javelinas—those quirky wild pig-like animals native to the Southwest. To make things even more fun, she left us a basket of apples with instructions to slice them up in case the javelinas came by for a snack.
At first, we weren’t sure we’d see them. But one night, as we came back from a long day of gem hunting, we were surprised by a whole herd—about fifteen of them—right outside the property! The next morning, we sat outside with coffee and watched as they emerged from the private trail out back, one by one, and crunched happily on the apples we left. It was surreal and so heartwarming—a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we’ll both never forget.
For those who haven’t been, the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show isn’t just one event—it’s dozens of shows happening all over the city at the same time. Hotels transform their rooms into pop-up shops, tents line the streets, and massive convention centers are filled with sparkling displays. We visited several of the major shows, each one offering something different. Some were focused on high-end cut gemstones, others on rough material, crystals, or fossils. One of our favorites had dealers set up in hotel rooms, where you could knock on the door and step right into a private little gallery of treasures. It was both surreal and so much fun.
One of the best parts of the Tucson show is the people. Vendors came from Brazil, India, Madagascar, Colombia, Africa, and so many other places, each bringing the best of what their country has to offer. Talking directly with miners, lapidaries, and gem experts was such a privilege. We loved hearing their stories—how a particular stone was mined, what makes one batch more vibrant than another, or the traditions surrounding a mineral in their culture. These conversations made us appreciate the gemstones even more, because now we can share not just the stone itself, but also the story behind it with you.
Bringing the Gems to you.
When it comes to our shop, quality is everything. We don’t just order blindly—we want to see, touch, and feel every piece before bringing it home. That’s why Tucson was perfect. We spent hours at each booth carefully looking through trays and boxes. We checked clarity, color, cut, and overall energy of the stones. We compared batches, asked questions, and picked only the ones we truly loved.
Of course, it wasn’t all work! We made sure to soak up a little bit of Tucson while we were there. We explored local restaurants (hello, tacos and margaritas!), wandered through shops downtown, and even snuck in a little sightseeing. One highlight was taking a short trip out into the desert to see the famous saguaro cacti. These giants are incredible—so tall and majestic, with arms reaching for the sky. Walking among them at sunset felt like stepping into an old Western movie.
We also loved just sitting outside at our Airbnb in the evenings, enjoying the warm breeze, the starry skies, and of course, keeping an eye out for our javelina friends. After long days of gem hunting, those little moments of peace were perfect.
We’re already counting down the days until the 2026 Tucson Gem & Mineral Show. We can’t wait to go back, find even more incredible pieces, and continue to grow our little gem-loving community.
We want to thank you, our customers and supporters, for making this possible. Every time you buy a stone, share our shop with a friend, or send us a kind message, you’re helping us chase our dream. Trips like Tucson aren’t just fun—they’re an investment in bringing you the absolute best. And we couldn’t do it without you.
So, stay tuned! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be uploading all of our new finds to the site. Keep an eye out for updates, because we know these beauties won’t last long.
Until then, thank you for sharing in our adventure. We hope this little peek into our Tucson trip makes you feel like you were right there with us—wandering the aisles, meeting new friends, and discovering the magic of gems (and javelinas!).
With love and light,
Amanda & Stef
