Here’s What’s Happening, And Not, in Tucson This Year
National Jeweler rounds up the full event calendar for the upcoming gem fairs.
After two years without the big trade-facing shows, this year’s calendar will again feature most shows in person, with health and safety measures in place.
In December, Pima County reinstated a countywide indoor mask mandate amid rising case numbers and the Omicron variant, and the mandate remains in place through the end of February.
The American Gem Trade Association, which has confirmed it will hold its 2022 GemFair Tucson from Feb. 1-6 at the convention center, said it will also have COVID-19 rapid testing and a vaccination/booster station on site.
The Gem & Jewelry Exchange, located nearby, will also hold its trade fair on the same dates, while the JOGS Tucson Gem & Jewelry Show is returning from Jan. 26-Feb. 6 at the Tucson Expo Center.
The trade-only Ethical Gem Fair will also return to Tucson in person this year, held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral from Jan. 29-Feb. 1. Registration is free, and appointments are available on a first come, first served basis.
Other gem and mineral shows of interest to the trade might be the Pueblo Gem Show, happening Jan. 27-Feb. 8 at the Ramada by Wyndham; the 22nd Street Show, from Jan. 27-Feb. 13; and the Westward Look Fine Mineral Show from Feb 4-7.
The Tucson Gem and Mineral Society’s show, one of the few public-facing events to not hold an in-person event in Tucson in early 2021 as many postponed until April, is also returning this year.
It will be held after AGTA GemFair in the convention center, from Feb. 10-13.
For the first time, Melee The Show is launching a Tucson edition, and event organizers have confirmed the new event is also still a go.
It is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at the Stillwell House, a historic home-turned-event-venue located in the city’s downtown.
Also for finished jewelry, the Select Jewelry Show is hosting its Tucson edition Jan. 30 and 31 at La Paloma Resort & Spa.
Meanwhile, the Accredited Gemologists Association has already announced it rescheduled its 2022 Tucson gemological conference, moving the event to a virtual format Feb. 15 and 16.
The International Colored Gemstone Association also canceled both its annual Gemological Industry & Laboratory Conference (scheduled for Jan. 31) and ICA Tucson Reception (scheduled for Feb. 2) due to pandemic-related health concerns.
“We are terribly disappointed that our premier Tucson events will not take place this year,” said ICA CEO Gary Roskin. “First and foremost, we want all of our members to stay healthy and safe. We certainly do not want to create a situation that could endanger the health of our family. This may sound clichéd, but better safe than sorry. There’s always next year.”
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