Tucson Trip Review – Day 1

Leaving the deep freeze of south Texas, arriving only to find Tucson is just as frigid in weather! It didn’t keep us from our mission; to hunt through shows, vendors and dig through boxes and tons of product hand picking all our new inventory stock for the coming year. We bundled up and hit the indoor shows first, hoping that in the next few days the weather would lighten up (we were granted our wish!) and get a little warmer to attend some of the outdoor shows. Here’s the first review of our trip to Tucson, the shows we attended and some of our finds.

As a reminder our disclosure/disclaimer: As a reviewer of the products, shows or vendors attended in Tucson is solely that of our experiences and opinions. We were in no way compensated or paid to review or provide feedback, comment or opinions for the Tucson shows we attended. With that out of the way, here’s our review of our recent Tucson trip.

Day 1: Due to high winds and freezing temperatures, we opted for indoor shows and started the day after arrival at JOGS International Gem & Jewelry Show (JOGS). This show has in the past always been a venue representing minerals, rocks, beads, jewelry products and finished products from all over the work; specifically their well known Amber vendors, which appeared (to me) to be a little thin in vendors than in past years. The area of Southwestern jewelry also seemed to be a little thin in the vendors, but big on finished jewelry.

Pros: If you are in the market for finished jewelry, there was plenty of it from all over, mostly overseas. The quality varied from vendor to vendor as well as pricing; you could find some products for less than $100 up to over $1000’s. If cost is no object, then sterling silver at many vendors was just the ticket; but buyer beware that the sterling silver is an overlay and not solid, I had a hard time finding the required .925 mark on most of the jewelry, though the vendors claimed it to be sterling silver. Overall, there are lots of selection but mostly in the finished jewelry products; leaving anyone who is looking for raw materials a little in the wind. This year did have a few more vendors offering displays, boxes, etc. which was nice to see.

Cons: Way too much finished jewelry (although this show usually has a lot), not enough in the way of raw materials for minerals, fossils, natural stones, or beading stock. There lacked the many large and interesting displays such as the famous meteorite from last year that this show is also known for. Some of the vendors appeared to be either packed together so close that we didn’t even get to some because we couldn’t; or strung out too much that one didn’t know where it stopped and another began. There wasn’t enough variety and too many overseas vendors offering less than quality products across the board.

Overall: JOGS is a good place to start but is quickly becoming ‘just another show’ in the arena of overseas vendors with inferior products. The cost of goods was higher than last year and many vendors were not willing to give discounts unless the buyer was purchasing in large volumes, both monetary and stock. Navigating the hall mazes we did manage to find several great finds here at JOGS; a sterling silver ring with a center stone of Mexican Fire Opal with very brilliant red, large ceramic Mexican beads, several faceted and non-faceted odd shaped pendants, quite a few of the pewter spacers and metal beads….just to name a few of the things we picked up here. I’ll continue to watch this show, but I don’t know whether or not I will keep in to my ‘must see’ list of shows in the future, since it was missing several of my big vendors that I do business.

We had several hours left in the day and decided to head over and check out Gem Mall. This is a huge wholesale only show with 2 very large tents full of vendors and their products. We only got through the first tent, so I’ll be reviewing this one later on this week as an entire show.

Stay tuned for more reviews of our Tucson trip and Adventure!!

Tucson 2010 It’s Almost Here

Just about that time of year again when for the big Tucson show! It’s the biggest event here in the United States; where the quite town of Tucson, Arizona is descended up on by thousands of people. All wanting to see the latest and greatest the jewelry, lapidary and beading industry has to offer. Hundreds of shows with vendors from all over the world bring their beads, findings, minerals, rocks, slabs, equipment, jewelry, and much much more. It’s the event that sets the stage for the coming year in ‘what’s hot and what’s the trend’ in beads, stones, lapidary and jewelry.

Tucson is much more than shows; it’s about the land of opportunity too. Connecting and networking with vendors, miners, artists, instructors, industry professionals; hearing what they have to say and bring it into your own business for success. Listed below are some of the top shows among the many at Tucson.

JOGS Gem & Jewelry Show, the largest and most popular independent jewelry trade show in the Tucson, Arizona area. Wholesale jewelry manufacturers, miners and international dealers gather at the Tucson Expo Center, the site of the JOGS show, every February. Buyer attendance is said to exceed 27,000 composing over 4,000 jewelry firms.

Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers, Inc., (G&LW) hosts about three different shows in the Tucson area. Gem Mall right down the street from Holiday Inn & Holidome Pavilion and also at Grant Inn.

AGTA, American Gem Trade Association is one of the main shows. It is primarily high-end loose colored gemstones and pearls, with finished jewelry; designer jewelry section; colored diamond and estate jewelry pavilions.

Howard Johnson Gem & Mineral Show; for jewelry, silver, minerals, gemstones, lapidary, metaphysical objects/art and beads. They are along the freeway among the many ‘street vendor’ shows.

Madagascar Minerals Gem Show, which is hosted by Norcross-Madagascar Gallery featuring minerals, fossils and other lapidary.

Tucson Electric Park RV Gem Show, is where you’ll find all kinds of hidden treasures in minerals, gems and some jewelry.

Want to know more about shows, vendors, times, places and locations, check with Jewelry Show Guide’s website for more information.

Tucson 2010 Countdown

The big event is almost here; time to get ready for Tucson 2010!! If you haven’t already made your reservations (plane, hotel, car, etc.), now is the time to do so before you miss out on the biggest event for all gem, mineral, and rock enthusiasts.

Every year, Tucson is host to the United States largest Gem and Mineral show; starting late January and running thru the middle of February. Dealers, wholesalers, and buyers all converge on the small southern Arizona town to discuss, barter, sale, buy, meet & great, and see what is new (and old) in the industry. There are hundreds of shows with thousands of vendors from all over the globe and across the United States, with one thing in common; show what they have and entice us with the newest, latest and greatest.

Some of the following shows are ones that I recommend and do attend. You’ll find a wide selection of finished jewelry, tools, findings, displays, beads, gems, lapidary, and much much more. These shows as most in the Tucson area require wholesale and business industry credentials to get into them. Check with each show’s site to pre-register for many of them, see details and check for dates; as this year, several of the shows do not overlap as in past years.

Street Vendors: This is my favorite place to shop; I’ve gotten some of the most unique and unusual items here. Miles and miles of vendors take over the hotels, parking lots, and anything in-between. Across the street from the freeway, starting at Congress and running all the way down past Freeway Aveune, you can find any type of vendor; beads, findings, silver, raw materials, lapidary, finished products, gemstones, clothes, bags; just to name a few. And best of all, most are open to the public, however check with vendors before purchase to make sure they don’t require a wholesale license.

JOGS: If you’re looking for Amber or Southwest jewelry, this is the place to be. Dealers from around the globe bring the best and finest in Amber and southwest products. The show also hosts many vendors of finished products, collectables, and raw materials. This is a wholesale only show and requires a Tax ID to register and attend.

G&LW (Gem Mall, Holidome, Grants Inn): At many of these shows you can find international dealers and wholesalers; pearls, turquoise, silver/copper, finished products, beads galore, beading findings/products, displays, and much more. This show is a wholesale only and requires Tax ID to register and attend.

China Mountain: If Turquoise is what you are after, then you’ll need to visit the buildings located between Gem Mall and Holidome, where you’ll find the well known vendor China Mountain. Plenty of Turquoise and Coral in all different cuts and styles to chose from. Also a wholesale vendor, but you’ll need to check with them at the site to see if they will sell retail.

Electric Park RV: Though I’ve only attended this one once, I understand it is a great place to get lapidary, rocks, minerals, or slabs; so I’ve added it back onto my list for this year’s trip. Most sell either wholesale or retail so check with each vendor before purchase.

While this is just a hint of what’s at Tucson, there are also many other shows like the AGTA GemFair Tucson, GJX Gem & Jewelry Show, Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, Madagascar Minerals Gem Show, Rio Grande Catalog In Motion and Swarovski Elements-Create Your Style 2010 shows. Several are also offering many of the national instructors for classes and seminars, so check with your favorite instructor or show for schedules and details.

Mark your calendar, make your reservations and start the count-down! Tucson 2010 is just around the corner.

Tucson 2009 Preview Week

Starting this week I’ll be previewing several of the big shows and vendors that will be at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show 2009. Today I’m highlighting an excellent show that is the largest and most popular independent jewelry trade show in Tucson; J.O.G.S Gems & Jewelry Show, offering a huge selection of wholesale jewelry manufacturers, miners, and international dealers from around the world. Held at the Tucson Expo Center from Jan. 30th – Feb. 10th and houses the largest Southwestern pavilion in Tucson, largest Amber jewelry pavilion, Indonesian Silver pavilion, International Gem pavilion, Mexican Jewelry pavilion, Gem Art Décor pavilion, Mammonth Tusk, Carvings & Jewelry, and more than 100 jewelry and beading classes. This is not open to the public and to attend the show, you must provide your business and wholesale credentials at sign-in.

According to JOGs must sees at their show “A truly one of a kind Southwestern jewelry pavilion can only be found at the J.O.G.S. show. It is composed of great Mexican and Native American designs of turquoise and coral set in silver. Exhibiting are the top dealers, miners and manufacturers with the largest stock of jewelry from Albuquerque, Mexico and China.

The American Amber Association presents, at the J.O.G.S. Gem Show, the largest U.S. Amber jewelry pavilion. The pavilion is composed of amber designers and amber manufacturers from all the Baltic countries famous for their amber source. If you are an amber retailer or are just an amberholic, you will love this pavilion. The J.O.G.S. show is your once in a year opportunity to buy these great designs at an excellent price.
The Art Gem Décor pavilion contain some of the most beautiful décor items crafted out of stones, gems, copper, wood, metal and other materials. These are museum quality pieces created by some of the most talented artists in the world. This is truly one of the most unique art collections you will ever see, it is like an art show inside the J.O.G.S. show. Besides the exquisite art pieces, you can also find some great everyday interior design pieces. Other J.O.G.S. Gem Show pavilions include the many international pavilions which represent the rich gem and jewelry heritage of Indonesia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Mexico and Nepal.”

A sample selection of vendors includes:
Sunwest Silver, RMC, Oriental Crest, Rio Grande, Western Woods, Rhodo Co., Kameyab Imports, Silver Nugget Inc., Shri Gems Thai Co., LTD, and Amberman (the world’s largest Amber Collection).

For more information on the JOGs show, see their website.
For information on the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show 2009 visit Jewelry Show Guide or Tucson Show Guide.

Excerpts from JOGS website.