There will be plenty of silver and gold to see at this year’s Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase, but for Tucson, it’s all about the green.
Direct spending at the showcase was about $120 million in 2014, according to an economic impact study conducted by the research firm FMR Associates, Inc. last February.
That’s a 20 percent increase from $100 million spent in 2007, the last study that FMR conducted.
More than 55,000 people will visit more than 40 shows over the next two weeks, some of which have already started.
The original Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, held annually at the Tucson Convention Center, will run Feb. 12-15 with a “Minerals of Western Europe” theme.
A complete guide to this year’s showcase can be found online at tucne.ws/1yOxjDS
