The Tucson Gem and Jewelry Show is back for its eighth year at the Tucson Expo Center until Feb. 8. The show, which is open everyday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. attracts over 15,000 independent and wholesale merchandisers daily, according to show promoter Irene Mayzenberg.
More than 700 booths are set up inside the expo center featuring over 36 different countries, each carrying unique items such as gems, beads, mineral, fossils and finished jewelry pieces.
Dr. Stefan Bayer, a merchant from Nuermberg, Germany, showcased the largest piece of the famous Cape York Agpalilik meteorite in private collection, which fell in Greenland 10,000 years ago. The individual portion he owns weighs about 200 pounds.
The show's highlight this year is the "One of a Kind" exhibition, which displays exclusive items created by more than 200 artists worldwide. Art bead jewelry designer Lana May fronted the exhibit and showcased her own handcrafted seed-bead jewelry pieces.
People are also reading…
May, among many other artisans, also instructed jewelry making classes and seminars, which take place during the show.
The gem and jewelry show will be returning later this year on Sept. 8-11.
Janice Biancavilla is a University of Arizona student who is apprenticing at the Star.
