Photos: 2023 Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase
Every winter thousands of visitors descend upon the Old Pueblo for the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase. Vendors have been setting up their booths for weeks in preparation for the show, from January 28 - February 12.
Visitors can find everything from gemstones and meteorites to rare diamonds and to boxes made of petrified wood. Dealers specialize in loose stones, jewelry, African art, beads, polished stones, minerals and fossils.
Alan Detrich, of Detrich Intelligent Designs, Inc., found the youngest Tyrannosaurus while digging on land near Jordan, Montana in 2016. After some work of putting together the display of original bone and 3-D printed bones, the T-Rex is on display at the Mineral and Fossil Market, 1333 N. Oracle Road in Tucson, Ariz. until February 11. The fossil is named "Son of Samson." This T-rex is 16-feet long and approximately 6-8 years old, according to Detrich.
Alan Detrich, of Detrich Intelligent Designs, Inc., found the youngest Tyrannosaurus while digging on land near Jordan, Montana in 2016. After some work of putting together the display of original bone and 3-D printed bones, the T-Rex is on display at the Mineral and Fossil Market, 1333 N. Oracle Road in Tucson, Ariz. until February 11.
Dr. Fred Lacombat, left, and Andor Koot unpack a fossil for display at the Granada Gallery, 338 N Granada Avenue on January 18, 2023. The fossil along with other high-end items are part of the annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. The gallery is open through February 12, 10:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. daily.
Marcel Ferreira, of Exclusive Gems from Brazil, cleans off a quartz sphere as he sets up for the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show, 777 West Cushing St. on January 25, 2023.
Milagros Soto, left, and Maresol Rios are reiki practioners from Puerto Rico and said they came to the Tucson Gem and Mineral show to buy healing crystals for their business, Reiki Crystal PR. The pair were shopping at the National Minerals tent within the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show on January 25, 2023.
Chris Koury washes rocks at Superb Minerals, 1243 N. Main Ave. on January 18, 2023. Superb Minerals is one of the largest importers of Indian zeolite in the world. They are open year-round but are preparing for the Gem and Mineral Show.
A variety of minerals are on display in one of the showrooms at Superb Minerals on January 18, 2023.
Kulin Pandey, owner, vacuums one of the private showrooms at Superb Minerals on January 18, 2023.
Mesolites on display at Superb Minerals on January 18, 2023.
The main showroom at Superb Minerals on January 18, 2023.
Kulin Pandey, owner, adjusts an apophyllite in a private showroom at Superb Minerals on Jan. 18, 2023.
Geodes are on display at Superb Minerals on January 18, 2023.
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
Tucson's reputation for being a resource for gems and minerals has long preceded its rep as a foodie town.
What's going on in Tucson this month: gem show, pet parade, rodeo, Jurassic Quest, Sci-Fest, beer crawl, TONS of markets, and more.