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Where: 198 S. Granada (right behind the Federal District Court house), downtown, in the large white tent.
[There's always a lot of back story going on at Tucson's gem and mineral shows, and an article in the Tucson Citizen highlights some of the wrangling about the health and location of this show: www.tucsoncitizen.co/ss/gemshow/76641.php. In the February 2008 article, Teya Vitu reported that flyers had been placed on cars in the area indicating that 2008 was the GJX show's last year. The owner, Alan Norville, quickly denied the rumor and assured vendors that there will be a 2009 GJX show. Vitu also reported that Norville was involved in negotiations with the city to possibly sell the land for a new downtown hotel. ]
Exhibitors: Over 700 booths.
What: This show is dominated by fine jewelry, including close-out fine jewelry, and rows of loose precious and semi-precious stones, faceted and cabochon. You can also find precious and semi-precious bead strands, and fancy cut beads, along with fine pearls. Arizona Bead Dog saw some amazing faceted opal bead strands and diamond bead strands. You'll find high-karat gold findings here with a couple of exhibitors offering sterling silver findings. There's also a handful of amber exhibitors, plus, some inexpensive finished jewelry and natural stone bead strand tables are sprinkled throughout, but this isn't a show geared towards inexpensive jewelry buyers. The North Hall of GJX had more of the same higher-end dealers, but you could also find a pearl table, a sterling silver findings table, and a vermeil finished jewelry exhibitor, so more of a mix there. If you liked this venue, you should also check out Starr Pass, AGTA, and Hotel Arizona (2011: Arizona Global Gem & Jewelry Show--ABD will hopefully see if this new 2011 show compares--working on getting new page/link).
Inside or Out: Inside a large covered tent.
Tips: If you park at the Convention Center lot to catch shuttle rides to other shows, then you should consider this show also.
If you have a badge from another show, you can usually skip the long lines and just present a business card with photo identification. Check before you cut to the head of the line!
Parking: GJX has its own lot, but it's almost always completely full, no matter how early you get there. Park at the Convention Center. Or if that lot is full, there's on-street parking on Meyer, for example. It's a bit of a walk, although it's very close to the Convention Center.
Food: Many food choices were available in 2008: Thai, BBQ, Grandma Tony's Pizza, Eegee's, Chai Me, a salad concession and a Mediterranean food concession. Plenty of seating, too--about 35 4-seat or more tables.
Rest rooms: Arizona Bead Dog didn't notice them, so they are probably portables.
2011 show dates: A 6-day show, beginning Tuesday, February st through Sunday, February 6th.
Show hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except the last day, when the show closes at 4 p.m. (buyer admissions may be limited, so come early on the last day).
2008 shuttle routes: Ruby/Emerald.
For additional information: www.gjxusa.com.
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