STORY AND PHOTOS BY BOB JONES
The mineral activities in Tucson are still the single most important mineral event in America. After all, there are so many mineral and gem shows in Tucson between late January to mid-February. It has become virtually impossible for a collector to visit all the shows even if they know where they are. I’ve lost count as the number grows a little each year.
One problem I have is a definition of “show.” Certainly, any organized gathering of mineral and gem dealers in a formal setting is a show and there are many in Tucson. But what about one or two dealers who rent a building or put up a tent in a vacant lot. Is that a show or temporary business? Let’s just say there are about fift y shows and many small events in the Tucson area during this time of the year.