Tucson Survival guide (for those not going)

[corundum_conundrum]

So Minou, have you never gone to the show before? It seems like if you were ever going to go, now would be the time, but maybe it just sounds like its not for you...

 

[corundum_conundrum]

Also, have any consumers had good experiences there that they want to share? Any consumers underwhelmed after going? There seems to be a suggestion that the trade-only stuff is great, while the consumer side might be basically be more of what you will find at intergem.

 

[PrecisionGem]

Also, have any consumers had good experiences there that they want to share? Any consumers underwhelmed after going? There seems to be a suggestion that the trade-only stuff is great, while the consumer side might be basically be more of what you will find at intergem.

Shows open to the public will have a lot more then your local Intergem show.

I think a valid comparison would be this: "I went to the local Chevy and Ford dealer, so there is no point in going to the Detroit Auto show."

or

"I went to a local beer garden, so why go to Munich for Octoberfest?"

 

[ChrisA222]

Just want to say that this is the most interesting, and refreshing thread on this forum in a LONG time...thanks(in large part) to Gene!!

 

[corundum_conundrum]

Shows open to the public will have a lot more then your local Intergem show.

I think a valid comparison would be this: "I went to the local Chevy and Ford dealer, so there is no point in going to the Detroit Auto show."

or

"I went to a local beer garden, so why go to Munich for Octoberfest?"

haha. well put. I wasn't sure if you were just vouching for just the trade-side or both sides, but I take it you meant to vouch for both.

How about cutting on the consumer side, Gene (or anyone else)? I don't know if I came across anything precision cut at Intergem (some well-made native cuts, IMO, but no precision). Is Tucson a different story, or just lots of fine native cuts?

 

[minousbijoux]

Also, have any consumers had good experiences there that they want to share? Any consumers underwhelmed after going? There seems to be a suggestion that the trade-only stuff is great, while the consumer side might be basically be more of what you will find at intergem.

Shows open to the public will have a lot more then your local Intergem show.

I think a valid comparison would be this: "I went to the local Chevy and Ford dealer, so there is no point in going to the Detroit Auto show."

or

"I went to a local beer garden, so why go to Munich for Octoberfest?"

I respectfully submit that someone in the trade who devotes their time in a highly focused, limited strike of primarily the trade only areas is perhaps not the best qualified to discuss the pros and cons of the public shows. If you were to tell us that you devote a week to public shows as well that would definitely change my thinking. That said, if you know that Tucson's public shows have a greater quantity and variety of high quality stones than local shows and at truly wholesale prices, then it absolutely sounds worthwhile. Curmudgeon that I am, though, I for one am not interested in a greater variety of dinosaur fossils, carved sinks and fountains, beads and jewelry supplies, and inlaid pots and stone mozaics, but of excellent quality faceted, or unfaceted, stones. Those are the windmills I chase...

 

[Dioptase]

GJX and AGTA aside, there are plenty of nice and cozy shows where you can go.

 

[chrono]

There is no question that Tucson has greater variety and better goods than seen compared to the local shows but it is also true that the nicer items are mostly off limits to the public (lots of draw dropping goods in the hotel rooms and special exhibits where you must show your trade pass). Be prepared to see a ton of minerals and other none gemmy items as well though.

Minou,
I hope you are able to find a room close enough to where you need to go at a reasonable rate.

 

[PrecisionGem]

Mino, as you fly in and out of Tucson, I suggest you stay on HYH 10, don't get off any of the exits as you pass by the hotels that have shows going on. You will not have any traffic problems caused by the show. Since the road work is complete on 10 there are no problems other than the typical rush hour traffic. If you are staying in any of the downtown hotels away from 10, you won't even know the shows are going on. Most locals have never been to the shows and pay no attention to them.

With out knowing where to go in the public shows, and with limited time, you may end up seeing many of the things you listed that you don't want to see, have to deal with parking the car, and doing a fair amount of walking. You may want to stay away.

This will be my 12 year going, spending from 4 to 6 days each year, so I have visited pretty much every show over the years. I do a lot of walking, as I'm too cheap to keep paying for parking, so I do pass through many public area's.

 

[minousbijoux]

Thanks for the info on Hwy 10 - my destination is actually outside Tucson proper and I'm up and down Hwy 10 regularly!