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Thanks knave and MsAli.

The very few rock shops that I have visited in other parts of the country have had better prices on their local material, but not usually on the materials imported from other countries.  Perhaps ten years ago the little rock shop where I lived in Indiana shut down after Christmas and re-opened March 15th.  The owners traveled to Tucson to restock their store every year.  From the little bit I have seen it seems that Quartzsite and Tucson are the first large venue stops for the material that was mined the previous summer.  So it would make sense that there is less transportation cost added here compared to the same material that has traveled on over months of shows and through several middlemen.  There are also a number of wholesale only shows and frequently there are posted price drops based on poundage.   

Speaking of so much to choose from...the map has 50 separate show locations, 43 of which have shuttle stops.  Keep in mind that one host hotel can have many vendors.  Most of the pictures that I posted were taken outside because they looked better, but there was much more available indoors that I didn't take pictures of.  Some shows are in very large tents that have permanent framework, but the walls and roof only go up for the shows. 

May be next year?  

It is sooo big!  I heard an estimate of 65,000 people this year!  If you are interested in lapidary rough then the Kino center is a good bet.  It is easy to get to, easy to park at, and has a great selection of rough.  There are four shuttle lines running this year.  They are free to use...at least 3 of the 4 are provided by the city of Tucson.  The venues have the show catalogs available...usually placed conveniently out front in metal stands.  This year there are two 3/8 inch thick catalogs plus the brochures.  I have seen at least two versions of brochure that have maps showing the shuttle routes.  

Tony W here is an advertisement from the 2020 gem show catalog

Usually when the cutting is done its my DH who is smilin'
But this time it was the stone!





Have a smilin' kind of day!

As fernwood said, a lot depends on personal preference. I tend to like smaller sizes. The stone earrings I frequently wear weigh between 5.5 grams and 6.7 grams, fully finished for the pair. If they get much lighter than 5 grams with fish hooks they are really easy to lose. I have a pair that weigh in at 12.3 grams. They seem heavy to start with, but after a while I'm not so aware of the weight, just the extra length. For those who like bigger I think you will be fine. I have several customers who won't buy if "they can't see them." No 6mm studs for them! lol I haven't weighed their pieces but I'm sure they would be comfortable with the weight that you have.

Welcome from southern Arizona.

Welcome from Arizona.

Welcome!