Tucson, AZ: 2008 International Gem Show is here.

A few years ago I was visiting my native country Ukraine and stopped by a local art market. I saw some artfully designed jewelry from the gem stones and got involved into chat with the artists. As soon as they heard that I live in Tucson, a few voices simultaneously said "You are lucky! You can attend the Gem show there!" That was rather shocking, as I didn't think they would even know where Tucson is, less could I imagine that the fame of the Tucson's annual Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase is spread all around the world.

This year the showcase is comprised by more than 40 shows all over Tucson. Some of them are wholesale only, but many are open to public.

Here are a few places you'd not want to miss:

54th ANNUAL TUCSON GEM & MINERAL SHOW - February 14-17 - Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave (Granada Ave & Congress St.).

TUCSON WESTWARD LOOK MINERAL SHOW - February 8-11 - Westward Look Resort, 245 E. Ina Rd. (East of Oracle Rd.).

THE WHOLE BEAD SHOW - February 4-9 - The Windmill Inn, St. Phillip's Plaza, 4250 N. Campbell Ave. (Campbell Ave. & River Rd.).

TUCSON SOUTHWEST JEWELRY, GEM AND BEAD SHOW - February 1-10 - 1702 S. Euclid Ave.

ARIZONA MINERAL & FOSSIL SHOW - February 2-16 - at 4 locations: Quality Inn Benson Hwy, I-10, exit 262; InnSuites Hotel Downtown 474 N. Granada Ave at St. Marys; Ramada Ltd Downtown 665 N. Freeway, at St. Marys; Mineral & Fossil Marketplace 1333 N. Oracle, at Drachman.

For more information, locations and schedule please visit http://www.visittucson.org/.