Events & AwardsNov 09, 2021
MJSA to Launch Live Seminar Series in Tucson Next YearEvents & AwardsNov 15, 2021
Melee Adds Tucson to Jewelry Trade Show Lineup in 2022
It will overlap with major industry gem shows like AGTA GemFair and GJX.
Melee, the jewelry trade show known for combining a curated group of designers and beautiful venue—as pictured here at New York City's High Line Hotel—is launching a new edition in Tucson next year.
New York—Jewelry trade show Melee is adding Tucson to its event lineup in 2022.
The show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at the Stillwell House, a historic home-turned-event-venue located in the city’s downtown.
Organized by jewelry designer Rebecca Overmann and jewelry designer and Esqueleto store owner Lauren Wolf, Melee first launched in 2017 as a response to the organizers’ frustrations over not having a proper platform to exhibit their work.
It has become popular for its curated, upscale selection of designer exhibitors, a beautiful venue, and affordable cost relative to other shows.
Melee has been exclusively a New York City event up to now, but the pandemic led to the Tucson expansion, Wolf and Overmann told National Jeweler.
The organizers said that while they were in lockdown in 2020, they were trying to figure out how to host an outdoor event so designers would still have a way to show their work.
At the time, the 2021 Tucson gem shows were still scheduled to happen, so they broached the idea of a show there and “quite a few people were on board with the idea,” they said.
And while plans for a 2021 event fell through amid the cancellation of the industry gem shows, they kept the idea in mind.
“For us, and our designers, it lines up well for designers who are shopping the event and for buyers who are not interested in making the trek to New York City during the winter.”
Wolf and Overmann said Melee Tucson 2022 will feature some of the show’s previous designer exhibitors as well as some new faces.
“The Tucson show will be similar to how we launched the NYC show—with a very small, but mighty, group of talented jewelers.”
The setting of the event has always been just as important to the two as the designs showcased—as one can see in their choices of The High Line Hotel and The Bowery Hotel in New York—and the Tucson venue was no exception.
“The biggest challenge in the trade show industry is the sterile feeling that comes with so many of the big box venues. So, naturally, we were immediately on the hunt for another beautiful venue, with both indoor and outdoor space, along with a central location.”
Stillwell House fits the bill perfectly. The historic venue dates to 1901, offering both a stunning interior space and beautiful outdoor garden area, and is just a short walk to the Tucson Convention Center, where AGTA GemFair takes place, and the GJX show.
“We think there is a lot of opportunity with the Tucson gem shows,” the organizers said. “Obviously, it’s a worldwide industry event, but we think it attracts a different type of buyer and designer as well. While New York City has been our most popular show, we do feel that there is a West Coast and Southwest appeal for designers and buyers alike. We are very excited to be adding Melee to the desert.”
Buyer registration for Melee Tucson, scheduled for Jan. 31-Feb. 2, opens today.
Industry shows coinciding with it are AGTA GemFair and GJX, both running from Feb. 1-6. Select Tucson will take place Jan. 30-31 at La Paloma Resort & Spa.
Melee, meanwhile, will also hold another winter show in New York from Feb. 7-9 at The Bowery Hotel.
For more information, visit MeleeTheShow.com.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
