Here’s What’s Happening, And Not, in Tucson This Year
National Jeweler rounds up the full event calendar for the upcoming gem fairs.

After two years without the big trade-facing shows, this year’s calendar will again feature most shows in person, with health and safety measures in place.
In December, Pima County reinstated a countywide indoor mask mandate amid rising case numbers and the Omicron variant, and the mandate remains in place through the end of February.
The American Gem Trade Association, which has confirmed it will hold its 2022 GemFair Tucson from Feb. 1-6 at the convention center, said it will also have COVID-19 rapid testing and a vaccination/booster station on site.
The Gem & Jewelry Exchange, located nearby, will also hold its trade fair on the same dates, while the JOGS Tucson Gem & Jewelry Show is returning from Jan. 26-Feb. 6 at the Tucson Expo Center.
The trade-only Ethical Gem Fair will also return to Tucson in person this year, held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral from Jan. 29-Feb. 1. Registration is free, and appointments are available on a first come, first served basis.
Other gem and mineral shows of interest to the trade might be the Pueblo Gem Show, happening Jan. 27-Feb. 8 at the Ramada by Wyndham; the 22nd Street Show, from Jan. 27-Feb. 13; and the Westward Look Fine Mineral Show from Feb 4-7.
The Tucson Gem and Mineral Society’s show, one of the few public-facing events to not hold an in-person event in Tucson in early 2021 as many postponed until April, is also returning this year.
It will be held after AGTA GemFair in the convention center, from Feb. 10-13.
For the first time, Melee The Show is launching a Tucson edition, and event organizers have confirmed the new event is also still a go.
It is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at the Stillwell House, a historic home-turned-event-venue located in the city’s downtown.
Also for finished jewelry, the Select Jewelry Show is hosting its Tucson edition Jan. 30 and 31 at La Paloma Resort & Spa.
Meanwhile, the Accredited Gemologists Association has already announced it rescheduled its 2022 Tucson gemological conference, moving the event to a virtual format Feb. 15 and 16.
The International Colored Gemstone Association also canceled both its annual Gemological Industry & Laboratory Conference (scheduled for Jan. 31) and ICA Tucson Reception (scheduled for Feb. 2) due to pandemic-related health concerns.
“We are terribly disappointed that our premier Tucson events will not take place this year,” said ICA CEO Gary Roskin. “First and foremost, we want all of our members to stay healthy and safe. We certainly do not want to create a situation that could endanger the health of our family. This may sound clichéd, but better safe than sorry. There’s always next year.”
The Latest

The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.


The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

Bring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

Fourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

The addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.

The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.

Former Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.

The $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.


























