Holiday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.
GJX Cancels 2021 Tucson Trade Show
It joins the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in deciding there are too many risks and obstacles to hold the event early next year.

Tucson, Ariz.—Organizers of the Gem and Jewelry Exchange (GJX) trade show in Tucson, Arizona have canceled their 2021 event.
According to the show’s website, the decision came because the team doesn’t believe, given the stringent occupancy limits required and the risk to buyers, exhibitors, and staff, that they can safely hold the show next year.
A recent letter sent to exhibitors from CEO Allan Norville said though correspondence in August noted his optimism for COVID-19 being under control by year-end and the possibility of holding the 2021 edition, “this is obviously not the case today.”
According to the latest data, the U.S. has reached more than 11 million total positive cases of COVID-19, with 1 million of those added in a one-week span alone.
In Tucson, this means the city is maintaining its restrictions and policies for events over 50 people, including mandates required to protect everyone involved.
“GJX supports the concerns of the health department, but the mandates create serious challenges to operate the 2021 GJX show,” Norville wrote in his letter.
This includes, he added, occupancy limitations of one person per 150 square feet, meaning the show would only be able to have 800 people inside its structure, including dealers, buyers, registration, police and staff.
The show will apply all funds paid for exhibitor booths to the 2022 event, and any remaining costs incurred from the cancellation will be taken on by GJX.
The news follows the cancellation of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.
As of right now, the American Gem Trade Association is still scheduled to have its 2021 Tucson GemFair event, but a final decision will be made at a meeting scheduled for today (Nov. 19), CEO Doug Hucker told National Jeweler in a recent interview.
Meanwhile, no information has officially been released about JCK Tucson yet, but JCK Events has taken all information about the show down from its website.
As of Wednesday, some other shows open to the public are still planning 2021 events, including the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show and the 22nd Street Show, which has changed its floorplan to follow safety protocols, according to its website.
The JOGS Tucson Gem and Jewelry Show also still has its 2021 dates posted, with no information to the contrary, as does Select Tucson.
The Latest

The red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.

A trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.

With their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.

Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.


The manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.

The jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

The Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.

The 50 percent tariffs on diamonds shipped from India to the U.S. have pushed midstream manufacturers to the edge.

De Beers’ refreshed, multipronged approach, which includes generic promotions and retail partnerships, is delivering positive dividends.
They are trying to balance the need to sustain well-established relationships with the pressure higher tariffs have put on margins.

Jewelry manufacturer Jewelex has partnered with JOSH, an industry training center, on a program for people with disabilities.

The collection includes pieces dating back to the Victorian and Art Deco periods as well as mid-century and late 20th-century designs.

He previously served as co-chair of the nonprofit’s beneficiary committee.

Its second collaboration with the conservationist features jewelry with dove and olive branch motifs.

The diamond manufacturer’s new company will provide accessible and affordable high-quality medicines across India.

Emmanuel Raheb shares tips on how a jeweler’s showcases, marketing, and social media presence can whisper, instead of shout.

The private equity firm has a plan to revive the mall staple.

The “Super Book of Gems” dives into the Mohs Hardness Scale, the Four C’s, and designs from jewelers like Cartier and Bulgari.

Claudio Pasta will take the lead at the Italian fine jewelry brand, succeeding company founder Licia Mattioli.

The new lab-grown diamond jewelry offering is the latest expansion of the designer’s “Bliss” collection.

The miner is honoring the end of an era with an offering of 52 lots from the now-closed Argyle and the soon-to-close Diavik mines.

The California-based fine jewelry brand will retain its identity post-acquisition, with new collections launching next year.

The “Untamed” collection centers on carved gemstone jewelry depicting a range of animals embodying one of the four elemental forces.

Founded in 2004, the organization is now called the Community for Ethical Jewelry.

From Coco Gauff’s hoops to Madison Keys’ diamond medallion, these are Senior Editor Lenore Fedow’s standout jewelry looks of the season.