The 22nd Street Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show is one of the largest and most recognizable events in the entire Tucson gem show circuit. With 400 to 500 vendors spread across an expansive open-air grounds near the I-10 and 22nd Street interchange, this show draws over 50,000 attendees annually and offers free admission to everyone — retail collectors and wholesale buyers alike. Its long run, spanning from late January through mid-February, gives buyers maximum flexibility to visit during the Tucson gem show 2026 season.
For wholesale buyers, the 22nd Street Show offers a remarkably diverse product mix at competitive pricing. You will find everything from rough gemstone parcels, mineral specimens, and fossil collections to finished jewelry, lapidary equipment, and meteorite specimens. Many vendors here deal directly from source countries — Madagascar, Brazil, Morocco, Pakistan, and beyond — and are prepared to negotiate wholesale pricing for buyers with trade credentials. The sheer number of competing dealers in close proximity creates a buyer-friendly pricing environment that rewards comparison shopping and volume purchases.
The open-air tent format means the show has a distinctly different character from the convention center events downtown. Booths range from sophisticated dealer displays to rustic tables piled high with rough material. This is where experienced wholesale buyers often find their most unexpected deals — the vendor in a back row with a freshly arrived parcel of tourmaline rough, or the fossil dealer who will cut a deep discount on a crate of ammonites to avoid shipping them home. Budget a full day, wear comfortable shoes, and bring cash for smaller vendors who may not accept cards.
Parking is available on-site though it fills quickly during peak days, so early arrival is recommended. The 22nd Street Show’s central location makes it easy to combine with visits to the nearby Pueblo and Kino shows. Whether you are stocking a retail shop, sourcing rough for your lapidary studio, or building inventory for online sales, the 22nd Street Show’s combination of scale, variety, and free admission makes it an indispensable stop for any buyer attending the Tucson gem show 2026.