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Is the Tucson Gem Show open to the public?

2026-10-16

Yes. Most 2027 Tucson gem shows are free and open to everyone. GJX, AGTA GemFair and G&LW are trade-only. Which shows need a ticket or registration, and the exact credentials each trade show asks for, from the shows' own sites.

Short answer: yes, mostly. TucsonGemShow101 says about 44 shows are open to the general public, and most are free. Only a handful of large venues are trade-only: GJX, AGTA GemFair and the G&LW Gem Mall and Holidome, plus some wholesale warehouses.

There are three kinds of show. Here's which is which for 2027, using each show's own rules where it publishes them.

1. Free and open to everyone

TucsonGemShow101's 2027 schedule marks these "Open to Public":

  • 22nd Street Show (Jan 28 – Feb 14). Free entry, per Hart Gem Shows. Guide
  • Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show (Jan 28 – Feb 9). Free entry, per the show. Guide
  • Kino Gem & Mineral Show (Jan 28 – Feb 14). Free admission, per A.S. Shows. Guide
  • The Rock Yard (Jan 13 – Feb 14), Fossil & Mineral Alley, Starr Pass Show (both Jan 28 – Feb 14), Mineral & Fossil Marketplace (Jan 28 – Feb 15), Mineral City, RMGM and Tucson Showplace (all Jan 29 – Feb 13)
  • US Ethical Gem Fair (Jan 30 – Feb 1) and the American Indian Arts Exposition (Jan 31 – Feb 15)

2. Public, but with a ticket or registration

Show (2027) What the public needs Source
TGMS Main Show, Tucson Convention Center (Feb 11 – 14) A ticket: $15 ($14 plus $1 TCC ticket tax), children 14 and under free with a paying adult, 2-day ticket $26. Buy at the door, at the TCC box office or by phone (520-791-4101, option 1). TGMS
JOGS, Tucson Expo Center (Jan 27 – Feb 7) General admission ticket (2026: $20 plus fees on Eventbrite; 2027 price not posted). Free for registered wholesale buyers. TucsonGemShow101 says no one under 14 is admitted. JOGS FAQ, TucsonGemShow101
Colors of the Stone / To Bead True Blue, Casino Del Sol (Jan 30 – Feb 6) Registration before entry. No registration needed for kids 17 and under. TucsonGemShow101
The Just Minerals Event (Jan 30 – Feb 1) Listed as "Public & Wholesale" TucsonGemShow101
The Best Bead Show Open to the public; everyone registers before entering, with no business documents needed TucsonGemShow101

3. Trade only: who qualifies and what to bring

These shows are not open to the public. Credentials below are from each show's own website.

GJX Gem & Jewelry Exchange (Jan 30 – Feb 4)

GJX says it's for "qualified buyers who are engaged in the gem and jewelry industry." Company documentation, one of:

  • a Jewelers Board of Trade (JBT) number, or
  • a current business license, resale license or tax-exempt certificate, dated within the last 2 years, showing gem or jewelry industry affiliation, or
  • itemized invoices from three different suppliers in the last year, each for multiple items, totaling at least $5,000.

Each buyer also needs proof of employment (a printed business card with company and full name, or a recent W-2 or pay stub). Age 14+ only, infants included. Guests: up to 4 per company at $35, registered on site by a qualified buyer. GJX honors AGTA buyer badges but not AGTA guest badges. More in our GJX 2027 guide.

AGTA GemFair Tucson (Jan 31 – Feb 4)

AGTA says GemFair is "open for qualified jewelry and gemstone industry professionals only." It's free for qualified buyers, and registration is required every year, including for returning visitors. Company vetting, one of:

  1. Government-issued business documentation (business license, tax ID, VAT number, certificate of incorporation or business registration), dated within the last two years and clearly showing industry affiliation. If it doesn't, add three invoices from different suppliers, for jewelry, precious metals or colored gemstones, made in the past year, each listing multiple items.
  2. A JBT number.
  3. A letter from an AGTA exhibiting member verifying you're their wholesale client.
  4. For buyers at major department stores or jewelry brands: a printed business card plus a recent W-2, payroll check or pay stub.

Each buyer must also show a business card, W-2 or pay stub with their full name. Guests: up to 2 per company at $50, registered on site. Badges are printed on site with a photo ID and a photo.

G&LW Gem Mall and Holidome (Jan 28 – Feb 6)

G&LW is "Open only to the Trade." U.S. buyers need a current, valid state sales tax license, sales tax certificate, or sales and use tax permit in a gem or jewelry related business. EINs are not accepted. Buyers outside the U.S. enter a passport; buyers in Delaware, New Hampshire, Montana or Oregon enter a business registration. A G&LW coordinator approves your documents before you can register for the show.

Wholesale warehouses

TucsonGemShow101 lists Enter the Earth Wholesale Warehouse (Jan 26 – Feb 11) as wholesale only, asking for a resale or sales tax license. See wholesale vs public shows for the other warehouse shows.

Buying wholesale at a public show

  • 22nd Street Show: Xpo Press says wholesale purchases require a copy of your tax ID, EIN or business license.
  • Pueblo: TucsonGemShow101 says wholesale buyers register in person at the hotel entrance; there's no online registration.
  • JOGS: free entry for registered buyers. JOGS' FAQ asks U.S. retailers for a business license, tax certificate, or sales and use tax permit related to the gem or jewelry industry.
  • Kino: A.S. Shows lists both retail and wholesale sales.

Bringing kids

GJX admits no one under 14, and TucsonGemShow101 says JOGS doesn't either. At the Main Show, children 14 and under get in free with a paying adult. See the gem shows with kids.

Not published yet for 2027

  • JOGS' 2027 general admission price (its FAQ still shows 2026).
  • The TGMS $2-off coupon for Military & Senior Day (Fri, Feb 12); TGMS says "Update Coming."

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Quick answers

Is the Tucson Gem Show open to the public?

Mostly, yes. TucsonGemShow101 says about 44 of the shows are open to the general public. The big trade-only exceptions are GJX, AGTA GemFair and the G&LW Gem Mall and Holidome, which admit only qualified, registered industry buyers.

Do I need a business license to go to the Tucson gem show?

Not for the public shows. You need business credentials only for trade-only shows such as GJX, AGTA GemFair and G&LW, and, at some public shows, to get wholesale pricing. Each trade show lists its own accepted documents.

Is an EIN enough to get into the wholesale shows?

Usually not. G&LW says EINs are not qualifying documents, and TucsonGemShow101 says an EIN alone is generally not accepted at most wholesale shows. G&LW asks U.S. buyers for a state sales tax license, certificate or sales and use tax permit.

Can I bring a guest to GJX or AGTA?

Only as a guest of a qualified buyer, registered on site. GJX allows up to 4 guests per company at $35 each; AGTA allows up to 2 guests per company at $50 each.

Which Tucson gem shows charge admission?

Most are free. The TGMS Main Show (Feb 11 – 14, 2027) costs $15, with children 14 and under free with a paying adult. JOGS charges the general public (2026 general admission was $20 plus fees; the 2027 price isn't posted yet) and is free for registered wholesale buyers.

Sources