Tucson, Arizona, is known for its focus on gems, minerals, fossils, and beads. Every February, the city hosts the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase, the largest of its kind in the U.S. This event draws collectors, jewelers, manufacturers, dealers, and visitors worldwide. The city also hosts several other gem shows, including the Tucson Fall Gem Shows in September.
The University of Arizona Gem & Mineral Museum recently expanded. It now offers a larger space in the Historic Pima County Courthouse for enthusiasts and professionals to study gemology and mineralogy. The museum, home to a significant collection of gems, minerals, and meteorites, relocated in early 2020. The new location, adjacent to the Southern Arizona Heritage and Visitor Center, accommodates more exhibits and visitors.
The museum’s space of 11,960 square feet houses a changing display of mineral specimens, gemstones, meteorites, and fossils. It also has a dedicated Southwest Mining & Minerals Gallery and a Gem Hall, which includes a vault for unique exhibits. The museum provides visitors with an opportunity to explore geology.