How We Prepare for the Tucson Gem Show: Packing, Planning & Shopping Tips!

Come behind the scenes of our biggest crystal sourcing trip of the year!

 

Tomorrow, we set off for Tucson. 🌞 

Every January, as winter settles in here in Wisconsin, we pack up our bags, sharpen our pencils (literally), and head to the desert for one of the most important weeks of our year: the Tucson Gem Show.

Tucson is the largest gem show in the world, and for us, it always feels a bit like a treasure hunt. Vendors from all over the globe gather in one place, ancient stones change hands, and we spend long days carefully sourcing crystals we’ll eventually bring home to share with you.

 

It’s equal parts magic, logistics, intuition, and very, very comfortable shoes... 

 

 

As we head out tomorrow, we wanted to pull back the curtain and share some of the behind-the-scenes preparation that goes into our annual Tucson trip. After years of attending the show, we’ve basically refined our approach down to a science, and every bit of planning helps ensure that when we return, we’re bringing back the best possible finds for our community. 

And yes… all of this effort ultimately leads to one very exciting thing:

Get Exclusive Access to our BEST Tucson Finds at Mimosa's Live Crystal Sales ! ✨

Hosted by Ashley & Lydia from Mimosa Books & Gifts, our bi-weekly online crystal sales are part crystal shopping, part learning session, and part community gathering! With rare Tucson Gem Show finds featured throughout the year, you’ll be able to browse tons of one-of-a-kind stones, carvings, and formations not listed on our website! 

We take time to share the stories, geology, and energetic qualities of each piece, making it easy to ask questions and find what truly resonates with you.

The event is free, held on Zoom, and designed to be a relaxed, welcoming way to shop and connect from wherever you are. Explore upcoming Live Crystal Sale dates here! 

 

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Why Tucson Matters So Much to Us

The Tucson Gem Show isn’t just another buying trip...it’s the heartbeat of our sourcing year. This is where we connect directly with vendors, learn about new materials, spot emerging trends, and hand-select crystals we simply can’t find anywhere else.

There’s something incredibly grounding about working with stones that have existed for millions of years, especially in the middle of life’s constant motion. Every year, we feel deeply grateful to be able to do this work and to bring these pieces back to you.

That’s why we put so much intention into preparing for Tucson...because what we do before the show directly affects what we’re able to offer our beloved community after.

 

 

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Travel Planning: Setting Ourselves Up for Success

 

We usually start planning for Tucson in November or December. That early prep gives us time to be thoughtful about every detail – from flights to lodging to how we’ll move thousands of pounds of rocks safely back home.

 

Flights: Giving Ourselves Breathing Room

We always book an early flight out (the day before one of the biggest shows opens) so we can settle in without rushing. On the way home, we opt for a late afternoon flight so we can squeeze in last-minute errands, final vendor visits, and shipping drop-offs without stress.

We’ve also learned the hard way to leave plenty of time for layovers. Missed connections during gem show season can be… expensive and exhausting. Extra buffer time is always worth it!

 

 

Rental Car: Bigger Is Better

Tucson is one place where having a larger vehicle really matters. We typically rent a small to mid-sized SUV, big enough for luggage and days when nearly every inch of the car is filled with boxes of crystals. Hybrid vehicles help with gas, but space is non-negotiable.

 

Renting a House: A Total Game-Changer

After our early motel days (how did we do that?!), we now always rent a small house. Having a kitchen, space to unpack, and a quiet place to rest at the end of long days makes an enormous difference.

We try to stay within 15 minutes of the main hotel shows along the I-10, while avoiding heavy downtown traffic. Comfort, accessibility, and good sleep are essential...especially when days are spent walking miles, leaning over tables, and making hundreds of decisions.

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Getting Organized Before the Show

Vendor Emails & Planning Folders

Starting in mid-December, vendors begin emailing details about where they’ll be set up and what they’ll be bringing. We create a year-specific email folder so we can easily reference vendor locations, offerings, and past relationships while planning our days.

 

Inventory Check & Shopping Intentions

Tucson prep also coincides with our annual inventory. While we never go in with a rigid shopping list (intuition matters too much for that), we do review what we need more of, what we’re phasing out, and where we want to focus our energy.

For staples like tumbled stones, we keep detailed counts so we know what needs replenishing, but we still prefer to pick everything in person whenever possible. Quality, sourcing insight, and energy matter to us.

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Packing Practicalities: What Comes With Us to Tucson

Packing for the Gem Show is one of the things we’re asked about most, so here’s a peek inside our bags:

Tools of the Trade

Some essentials we never travel without:

Packing tape & plastic baggies (standard + mini)

Permanent markers, pens, sticky notes

Mini notebooks (absolute Tucson MVPs)

Scissors

Business cards

Copies of our reseller permit / Tax ID

Cash & checks

Portable hand cart

 

Those notebooks deserve a special mention. Every purchase gets logged with:

📓 What we bought

📓 How much we paid

📓 Where it came from

📓 Who the vendor was

You think you’ll remember these details… until the show chaos sets in. Trust us.

 

Wardrobe Winners

Desert weather is unpredictable, so layers are key. Mornings can be cold, afternoons warm, and evenings chilly again.

Our must-haves:

👟 Comfortable walking shoes (non-negotiable)

🩴 Sandals

🧥 Weather-appropriate layers

🕶️ Sunscreen & sunglasses

🧴 Lip balm & lotion (the desert is dry!)

Accessibility note: While many areas of the show are accessible, some aisles are narrow and crowded. If you use a mobility device, it’s worth planning ahead and prioritizing easier-to-navigate venues. 

 

Tucson Gem Show Budgeting

We always set a budget before we go, because once you’re surrounded by beautiful stones, it’s very easy to overspend. Each night, we total up the day’s spending so we can stay aware and grounded.

That said, we also build in a 20–25% cushion. Some pieces are once-in-a-lifetime finds, and we’ve learned that the only crystals we truly regret are the ones we walked away from.

A quick practical note: we always call our bank ahead of time to arrange cash withdrawals. Tucson Gem Show season is not the time for banking surprises.

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Arriving in Tucson: On the Ground Prep

Once we land, we pick up our rental car, head to our house to unload, and then do a big grocery run. Paper towels and toilet paper may not sound glamorous, but they’re some of the best crystal-wrapping materials out there.

We prep simple meals, stock snacks, and usually enjoy a quiet team dinner the first night before heading to bed early. The real work begins the next morning.

 

 

Questions about the Tucson Gem Show? Drop them in a comment below and we'll try to answer them ASAP! 💖👇