2024
Tucson Gem & Mineral Show®
Pegmatites –Crystals Big & Beautiful
Welcome
to the 2024 Show
Show Chair's Letter from
Mark Marikos
Hours >
Tickets >
Join the Society
The Tucson Gem and Mineral
Society was founded in 1946
and began as a small group
interested in the hobby of
mineral collecting
and lapidary.
2024 Show Poster
On sale at the TGMS Poster Booth, located in the Galleria of the Tucson Convention Center.
President's Welcome
Letter from TGMS President
Michael Hollonbeck
Saturday Awards & Reception
February 10, 6PM
West Meeting Rooms
#102–103
More Info >
2024 Grand Prize
Giveaway on Sunday, Feb 11
EVENTS
DIRECTORY
SARSEF
“Everything is Fossil-ble if you Believe: An Experiment in Weathering’s Effects on Bones”
Liam Grimaldo
Guest Exhibit
SARSEF
“Simulating Erosion”
Caeden Trevino
Guest Exhibit
F-03
Arizona Mining, Mineral and Natural Resources Education Museum – University of Arizona
Special Exhibit
0203
Bright Star Gemstones LLC
Creested Butte, CO
www.brightstargemstones.com
Dealer
0726-0728
Crystal Classics Fine Minerals, Ltd. Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
www.crystalclassics.co.uk
Dealer
I-14
Large Calcite Crystal and Other Pieces from the Schmidt Collections
Henry & Patsy Schmidt
Guest Exhibit
A-01
Pegmatite Minerals of the New Hampshire White Mountain Igneous Province
Don Dallaire
Guest Exhibit
TBD
Rare Hell Creek Discoveries
Alan Detrich
Guest Exhibit
B-05
Tenpercenter Amazonite and Smokey Quartz
Bob Jennings, Anne Jennings, Alan Day, Andre Kovaltchouk
Guest Exhibit
B-06
The Minerals and Geology of Mount Antero and Mount White, Chaffee County, Colorado
Mark Ivan & Jeff Self Jacobson
Guest Exhibit
I-03
Treasures From the Collections of the Mineralogical record staff
Wendell Wilson, Tom Moore, Chris Stefano, Tom Gressman and Christi Cramer
Guest Exhibit
0410-0412
Trinity Diamonds Master Goldsmith and Fine Jewelry
Tucson, AZ
www.trinitydiamonds.com
Dealer
J-10
Tucson Parks & Recreation Jewelry Work of Sudents & Instructors
Jeanne Jerousek-McAninch
Guest Exhibit
MAP
View Large MapShow Chair's Letter
PEGMATITES! What a spectacular theme for the 2024 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show®. The sub-theme “Crystals, Big and Beautiful” sums up what show visitors can expect to see this year, because the biggest and some of the most beautiful crystals and colored gems in the world form in pegmatites. Pegmatites often host large crystals of rare minerals that only form tiny widely scattered crystals in other environments. While the term “pegmatite” may not be familiar to many people, most have probably seen pegmatite minerals in their raw, uncut form or in the form of colorful gemstones.
Pegmatites form from the fluids left over after most of a large molten magma body (or pluton) crystallizes below the earth’s surface. Elements and compounds that don’t easily fit into the common igneous minerals of the pluton get concentrated in the residual fluid that collects near the top and sides of the pluton. The conditions under which the fluids collect are transitional between the magmatic and hydrothermal environments, and so mineral growth is very different than in either of those environments.
Some elements concentrated in pegmatitic fluids impart beautiful colors to pegmatite minerals and the gems cut from them. The rich chemical composition of the fluids leads to complex minerals whose compositions shift as they grow, causing changes in crystal habit and color zoning. The water filled cavities into which pegmatite minerals grow allow the crystals to grow freely, so that their crystal forms are well displayed.
We hope that in addition to seeing some of the most spectacular gem and mineral specimens in the world, you will also take advantage of the many educational opportunities offered. Many of the displays have information about the gems and minerals and where they were found. If you have questions, look for one of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society Docents. They are easy to spot with their dark green vests that say “Ask Me” on the back. If you see someone with a “Guest” badge standing near a case, they may be the one who brought the exhibit.
We also have a wonderful line-up of speakers in this year’s free Lecture Series, covering a range of topics including pegmatites. The lecture schedule is listed in this program. The lectures are held in rooms 102-104 off the west end of the main floor.
Thank you for attending our show; have a wonderful time exploring the beautiful and fascinating gem and mineral specimens and jewelry on display and for sale. We hope you come away with a greater appreciation for the amazing things that form on this planet.
If you are from the Tucson area, we invite you to check out Tucson Gem and Mineral Society on our website www.tgms.org and attend one of our meetings. There you will get to meet the many dedicated volunteers that make this the greatest show of its kind. If you have questions, ask one of the Docents, or come to the TGMS Information Table at the west end of the show floor.
– Mark Marikos
2024 TGMS Show Committee Chair
President's Letter
Michael Hollonbeck
On behalf of Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, welcome to our 69th annual show, “Pegmatites – Crystals Big and Beautiful.” I look forward to seeing all the friendly faces and wonderful displays that make this the best mineral and gem show in the world! I am a Tucson native and love having this show in our city every year.
This year’s theme draws exciting displays, beautiful cases, and exhibits featuring fantastic mineral specimens and gorgeous jewelry. TGMS member volunteers put in many hours of planning and work all year-round to bring our visitors this unique and wonderful show.
The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show® is unique in its educational emphasis, attracting a wide range of people, from novice collectors to academic researchers. It is the largest of its kind put on by volunteers, and the only one in its class sponsored by a local non-profit club that you can join! Look for membership opportunities on our website (www.tgms.org) or at the information booths in the Exhibit Hall.
On December 3, 1946, a couple dozen collectors met to form TGMS. In March 1955, two weeks after visiting a Phoenix show, members put together the very first Tucson Gem and Mineral Show® in an elementary school cafeteria. As it grew, and eventually moved to the Civic Center, others began to see opportunities, and satellite shows appeared.
In 1961 a member audaciously invited the Smithsonian Institution to bring a display. At the time, the Smithsonian didn’t take anything anywhere, but Mineral Collection Curator, Paul Desautels was intrigued, and convinced his superiors to try it. Every year since, the Smithsonian has partnered with us, displaying many priceless national treasures. Similar partnerships with other museums and institutions from around the world contribute to the uniqueness of our show. Whatever your interests, I know you will find many exhibits and much merchandise to enjoy.
Visit our Junior Education Area at the east end of the Galleria where we partner with the University of Arizona, Society of Earth Science Students (SESS) to teach new generations about minerals and earth sciences and spread the collecting bug.
There will be a dozen free lectures on a variety of topics, so please make time in your day to catch one or more of these. If you need assistance, please look for a docent wearing a green vest who can answer questions or direct you to someone who can. When the urge comes, grab a snack or drink and meet other collectors or dealers in the food-court.
Thank you for coming! We hope you have such a great time that you return year-after-year. There is nothing else in the world quite like the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show®, and I invite you to go a step further and join TGMS, so you can add your talents and dedication to future shows.
—Michael Hollonbeck
President Tucson Gem and Mineral Society
Grand Prize
14kt Yellow Gold Pendant
4.9ct Garnet
0.55ctw Diamonds
14ktY – 18” 5mm cable link necklace
Designed by Erik Stewart
Booth Location #503
“Giveaway Booth”
located at the west end of the exhibition hall
Grand Prize Drawing on Sunday, February 11th at 3:00pm
Ticket Info
General Admission
February 8–11, 2024
$12.00 plus a $1.00 TCC ticket tax.
Tickets are available at the door.
2-day $22.00 tickets
not valid with any other discounts.
$3.00 off coupons
on website
Military & Senior
On Friday, February 9, 2024, receive $3.00 off the regular priced ticket for Active and Retired Military (show ID) and Senior Citizens 62 and older (show ID).
Children
14 years and under are free with a paying adult.
Show Hours
Thursday, Friday, Saturday:
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday:
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Official 2024 TGMS Show Poster
On sale at the TGMS Poster Booth, located in the Galleria of the Tucson Convention Center.
Saturday Night Awards & Reception
February 10, 6pm
W. Meeting Room 102/103
Off the west end of the Exhibition Hall
Off the west end of the Exhibition Hall
PROGRAM
6:00 PM – Cash Bar
6:30 PM – Refreshments will be served
7:00 PM – Awards Ceremonty
- M.C’s Greeting
- Competitive Awards, Carnegie Award, Friends of Mineralogy Awards
- TGMS President & Show Chairman's Remarks
- Slide Winners (Jeff Scovil)
Tucson Competition:
Junior, Junior-Master, Novice, Advanced, Masters, Junior Awards from Dr. Rob Lavinsky of Arkenstone, Best of Theme, Bideaux, Romero, Lidstrom and Desautels Trophies, Friends of Mineralogy Awards, Carnegie Mineralogical Award.
2024 TGMS Show Committee
Ellen Alexander
Show Treasurer, Docent Chair
Mark Ascher
Micromount Chair, Micro-Mineral Co-Chair
Mike Braswell & Sara Day
General Retail Co-Chairs
(Grand Ballroom & Ex-Hall)
Connie Clark
Publishers Chair
Educational Exhibitors Chair
Robert Crowell & Elaine Hughes
Exhibit Case Co-Chairs
Ken Don
Show Photographer
Victoria Fila
Junior Education Chair
Ron Gibbs
Micro Room Co-Chair
John & Nancy Howard
Exhibitor Move-In/Move-Out Co-Chairs
Dave & Barb Korzendorfer
Exhibit Hall & Galleria Information Booth Co-Chairs
Mark Marikos
2024 Show Chair
Lectures Chair
Patricia McClain
Security Chair, TCC Liaison, Publicity Chair, Show Poster Chair
Peter Megaw
2024 Special & Guest Exhibits Chair
Bob O’Donnell
Publicity Co-Chair
Linda Oliver
Arizona Cine Equipment
Bear & Hollie Pitts
School Visits Co-Chairs
Les Presmyk
Competitive Exhibits Chair
Herb Ross & Kate Verbeke
Galleria Product Sales Co-Chairs
Penny Savoie
Giveaway Booth Chair
Ortrud Schuh
Mineral Retail Dealer Chair
Kent Stauffer
Case Linings Chair
Tucson Gem & Mineral Society
2023–24 Officers & Directors
TGMS is a non-profit corporation promoting interest in and study of geology, mineralogy, lapidary and allied earth sciences.
Michael Hollonbeck
President
Dave Korzendorfer
Vice President
Linda Ross
Recording Secretary
Ellen Alexander
Treasurer
Suzanne Collier
Membership Secretary
Diane Braswell
Society Director
Victoria Fila
Society Director
Kent Stauffer
Society Director
Les Presmyk
Past President
Affiliations
- American Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. (AFMS)
- Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies (RMFMS)
- Metropolitan Tucson Chamber of Commerce (MTCC)
- Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce
- VisitTucson
Show Hours
Thursday, Friday, Saturday:
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday:
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.