Shopping Wholesale?

Shows in Tucson are divided into those open to the public and those restricted to the trade . . . and woe betide the layperson who tries to bluff their way past the registration gate at those shows that cater to buyers in the business. It's usually a good idea to preregister whenever possible, to get the nit-picky details of providing proof of your qualifications out of the way before you show up at the door — it saves time and anxiety. But even if you do preregister, carry your credentials with you to provide proof if and when it's needed.

The magic documents that will get you into a wholesale show? The biggies are:
•Copy of business, retail, or vendor
license
•Tax resale number

And it's a good idea to have some support documents, such as:
•Business card
•Listing with Jewelers' Board of Trade
•Copy of company tax forms
•Company checks
•Yellow Pages ad
•Store photo
•Store lease
•3-4 goods invoices
•Company letterhead

Local Contacts

Phosphophyllite specimen from Cerro Potosi, Unificada mine, Bolivia. 6.8 cm. high. Collection Houston Museum of Natural Science. Photo © Jeff Scovil.

•The Tucson Show Guide is available free of charge at most show venues; the guide includes exhibitor listings for all the shows as well as shuttle routes and schedules, hotel and restaurant information, and the most recent issue of Colored Stone magazine. Show Guide data can also be found online at www.tucsonshowguide.com.

•For information about the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society show (“The Main Show”) specifically, you can contact the TGMS at (520) 322-5773, fax (520) 322-6031, e-mail tgms@tgms.org, or visit the Web site at www.tgms.org.

•The Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau disseminates information about all other shows, as well as hotel information and reservations, and general information about the city and surrounding area. Visit them online at www.visittucson.org (follow the links under “event calendar” to “gem shows”, call (800) 638-8340 or (520) 624-1817, fax (520) 884-7804, or e-mail visitorinfo@mtcvb.org.

Tucson regularly draws some of the world's top gem carvers exhibiting their innovative cuts. Above left is Thomas Trozzo's Snowphia cut, in citrine, 32.46 cts.

After seven years of trekking out to Tucson every winter, I've assembled a handful of helpful tips for anyone planning to tackle the shows.

Plan in advance.
There's this wonderful thing called the Tucson Show Guide, which gives a listing of all the shows, the exhibitors at each, and what kinds of goods they deal in. Get an idea of the lay of the land before your plane lands. Look ahead, think ahead. The TSG comes as part of a year's subscription to Colored Stone magazine; you can also find show listings on the Web site, www.tucsonshowguide.com.

Make a shopping list.
There's always something to spend money on in Tucson, and it's easy to get distracted. Keep in mind the things that you need for your work, and don't exhaust your resources on the luxuries. Tucson is a fantastic place to stock up on the staples — and you don't want to arrive home only to discover that you've bought only the equivalent of gourmet chocolates and whipped cream and left the eggs and butter behind.

Set a budget.
Know what you can spend before you go, and stick to it. It'll keep you from hating yourself when you get home and have to pay your heating bill.

An Art Nouveau-style brooch in platinum, 24K gold, and diamonds by jewelry manufacturer Bagués-Masriera of Barcelona, Spain, an example of the international flavor of Tucson.

Be flexible!
Although it sounds contradictory . . . make a plan, yes, but be prepared to deviate from that plan. You're always going to see something you didn't expect, or something that you didn't know existed but that you absolutely have to have. Build space into your budget to give yourself funds for that unexpected purchase, and time into your schedule for that unexpected sidetrip or detour. You'll just make yourself crazy if you don't allow yourself room to improvise.

Whenever possible, preregister.
In the event that you can't or don't preregister, have your documentation for wholesale shows with you and ready. There are going to be a lot of people doing the time-consuming process of producing their qualifications and registering for the show; it's in everyone's interest to keep the line moving as quickly as possible.

Wear comfortable shoes.
You're going to be walking. A lot. Who cares if those old sneakers don't look stylin'? If they're the most comfortable things you own, wear them — no matter what they look like. Everyone walking the shows will understand. And if you see a well-dressed fashion plate in high heels looking askance at your choice of footwear, chances are she's doing it out of jealousy.

Carry food and water.
Remember all those Westerns with images of plucky wagon trains passing bleached out bones? Well, that's a desert for you. Tucson is in a desert. Dehydration is a concern. Carry water with you, especially if you're going to be in the sun for extended periods of time. If you're sun-sensitive, wear sunscreen. And my favorite tip? Carry snacks! Actually, that goes for Philadelphia, too. . .

—HW