Do You Love Rocks and Stones and Pretty Gems?

I arrived for the first time in my beloved desert town in February of 1979. I was…well, a bit younger than I am today. Just being able to look around and above me at the desert and the mountains continues to make my heart holler out with joy. It makes my heart say “HOME!”

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that all my life I have had a rock collection. It isn’t anything mind bending except to myself. It is just that rocks of all sorts have ‘jumped’ into my pockets, or if they are embedded in the dirt, they cry out, “Please! Take me home with you and I will clean up so pretty and smile at you all day long!” That has always been fine with me. I admit when I met hubby he tried to change my thieving ways. Silly thing seems to think whenever you go into the desert or any other national park you are supposed to “leave only footprints, take only memories.” My retort has always been, “Look honey, do you see any actual LACK of rocks here in this desert, hmmm?” I love my honey, really I do, but he is a bit strict as far as the desert is concerned. Isn’t that sweet?

That’s just a joke, you know. A long standing joke in this house but a joke nonetheless :)

It is always first weekend of February however, there are tents set up all over downtown that are open daily. There are places all over downtown to see and visit, most of which are free to enter though parking does cost five dollars. There are buses and shuttles to get you to the door (or tent) where you wish to go for your visit. The biggest and probably most popular event is in the convention center and this year those dates are February the 9-12, 2012 and the times are usually opens at 10AM and closes at 6PM except Sunday and that close time is 5PM. But there re over thirty different laces all over Tucson! Some dedicated just to fossis, or minerals, or beads. One is just for the Indian Exposition and another just for African art! It is truly a huge and amazing show!

One of the best things about this show is the fact that the specimens do not all come from other parts of the country or the world. In fact, this year Peter Megaw, who is the chair of the Mineral Society, wrote in his letter about this year’s show that there will be a huge showing of minerals from Bisbee, AZ! Personally, I love that, my wedding ring and pendant contain turquoise and malachite from Bisbee! Of course, Bisbee is still mining minerals today, albeit much less of course, than in the past.

Other exhibits concentrate on precious gems like diamonds, and they are pretty but I have always loved the semiprecious rocks better than anything. Malachite, turquoise of course but there is celadon, onyx, amber, and moonstone. So many things to see, touch, ooh and aaah over!

If you like to make jewelry, this is the place to find findings, beads and stones. In fact, the string of beads all arranged by color is enough to make me salivate! Coral, pearls, amber and every strand prettier than the last! I love putting a necklace together I get at this show. What fun! Interested in fossils such as trilobite or ammonites? Tucson is the place to see and buy some of the best!

Did you know this show is now the largest of its kind in America? It began in 1955 and all the revenue still remains here for the city. It is one of the best ways to get children interested in rocks, minerals and fossils and why not? Trilobites are cool! Ever have a sand dollar finally dissolve away on you? Well, all right, I dated myself and all others who know what that is all about. Anyway, this is the place to find a sand dollar fossil! Yippee! No more sand on your dresser top! These fossils are as large as my hand and thick and oh my so beautiful! One of the first things I head for and always a treasure! In fact, everything you find at this show is a treasure.

Come and enjoy!