Quartzsite

Quartzsite is the annual host of one of the largest gem, mineral and fossil shows in the United States. Since the 1960s rockhounds have been moving to Quartzsite, in Western Arizona each year in large numbers to display their merchandise. During the month of January and February over a million plus visitors may descend on this town to sell their merchandise. In January, Quartzsite becomes the fourth largest city in Arizona because of the show. Most of the shows are outdoors, with dealers setting up booths outside or in tents right next to their trailers. Quartzsite is more casual than Tucson and the dealers enjoy it because of the relatively low set up costs. This enables them to sell goods at fair prices to buyers. During the show vendors come from all over the world to display all kinds of gem and jewelry crafts. There are daily field trips for those who are interested in rockhounding. The show also has special demonstrations on lapidary techniques sponsored by the Quartzsite Roadrunner Gem and Mineral Club. The show is a big event for cutters so that they are able to display diverse assortment of cut gems, minerals and fossils. At the same a lot of Quartzsite goods may get resold at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show.

Quartzsite show schedule:
- Desert Gardens International Gem & Mineral Show: January 2 – February 28
- Tyson Wells, Rock-Gem-Mineral Show: January 7 – 16
- Tyson Wells “Sell-A-Rama” Rocks, Gem-Arts-Crafts Show (January 21 – 30)
- PowWow Gem & Mineral Show: January 26 - 30

More info @ www.desertusa.com/Cities/az/quartzite.html