Trip is full--wait list available . . .
Shop to You Drop: Tucson Gem & Mineral Show!
Tucson, Arizona
February 1 – 6, 2025
The Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral show is the largest of its kind in the world, with 37+ shows going on at various times over a two-week period. The venues are spread-out all around Tucson, and can be an overwhelming experience if you have not previously attended.
This Beadventure is designed so you can visit many of the main bead venues and not have to worry about shuttle buses, long lines, and waits between registration and shows. Beadventures will make it easy for you to access the major and best shows.
Your knowledgeable leader, Doris Coghill, has both shopped and worked at shows for more than 14 years. Doris will review the 2025 Show Guide to make a game plan for the group so you can maximize your time by getting into the best shows.
During your four full days of shopping, you can expect to visit The Best Bead Show; To Bead True Blue (at the Casino Del Sol Resort); the Holidome and Gem Mall; the Holiday Inn and/or Pueblo shows; 22nd Street, JOGS, and many more if they can fit in. Plus, there will be a special visit to see a collection of antique purses
There also will be the opportunity to advance your understanding of beads and gem stones, such as how to tell the quality 
of a pearl; how to tell the difference between glass and stone by looking at it; how to distinguish between what is labeled as a semi-precious stone, is actually made of glass; how pressed glass beads are made; and how to determine where a bead is made by looking at it.
This trip is a great way to let Beadventures sort out the shows, who is where, and key into your areas of interest, so you can do what you go for—to buy beads!
Trip Cost
$1,495 for a shared room
Single supplement: Additional $400 (based on availability)
If you want to come early and/or stay later, let us know and we’ll work with the hotel to book the additional nights.
Includes:
- All lodging
- All breakfasts
- All evening meals
- Transportation from airport to hotel (via hotel’s airport shuttle)
- Daily transportation to shows
- Knowledgeable and well-experienced tour leader
Does not include:
- Airfare
- Lunch (the shows will have food available via a food court or food cart)
- Travel insurance
To Sign Up / Payment Terms:
This is a small group, so space is limited. To hold your space, send in a $500 deposit and completed registration form. Balance will be due 90 days prior to start of the retreat (see Conditions & Responsibilities for more information)
Trip Notes . . .
- Bring comfortable shoes—there is a lot of walking and standing required as you visit the many venues
- Consider bringing a bag or cart on wheels to carry your purchases throughout the day
- If you have a sales tax number, let us know so we can register you at the shows under your business name. If you don’t have a sales tax number—no problem. We will register you under our business, which will enable all of us to attend both the wholesale and retail
Doris left the corporate world in 2000 to pursue beads full-time. Since then she has spent her time being a sales rep for a bead company; designing kits and teaching them both locally and nationally; leading Beadventure tours to the Czech Republic, London, and Providence, RI.; maintaining her web site; and growing her online business at www.beadsbydee.com . She has also contributed projects to 7+ books by various publishers and has had many articles/projects published in the leading bead magazines. She is also a show promoter herself and puts on two bead shows per year in the Minneapolis area.