Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, The
Author: Mineralogical Record

Introduction

As outlined above, the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society formed in 1946, and its first, modest, club-sponsored show took place nine years later. What has been the result? Mention "TUCSON" to anyone in the gem and mineral business, profession or hobby today and, no matter where you are in the world, you will be greeted with a smile and a knowing nod. And when you bid them "Goodbye" the response more often than not will be "See you in Tucson!"

Having expanded far beyond its very humble beginnings, the Tucson Show is now universally recognized as the single most important gem and mineral event in the world, so if you don't "do" Tucson you're just not with it. And to think it all started with a weekend show held in the auditorium of the Helen Keeling Elementary School.

The first TGMS Show was similar to a host of other small club shows across the land. That soon changed, as you now know, but that first show couldn't have been more unassuming. all the equipment for the first show was borrowed. The decision to actually host the show was made the evening of March 10, 1955, just nine days before the event took place on March 19-20! The decision was not made at any formal meeting of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society. Instead, there was a gathering of the Club's board and several enthusiastic members at the home of Dan and Betty Caudle.

When Caudle, Gibson and the others proposed to the Society's Board of Directors that a show be held, the board flat-out refused and washed its hands of the entire idea. The proponents of the show were furthermore informed that, if they chose to proceed anyway, they could not use any club money to finance the show. Nevertheless, this little band of adventurers went out on their own to get dealers, equipment, exhibits, local advertising and newspaper support.