CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December 2025
January 2026
December 2025
I. SDMG – Meetings, Announcements & Events
December 22, 2025 – January 4, 2026 – SDMG Workshops closed.
Mon, January 12, 2026 – Gemological Division Meeting, 7pm, SDMG Bldg.
Mon, January 19, 2026 – SDMG Board Meeting (Virtual)
Mon, January 26, 2026 – SDMG General Meeting, 7pm, SDMG Bldg.
Detailed listings for Shows and Events appear in The Pegmatite
Join the SDMG mailing list to receive regular e-Newsletters with a link to the bulletin
II. On the Go… To a Show & Other Events
Fri & Sat, January 30– February 1, 2026 Fallbrook, CA – Pacific Micromount Conference
SPOTLIGHT ON Quartzsite 2026
January 1 – February 28, 2026 Quartzsite, AZ – Desert Gardens Gems, Rocks and Minerals Show
January 2 – February 28, 2026 Quartzsite, AZ – Prospector's Panorama
January 2–11, 2026 Quartzsite, AZ – Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show
January 16–25, 2026 Quartzsite, AZ – Tyson Wells Annual Sell-A-Rama
January 21–25, 2026 Quartzsite, AZ – QIA Annual POWWOW Rock & Gem Show
TBD Quartzsite, CA – ALAA Annual Cleanup
January 30 – February 8, 2026 Quartzsite, AZ – Tyson Wells Annual Arts & Crafts Fair
February 13–15, 2026 Quartzsite, AZ – Gold, Treasure and Craft Show
SPOTLIGHT ON Tucson 2026
Details about all the Tucson Gem and Mineral Shows can also be found at:
www.xpopress.com/showcase/profile/1/tucson-gem-mineral-fossil-showcase
Jan 28 – Feb 15 ; Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase: The World's Largest Treasure Hunt
January 29 thru Feb 1 Westwood Look Show
Jan 29 Feb 10 The Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show
Jan 30 Feb 16 Kino Gem & Mineral Show
Jan 29 thru Feb 14 GIGM - Globex International Gem & Mineral Show – Three Shows:
(1) Quality Inn Gem Gem Mineral & Metaphysical Show
(2) Red Lion Inn & Suites Globex Gem & Mineral Show
(3) Motel 6 (Formerly the Howard Johnson Hotel)
Jan 29 thru Feb 15 Tucson 22nd Street Mineral & Fossil Show
January 30 thru Feb 15 RMGM Mineral & Fossil Show – Oracle Road
Jan 31– Feb 15 Rapa River Gem & Mineral Show
Feb 12–15 71st Annual Tucson Gem & Mineral Show (the Main Show)
SHOWS thru early Spring
Sat and Sun, March 7–8, 2026 – VENTURA, CA 63rd Annual VGMS Show
Fri, Sat & Sun, March 13–15, 2026 VICTORVILLE, CA – 50th Annual Stoddard Wells Rock Hound Tailgate
Sat & Sun, March 28–29, 2026 TORRANCE, CA – Nature's Treasures
Wed – Sun, April 1–5, 2026 JOSHUA TREE, CA – Joshua Tree Gem & Mineral Show
Sat, April 25, 2026 CARLSBAD, CA – Twentieth Sinkankas Symposium
I. and II. All Meetings, Events & Shows
Mon, Jan 12, 2026 SAN DIEGO, CA – Gemological Division Meeting
Sponsor: SDMG
Venue: SDMG Bldg, at the back of Spanish Village in Balboa Park, San Diego
Hours: 7pm
Admission: Free. Open to the public.
Be aware of the new fee-based parking system at Balboa Park, effective January 5, 2026. Parking at the back of the SDMG bldg is by permit only. Read the latest update on paid parking in and around Balboa Park »
Marcus Origlieri will be hosting the first meeting of the year, with GIA research scientist Dr. Shiyun Jin presenting a lecture on Optical Effects in Phenomenal Gemstones and Their Underlying Nanotextures. Gem materials displaying optical phenomena such as iridescence, asterism, and chatoyancy are known as phenomenal gems. Vibrant iridescent colors in labradorite elevate an ordinarily unexceptional mineral to gem status, while star (asterism) and cat's-eye (chatoyancy) effects dramatically increase values of translucent corundum and chrysoberyl. Dr. Jin's presentation gives an overview of how light interacts with nanostructures of various shapes and dimensions in gem materials to create phenomenal effects. Vague and misused terminology of phenomenal gems will be addressed and clarified.
After the presentations we will have refreshments – so please bring something to share. The club will provide coffee, tea and punch.
January 1 – February 28, 2026 QUARTZSITE, AZ – Desert Gardens Gems, Rocks and Minerals Show
Desert Gardens RV, ATV and Mobile Home Park
From I-10, take Exit 17, go south to 4-way intersection with stop sign, turn left on W. Kuehn Street, go about 1/4 mile, show is on right (south) side of road.
Hours: 9am – 5pm daily.
Admission and Parking: Free.
Contact: 623-606-0053 or dgshowgrounds@gmail.com
Website: desertgardensrockgemandmineralshow.com
Desert Gardens has hosted The Show more than 20 years. Bringing over 150 vendors from 15 countries and throughout the United States together to sell their products. Based on Xpo Press statistics, Desert Gardens is the 5th largest show in the world and the longest running.
January 2 – February 28, 2026 QUARTZSITE, AZ – Prospector's Panorama
Tyson Wells Show Grounds
35 W. Kuehn Street, Quartzsite, AZ 85346
Hours: 9am – 5pm daily.
Admission: Free.
Website: prospectorspanorama.com
Prospectors Panorama is our longest lasting annual show. In addition, we have four annual shows located throughout Arizona, with a showroom in Tucson, Arizona, open year-round (by appointment). We look forward to seeing you soon.
January 2–11, 2026 QUARTZSITE, AZ – Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show
January 16–25, 2026 QUARTZSITE, AZ – Tyson Wells Annual Sell-A-Rama
January 30 – February 8, 2026 QUARTZSITE, AZ – Tyson Wells Arts & Crafts Fair
121 W. Kuehn St., Quartzsite, AZ 85346; S.W. corner Hwy 95 (Central Blvd.) & I-10 Fwy
Hours: 9am – 5pm daily.
Admission and Parking: Free.
Contact: Tyson Wells PO Box 60, Quartzsite, AZ 85346, 928-927-6364, tysonwells@tds.net
Website: www.TysonWells.com
A 25-acre outdoor spectacular this January and February 2025 in Arizona’s scenic La Posa Valley. With over 2.2 miles of aisle frontage and 850 vendor spaces, it takes days to explore everything! Featuring Gems, Rocks, Minerals, Silver and Goldsmithing, Precious Metals, Lapidary Tools, Equipment and Supplies.
January 21–25, 2026 QUARTZSITE, AZ – QIA Annual POWWOW Rock & Gem Show
235 E. Ironwood Street; north of I-10, between Exit 19 and Hwy. 95.
Hours: 7am – 5pm daily.
Admission and Parking: Free.
Contact: 928-927-6325, POWWOW@QIAArizona.org
Website: www.qiaarizona.org
QIA PowWow is the oldest gem and mineral show in Arizona, featuring over 520 booth spaces. Vendors bring gems and mineral specimens from all over the world, which, in many cases, they have personally collected. Many of the vendors have attended for over forty consecutive years.
Mon, January 26, 2026 SAN DIEGO, CA – SDMG General Meeting
Sponsor: San Diego Mineral & Gem Society
Venue: SDMG Bldg, at the back of Spanish Village in Balboa Park, San Diego
Hours: 7pm
Admission: Free. Open to the public.
Be aware of the new fee-based parking system at Balboa Park, effective January 5, 2026. Parking at the back of the SDMG bldg is by permit only. Read the latest update on paid parking in and around Balboa Park »
SDMG member Al Puente will give a presentation on Hopi Overlay in Silver, a method of silversmithing with characteristic patterns. Al will describe how he makes this type of jewelry, showing pieces he has made at different stages of completion, as well as some finished examples of Hopi Overlay.
Please remember to bring something for dessert to share with everyone. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and other drinks are provided by SDMG. Your help afterward in cleanup is very much appreciated by me, Mike Frye and Dave Smith who set up and take down, and all those who put this program together every month. See you there!
January 28 – February 15, 2025 Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase: Join The World's Largest Treasure Hunt
Hours: Varies according to venue (check website)
Admission & Parking: Cost varies according to venue.
Contact: Mary Lou Robinson
Website: www.visittucson.org/visit/events/featured-tucson/tucson-gem-mineral-fossil-showcase
January 29 – February 1, 2026 The Westward Look Show
Sponsor: Ziga Mineral LLC
Where: Westward Look Resort
245 E. Ina Rd.
TUCSON, AZ 85704
Website: www.thewestwardlook.com
Fourteen dealers.
January 29 – February 10, 2026 Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show
Where: Ramada by Wyndham Tucson, 777 W. Cushing Street (Congress St., South Frontage Rd.)
Tucson, AZ 85745
Hours: 10am – 6:30pm daily
Parking: Onsite and valet.
Contact: info@pueblogemshow.com or 310-666-4081
Website: www.pueblogemshow.com
Centrally located in downtown Tucson one block from the Convention Center in "The Golden Triangle." It is known as the most diverse gem, jewelry and mineral show in Tucson, with US and international exhibitors of designer and fine jewelry, cut and rough gemstones, pearls, beads, silver, turquoise and amber, as well as rough and fine mineral specimens.
January 29 – February 15, 2026 Kino Gem & Fossil Show
Where: Tucson Electric Park, Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way
(Ajo Way & Kino Parkway) TUCSON, AZ 85702
Hours: 10am – 6pm daily, except Feb 15 10am – 4pm.
Admission & Parking: Acres of free parking, free shuttle service; handicap accessible.
Contact: info@as-shows.com
Website: www.as-shows.com
Gems, Minerals, Fossils, Beads, Findings, Jewelry, Lapidary equipment supplies and tools.
January 29 – February 14, 2026 Quality Inn Gem Gem Mineral & Metaphysical Show (1)
Sponsor: Globex International Gem & Mineral Show
Where: 750 W Starr Pass Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85745
Parking: Located behind Quality Inn Hotel
Contact: 520-624-4455 (hotel phone); GIGM Shows 520-251-1800
Website: https://gigmshow.com/
January 29 – February 14, 2026 Red Lion Inn & Suites Globex Gem & Mineral Show (2)
Sponsor: Globex International Gem & Mineral Show
Where: 222 South Freeway (Congress & I-10), Tucson, AZ 85745
Parking: 498 W. Congress St. Parking Garage (behind Circle K)
Contact: 520-791-7511 (hotel phone); GIGM Shows 520-251-1800
Website: https://gigmshow.com/
January 29 – February 14, 2026 Motel 6 (Formerly the Howard Johnson Hotel) (3)
Sponsor: Globex International Gem & Mineral Show
Where: 1010 South Freeway (Congress & I-10), Tucson, AZ 85745 5
Contact: GIGM Shows 520-251-1800
Parking: Large lot on West side of the Hotel
Website: https://gigmshow.com/
January 29, – February 15, 2026 Tucson 22nd Street Mineral & Fossil Show (Eons Expos)
Where: Corner of I-10 & 22nd Street, Tucson, AZ
Hours: 10am – 6pm daily
Admission: Free.
Parking: $10.00 onsite; $5.00 across I-10
Website: 22ndstreet.show
Minerals, gems, fossils, dinosaurs, meteorites, jewelry, beads, and art.
Fri – Sun, January 30 – February 1 & 2, 2026 FALLBROOK, CA – 59th Pacific Micromount Conference
Presented by: Mineralogical Society of Southern California
Venue: Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Museum
123 W. Alvarado St.
Fallbrook, CA 92028
Conference Chair: Al Wilkins, awilkins49@yahoo.com
Registration: $20.00/person by mail in advance; $25.00 at the door. (Download the registration form, send a completed form with check »)
Lectures by Julian Gray, “Optical Mineralogy"; Paul Adams, “Micromineralogy of La Paz Co., AZ”; and Michael Cox, “Mercury Mineral Adventures: An Update.” Plenty of microscope time, lots of $1 table micro items, Silent Auction and Oral Auctions and free specimen tables. Field Trip, to be announced (meet up in Barstow). Meals on your own. Arrange your accommodations early as hotels/motels tend to book quickly.
Website: mineralsocal.org
Program: Download a print-friendly program »
January 30 – February 14, 2026 RMGM Mineral & Fossil Show
Sponsor: RMGM Productions
Where: 1920 N Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ 85705 (Corner of Lester and Oracle)
Hours: 10am – 6pm daily, except last day closes at 4pm.
Admission & Parking: Free.
Website: www.coloradomineralandfossilshows.com
January 31 – February 15, 2026 Rapa River Gem & Mineral Show
Where: 292 S. Freeway Ave.
(S. Freeway Ave. between Congress St. & Starr Pass Blvd.) TUCSON, AZ 85713
Admission & Parking: Shuttle service; handicap accessible.
Contact: rapagem@yahoo.com or 520-256-2079; Tyo Leonard at 520-743-0866
Website: Rapa River Gem and Mineral Show info
If you can't find it here you won't find it anywhere. Rapa River dealers offer a wide variety of many unique and unusual products from all parts of various countries represented by 34 vendors.
February 12–15, 2026 71st Annual Tucson Gem & Mineral Show (the Main Show) "Red, White & Blue – Celebrate the Spirit of Minerals!"
Sponsor: Tucson Gem & Mineral Society.
Venue: Tucson Convention Center; 260 South Church Avenue.
TUCSON, AZ 85701
Hours: Thu thru Sat 10am – 5pm; Sun 10 am – 4pm.
Admission & Parking: $15.00 ($14 with $1 TCC ticket tax), Children 14 and under FREE with a paying adult. Two-day tix available for $26.
Contact: tgms@tgms.org
Website: www.tgms.org/show/
Oldest show in Tucson with Retail Dealers sharing the Exhibition Hall of the Tucson Convention Center. An unparalleled variety of mineral, fossil, jewelry, lapidary crafts, and related publications are presented under one roof.
February 13–15, 2026 QUARTZSITE, AZ – Gold,Treasure and Craft Show
QIA bldg at 235 E. Ironwood Street; north of I-10, between Exit 19 and Hwy. 95.
Hours: Fri & Sat 9am – 4pm; Sun 9am – 3pm.
Admission: $5 all three days OR $10 entrance fee includes 12 raffle tickets.
Website: quartzsitegoldshow.com
In its 11th year, this show features displays with gold nuggets, prospecting, panning, detectors, jewelry, daily drawings, metal detectors, speakers, equipment, and demonstrations.
Sat and Sun, March 7–8, 2026 VENTURA, CA
63rd Annual Gem Mineral, Fossil & Lapidary Show
Hosted by: Ventura Gem & Mineral Society
Venue: Ventura Fairgrounds
10 Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001
Hours: Sat 10am – 5pm; Sun 10am – 4pm
Admission: FREE.
Parking: Fee for fairground parking
Website: vgms.org/category/gem-show
Displays of gems, minerals, meteorites, fossils and award-winning handcrafted jewelry. Includes educational exhibits of fossils collected locally in and around Ventura County, as well as a display of the California State Rock, Mineral, Fossil and Gemstone, featuring a gold nugget and Ice Age saber-tooth cat. Demonstrations include gemstone cutting, silver work and jewelry making, beading, and other arts. Raffle prizes and hourly silent auctions. Expert prospectors will guide you through the steps of gold panning, and you can purchase "pay dirt" to pan for real gold in your own backyard. You'll also see "Auggie," the California State Dinosaur.
Fri thru Sun, March 13–15, 2026 VICTORVILLE, CA – 50th Annual Stoddard Wells Rock Hound Tailgate
Sponsor: Victor Valley Gem and Mineral Club
Venue: Stoddard Wells Rd. near I15
Hours: 9am – 5pm daily
Admission & Parking: Free. Open to the public.
Contact: Ody Oriva, 760-243-2330 or or tailgate@vvgmc.org
Website: vvgmc.org
Handcrafted and faceted jewelry, slabs and cabs, findings and equipment, minerals and fossils and TONS of Rough Material, dry camping, grab bags, Silent Auction. Saturday FAMILY Field Trip: Tri-Colored Marble 9am – 1pm.
Fri thru Sun, March 28–29, 2026 TORRANCE, CA – 73rd Annual Nature's Treasures
Sponsor: South Bay Lapidary & Mineral Society
Venue: Ken Miller Recreation Center
3341 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
Hours: Fri & Sat 9am – 5pm; Sun 10am – 4pm
Admission & Parking: Free. Open to the public.
Website: southbaylapidaryandmineralsociety.com
Annual gem and mineral show featuring educational demonstrations, slabs, raffle, rough rock, silent auction, polished stones, fluorescent minerals, children’s activities, crystals, and more.
Wed thru Sun, April 1–5, 2026 JOSHUA TREE, CA – Joshua Tree Gem & Mineral Show
Sponsor: Antelope Valley Gem & Mineral Club
Venue: Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground
2601 Sunfair Rd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Hours: Wed thru Sat 9am – 5pm; Sun 9am – 4pm
Admission & Parking: Free. Open to the public.
Website: AVGMS on Facebook
Rocks, fossils, gemstones, slabs, equipment, cabochons crystals, spheres, jewelry, dozens of amazing booths, food vendors, and entertainment.