Buying Beads at Gemstone and Mineral Shows
Guide to Purchasing and Jewelry-Making Events
Sep 18, 2009
For those who want to check out their gemstone beads in person prior to buying, attending a gemstone and mineral event is a great way to see a variety of gemstone colors, shapes and sizes. In addition to the numerous vendors attending these events, there are usually great demonstrations explaining the ins-and-outs of gem cutting and jewelry making.
Tips For Attending Gemstone and Mineral Shows
- There is a usually a nominal entrance fee.
- Many shows have both wholesale and retail vendors. Gemstone, bead and mineral purchasers who have a business license and a sales tax certificate will normally be able to shop wholesale without any further registration. It’s always best to check with the show’s organizers first.
- Some gemstone and mineral shows won’t be open to the public – they will advertise ‘Wholesale buyer credentials required’.
- Some gemstone and mineral vendors accept cash only. Most event venues have ATM machines available for just this purpose.
- Depending on the event, location parking can be ample or non-existent. If parking is a problem, the gemstone and mineral event will normally arrange to have buses running to and from the event to remote parking.
- Just because it’s a gemstone and mineral show doesn’t mean all the gemstones and beads will be of excellent quality. Uneducated gemstone and bead purchasers should exercise caution if buying for any other purpose than to just string some attractive beads.
Upcoming Gemstone and Mineral Shows
- 42nd Annual Denver, Co Gem and Mineral Show. This gemstone and mineral show is held yearly - usually the third weekend in September. Taking place this weekend, September 18 - 20, 2009, gemstone and mineral shoppers who miss it can mark their calendar for next year’s event, which will be held September 17-19.
- Houston Gem and Mineral Society Gem, Jewelry, Mineral, and Fossil Show – Also a yearly event, this gemstone and mineral show is held in November of each year. In addition to purchasing gemstones, attendees can attend demonstrations of faceting, cabbing and silversmithing – three common jewelry-making techniques.
- Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers at Osceola Heritage Park - located in the Orlando, FL area, this gemstone and mineral event takes place 10/30/2009 - 11/01/2009 and is for wholesalers only. Not a wholesaler and live in the Orlando area? Don’t despair – the Fall Gem and Mineral Show is held in November and is open to the public.
Guide to Gemstone and Minerals Shows
The Jewelry Show Guide is a fantastic guide for many different gemstone, bead and mineral events. There are two search options: by date and by location to help the gemstone purchaser find the best and closest gemstone and mineral event to their location.
If searching by location, the search has to be conducted globally working from top to bottom. Country, then state, then city. If not searching for within the United States, the state and city options may be disabled – just proceed directly to select the Search button.
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