1. Executive Summary
GJX 2026 in Tucson, Arizona, is one of the world's premier gem and jewelry trade shows. ALFA MIRAGE exhibited at Booth 1403, showcasing our specialized line of jewelry tools and gemological equipment to a global audience of gemstone dealers, miners, and retailers.
The Tucson show is known for its focus on colored stones. Consequently, our polishing compounds, jeweler's tools, penlights, precision gem testers, and portable identification tools garnered significant attention from buyers looking for reliable diagnostics and essential supplies on the go.
Our Mission:
To establish our instruments as the standard for accuracy among North American gem professionals.
2. Booth Visits & Product Highlights
Booth 1403
Prime Location at GJX
Located in the main aisle, our booth attracted a steady stream of gemologists and lapidary artists throughout the event.
- Traffic: Consistent flow of professional buyers throughout the week.
- Key Feedback: "Compact and accurate tools are essential for Tucson field buying."
Focus Product: NEW AMC Nippers
We unveiled the AMC WA-NIPPERS UT & LT Series, designed specifically for precision jewelry making. The UT series ensures clean cuts and durability, while the new compact 100mm LT models feature innovative tipless designs to prevent breakage in delicate tasks, significantly reducing finishing time.
Focus Product: TAPERED DIAMOND FILE
We introduced our new **Tapered Diamond File**, featuring a specialized 0.5mm thin tip ideal for narrow gaps and hard-to-reach areas. Its tapered design prevents flexing, ensuring even force distribution, while the four-sided diamond electroplating offers maximum versatility for precision filing.
Exhibition Gallery & Tools
Tool Collection
Comprehensive range of jewelry tools.
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Booth Interaction
Engaging with industry professionals.
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Venue Atmosphere (1)
Busy aisles at GJX Pavilion.
Alfa Mirage Team
Our team at GJX 2026.
3. Industry Highlights: GIA at AGTA GemFair
GIA (Gemological Institute of America)
We also visited the GIA booth at the AGTA GemFair. As a leading authority in gemology, GIA showcased their latest educational programs and laboratory services. Their interactive displays and quizzes regarding gem identification were a major attraction for industry professionals.
Insight: GIA's continued focus on education reinforces the importance of accurate knowledge and disclosure in the gem trade.
4. Artistic Inspiration: SNAG Exhibition
SNAG: "Mineral Minded 2026"
We visited the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) exhibition, "Mineral Minded." This curated showcase highlighted contemporary jewelry and metal art inspired by the geological world. It was a refreshing look at how raw materials transform into artistic expression, offering a different perspective from the commercial trade floor.
Trend: The fusion of raw minerals with refined metalsmithing techniques highlights a growing appreciation for organic aesthetics in contemporary design.
5. Special Feature: Granada Gallery
Artist: Grant Garmezy
EDITH THE DAKOTARAPTOR PROJECT
We took a brief detour to admire "Edith," a life-sized glass Dakotaraptor by artist Grant Garmezy. Hand-sculpted from molten glass without molds, this breathtaking work bridges the gap between scientific history and artistic imagination—a truly inspiring masterpiece to witness in Tucson.
6. Special Feature: Arizona Landscape
Majestic Saguaro Cacti
Beyond the exhibition halls, Tucson captivates with its vast desert landscapes. The iconic Saguaro cacti, standing sentinel against the blue sky, offer a moment of serenity and a reminder of the enduring power of nature in the American Southwest.
7. Event Details
Scale & History
In 1994, GJX debuted with just 35 booths and has since grown to become the fastest-growing gem show in Tucson’s history. Today, it boasts almost 700 booths held in a fully-carpeted, climate-controlled, 120,000 square foot ultra-structure.
Trade-Only Policy
Our show is “wholesale-to-the-trade-only” and limited to finished jewelry, precious and semi-precious gemstones, gem carvings, related lapidary equipment, and packaging. Only qualified buyers are permitted.
Note on Tucson Gem Week: The Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show consists of approximately 48 independently owned and operated shows, with over 3,000 exhibitors citywide.