Caution urged ahead of Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

Tucson will shine bright this weekend as the 59th Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral show gets underway.

Considered the largest event of its kind in the nation, vendors will showcase everything from precious gems to minerals to fossils.

“We have been going there for years and years,” said Shawn Marquez with the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures. However, inspectors don’t go to shop, but instead go to investigate whether dealers are being fair to customers.

Unfortunately, for the consumer, every year the ADWM discovers problems that could have a major impact on a buyer’s pocketbook.

“Vendors that are selling precious gold, gems, jewelry, rocks, anything you can think of, but they’re doing it on scales that aren’t legal for trade,” said Marquez.

Marquez advised attendees to do business only with a dealer that has a license to ensure that they are getting what they pay for.