(PRESS RELEASE) TUCSON, AZ – The 36th edition of the American Gem Trade Association GemFair Tucson 2018, held annually at the Tucson Convention Center, came to a close on Sunday, Feb. 5. AGTA reported an increase in buyer company attendance by 10 percent, representing over 90 countries, who flocked to explore the show’s offerings of the newest and top classic gemstones and cultured pearls and jewelry from over 300 exhibitors.
“The AGTA GemFair is a favorite amongst buyers and that is evident in the growth we see each year,” says AGTA CEO Douglas K. Hucker. “There is an excitement on the floor, from both buyers and exhibitors, that radiates from a crowd that is truly passionate about gemstones. As we continue to increase the show’s offerings with elements such as expanded topics in education and our Gembassador program, we only see that energy grow.”
AGTA GemFair is more than a trade show; it is a colored gemstone and cultured pearl experience.
All exhibitors are AGTA members from whom attendees can peruse the finest and most comprehensive collection of gemstones and pearls in existence around the world.
This year’s Gembassadors, Hannah Becker of @Diamondoodles, Benjamin Guttery of @ThirdCoastGems and Becky Stone of @DiamondsInTheLibrary, navigated the floor to share some of the show’s boldest treasures on their own Instagram accounts as well as through takeovers of AGTA’s Instagram Account.
“AGTA does a great job attracting quality buyers and the show was very busy for us all six days. We had a lot of interest in sapphires of all color ranges including Padparadscha, pink and purple sapphires. We also had a lot of inquiries for our phenomenal gemstones like alexandrite and opal,” said Niveet Nagpal of Omi Gems.
Additionally, GemFair offers a significant learning experience. Over the course of six days, AGTA presented over 38 different seminars, a Tools and Technology Pavilion which is unique to any other show, a CAD Design Studio, “At the Bench Live” presentations, sponsored by MJSA, GIA, AGL, Gubelin and Guild Laboratories for onsite gemstone report services, and other special exhibits, including the Smithsonian Institution, Extraordinary Cultured and Natural Pearls and the AGTA Spectrum Awards.
A special highlight, which is perhaps the most widely anticipated occasion of the show, was the annual AGTA Spectrum Awards Gala, a sold-out event honoring the 2017 winners. The last award of the year, the Buyers’ Choice Award, was awarded to Joel Price for his amazing 100.66 ct. harlequin black Opal. For a full list of winners, visit http://www.agta.org/awards/index.html.