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Tucson, AZ--The AGTA GemFair Tucson is going ahead as scheduled, February 1-6.

“We pledge to you that the AGTA is pursuing all avenues to make the GemFair a safe and successful event,” says a release from the organization. To that end, face masks will be required to attend the show, and AGTA will have masks available on-site for attendees that need one. Per Pima County Health requirements, vaccinations and/or recent COVID test results are not required to attend GemFair, but as a service to attendees, AGTA will provide free daily rapid testing as well as a vaccination center on premises, offering Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines and booster shots.

For a complete list of COVID-19 protocols, please visit the AGTA website. A bus from Centurion to the AGTA GemFair will be available on Wednesday, February 2. The bus will depart at 8:00 a.m. from the Arizona Biltmore and return from its drop-off point in Tucson at 6:30 p.m. the same day.

Attendees are invited to join AGTA for the 40th Anniversary celebration of AGTA and AGTA GemFair Tucson. An evening of hors d’ oeuvres and cocktails will be held on opening night, Tuesday, February 1, at the Tucson Convention Center. RSVP for the event here.

Separately, the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) has canceled both its annual Gemological Industry & Laboratory Conference (GILC), and ICA Tucson reception. GILC was originally scheduled for Monday, January 31 prior to the opening of GemFair, and the ICA Tucson reception was originally scheduled for Wednesday, February 2. Because both events are not suited for COVID protocols, ICA has chosen to cancel, says CEO Gary Roskin. 

“We are terribly disappointed that our premier Tucson events will not take place this year,” says Roskin. “First and foremost, we want all of our members to stay healthy and safe. We certainly do not want to create a situation that could endanger the health of our family. This may sound clichéd, but better safe than sorry. There’s always next year.”