AGTA recently concluded its 2025 GemFair in Tucson and wasted no time announcing next year’s highly anticipated event dates. The 2026 AGTA GemFair Tucson is set to take place in early February. So, mark your calendars whether you want to participate as a visitor or a vendor.
Event organizers can be proud as they attracted more visitors to this year’s event. Average daily visitor numbers were 3500 across the various exhibition spaces, reflecting strong engagement from attendees.
Exhibitors that were based on the GemHall floor had especially strong sales, as many retailers were anxious to restock their inventory with mid-to-high-end gemstones. The atmosphere was buzzing, and several vendors said they had never done so well — one said he hoped he didn’t have to run out to buy more invoices as he had so many customers.
Throughout the event, vendors noted a diverse range of gemstones being purchased. Interestingly, instead of a specific color trend dominating the market, buyers seemed more focused on price points when making their selections.
Gemstones purchased at the event also spanned the spectrum, according to vendors. The more interesting and somewhat surprising was the fact that no specific color trend dominated the market as the buyers paid attention to price points in making their purchases. However, that trend may not be as surprising as it seems at first sight with the current inflation, global political situation, and overall instability.
On the first day of the fair, there was an educational session run by AGTA and RapNet that introduced the Gemstone Trading Network. The new initiative enables colored gemstones to be listed on RapNet’s current platform with no extra fee for existing subscribers.
AGTA said that 47,000 colored gemstones were already on the platform, and transactions were already happening. Customers’ requests were the driving force behind adding colored gemstones, and the company did its best to onboard colored stones ethically and transparently. By partnering with AGTA, RapNet certifies that all gems listed on its platform comply with AGTA’s strict ethical sourcing and disclosure guidelines.
As always, the AGTA GemFair Tucson closed with a grand finale – the Spectrum Awards Gala which celebrated outstanding jewelry pieces from the event. During the fair, attendees voted on their favorite pieces from the Spectrum and Cutting Edge award winners. While the judges and editors had previously announced their selections, the Buyer’s Choice Awards were unveiled during the gala.
For winners, it means new business opportunities and visibility. Usually, after the event, they get more orders and interest from new clients or collaboration opportunities. People are more likely to trust and invest in jewelry that has already been endorsed by industry professionals.
Photo courtesy of AGTA website.
The Buyer’s Choice award for the Spectrum division was presented to Matthew Tuggle of Tuggle Designs for his “Whisper of the Ancestors” lapel pin, created in collaboration with Lauren Tuggle (co-designer and engraver), Ryan Anderson (lapidary artist), and Kyle Forgey (supporting jeweler). 18K rose and yellow gold and platinum “Whisper of the Ancestors” lapel pin, showcasing an exquisite 18.23 ct. fantasy-cut Sunstone. This unique piece is elegantly accented with a harmonious blend of mixed teal Tourmaline (1.15 ctw.) and brilliant Diamonds (0.76 ctw.), creating a captivating interplay of color and light. Meticulously crafted, this lapel pin embodies a timeless connection to heritage and artistry.
This recognition is not just about the beauty of the pieces but also about the craftsmanship and innovation behind them. Each design is built on a concept and idea that go far beyond the appearance and reflect the artistic vision of its creators.
Photo courtesy of AGTA website.
Meanwhile, Ben Kho of Kho International received the Buyer’s Choice award for the Cutting Edge division for his 12.88-carat cushion Portuguese-cut rhodochrosite sourced from Colorado.
This award reflects the preferences of active buyers and offers insight into emerging jewelry trends. The winning pieces can inspire new collections and influence market trends in the coming years.
As the 2025 event wrapped up, AGTA confirmed that the next Spectrum and Cutting Edge Awards will begin accepting entries at the end of June 2025. With yet another successful edition of GemFair completed, anticipation is already building for what the next year will bring.
