TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - The Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase is off and running for its 62nd year, many of the 45 shows opening Saturday.
"This is the premier location for the display and sale of minerals both retail and wholesale," said Carl Fiduke, a trained geologist coming to the show for the 12th year.
Some consider Tucson's show to be the biggest in the world.
The Pueblo Gem and Mineral show at River Park Inn opened today like many of the other shows. At this show, a world-renowned gem cutter is showing off his work.
John Dyer has been coming to the Tucson shows for 17 years and has won 48 awards from around the world for cutting gems.
"I try to make the optimum stone our of every piece of rough," said Dyer.
Saturday, Tucson mayor Jonathan Rothschild helped recognize Dyer with another in front of his peers after opening day at the Pueblo show. Dyer won a prestigious German cutting award at the end of last year and he was awarded the plaque in Tucson.
Dyer goes to two shows every year, including the Tucson show. He says it is his opportunity to show off what he works on for the other 12 months of the year.
"To be able to show what I've been holed up doing for the whole year is really exciting," said Dyer.
