Tucson Gem Show Vendors Struggle with Staff Shortages and Higher Prices

Immigration fears, winter storms, and tariffs impact one of the city's biggest annual events

Feb. 2, 2026 at 2:47pm

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Hundreds of people attended the 22nd Street Gem Show in Tucson, but vendors reported lighter crowds, staffing shortages, and higher prices this year. Factors like winter storms, immigration concerns, and rising tariffs have affected the show, one of the city's biggest annual events. Some vendors struggled to find local workers, especially Hispanic workers, to help set up their booths, while others noted fewer European customers due to visa worries.

Why it matters

The Tucson Gem Show is a major economic driver for the city, attracting thousands of vendors and attendees each year. The challenges faced by vendors this year, including staffing issues and higher costs, could have broader impacts on the local economy if the trends continue.

The details

Vendors at the 22nd Street Gem Show reported a variety of issues impacting the event this year. Winter storms disrupted travel, leaving some vendors and attendees unable to arrive on time. The second day of the show also coincided with large anti-ICE protests in Tucson that temporarily shut down local businesses. Staffing shortages were a major challenge, with vendors noting a lack of Latino workers, which they attributed to immigration concerns. Vendors also cited higher prices for precious metals and materials due to tariffs, as well as fewer European customers worried about visa issues.

  • The 22nd Street Gem Show took place on January 30, 2026.
  • The second day of the show, which saw lower attendance, was on January 31, 2026.

The players

Cesar Martinez

A vendor and buyer who has attended the gem show for 19 years. He noted staffing shortages and the impact of the current political climate on the event.

Alfredo

An obsidian vendor from Mexico who has attended the show for 10 years. He reported fewer customers and higher prices but no major disruptions.

Su-Ata

A California resident who has operated a booth at the 22nd Street Gem Show for the past six years, featuring jewelry, art, and traditional medicine from Indigenous communities in Central and South America.

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What they’re saying

“This year there have been a series of problems because we've been short on staff. Last year there were a lot of Latino workers, and this year there's no one — I mean, no one.”

— Cesar Martinez, Vendor and buyer

“The global instability — because what's happening in this country isn't only affecting people with immigration issues or anything like that, but in general the world is scared.”

— Cesar Martinez, Vendor and buyer

“There are a few fewer people, that's true. The same number of customers haven't come.”

— Alfredo, Obsidian vendor

“Every show I go to I hire local people, but this year it was a little harder for me to find people that could help us. There's a lot less people, especially Hispanic people here and it was harder for us to find helpers.”

— Su-Ata, Booth operator

What’s next

Organizers of the Tucson Gem Show will need to closely monitor attendance and vendor participation in the coming years to assess the long-term impacts of the challenges faced in 2026. They may need to explore ways to address staffing shortages and support vendors affected by higher costs and lower turnout.

The takeaway

The difficulties experienced by vendors at the 2026 Tucson Gem Show highlight the broader economic and social impacts of issues like immigration concerns, global instability, and trade policies. As one of the city's biggest annual events, the gem show's struggles could have ripple effects throughout the local economy if the trends continue.