Two Gem Shows, One Venue: The Scottish Rite Cathedral

By Victoria Gomelsky | January 29, 2025

Located two blocks east of the Tucson Convention Center, in the city’s historic Armory Park neighborhood, the Scottish Rite Cathedral at 160 S. Scott Ave is an imposing building featuring a dramatic facade in neoclassical revival style. Built in 1916, it once served as a Masonic Temple.

Closed to the public, but open to events, the building is once again playing host to two of Tucson’s smallest and mightiest gem shows, the Ethical Gem Fair and the Out of the Jewel Box (OJB) Experience.

Capricorn Gems Australian Sapphires — *Bicolor Australian sapphires at Capricorn Gems*

The former is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, from Saturday, Feb. 1, to Tuesday, Feb. 4. Home to seven ethically minded exhibitors—including Anza Gems, Capricorn Gems, Columbia Gem House, Nature’s Geometry/Quore Jewelry, Perpetuum Jewels, Nineteen48, and Virtu Gem—the show is geared to buyers invested in mine-to-market transparency.

Natures Geometry Rutilated Quartz — *Rutilated quartz at Nature’s Geometry*

Don’t miss happy hour on Feb. 2. Cohosted by the Ethical Gem Suppliers and Ethical Metalsmiths, the shindig runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and features small bites, drinks, and networking opportunities with fellow industry professionals.

Gold and Smoke Continuum Stick Pin — *Continuum stick pin in oxidized sterling silver and 18k gold with 0.83 ct. Australian green sapphire and 0.15 ct. t.w. white diamonds, $4,275; Gold and Smoke*

A couple days after the Ethical Gem Fair clears out, the second annual OJB Experience moves in. Home to 10 exhibitors, spanning both loose gem and finished jewelry companies—including Sorbet Sapphire, Gold and Smoke, Swedish Gem Group, Atelier Zobel/Peter Schmidt, Capricorn Gems, Rémy Rotenier, Pompos, Chris Ploof Designs, PCD Pearls, and Moyo Gems—the show is open Feb. 6–8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

PCD Pearls Conch Necklace — *Necklace with 190 cts. t.w. natural conch pearls and 9 cts. t.w. natural diamonds,*
*$330,000; PCD Pearls*

“The OJB Experience show organizers aim to create a memorable experience, offering a refreshing alternative to the traditional trade show event,” Kelle Phoundoulakis, the designer of Gold and Smoke and a cofounder of the show, tells JCK. “Lounge areas, refreshments, and free chair massages are a few of the show highlights, intended to encourage attendees to utilize the space to relax and recharge.”

Chris Ploof Designs Ring — *Ring in palladium and 18k yellow gold, $2,975; Chris Ploof Designs*

If you can make it over to OJB only once, make sure it’s on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 4:30 to 8 p.m., when the show plans to host its second annual happy hour cocktail event, dubbed “Cocktails at the Cathedral, Your Thursday Evening Affair.” Sponsored by IGI (the International Gemological Institute), the free event will offer an open bar, food, a live drawing demo by Rémy Rotenier, and more. Preregistration is strongly encouraged.