Tucson gem shows beat sales expectationsExpectations for the 2013 gem shows had been for a modest uptick in attendance by mostly serious buyers, owing to the reportedly lackluster 2012 holiday shopping season. But to everyone’s delight, the shows ended on an upbeat note after seeing better traffic than initially expected. The American Gem Trade Association GemFair and the Gem and Jewelry Exchange are the two established venues that draw many of the better-known colored stone dealers. In contrast to last year, dealers at both shows saw steady traffic and appeared to be holding firm with their pricing. In the colored stone market, the high end still dominates demand. Buyers were reportedly looking for fine gems at older, lower prices. This proved difficult but not impossible. More favorable conditions exist in the midlevel grades and price points. This seems to support the opinion t