Nothing prepares you for Tucson. Forty-plus gem shows, miles of walking, glittering displays, and rapid-fire math in kilograms. We arrived ready — backpack, list, mints — and quickly realized Tucson had other plans. From sensory overload to serious sourcing, we navigated warehouses, tents, and desert dust with intention. Here’s what we learned, who we met, and what made the cut for jujujems.