Whether you’re a dedicated ‘rockhound,’ or just looking for a fun and educational family experience, you don’t want to miss the Gem, Jewelry & Mineral Show, later this month at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds.
Brought to you by the Everett Rock & Gem Club, the event features lapidary and silversmith demonstrations, and 40 vendors displaying a dazzling array of local rocks and gems, alongside pieces from around the world.
“The Gem, Jewelry & Mineral Show is an opportunity for recreational ‘rock-hounds’ to add to their collection, and provides fun and learning for all ages, too,” says Show Co-Chairman, Mel Buhr. “We see around 400 kids attending every year, so it’s a real beehive of activity for families!”
This year’s show boasts door prizes, silent auctions for both adults and children, a prize wheel offering finished, faceted, polished or cut stones at a nominal fee, and a free rock for all children younger than 12. There will be books and maps for discovering local rocks and gems, and rock tumblers, hammers, rockhounding tools and polished stones up for grabs.
“A special exhibit is the carved stone sculptures created by members of the Northwest Stone Sculptors Association,” Buhr says. “They go for bigger pieces, carved from a variety of types of stone. They’re truly a sight to behold!”
The event also provides the opportunity to purchase a wide variety of pieces, whether as investment keepsakes, personal jewelry or as decor for your home or office.
The event also provides the opportunity to purchase a wide variety of pieces, whether as investment keepsakes, personal jewelry or as decor for your home or office. Pieces include local stones like jade and olivine, as well as specimens from such faraway places as Madagascar, Afghanistan and Brazil.
“You’ll see live lapidary by at least eight demonstrators from our club and other organizations,” Buhr says. “They use equipment and techniques for faceting, wire-wrapping and intarsia, which combines different kinds of stone into one piece, often with all colors of the rainbow, which can be quite exotic.”
The event provides a convenient, fun and educational time for the whole family, with a food vendor and free parking and admission.
“Even if it’s raining it’s the perfect time to get inside and discover a world that just might lead to a very interesting hobby,” says Everett Rock & Gem Club President Jon Elmgren. “You might even want to join the club – we meet the third Tuesday of every month at the Carl Gipson Center.”
The Gem, Jewelry & Mineral Show is Saturday May 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday May 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the East entrance of the Evergreen State Fairgrounds.
Follow the Everett Rock & Gem Club on Facebook or visit everettrockclub.com.
