Hundreds of tables of gemstones and minerals will be set up in the Hat next weekend for the Rock N' Gem Show held at the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede.--HANDOUT PHOTO
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
More than 350 tables of crystals, gem, minerals, rocks and fossils, including newly discovered sapphires, will be on display for the Medicine Hat Rock N’ Gem Show next weekend at the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede.
The Rock N’ Gem Show returns to the Hat following a hiatus since COVID, with a three-day show displaying stunning gems found around the world with an emphasis on Canadian stones.
This year’s show will feature blue and black sapphires that were discovered near Revelstoke, B.C. at the Blue Jay sapphire mine that was opened last year.
“The blue and black star sapphire is what it’s producing,” explains Chris Robak, show organizer and co-owner of Silver Cove. “It’s been pretty popular, people really love the Canadian sapphires.”
Gemstones also on display that can be found throughout Canada include rhodonite, jade, amethyst, dallasite, flower stone and thulite, a rare translucent, crystalline material.
There will also be hackmanite, a semi-precious gemstone known best for its tenebrescent properties that makes it glow under black light.
“There’s a lot of Canadian minerals. From Newfoundland, the iron pyrites, and from British Columbia, the sky pyrites, and ammolite from Alberta, so there’s quite an array of different stones from Canada,” explains Robak.
Ammolite is the only fossilized sea creature that is considered a precious gemstone, and has only been found in southern Alberta.
“It’s the only organic gemstone that has precious gemstone status. The shell of the fossilized ammonite sea creature, the complete shells are actually considered to be national treasures in the eyes of the Canadian government,” says Robak. “They’re actually highly prized. One good quality fossil with a premium gem on the shell can fetch up to $100,000.”
Robak says the mineral and gem industry is always growing and changing, and says current trends include mineral specimen, raw gemstones and specimens, as opposed to beads and rock tumbling and polishing that was trending in the 1990s.
“Raw specimens in their natural form is a big thing right now.”
The Rock N Gem Show also aims at inspiring children with hands-on learning opportunities, and is organized to include activities for the entire family.
Fellow “Rockhounds” attending the gem show will have the opportunity to look at and purchase gemstones and minerals in a variety of quality from available grade A gems to more affordable grade B material.
The three-day show runs Feb. 28 until March 2 at the Medicine Hat Exhibition Auditorium/Sierra Room.
Tickets will be sold for $3 per person, or $7 for the family; kids under five can enter for free.
