Gemstone Show

I am a rock geek. I love gemstone beads, to be sure, but to know about the mineral makes the beads so much more special. How they form, where they come from, the shapes, sizes, colors, and varieties of minerals are all so fascinating.



I was lucky enough to find out about a gem show that takes place this weekend in San Rafael. I met up with a friend there this morning around 10am and didn't leave until 2:30! A hotel that I could never afford to stay in hosted the event on their second floor. Yes, I braved the elevator. Yes, I made a fool of myself. What can I say? I just don't have the inner ear for elevation changes like that!



There had to have been 30 rooms full of brightly-lit display cases. Each case containing vast treasures. I probably looked like a silly tourist brandishing my camera at everything that sparkled, but I really don't care. I wanted to capture just a tiny fraction of the unbelievable specimens I got to see (and I touched a piece of rhodochrosite that would sell for $150,000!).



Amidst all the sparkling expensive chaos, I managed to find a strand of beads I just couldn't leave behind (neon blue apatite rondells, if you're curious). I was gingerly stroking the strands of emeralds, sapphires, and rubies but they were just a tad out of my price range! I did manage to find a small cabinet piece of wonderfully translucent green fluorite for $20 and a lovely chunk of quartz points for my sister's birthday.



If you would like to see all of my pictures, just click here to view the album.



I had a great time and will definitely go back next year!