Tulsa Rock and Mineral Society's Annual Rock, Mineral, Gem and Jewelry Show to be a Rockin' Good Time!

There is something quite magical about the natural treasures that one can find scattered about the earth, if they know what they are looking for. For the Tulsa Rock and Mineral Society, it’s a passion they want to share with everyone.

On the weekend of July 17-18, the Society will host its annual Rock, Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry Show at the Exchange Center, Tulsa County Fairgrounds. Saturday the show will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show is open to the public, and will amaze and inspire visitors with gems, beads, fossils, jewelry, crystals and much more! There will be many exhibits to explore, including a kid’s zone with interactive stations and fun activities, such as fossil excavations and growing crystals. A market with over 27 vendors will be on-site, with items available for sale including jewelry, fossils, artifacts, minerals and gems. Working exhibits will provide entertaining education while demonstrating lapidary arts (work involved in cutting, polishing, or engraving stones or gems), jewelry making, stone cutting and much more. Entry is free for children 12 and under with a paid adult. Scouts, Military, Police and Fire are also free with ID. General admission is only $6 per adult or $10 for a two-day pass. There will be something for everyone to enjoy!

“I would be shocked if someone came and was bored at the show,” said Event Director, Eric Hamshar. “There’s so much to do and see!”

One of the most popular exhibits will be returning this year, the fluorescent mineral rock room. “There are certain minerals that will fluoresce under UV lights that are special for this activity,” he said. “The rocks don’t look all that special until the room is made dark and the UV lights are turned on. All of the rocks just glow. It’s amazing.”

Eric is an active member with the Tulsa Rock and Mineral Society and is the Curator at the DW Correll Museum in Catoosa. The museum mostly houses the eclectic personal collection of DW Correll and contains countless minerals, gemstones, stones, and fossils from around the world. A recent addition of a gift shop provides an opportunity for visitors to purchase stones, crystals, fossils, jewelry and more to enjoy.

The Tulsa Rock and Mineral Society was organized in 1958, “to promote interest in rocks, minerals, fossils, artifacts, gemstones, lapidary, jewelry-making, and all forms of earth science.” The show is hosted each year as a fundraiser to produce funds that provide for educational outreach and scholarships. “I do it because I love the rock club, and I want it to flourish and succeed,” said Eric. “It’s also a great way to introduce new people into it, and grow their interest. We just want to share our love of rocks.”

For more information on the show and the TRMS, visit their website at www.tulsarockandmineralsociety.org.