FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[John S. White]

This year I was able to visit the Springfield Show in West Springfield, Massachusetts, the largest and most important show in the eastern U.S. It is held on the exhibition grounds in a single huge building, with hundreds of dealers most of whom were from the U.S. I did not see any from China or Morroco.

The show is produced by Marty Zinn who announced that the attendance on Friday and Saturday was a new record. I was not around for most of Sunday so I do not know if the same was true that day.

The special exhibit this year consisted of about 50 cases of minerals and gems from the Bill Larson collection. Bill is the owner of Pala International. Many excellent photos of the display can be found at this link: https://www.trinityminerals.com/spring10/ A downside with the exhibits was the poor quality of the lighting in the cases. The wonderful minerals just did not look their best under woefully inadequate lighting. I walked around the display with Bill and he had a gem light which when directed on to the minerals showed their true beauty. Unfortunately not everyone had that opportunity.

I saw nothing particularly new or exciting at the show with the exception of two specimens of albite, one with a hematite rose, from a new locality in Vermont. This apparently was a small pocket in a quarry that has never produced anything of note previously. Sadly I did not take a photo of either piece but I suspect that pictures will appear soon. The pocket also produced a small number of lesser pieces which were not available to be seen.

Sadly Gail and Jim Spann were not able to attend the show so I have attempted to fill in with some comments and photos, but I can't begin to do the job like Gail can.

[John S. White]

I didn't want to put too much in the first batch and run the risk of losing the whole effort. So here are some more photos.

[Jordi Fabre]

[Gail]

My goodness John, you are a GREAT show reporter! I love seeing the people, so thanks for that!
We didn't attend due to my parents having their 60th wedding anniversary. I planned and coordinated the event in San Antonio, Texas.
Although missing the fun of the Springfield show, it was a joy to see my parents surrounded by family and a good time was had by all.

[chris]

Great report John. Any more "rocks" pictures in your camera ?

Christophe

[Luiz Menezes]

John:

Your report about the show was good but incomplete, because you did not take a photo of my booth.

Luiz

[John S. White]

Luiz:

My apologies, I should have as I spent quite a bit of time with you. Simply an oversight. Besides, we had lots to discuss and that is probably why I forgot.

[Luiz Menezes]

No problem, John, we had an important talk, I was just cheating you!

Luiz

[vic rzonca]

Not too much of your booth, Luiz, but two fine looking fellows none the less.

[alfredo]

All's well that ends well ;))

[Luiz Menezes]

Thanks John

An explanation to the colleagues: my booth does not look as nice as the others because it is on the wholesale area of the Show.

Luiz

[vic rzonca]

[vic rzonca]

An overview of the exhibit and retail floor

[John S. White]

Thanks Vic for the additional photos. I think it needs to be said that Vic's wife Cindy is the photographer for these last few shots.

[vic rzonca]

Indeed John, thanks for that. Cindy has been a pro-photographer for longer than we've been married, 35 years. She loves the candid portrait, and heaven knows there are lots of characters in the mineral collecting world.