FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[vic rzonca]

The Gilsum, New Hampshire, mineral show. Lots of local finds, small time feel, home made pies available for sale in the elementary school where the show is held. Gilsum was a mining center in the distant past, beryl, feldspar, mica. Dozens of closed mines in the area.
The show is held on June 26 and 27.

[Jordi Fabre]

That's a great idea Vic! Not only the main shows with the more or less similar faces/topics, but also minoritary events that can inflame new young collectors as well as keep the flame of the elder ones.

Hopefully other Forum members follow your steps and do the same, specially from Europe where the number of small shows is gigantic (specially in France)

Jordi

[Tracy]

I thought I had posted a Franklin Show report once, but I don't see it in the index - ? Maybe I never finished it...

- Tracy

[Jordi Fabre]

[Tracy]

My mistake Jordi. I thought I had clicked on a button to see the whole list but apparently not. Thanks for clearing this up! I'm not going crazy after all...for now... :-)

- Tracy

[vic rzonca]

Nice job Tracy. To Jordi's point about encouraging young collectors, the Connecticut Valley Mineral Club put together study collections from club members over stocks, and donated them to the local schools, nothing better than a little hands on. Getting kids fired up over natural history gives them a lifetime of observation and curiosity. Did it for me. Also Marty Zinn provides small free samples at the Springfield show, commendable.

[chris]

Hi Vic,

Refreshing to have a look at a small American mineral show. Is this show also does a lotery as most of French shows do (gifts are given by the dealers) ?

[John Cesar]

[bugrock]

Local shows are often well attended throughout the US. Sponsoring a show keeps local mineral clubs active. When a club discontinues their annual show it is often a sign of decline and eventual disappearance.

Many local clubs hold shows on a weekend that includes Friday. Friday is often kids day and school classes may be bussed in. Many activities are organized for the children.

Typically raffle ticket are sold at the show with a variety of mineral, mineral related, and jewelry items as prizes. Tickets may be distributed for the drawing of door prizes. There is also a silent auction table where members can sell items or donate them for the benefit of the club. A number of short duration silent auctions are held during the course of most shows.

For the mineral collector local shows almost always have items of interest. The dealers at larger shows are often well known and sell through many venues (websites, ebay etc) but smaller venues include regional sellers that only sell at shows and sometimes very nice pieces that have been in their collection or stored in the garage or basement for years show up and at reasonable prices.

Everyone with interest in minerals should attend and support local rock and mineral shows.

[vic rzonca]

Well put, Bugrock. As a field collector, you get to hear the latest what, where, when and how the local stuff was found (and what you missed) as well as the hoarded treasures that always seem to float to the surface, some times quite fine things. At the east coast show, Marty gets raffle donations from dealers (they are always generous) and holds an hourly drawing. Thanks for the comments Chris and John, it's a fine fraternity.

[bugrock]

Yes, especially the local shows are a path to the latest news about regional minerals and collecting opportunities.

I forgot another feature of shows, small and large. The exhibits! Some of the exhibitors are veterans of the club, people who have been in the field and purchasing material back to the 1950's and 1960's. There are always a few exhibits where the janitorial staff must get out the larger mops to lap up the drool in front of the cases.

To shift gears a bit regarding shows and the exhibits, can the members of this forum suggest a gentle way to probe further when it comes to jaw dropping pieces included in show exhibits? Often the owners are more senior members of the group and I hate to be too forward in approaching them. But then I leave the show wondering will the children and grandchildren will pay attention to the collection Perhaps one could approach the owners with the statement "wonderful specimens, if you ever want to sell this and that piece please let me know". The objective is to express interest without seeming predatory and feeling as if you are taking advantage.