Rock On! Treasures of the Earth returns to Bridgeton
Shannon Howard | Aug 18, 2010 | Comments 2
The 17th annual Treasures of the Earth gem & mineral show returns to the Machinists Hall in Bridgeton this weekend - August 20-22.
This may surprise some of you who know me, but I am a total rock hound. Though my creative brain tends to repel anything dealing with science, I’ve always loved collecting unusual stones. And when I attended my first gem and mineral show several years ago, I was hooked!
The Machinists Hall in Bridgeton hosts at least two shows annually, each organized by a local geology club and featuring dozens of vendors from around the country. You can buy fossils, jewelry, rough stones, beads, crystals and even fine gems, with prices ranging from 50 cents to well over $1,000. You can also crack your own geode and become the first person to ever lay eyes on its sparkling hidden treasure, millions of years in the making!
My first gem show geode
At the gem show this weekend, the geodes will probably be from Keokuk, Iowa, so they won’t be quite as colorful as those from, say, Mexico, but the cracking and opening process is still loads of fun. When you’re done with that, be sure to check out the fluorescent mineral display from Mr. Bob Morse of Troy, Missouri. Gem shows always have some kind of display – prehistoric bones, rocks of the Bible, etc – but few are more vivid and eye-catching than the fluorescent minerals. So cool.
Also cool is the fact that you can pay your admission fee at the show and not spend another dime. If you just want to walk around and look at rocks, that’s absolutely fine. The atmosphere is usually very laid back, and most of the vendors and geology club members will happily answer any questions you may have. If you’re lucky, you might even win a raffle prize!
Sponsored by the Greater St. Louis Association of Earth Science Clubs, Treasures of the Earth starts this Friday, August 20, and runs through Sunday, August 22. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and and $2 for kids ages 6-17. Children 5 and under are free, as are all scouts and scout leaders in uniform.
12365 St. Charles Rock Road in Bridgeton (next to Target). Hours: Friday 4-9pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm.
Filed Under: Indoor Fun
Thanks for your interesting article! Glad to know you’re a rock hound. After the show, I hope you & some of your readers will check out some of our clubs (www.stlearthsci.org/memberclubs.htm)!
We have some new dealers at this year’s show, & returning dealers have new treasures!
Bargain hunters & kids will enjoy the boutique run by the Association for our scholarship fund, where they will find inexpensive specimens and games. Some items have special pricing just for kids!
BTW, although they are different, I think Keokuk geodes are just as spectacular as Mexican ones. No collection is complete without both! (And I think there are some of each at our show.)
Brad Weatherbie
President, GSLAESC
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