Rock and Mineral Show

Artists, collectors and geology enthusiasts gathered at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center for the Rock and Mineral Show on Sunday.

Section:Gallery

Sun., March 31, 2019

Brent Stewart of Stewart's Gem Shop cracks open a geode to reveal quartz during the 60th Annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley, Wash. Stewart is the third generation owner of the shop, which was started by his grandfather in 1945 and was the first of its kind west of the Mississippi River.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Roger Montgomery and Katlyn Infalt inspect rocks for sale during the 60th Annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley, Wash. The three day show featured vendors, art and jewelry on display and hands-on activities such as geode busting and “treasure” hunting booths.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
The display from Crystallography Gem + Mineral Market is seen during the 60th Annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley, Wash. The three day show featured vendors, art and jewelry on display and hands-on activities such as geode busting and “treasure” hunting booths.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Calissa Askar, 5, and sister Isabelle Askar, 4, help Brent Stewart of Stewart's Gem Shop crack open a Mexican coconut geode during the 60th Annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley, Wash. Stewart is the third generation owner of the shop, which was started by his grandfather in 1945 and was the first of its kind west of the Mississippi River.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Calissa Askar, 5, and sister Isabelle Askar, 4, help Brent Stewart of Stewart's Gem Shop cracks open a Mexican Coconut geode during the 60th Annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley, Wash. Stewart is the third generation owner of the shop, which was started by his grandfather in 1945 and was the first of its kind west of the Mississippi River.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Sara Toner of Spokane Rock Rollers shapes a fluorite stone during the 60th Annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley, Wash. Toner said she believed the stone was from Mexico, and once she shapes and polishes it, it will become a piece of jewlery.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
A lava rock from Ampersand Gem & Jewelry is seen on display during the 60th Annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley, Wash. The lava rock appears this way once it is fogged with titanium that oxidizes it.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Kevin Ridley of Ampersand Gem & Jewelry fields questions about his wares during the 60th Annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley, Wash. The three-day show featured vendors, art and jewelry on display and hands-on activities such as geode busting and “treasure” hunting booths.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Slabs of raw, unpolished rock are seen in water at The Chiming Rock booth during the 60th Annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley, Wash. The Chiming Rock came from Grants Pass, Oregon for the three-day show.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Slabs of raw, unpolished rock are seen in water at The Chiming Rock booth during the 60th Annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley, Wash. The rocks are kept submerged in order to show what they would look like once they are polished.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Pyrite, better known as Fool’s Gold, is displayed by David Bartell of Bartell & Bartell Rock Shop during the 60th Annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley, Wash. The three-day show featured vendors, art and jewelry on display and hands-on activities such as geode busting and “treasure” hunting booths.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
A piece of bizmuth is seen at the Martell & Martell Rock Shop booth during the 60th Annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley, Wash. As David Martell explained, bizmuth is a metal that is modified in a laboratory setting, and the crystals form as the metal cools from being melted.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Chad Peetz and Spokane Valley City Councilwoman Brandi Peetz check out amethyst hearts on display during the 60th Annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show on Sunday, March 31, 2019 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley, Wash. The three day show featured vendors, art and jewelry on display and hands-on activities such as geode busting and “treasure” hunting booths.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review