Idaho isn't called the Gem State for nothing. The variety of minerals that you can find in Idaho outnumbers every state in the U.S. If you're looking in the right locations, the possibilities are endless for what you can find: garnets, agates, jasper, travertine, and many more. It's paradise for anyone who loves to explore the geologic wonders that this state holds; nobody knows that better than Idaho Falls' resident rock hounds, the Idaho Falls Gem and Mineral Society. This year, they're celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Gem & Mineral Show, and there's so much to see for rock lovers and curious folks alike.
The Gem & Mineral Show opens the club up to members of the community to come and explore the geologic finds that Idaho has. A huge selection of rocks, gems, and minerals from Idaho and all around the world will be on sale. Members of the society will demonstrate all kinds of lapidary arts, including shaping of gems and minerals to make jewelry and other art, as well as helping people identify minerals they've found. Mineral experts will also be in attendance to speak on rock hunting and other topics, and there's also a chance for kids to participate in a scavenger hunt and a thunder egg hunt. There's always something cool to look at and learn about at the show.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the show, the society is building a bench out of travertine to donate to the city of Idaho Falls to be placed on the Greenbelt. The ends of the bench will be carved in the shape of the state of Idaho, and each piece of rock used will have a plate that identifies where the rock was found.
The society was formed in 1960 and held their first show in 1964. Currently, there are 140 members in the society, including mineral collectors, artists, craftsmen, and anyone else who's united by a love for geology and the beauty of the rock around them. In the warmer months, the society takes field trips to collecting sites near Leadore, the Lime Creek area near Challis, the foot of Mount Borah, and in Hammond Canyon near Arco. Agate and jasper are common finds on these field trips, which are perfect for crafting and shaping into jewelry and other works of art.
Members also have a chance to learn from other members; some of the crafts members frequently teach about include silversmithing, opal cutting, cabochon forming, wire wrapping, and beading, to name a few. Members who have young children or grandchildren with an interest in gems and minerals can join the Junior Rock Hounds club, where they can learn about minerals in the world around them as well as starting to learn about lapidary arts.
The Idaho Falls Gem & Mineral Show will be held April 12 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and 13 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Idaho Falls Recreation Center. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children 12 and under. To find out more about the show, you can contact show chair Gary Hayes at (208) 745-0403. The Gem & Mineral Society meets every second Monday of the month; you can join the society at the show, or contact club president Dave Gunderson at (208) 523-2355.