Nature’s treasures go on show

THE Ballarat Gem, Crystal, Mineral and Fossil Show takes place this Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August at the Victoria Bowling Club.

The Ballarat Gem and Lapidary Club is hosting the show that will feature traders displaying and selling nature’s treasures including minerals, gems and fossils, with refreshments available on-site.

 

“Our show has roughly 12 traders and they sell everything from gems, minerals, crystals, fossils, statues of carved stone from Africa, [and] opal,” Ballarat Gem and Lapidery Club vice president Mark Sacco said.

“We have fossils that range in value from $5 right through to $2000. We have a wide variety of fossils and a lot of the jewellery is handmade.

“We cater for the amateur collector to the experienced collector. Normally people are very specific in what they collect,” said Sacco, a keen fossil collector whose own collection includes many fossils from overseas – “mainly Indonesia and Morocco.”

“This will be our 11th year for the show. We usually get close to over 1000 people from all around the state.

“We also have displays of silver-smithing and demonstrations in faceting stone so you end up with something like a ring or pendant.

“We will also have information about our gem club. We have about 50 members and we always welcome new members. We go on excursions during warmer months. We try to go somewhere at least once a month.

“You’re seeing nature at its best. These things we are selling and displaying are millions of years old. Come along have a chat. The place is heated and we’ve got hot food, cold food.

“We are a not-for-profit organisation and the money we make from our show keeps our club going for the next year. Our members range in age from from 13 and 14 to people in their 80s.”

The show will be open from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, and 9am to 3pm on Sunday.