Gem Club Expo is ready to rock

DEVOTEES of all things precious and shiny can look forward to the return of the two-day Bendigo Gem Club Expo, a colourful showcase of all the good things you can dig out of the ground.

Club president Helen Rothacker said the local gem collecting community is “delirious with delight” to be able to run “the premier Gem Expo in Victoria” again this year.

She said attendees can expect to see over 20 traders at the Expo with displays and sales of minerals, fossils, rough gemstones, crystals, synthetic gems, cabochon, faceted and carved stones and opals from Australia and overseas.

“We are very proud to offer it as an event to the people of Bendigo and further afield,” she said.

“The Gem Club members all pitch in to assist run this event, and it is totally in line with their great passion and enthusiasm for rocks, minerals and silversmithing. It is a great team building event for us that generates a lot of interest in our club.

“Bendigo Gem Club will have their own stall selling a fabulous collection of large minerals and fossils as well as slabbed stones ready for making into cabochons.

“Showcases will display bespoke handmade silver jewellery, faceted gems and cut stones all completed by our club members.”

The Expo will also feature kid’s activities such as gold panning, metal detecting and gem sifting, where each child leaves with their finds and goes in the draw for prizes donated by Bendigo Electronics and Miners Den.

It’s also an opportunity to pick up a rare find as many of the items on offer will only be on sale at the Expo.

“Most of the traders do not sell their products by any other method, so this opportunity to see the products is not available all the time,” Ms Rothaker said.

“Traders and club members are very knowledgeable about lapidary, faceting, casting and silversmithing, so it is a great opportunity to ask questions and be inspired.

“Every person needs a creative hobby in their life, and this Expo may open the door to this.”

The Bendigo Gem Club Expo is set for its return on the weekend of 19 and 20 February. Further information can be found on the Bendigo Gem Club Expo Facebook page.