The Lincoln Gem and Mineral Club's 62nd Annual Gem and Mineral Show, "Agates Around the World," is this weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Thousands are expected to attend with dozens of venders selling gems and minerals. Guest demonstrators will also be present to teach their lapidary specialties.
The Lincoln Gem and Mineral Club itself hosts multiple exhibits as well. This year they are featuring a fluorescent display, a youth area, and a Nebraska gem dig for the kids.
Here are the quick details:
- Where: Lancaster Event Center, 84th & Havelock (in the Lincoln Room), Lincoln, NE
- When: Saturday, April 2, 9am-5pm & Sunday, April 3,10am-5pm
- Cost: $6 per adult per day; $11 for a 2-day adult pass; children under 11 free with paid adult
- Coupon: $1 discount on admission with 1 can donation to the Food Bank of Lincoln
- Parking is Free
Gem and Mineral Shows are great for all ages and for people of all levels of gem and mineral knowledge and experience - from beginner to Geologist Professor.
The vendors work hard to show gems and minerals from all over the world at these shows. It's a guaranteed good time for everyone.
"Agates around the World" is the Lincoln Show's theme this year, but what is an agate?
Agate is a common rock formation consisting mainly of Chalcedony and Quartz. Agates can have many colors, shapes, and sizes. Hundreds of different types of Agates exist across the world.
Some Agates, like the South Dakota Fairburn Agate, have colorful banding. Agates with banding can be very collectable.
Dendritic Agates have inclusions that create what look like brain cells inside the stone. Dendrite is Greek for brain or nerve cells. Collectors think Dendritic Agates are super pretty. Lapidary artists turn this type of Agate into slabs, arrowheads, and cabochons, which are little stones used for jewelry.
The Nebraska State Rock is the Prairie Agate. This type of Agate can be found across the western Side of the state. Prairie Agates are made of Variegate Quartz and also have unique banding.
As a rock lover myself, my interested in gem and minerals all started with Agates. I love collecting them. I am now tumbling and cutting Agates, and it's a very rewarding hobby. It's awesome that Nebraska is full of these cool looking rocks. So much so, that I just had to go out and find a Nebraska Prairie Agate myself! Collecting Agates is a great hobby for Nebraskans.
Find out more about the Lincoln Gem and Mineral Club on their website at https://www.lincolngemmineralclub.org/
Like the Lincoln Gem and Mineral Club Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/Lincoln-Gem-Mineral-Club-166690166724041
Finally follow the Club's fun and interactive Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/223555904325876/
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