Crater Gem and Mineral Show

By Margi Jenks

  Are you a collector of beautiful rock and mineral specimens? Or, do you like jewelry made of natural stones? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, then come to the Crater Gem and Mineral Show on Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 8:00AM to 4:00PM. 

  We will have artisans and dealers, both local and regional, displaying and selling rocks, minerals, gems, and jewelry. One of our interpreters will be available to answer your lapidary questions about turning our Crater rocks into fine jewelry pieces. Mr. Michael Howard, staff geologist with the Arkansas Geological Survey and an expert mineralogist/Arkansas rockhound, will also have a booth. You can ask him questions about the places to find Arkansas gems, as well as bring him rocks, minerals, and gems for identification.  

  The show will be set up on the upper patio deck of the Diamond Discovery Center and also the grassy area as you head out to the diamond search area. Admission to the show is free, but you will still need to pay the usual fees to go out on the search area to look for diamonds. 

  Be sure to also mark your June calendar for this year’s John Huddleston Day celebration on Saturday, June 19^th. The celebration will include fun and games for the entire family. If you wish to participate in the Treasure Hunt located out on the diamond search area, you will need to buy the usual search area admission tickets. However, if you find one of the orange containers, the prizes inside, including Crater diamonds and gift certificates for area merchants, will more than make up for the cost of those tickets. The other games for young and old are free and also have some great prizes. And, don’t forget the free ice-cold watermelon, which then leads to the always-popular, watermelon seed spitting contest.

  So, make your plans to come to the Crater for these special events, and, who knows you might also find one of our famous diamonds!

Search area last plowed: April 23, 2010, Last major rain: May 14, 2010

Total diamonds so far in 2010 - 204

Diamonds registered May 9^th to May 16th  (100 pts. = 1 carat):

May 10 - Angela Whorton, Roanoke, TX, 2 pt. white; Beth Gilbertson, Salida, CO, 15 pt. white

May 11 - Ed Hansen, Rockvale, CO, 71 pt. yellow

May 12, 13, 14 - No diamonds registered

May 15 - John Boring, Tucson, AZ, 31 pt. yellow

May 16 - Annah Middleton, Murfreesboro, AR, 3 pt. white