MONROE - Rocks of every shape and size, some of them rarely found and others made into jewelry, were available to see Saturday and Sunday at Monroe High School.
The Badger Lapidary and Geological Society's 38th annual Mineral, Gem and Fossil Show was back in town and people who either collect gems and rocks or just want to look at them had a chance to see a little bit of everything.
Most of the exhibitors have collected their precious gems over the course of several years. Some found the stones and gems themselves but others have paid for their collections.
Either way, there were rarities at the show that caught the attention of visitors.
Craig Heinze, Schaumburg, Ill., has been a collector for 25 years.
Some of his rare gems came from Brazil, Argentina and Africa.
There were stones of every shape and color at his display booth. Some of the crystals had air bubbles in them, which made them even more rare. Some of them were cut into heart-shaped rocks.
Larry DeMars, Marshall, said he's collected gems and rocks for more than 30 years.
"I was interested in rock collecting when I was a child," he said.
Whether rock collecting is an inexpensive or expensive hobby depends on how much a person wants to spend, he said. If they want rocks that are rare, or if they want to cut a stone into a specific shape, it will cost them money, he said. But if someone wants to look for rocks that are just pretty to look at, they can look for them anywhere.
The show has become one of the more popular shows for people who enjoy collecting rocks and gems.
Families attended the event and both children and adults were excited to see some of the rare gems on display.
Kids also enjoyed panning for gold and finding that shiny piece of metal among the sand.
The Badger Lapidary and Geological Society's 38th annual Mineral, Gem and Fossil Show was back in town and people who either collect gems and rocks or just want to look at them had a chance to see a little bit of everything.
Most of the exhibitors have collected their precious gems over the course of several years. Some found the stones and gems themselves but others have paid for their collections.
Either way, there were rarities at the show that caught the attention of visitors.
Craig Heinze, Schaumburg, Ill., has been a collector for 25 years.
Some of his rare gems came from Brazil, Argentina and Africa.
There were stones of every shape and color at his display booth. Some of the crystals had air bubbles in them, which made them even more rare. Some of them were cut into heart-shaped rocks.
Larry DeMars, Marshall, said he's collected gems and rocks for more than 30 years.
"I was interested in rock collecting when I was a child," he said.
Whether rock collecting is an inexpensive or expensive hobby depends on how much a person wants to spend, he said. If they want rocks that are rare, or if they want to cut a stone into a specific shape, it will cost them money, he said. But if someone wants to look for rocks that are just pretty to look at, they can look for them anywhere.
The show has become one of the more popular shows for people who enjoy collecting rocks and gems.
Families attended the event and both children and adults were excited to see some of the rare gems on display.
Kids also enjoyed panning for gold and finding that shiny piece of metal among the sand.