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ROCKHOUNDER'S GEM AND MINERAL SHOW

September 5, 2010

'It's amazing what nature can create'

By Keith Edwards kedwards@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- Nature's beauty took center stage at this rock show.

click image to enlarge

Denise Goodheart, of Vassalboro, left, and Sheila Hall, of Richmond, look at items on display at the Rockhounder's Gem and Mineral Show on Saturday at the Augusta State Armory. The show continues Sunday. Both women said that they planned to make jewelry with what their finds.

Staff photo by Joe Phelan

click image to enlarge

Parise Chamberland, left, watches as her daughter Megan Chamberland shows her two specimens that she is considering buying for her collection while shopping at the Rockhounder's Gem and Mineral Show on Saturday at the armory in Augusta. The show continues Sunday.

Staff photo by Joe Phelan

Hundreds of people checked out the many designs and colors created by natural forces, and in many cases tweaked by craftsmen, at the Rockhounder's Gem and Mineral Show Saturday at the Augusta State Armory.

"It's amazing what nature can create," said Parise Chamberland, of Winthrop, while looking at some of the items her daughter, Megan, had picked up Saturday to add to her collection. The collection sits on shelving Megan made with her dad.

"They look cool," Megan said of the myriad of gems, rocks and minerals on display and for sale at the event. The Chamberlands have also gone out rock-hunting on their own, at the popular rock-hunting area of Paris, Maine.

Searching nature for new finds is the favorite part of the hobby for Ron LePage, chairman of the show, an owner of Ronnate Minerals of Waterville, and an official with the Kennbec Rocks and Minerals Club, organizer of the show.

"I'm a mineral collector," LePage said from behind his booth containing countless rocks, gems and other items on sale. "I'd rather go out on a nice, sunny day and dig up rocks. It's a fascinating hobby. It's fun going out there and finding something new, that nobody has found before."

LePage explained to a man holding a piece of tourmaline, who asked where such beauty comes from, that over time, minerals seep into rock and crystallize. It can take hundreds, even thousands, of years.

"This stuff doesn't happen over night," LePage said.

This year's was the 21st annual show. The club is celebrating its 50th year. The show was dedicated to the late Priscilla Mae Chavarie, former owner of the Winthrop Mineral Shop, a founder of the club.

The club sponsors the show, meets regularly, and goes on monthly rock-hounding field trips.

LePage said there are 18 dealers at the show, from as far away as Ohio.

The show continues today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $2.

Denise Goodheart, of Vassalboro, shopped for pieces she hopes to wrap in wire and turn into jewelry.

"I'm going to practice on sea glass first, then try to make something nice out of it," she said of her purchases. "I like natural stones, odd shapes. Whatever comes to the eye. I'm like a crow."

Keith Edwards -- 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com

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