The Denver Gem & Mineral Showcase, with eleven shows open September 8-17 for dazzling and inspiring awe (and for spending gobs of cash) is on target to be one of the best in years.
What’s new? There
will be a new fine mineral show at the National Western Complex, called simply
the Denver Mineral Show.
What’s changing? The
longstanding Colorado Mineral & Fossil Show has changed ownership and will
be at a new location. Welcome aboard new owner, Sandra Gonzales; and a
heartfelt, sad goodbye to Marty Zinn and his great staff (Regina, Rose and
Laura). CMFS will no longer be at the Radisson on 48th and Bannock, but is
moving to the Crowne Plaza Hotel at 15500 E. 40th Ave — 11 miles east on I-70
and a 22-minute drive.
What’s not to miss?
The original show, the Denver Gem & Mineral Show at the Denver Mart, 451 E.
58th Ave. — known to some as the “Main Event” — is celebrating its 50th
Anniversary this year with an apt theme of “Gold and Silver”!
The Denver Showcase is the second largest multi-show event of its kind
in the U.S., second only to the 40-show Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil
Showcase, which is held over a 2½ week period in January and February each
year. In fact, if gem shows or showcases are rated in size by their total
number of vendors, the Denver Showcase is the fourth largest in the world:
Tucson has 4,000, Munich (DE) has 2,000, Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines (FR) has 1,000,
and Denver has 900.
But back to the “Main Event,” the original Denver Gem &
Mineral Show — which is why I’m really writing this article in the first place.
The show theme is chosen each year by the Greater
Denver Area Gem & Mineral Council, the not-for-profit group that produces
the Denver Gem & Mineral Show (more on the Council at the end of the
article), is often observed by participating exhibitors and speakers, so attendees
of the show this year will be learning a lot about the geology and all the
different forms and unique qualities of gold and silver. Here are a few things
to look for at this year’s Denver show:
- The Gold Prospectors of Colorado will offer hands on gold
panning for kids, giving them a chance to connect with the history of the
area and to learn the techniques of the original Colorado gold prospectors.
- Many local as well as a few out-of-state museums will
have displays on exhibit with gold and silver specimens from their
collections. In fact, many of the featured museum curators can be found on
the show floor discussing their exhibits and answering visitors’
questions. Look for a schedule in the show program or ask a show committee
volunteer how you can “Meet the Curators.”
- Kids and adults alike (but especially kids!) love Mr.
Bones, as he walks throughout the show in the full skeleton of a T-Rex.
Exhibits
Exhibits
are at the heart of all “club shows” and are right in line with most clubs’
mission statements to educate. The Denver Gem & Mineral Show provides a
rare opportunity for local and regional institutions, but also groups all over
the country and around the world, to showcase their gem, mineral fossil collections
and discuss the pieces in their exhibit with attending visitors. At the same
time, exhibits provide visitors with the motivation and examples for starting,
advancing, and/or ideas about how to curate their own collections.
The nearly 100 competitive and noncompetitive
exhibits feature the latest mineral and fossil finds from around the world as
well as world-class specimens reflecting the show theme. Competitors vie for
awards honoring the Best of Show in a number of categories, including:
- Best Specimens (in a number of
categories)
- Best Fossil
- Best Institutional Case
- Best Individual Case
Among
these coveted awards, the Prospector, Junior Prospector, and Club Prospector
trophies are awarded to the best personally collected specimens found during
the prior twelve months. The prestigious Pearl Trophy is awarded to the best
specimen entered into a special competition named for Richard Pearl, noted
author of Colorado Gem Trails and Mineral
Guide, among many other mineral books.
Lectures
and Seminars
Expert speakers offer talks and lectures on a variety of topics and are usually centered on the show theme. Audiences are treated to geologic histories, travel journals, collecting stories, and technical perspectives, which provide back-stories and cultural context to collecting and collections. The intimate setting provides ample opportunity for Q&A sessions following talks with the invited field of experts and local luminaries. The seminar schedule is included in the show admission fee, and seating is available on a first-come-first-served basis. The list of speakers at the Denver Show have not yet been announced (at publishing of this Directory), but follow the show’s Facebook Page for updates of Special Exhibits and Speakers. https://www.facebook.com/denvershow.org/
The Greater Denver Area Gem & Mineral Council
The Denver
area is home to an enthusiastic community of collectors many of whom are
members of one (or more) of eight local gem, mineral and fossil clubs. These
clubs make up the not-for-profit Greater Denver Area Gem & Mineral Council,
which, in turn, puts on the annual Denver Gem & Mineral Show. Each club
variously brings speakers to the area, offers children’s programs, and hosts
field trips, symposia, shows, auctions and social events. Many club events are
open to the public, and should you decide to join a club, fees are modest.
The eight seals in the photo represent the eight clubs that make up the Greater Denver Area Gem & Mineral Council. Go to www.denvershow.org/wp/clubs/, where you can link to any of the clubs’ websites.