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Rocks shine at Aldergrove show

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Rocks are often something overlooked, something people walk over.

But some people pause to look down and see their uniqueness.

The members of the Fraser Valley Rock and Gem Club are hosting their annual show and sale this weekend to show their diverse and unique rocks, crystals, minerals, jewelry and gems.

The annual show runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 21 and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the Old Age Pensioners Hall, 3015 273rd St.

Admission is by donation.

There’s a silent auction, door prizes will be given out throughout the day, and there will be displays, dealers with their creations, and demonstrations.

The artisans on site showing their skills include beading and carving.

The Ladies of the Royal Purple will have a lunch counter.

Rozalia Brown, president of the club, said the event attracts a few hundred people.

“We have lots of elderly people who come and look around,” she explained.

And it’s a good family outing that can have an impact, getting kids interested in science.

“It’s a very interesting opportunity for children,” Brown explained. “From loving rocks, the can go into any field.”

Lots of people attend the show just to see the rocks, gems and creativity of the club members but people can also find out about joining the club while there. The club has about 70 members from throughout the region.

They meet once a month to learn new skills.

So where do the rocks come from? Often they are something that catches the members’ eyes while out and about.

Rock collecting is nothing new.

Brown noted that a place near Chilliwack is where, during the Second World War, quartz was obtained for radio sets.

The club also organizes field trips for members to find pieces.

Club appointees will scout out field trip locations and permissions have been obtained for any private lands. On public lands, people can collect a few stones but cannot do what’s considered mining, such as bringing in equipment for intensive work.

Brown said going along on club outings makes it easier for people to do their rock picking legally.

And it means being able to take advantage of the expertise of the many longtime members who can, for example, show the group good places to pan for gold or even find jade in the Fraser River.



Heather Colpitts

About the Author: Heather Colpitts

Since starting in the news industry in 1992, my passion for sharing stories has taken me around Western Canada.
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