The Mother Lode Mineral Society (MLMS) is holding their 48th Annual Gem, Jewelry and Rock Show March 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Stanislaus Fairgrounds.
“So many people in the community aren’t able to go to a museum and see the types of things we have at our show,” Terry McMillin, Co-Chairman for the MLMS, said. “Our goal is to educate the public about earth science.”
In this show, guests are able to walk around and see the beauty that others have made using nature. Exhibit cases, vendors, special guests and other unique exhibits fill the two large buildings booked for this event.
Showcasing over eighty exhibit cases throughout the show, guests can peruse the different types of jewelry, rocks, minerals and other one-of-a-kind pieces for hours.
Cases like Bob Rush’s Obsidian Display will show off a personal collection of obsidian in all shapes, sizes and textures.  Necklaces made of jade and other beautiful minerals will hang on display as well.
Vendors line the edges of the exhibit building, so guests are sure to find something that catches their eye. There will be everything from arrow tips to jade knives.
The event will also feature special guest speaker Richard Wade, the creator of ScienceTalks.com.
Wade will be giving two different speeches on March 8. The first – an astronomy talk – will be at 1 p.m. and the second – a dinosaur talk – will be at 3 p.m.
If you don’t catch him on Saturday, you can still see another dinosaur talk on March 9 at 1:30 p.m.
The show boasts several special exhibits— like the Fluorescent Tent show, which teaches viewers the “magic” of how rocks can transform from gray to vibrant neon colors.
“The part that I find most interesting is the fluorescents, because we can talk about the chemistry aspect or just the beauty,” Mike Whittier, Geology professor, said. “I hope for my students and others to be able to see the spectacular nature of minerals and what can be done with them.”
A new addition to the show is the Black Hole Imaging Tunnel that will show off Robert Caton’s astrophotography of nebulas and other space phenomena. Lights placed behind the photographs make the stars pop, almost realistically.
Other activities included in the show are panning for gold, soapstone carving and bracelet making.
The event is open to all age groups. Tickets are $6 for adults and free for children 12 and under. For more information, visit turlockgemshow.com.