Paris Rock and Mineral Show

The Paris Rock and Mineral Show is one of southern Ontario’s          premier mineral events. For me, this is one of the better  shows,       missing only one thing, a communal place to enjoy coffee  and          watch the rockhounds mingle. Oh there’s chairs aplenty in the         hallway ajoining the two main venues and the auction room, but        what you see are the new arrivals and those lucky hounds leaving clutching bags of pretties that they’ve purchased. Whether you're an experienced rockhound, a budding geologist, or someone simply fascinated by the natural world, this is the place to be early april – after this weekend, serious collectors start looking to the wilderness for where they can find their own."

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"Located in the picturesque town of Paris, Ontario, this event  brings together collectors, vendors, and curious visitors from all corners of the region. For two exciting days, the show  becomes a hub of discovery, learning, and appreciation for the Earth's natural wonders." I myself met several youtubers  who watch caver 461 and also facebookers who are    contemplating a trip up to our Dark star Claim as soon as we give the go-ahead for booking. And yes we will begin scouting the claim Monday to determine its state of readiness for visiting collectors. And at the show there’s also the happiness of meeting old acquaintances and learning of their challenges. In the end the key players in Ontario’s mineral scene become fewer as time passes and others move up to challenge the           covetously guarded inner ranks. Simply put, there is a hierarchy of collectors and unless you have been around you’ll seldom realize it.

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"At any of the regional shows explore an incredible selection of specimens from across the globe – from sparkling crystals and gemstones to ancient fossils and rare minerals. I was especially taken by the Turkish epidote, a kind of olive green with sparkling quartz between the powdery crystals. Each piece, from amethyst to opal  has its own story to tell, some millions of years in the making. Marvel at their natural beauty, and discover the fascinating processes that formed them."

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"Meet passionate vendors who are eager to share their knowledge and expertise. I was intrigued by the Moroccan and afghani traditional silver and enamel. The vendor was from Mazar – sharif and we spoke briefly of the history and Taliban uprising at the fort on the edge of town. He had his own theories about the battle. At a place like this you meet people from all over the world, an exotic bazaar where you can haggle over cut, clarity and weight as though you were in an Indian market at the turn of the century.

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Most of these people are experts and much as they might not look at things from the scientific filter, they have a knowledge that’s honed by practical experience, born into the trade; shaped genetically. It’s good to hear things from their point of view. Speaking to a lady from Quebec who was selling fossils and bones of vanished species I learned of how the gases within the bones expanded when lifted from their watery grave and without great care they shatter. With decades of experience, these vendors will provide insight into the fascinating world of rocks, minerals, and fossils for the beginner and even seasoned rockhounds like Mark and I."

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Starting the year out the PDAc conference is one of the premier mining and prospecting events in the world. 27000 people in the mineral industry attend the Metro Toronto convention center to network and educate themselves. It’s sponsored by such giants as Rio Tinto, anglo American and BHP who make such lofty, but truthful proclimations as “Our products are essential ingredients in almost every aspect of modern life” (Anglo American) or we supply the metals and minerals used to help the world grow and decarbonizes (Rio tinto). Its basically the industrial end of what we’ere seeing here today, the practical use of the mineral version of most of these crystals that we are all so infatuated by on this gloomy Saturday morning.

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"Whether you’re an individual collector or a family on an educational adventure, these mineral exhibitions have something for everyone. And through the year several such events occur each month up until the premier event, the Bancroft Gemboree, officiated over by Rocky the rockhound,  iconic symbol for canada’s mineral capital. There at the  gemboree there’s  hands-on experience with a variety of interactive activities – gold panning, the outside traders and also  geologist led mineral tours I remember the one such tour that I took to the Richardson fission mine. It was good to meet others  who love the same things that I do and that brings me to the memory of the last presentation that I gave there and the ensuing trip to an abandoned uranium mine. It wasn’t planned, but there    seemed to be such eagerness around a field trip after the talk, its      exactly what we did.

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"Mineral shows are  the perfect opportunity to spark a love for geology in the up and coming generations. Basicly they are a starting point for young mineral enthusiasts to bud into top rate geologists. Visiting the show they’ll leave with a newfound appreciation for the Earth’s beauty and perhaps even a shiny rock or two to take home!"

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"The Paris, Ontario Rock and Mineral Show is more than just an event—it’s an experience – just as I say in my rockhound series of the Bancroft gemboree, "Where else can you haggle for a peridot, dispute the window in the bottom of the amethyst where the light is slipping out." “You cut it to shallow I tell to the vendor, how about $220, $280 seems a little steep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mineral shows are where collectors, families, and science lovers come together to celebrate the fascinating world beneath our feet."

"So mark your calendars! The KW gem and mineral show is but a few short weeks away and depending upon how the action is progressing on the Dark Star claim we may or may not see you there.