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Have you ever picked up a rock and wondered what it was? At the Rock and Gem show held March 23-25, 2007 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, vendors from all over the U.S. were available to answer questions and offer their wares which ranged from rough, uncut gemstones to finished jewelry and beyond.

The setting was indoor-outdoor with the outdoor vendors situated in a campground-like pattern resembling a large gathering at a national park. Awnings lined the lanes to cover and protect the pieces offered. The awnings also provided shade for the vendors on a beautifully sun-drenched weekend. The warm weather was perfect for this event — not too hot, not too cold.

Frank Sterling, 82, of Sterling Enterprises presented gemstone and mineral specimens along with a large variety of handcrafted gemstone spheres ranging in size from about 2 inches to well over 6 inches. Frank showed me a tray of hand-sculpted gemstone pendants artfully created by his bride, Lavonia, which included an exquisite Fire Opal which had been wire wrapped in Sterling Silver.

Lavonia had a large variety of wire sculptures available for sale. The Sterling’s ‘RV-front’ store offered hospitality, fine craftsmanship, and affordable masterpieces to the many visitors that came by over the course of the show. They even offered a taste of honey so tasty that leaving their booth without purchasing a jar proved impossible for me. Frank even gave me a wonderful Calcite sphere which he personally formed.

JS Gems operated an indoor booth offering lapidary equipment, jewelers tools, and many hand-crafted jewelry pieces created by Susana Wease. To see the many tool options available to those interested in extending a fascination for the lapidary arts to a more hands-on involvement, go to jsgemslapidary.com where you will find everything you need to get outfitted in lapidary equipment at discount prices.

Digging for buried treasure, winning items by purchasing chances on a spinning wheel, multiple drawings for great prizes and especially the opportunity to mingle with lapidary experts offered activities to excite visitors of all ages.

Buena Vista Museum of Natural History presented local artifacts from Kern County including fossils, teeth and bones from Sharktooth Hill. Kern County is home to over 100 square miles of fossil beds from the Miocene Epoch. The purpose of the Buena Vista Museum is to promote the scientific and educational aspects of earth history, particularly paleontology, geology, anthropology and biology. The museum promotes public education by preserving and displaying the natural history of our area through public education, research, and by serving as a repository for fossils and other natural history items. The museum is the repository of the largest collection of Sharktooth Hill Miocene fossils in the world. For more information, visit sharktoothhill.org

Sometimes a box (or bucket) of rocks is not synonymous with the lack of intelligence. At one booth, you could select a rock for $15 and the vendor would cut it in half for you. If there was nothing inside of any beauty, you could select again. In some cases the rough exterior of the selected rock would reveal exquisite geodes or other gems with many rings of color clearly visible. The whole process reminded me of relating to other people. Sometimes it’s just a matter of getting through the rough exterior to reveal the real jewel inside. (though I would not advocate cutting anyone in half.)

As I left, I wondered what fun the vendors would have when the public went home. I had a great time at a great show and can't wait to attend the next show May 5th and 6th at the Kern County Fairgrounds.

For pictures taken at the show, visit stoneagejewels.com/Show307