About the Timpanogos Gem & Mineral Society
The Timpanogos Gem & Mineral Society would like to introduce our organization to you and tell you a little about our annual “Rock & Gem Show”.
We are a non-profit organization of people who are interested in the general fields of Geology, Mineralogy and Paleontology. We actively collect various types of rocks, minerals and invertebrate fossils. Some of us collect for the display of specimens, other to cut, polish or facet suitable rocks and minerals, which are often fashioned into beautiful silver & gold jewelry.
In this process, club members have amassed fantastic collections of these materials, and along with them, a vast amount of scientific knowledge about how these wonders were formed, and about their place in our world. Every year for the past 50 years, our club presents a three day indoor show.
At this show we have hundreds of displays of collections and demonstrations of the various techniques of how we transform plain old rocks and fossils into specimens of beauty. We also have knowledgeable folks staffing booths displaying areas of special interest, who enjoy presenting and discussing information about their various fields. We have a large display table with specimens of over a hundred types of rocks and minerals that can actually be touched or picked up to examine. And you can even view these same minerals under a special ultra-violet or “black light” display that transforms their looks and color into a real fairyland of colors. Our prime interest in presenting the show is to share this vast store of knowledge and natural beauty with the general public . . . Especially the younger members of our communities! It is really amazing to talk to scientists and professionals in these and related fields whose early interest was aroused or focused by picking up or seeing a pretty rock, crystal or fossil.
Our annual show is scheduled each year for mid-March. We hold this Gem & Mineral Show at the Rodeo/Fair Grounds in Spanish Fork, inside the indoor Tennis Court on the north side of the Fair Grounds. Traditionally, we have designated Friday as the day we invite youth groups, such as school natural science classes, craft classes and scouting groups to participate with us as a school or group-sponsored field trip. Groups are given a special guided tour through our educational displays and demonstration areas. We also have vendors who make mineral specimens, fossils and various collectible and related items available. We have a catering service that has great fast food, snacks and drinks available. Groups are welcome anytime during the weekend, but will be specially catered to on Friday.
We even have real live moving articulated dinosaur skeletons . . . that move around the hall, compliments of a Colorado Teacher who goes by the name of . . . . MR. BONES.
This letter is to inform you of this up coming event, so that any interested teachers or youth-group leaders, can make plans for a field trip with their classes or groups to attend the Gem & Mineral Show in Spanish Fork. So that we can better coordinate with you. If any of your teachers or youth group leaders wish to participate, we would appreciate an RSVP so we can set up a 30-minute guided tour of our show after which we encourage you to stay and have fun.
We encourage your school or youth group to take advantage of these guided tours.
For further information and/or to schedule your tour, please contact us.
The Timpanogos Gem & Mineral Society
