Tammye Sundholm and Makayla Loper set up the junior silent auction in the Kids Corner for last year's Gem and Mineral Show at the Hermiston Conference Center.

By TAMMY MALGESINI

The Hermiston Herald

Sparkly crystals, thunder eggs, petrified wood, agates and jewelry will be among the featured items during the upcoming Gem & Mineral Show.

Rockhounds of all ages are invited to attend “Natures Treasures Under Foot,” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 17 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 18 at the Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Highway 395.

Mike Filarski, vice president of the Hatrockhound Gem & Mineral Society and show chairman, said a little of everything will be available including things specifically for children.

“We have what we call our ?Kids Corner,’ where we have a couple of different games with rocks and petrified wood and agates as prizes,” Filarski said. “We also have a silent auction for the kids.”

Filarski renewed his childhood interest in gems and minerals while stationed at the Naval Bombing Range near Boardman from 1998 to 2000.

He found agates, obsidian, jasper and chert.

“I’ve always been a rockhound at heart from the time I was a little kid,” Filarski said.

Gem dealers will be selling gems, jewelry and display pieces.

“I know we have one vendor that sells figurines and other miscellaneous items pyramids and small spheres,” he said.

Filarski also said rough-cut materials and unfinished materials will be available for purchase. He said people can polish the pieces and have a wide array of choices of what to do with them.

The vendors have donated most of the door prizes, including jewelry, cut gems and various gems and minerals.

The show also will include books, equipment, demonstrations and an Oregon rock display.

Cost of the event is $2 for adults. Children under 15 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

“I think there’s a rockhound inside each one of us whether it’s the gems and jewelry or some of the other materials we display,” Filarski said.