Rock & Gem Show Schedule of Events

Mar
25
2023

Gold Panning

Pan for simulated gold for free! Sponsored by the New Mexico Goldminers Association. You can also purchase panning sand with genuine gold from the NMGA! Visit their booth inside to learn more about gold panning from local experts and purchase equipment for your new favorite hobby.

Outside the rear doors of the Fair Barn

09:00 AM
12:00 PM
Sierra County Fair Barn
Mar
25
2023

Wire Wrapping/Weaving Demonstration

Watch an expert jeweler demonstrate wire wrapping or weaving of beautiful stones for jewelry. Trina of Trina’s Rock Shop in Deming, NM will create beauty before your eyes! At the rear of the Fair Barn.

09:00 AM
11:00 AM
Sierra County Fair Barn
Mar
25
2023

Field Trip

Gather at the front of the fair barn to depart for our rockhounding field trip to SCRAGS’ claim near Hatch, NM.

Find more details here.

10:00 AM
10:30 AM
Sierra County Fair Barn
Mar
25
2023

Presentation: What’s Going on Beneath Your Feet? Ore Deposits and Hot Springs in the Rio Grande Rift

Speaker: Dr. Virgil Leuth, Senior Mineralogist Emeritus, former Director, New Mexico Bureau of Geology Mineral Museum in Socorro, NM

12:00 PM
12:45 PM
Sierra County Fair Barn
Mar
25
2023

Sapphire Panning

Pan for Montana sapphires!

The sapphire-bearing gravel was mined in the Rock Creek mining district of Granite County, Montana.  An expert screener (“panner”) will pre-wash your sample – then the fun begins – you search the pile for these precious gems.

$5 per bag. Sapphire quantities are limited.

Outside the rear doors of the Fair Barn

02:00 PM
05:00 PM
Sierra County Fair Barn
Mar
25
2023

CANCELED Presentation: Fossils of Southwest New Mexico

We regret that this presentation has been canceled due to health issues.

02:00 PM
02:45 PM
Sierra County Fair Barn
Mar
25
2023

NEW Presentation: River Diving in the Deep South: Agatized Coral and Mammal Fossils

Speaker: Rick Schwartz

Rick is a hobbyist collector of gorgeous minerals and fossils off the Florida Coast.

02:00 PM
02:30 PM
Sierra County Fair Barn
Mar
25
2023

Presentation: How Do We Know? An Exploration Geologist’s Path for Mineral Identification Methods from Field to Laboratory

Speaker: Michael Eatough

Mike is retired geologist/physicist with over 35 years experience with X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and optical mineralogy.

03:00 PM
03:45 PM
Sierra County Fair Barn
Mar
26
2023

Sapphire Panning

Pan for Montana sapphires!

The sapphire-bearing gravel was mined in the Rock Creek mining district of Granite County, Montana.  An expert screener (“panner”) will pre-wash your sample – then the fun begins – you search the pile for these precious gems.

$5 per bag. Sapphire quantities are limited.

Outside the rear doors of the Fair Barn

10:00 AM
12:00 PM
Sierra County Fair Barn
Mar
26
2023

Field Trip

Gather at the front of the fair barn to depart for our rockhounding field trip to SCRAGS’ claim near Hatch, NM.

Find more details here.

10:00 AM
10:30 AM
Sierra County Fair Barn
Mar
26
2023

Presentation: Fluorescent Minerals of Southwest New Mexico

Speaker: Bruce Cox

Bruce is a mineral exploration geologist working in the western US for over 50 years. He began collecting fluorescent minerals in the 1960s; his collection emphasizes UV minerals from the Appalachian Mountains, Rocky Mountains and the desert Southwest.

01:00 PM
01:45 PM
Sierra County Fair Barn
Mar
26
2023

Gold Panning

Pan for simulated gold for free! Sponsored by the New Mexico Goldminers Association. You can also purchase panning sand with genuine gold from the NMGA! Visit their booth inside to learn more about gold panning from local experts and purchase equipment for your new favorite hobby.

Outside the rear doors of the Fair Barn

01:00 PM
04:00 PM
Sierra County Fair Barn
Mar
26
2023

Wire Wrapping/Weaving Demonstration

Watch an expert jeweler demonstrate wire wrapping or weaving of beautiful stones for jewelry. Trina of Trina’s Rock Shop in Deming, NM will create beauty before your eyes! At the rear of the Fair Barn.

12:00 PM
02:00 PM
Sierra County Fair Barn
Mar
26
2023

Presentation: How Do We Know? (Part 2): An Introduction to Scientific Methods for Identification of Minerals and Their Crystal Structure

Speaker: Michael Eatough

Mike is retired geologist/physicist with over 35 years experience with X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and optical mineralogy.

 

02:30 PM
03:15 PM
Sierra County Fair Barn