Gem World 2009

I had the good fortune this past weekend to be at Gem World 2009, the annual event sponsored by the Gem & Mineral Society of Syracuse. It was held at the New York State Fair Grounds in Syracuse, N.Y., and for the first time ever, included lectures, workshops and presentations on many different topics related to geology, gems, minerals, lapidary and beading.

The educational part of the show really had something for everybody. There were demonstrations for how to clean fossils, how to make arrowheads, and how to make lampwork glass beads. The lectures and presentations included a Native American sculptor who used stones for his work, a lecture about Malachite, a class on Herkimer diamonds, and prehistoric Mastodons found in the areas of Chemung and Hyde Park, N.Y. A kids' area included beaded bracelet making and a sluice where youngsters could really pan for gold.

And, of course, there were the beads. More gemstone beads in shapes and sizes than I had seen in one place in a long time, and most at fabulous prices. I picked up a strand of very unusual graduated pencil-shaped turquoise beads for a mere $10. I also purchased a pair of stunning Herkimer diamonds, something that I have coveted for years. These little beauties are destined to become a pair of earrings later this week.

The whole weekend was a great exercise in creativity as I perused the offerings of vendors who came from as far away as West Virginia and Ohio to central New York. It was an incredible variety of goods - mineral samples, finished jewelry, handmade jewelry, beads of every color, size, shape and material, hand-cut gemstone cabochons, loose gems, beading supplies, geodes, rocks and fossils were all offered for sale, and I found some wonderful deals on beautiful stones and beads. I challenged myself to think outside the box for this show - when I saw a beautiful pair of tiny fossilized ammonites, I wondered how I could turn them into a pair of earrings. Undaunted by their unusual shape and lack of stringing hole (coupled with my dismal wireworking skills), I bought them, determined to use beadwork to make them into earrings.

It has been quite a while since I was at a show like this one, but with it's close proximity to where I live,this is one show I will be sure to check out again next year. Anyone who is near the Syracuse, N.Y. area or plans to traveling to that area the second week in July each year should make a point of attending at least one day of the 2-day show. There is an admission charge, but it is good for both days of the show.

After years of traveling far and wide to attend shows like BeadFest and the Bead & Button show, I am so happy to have found this little gem of a show right in my own backyard.