Logo courtesy of the Feather River Lapidary and Mineral Society

CHICO, CA (MPG) - Rock, mineral and jewelry enthusiasts will have a chance to browse thousands of specimens, handcrafted pieces and family activities when the 18th annual Rock, Gem and Jewelry Show returns to the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds on Sept. 19 and 20.

Hosted by the Feather River Lapidary and Mineral Society, the two-day event will feature more than 40 vendors from across the western United States offering finished jewelry, polished rocks, minerals, fossils and lapidary supplies. Club members also will display handcrafted items, including necklaces, beadwork, silversmithing and decorative rain chains.

The show will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20. Admission is $6, and children 16 and younger will be admitted free.

Visitors can also view special exhibits featuring Worldwide Tumbling Contest winners, thundereggs, Blue Forest petrified wood and other geological specimens.

Family activities are planned throughout the weekend, including geode cutting, a treasure wheel, a kids volcano activity and door prize drawings every 30 minutes. Silent auctions for adults and children will feature a variety of rock and mineral specimens. The first 200 children through the gates each day will receive a free shark tooth necklace.

The event has become a regional attraction, drawing collectors from throughout Northern California and neighboring Nevada. Organizers reported attendance of more than 3,000 people at last year's show.

The Feather River Lapidary and Mineral Society, based in Oroville, hosts the event each year to promote interest in geology, gems and the art of cutting and polishing stones. The organization also offers monthly meetings, rockhounding field trips, classes and access to its rock shop, where members can learn lapidary techniques and create their own jewelry.

During the event, the society also will award scholarships to Northern California students pursuing studies in earth science. Additional information, including a $1 admission discount coupon, is available at www.featherriverrocks.org.