The 56th Annual Golden Gateway To Gems
Saturday, August 7, 2009 - 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sunday, August 8, 2009 - 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
At the San Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park
(The Hall of Flowers) - adjacent to Strybing Arboritum
Just inside the park entrance at Ninth Ave. & Lincoln Way
(Click for a map)
Easy access on MUNI - (Click for Muni lines)
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In the world of gems and minerals, the color pink is highly coveted and sought after. As a soft hue it is easily lost under the bolder overtones brought to fore by the more common trace elements that color most of the stones we find in nature. In short, pink usually implies greater purity, rarity and value. And yet, for it's rareness there is an abundance of pink to be found in many varieties of gem and mineral materials. Amoung the gems there are pink sapphires, tourmaline, topaz, diamonds, beryl (Morganite), garnet, quartz, spodumine (Kunzite), pearls, spinel and more - all topping the value charts of their respective variety. Pink rocks and minerals include rhodonite, rhodochrosite, calcite, dolomite, rose quartz, agates, jasper, felspar, flourite... and the list goes on and on. This year we turn our focus towards the spectacular realm of Pink. Join us at this year's show and see dazzling gems, world-class minerals and beautifully crafted jewelry and lapidary arts in every color, and especially pink! |
 Cobaltian Dolomite |
Discounts Available
The show is $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors and students. Children under 12 are free with paid adult. A discount is available with a show flyer - click below for a printable copy. Just bring it with you to the show and present it when paying for $1.00 off the admission price!
Click here for show flyer which can be used for $1.00 off adult admission at the show
Valuable Raffle Prizes!
Every paid attendee at the show is eligible and invited to enter in our raffle for valuable prizes at the end of the show. You don't need to be present to win these prizes, just fill out an entry form at the information desk inside the show. A drawing from these raffle tickets will be held at the end of the show and the winners will be notified. This year the prizes are worth thousands of dollars - making each $3.50 raffle ticket an excellent bargain - and you can buy as many tickets as you like!
Click on a picture for more information about this year's raffle prizes. |
A fine specimen of Calcite, Pyrite and Quartz crystals. Collected in Meknes, Morocco. Size is 5" by 4". Donated by Ione Brain (Originally donated by Oxcart Minerals of Vida OR). Approximate value is $100. Click on picture for larger and additional views. |
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A wonderful (and very pink) rhodonite bead necklace and pendant set in sterling silver. 20-inches in length. Donated by Jan Van Klaveren. Approximate value is $115. Click on picture for larger and additional views. |
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A meticulously crafted hand-woven bracelet with gold & silver vermeil clasp. Fabricated and donated by member Jennifer Mack The estimated value of this piece is well in excess of $200. Click on picture for larger and additional views. |
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A rose quartz necklace with sterling clasp, sterling silver and Swarovski crystal accents Fabricated and donated by member Mary Sue Bucher. Click on picture for larger and additional views. |
Additional Show Prizes!
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Freeform rutilated smokey quartz - cut by member Joe Dempsey Mounted in sterling silver ring - fabricated by member Robert Andrini. Click on picture for larger and additional views. |
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Freeform smokey quartz - cut by member Joe Dempsey Mounted in sterling silver pendant w/CZ - fabricated by member Robert Andrini. Click on picture for larger and additional views. |
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Freeform jadite cabochon - cut by member Joe Dempsey Mounted in sterling silver ring - fabricated by member Robert Andrini. Click on picture for larger and additional views. |
Exhibits
Dozens of exhibitors will display their collections of rocks, gems, minerals and crystals, jewelry and lapidary work.
Door Prizes!
Paid attendees also receive a door prize ticket on entry to the show giving them a chance to win door prizes. There's no extra charge, but you must be present to win and claim a door prize when ticket numbers are announced. There will be at least one door prize drawing every hour throughout the show.
Gem, Mineral and Lapidary Dealers
There will be dozens of rock, gem and jewelry vendors offering everything from rough lapidary and gem materials, to fine specimens, to beautiful and unique jewelry that you'll never find at the mall. Many offer books and tools for those wanting to learn about lapidary arts and jewelry-making. Don't miss this once-a-year chance to obtain your hearts desire at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco!
Demonstrations & Lectures
There will be live demonstrations in lapidary arts and jewelry fabricating techniques, and free lectures with renowned experts on many topics of interest in the gem and mineral world!
Rock, Mineral and Gem Identification
Stump the Experts!
Bring in those unidentified rocks and minerals! We will have a booth with rock and gem "experts." courtesy of The Bay Area Minerologists (BAM) to identify those mystery rocks and minerals that have kept you awake endless nights!
Show Poster
Click on image to see our poster for the 2010 show
Easily accessible on the following MUNI lines:
Lines 44 and 71 Stop at Ninth & Lincoln Way (at park entrance)
Line "N" Stops at Ninth & Irving (just one block from park entrance)
Lines 6, 66 and 43 Stop at Ninth & Judah (two short blocks from park entrance)
There's also parking in the park's underground parking garage!
Parking is available in the new Music Concourse Garage. The north entrance of the Music Concourse Parking is from Fulton St. at 10th Ave. The south entrance (closer to the show) is at Concourse Dr. and Martin Luther King Dr. inside the park, just north of the Hall of Flowers (about a one block walk).
