City rock and mineral show a gem
It had everything you want from a rock show - lights, action and masters of their craft.
But there was no sex or drugs to be seen at the Palmerston North Rock and Mineral Club’s biennial show.
People from around the area packed into the Community Leisure Centre on Sunday to check out the club’s wares.
Club members had display cases featuring different kinds of rocks, while craftspeople were selling everything from jewellery to walking sticks.
There were also live demonstrations of stone polishing, while a tent showcasing fluorescent rocks was especially popular with children.
Club treasurer Ed Duggan said he got into rocks aged 9, when someone thought it would be a cool idea to go on a rock–scavenging trip.
His parents were also into the hobby, which people could get involved with in various ways.
Most were into ‘‘hounding’’ for rocks - getting out into the countryside and searching for good pieces - while buying rocks at shows was called ‘‘silver picking’’, he said.
Searching for rocks often involved going to farms or remote rural areas, which brought its own rewards.
‘‘My daughter used to just come along and take photos because she loved the views so much,’’ Duggan said.
Others would make jewellery, display pieces and even lampshades out of rocks, he said.
Different parts of New Zealand created different types of rock. While Coromandel was knows for its beautiful red and orange rocks, Canterbury was a good hounding ground for clear agates.
But what makes a good stone?
‘‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,’’ Duggan said.
‘‘Different coloured attract different people.’’
Some were fans of rocks with rocks marbled colouring, while others preferred more uniform colouration, he said.
For more images from the event, see page 5.