Minnesota Mineral Club to Host ‘Celebration of Agates’

Editor’s Note: The following announcement comes from the Minnesota Mineral Club.

From families and kids looking for an interesting hobby to lifetime rockhounds and agate collectors from across the country — rock lovers of all kinds are invited to attend “A Celebration of Agates” July 26 to 29, 2012, in Minnetonka. A rare opportunity to meet top agate collectors, dealers and authors from around the world, the event also will feature lectures, agate collections and displays. There will be something for everyone at this exciting, first-ever event in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Mineral Club is hosting the four-day event in conjunction with the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the Midwest Federation of Mineralogical and Geological Societies.

A Celebration of Agates will be held at Lindbergh Center at , 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. Seminars will be held on Thursday, July 26, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the agate show will run from Friday, July 27, through Sunday, July 29. Event hours are Friday, July 27, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, July 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Seminar day, Thursday, July 26, will feature more than a dozen internationally known speakers on topics such as agate formation and will focus on agates from specific regions, such as India and Morocco. The Lake Superior Agate, Minnesota’s state gemstone, will be prominently featured as well. Attendees must preregister for seminar day via a form on the Minnesota Mineral Club website: www.minnesotamineralclub.org.

Prominent speakers will give lectures and authors of books on agates will appear at book signings throughout the three-day show.

Forty-two dealers will feature agates of every shape, color and size from around the world, minerals, fossils, lapidary equipment and jewelry. At least 80 different agate collections will be on display, some entered in an official competition.

Cost to attend the agate show is $5 per person, with children accompanied by adult attending free of charge. Parking is provided free of charge. Concessions will be available.

More information is available online at: www.minnesotamineralclub.org.