The countdown is well under way. If you haven’t marked the date yet, do so. You wouldn’t want to miss our show this year:

[waiting name=”Gem Show”]

Our annual show is scheduled for the Saturday 2^nd March (8.30am – 4pm) and Sunday 3^rd March (8.30am – 3pm).  Bracken Ridge State High school is kindly leaving their premises to us (at Barfoot St, Bracken Ridge)

There will be gem traders, jewellery making tools, gems (faceted and roughs), minerals (specimens, cabbed & carved stones and rough material) as well as a wide variety of opals and jewellery.

The popular fossicking area for kids will be there and no one is too old to try their hand.

Our kitchen fairies are working hard at supplying you with food (burger, sausages, sandwiches and cakes).

The theme this year revolves around imitates and man-made /synthetic gems and minerals. We are working on a display to allow you to look at samples of synthetics and the natural stones.

The items submitted for the Presidents challenges in faceting, cabbing and jewellery making will be on display.

Yes, after a few teething problems we are now in the last steps of fine tuning our annual Gem and Jewellery Show. All trader tables have been filled and we have some exciting new dealers coming to our show this year.

This post together with the previous one is somewhat overdue. Our Gem and Jewellery Festival has been and gone for another year. Before we start planning the show for 2019 we are taking a short break to look at what we have achieved:

One of our outside Traders

The weekend went great thanks to many of our club members who volunteered their time as well as the family members that got roped into helping. In addition we had some amazing help from the Sandgate Scouts. As organiser of the show I cannot thank all of you enough. Without you volunteering your time, muscle and cooking skills the show would not anywhere near as successful.

We had 64 traders (in the hall and outside) and an estimated 2,000 visitors. Our club stall was busy with the fossicking area. The jewellery making demonstrations went well and were greatly appreciated. We might look at it again next year.

One of our Members demonstrates Copper From Folding

Both days we drew the Lucky Door Prizes that were all picked up by the happy winners.

The raffle prizes were won by:

1. Prize (Sapphire Ringe): Brian B

2. Prize (Amethyst Amulet): Samara S.

3. Prize: (Jade & Silver Bracelet): Pat D.

The weather gods were with us and the rain held off until Sunday afternoon. The storm clouds threatened everyone enough that we managed to get home in reasonable time. Despite the sun and heat we managed to sell nearly 50kg of sausages and the addition of a barista style coffee cart was a big hit among the visitors, dealers and volunteers.

Thankfully there was only a minor medical incident that was seen to by our First Aid Officers.

All in all we had a great show and despite the hard work that went in lots of fun and time for laughter and a sausage. So again, a big thank you to all volunteers, traders and visitors and we are looking forward to welcome you at the North Brisbane Lapidary Gem Show in 2019.

The North Brisbane Lapidary Club Gem and Jewellery Show 2018 is only 14 days away from kicking off. We can’t wait to open the doors and let people roam among the stalls, enjoying a Barista made coffee or having fun at the fossicking.

And not to forget our annual raffle which will help us raise some needed funds to buy new tools so we can replace the old ones. This year we have yet again some great prizes that where handmade by club members. For only $1 per ticket you can be in the draw for one of these great items:

First Prize 

Gold Ring with Green Sapphire

Second Prize

925 Bracelet with Black Jade

Third Prize

Amethyst Pendant

And if these prizes don’t tempt you, how about our Lucky Door Prize. Also made by club members, they will be drawn every two hours at the show. All you have to do is complete the FREE form, drop it in the box on stage and stay around for the next draw. While you are waiting for the draw, have a meander around the show and look at all the beautiful items on display and – even better – for sale.

Quartz is the theme for 2018

The counter says it all – the day of our Gem Show opening is coming closer. In fact for those who are organising the show it is racing towards us.

We are all working hard behind the scenes to make this show another success.

This year we have made a few changes: you will find new dealers at the show, the fossicking area has been moved and we are selling real coffee – Barista made. There are even rumours of milk shakes and muffins.

The theme is Quartz and this week anyone participating in the competition will have to hand in their entries: faceting, cabbing and jewellery. And while you are on the stage to check out the competition winners, have a look at the display of Quartz and the hand made jewellery.

So if you have not yet booked the date, put it in your calendar as you don’t want to miss out on having a look around the show with all there is on offer.

We are looking forward welcoming you at Bracken Ridge State High School for our annual gem show.

Rose Quartz

The planning of our next gem show is in full swing. Save the 3rd & 4th of March in your calendar.

We have a new team organising the canteen and for the first time we will have Barrista made coffee available.  And I have heard rumours of milk shakes as well!

The theme of the show 2018 is “Quartz”. So reserve the weekend to check out what is quartz. And see the results of the competitions. I have seen many at the club working on pieces to enter. SO it will be interesting.

More news closer to the date.

Only 2 weeks to go to our 2015 gem show.  The traders are all getting their stock together in anticipation of a great show.  Vicki Scott who trades as Juelles specialises in sterling silver jewellery and is offering a free chain with every pendant purchased. See more of Juelles stock at http://www.juelles.com

Picked up the ring from Vin Moulds this week.  It is a beautiful pink tourmaline cut by Tony Wheate.  Vin has set this stone in a 9ct gold cast ring shank, with a hand made bezel because the stone was bigger than the casting.  Looks fantastic!  If anyone is looking for a jeweller to make that special stone then Vin moulds at Carina is the person to see. He can be contacted on – 3324 9700.

For bonus points who is the hand model shown displaying this lovely ring?

Dealer bookings are now being taken for the 2015 gem show.  Competition for the reduced space has caused a lot of flurried activity and early payments to confirm sites.  Outdoor dealer forms have also now been released and will also be circulated by Scott Bell this Saturday at Bribie Island Gem Show.