Tom Hoffelder, president of the Oxford County Mineral and Gem Association, holds a mars rock in his left hand and a moon rock in his right Saturday. They are among the items available for the public to hold at the 59th annual Western Maine Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show this weekend at Telstar High School in Bethel.
Dennis Gross, chairman for this weekend's 59th Western Maine Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show, holds a piece of watermelon tourmaline in cleavelandite Tuesday from the Nevel Mine in Newry. The specimen will be given away as a door prize at the end of the show Sunday at Telstar High School in Bethel.
A crystal "log" of green tourmaline greets museum visitors Saturday at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. Tourmaline is significant in Newry where some of the largest tourmaline gems have been mined.
Sarah Prue, Ashley Wiknik and Taylor Prue check out the gem cutting display Saturday at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. The three were vacationing in Bethel from Connecticut. "This is not an in-and-out thing," said Sarah, "You are going to spend some time here."
Bradey Panagiotou, 6, holds tight to a moon rock Saturday at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel, during which a docent, far right, keeps a watchful eye. With Panagiotou, from the left, are his mother, Lindsey Panagiotou, grandparents Joe and Linda Antonio, and father, Greg Panagiotou. The family was visiting from Massachusetts.
"Quartz Queen," a 1.474 ct. gemstone, cut by Katzenback Designs, is displayed Saturday at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. The stone was mined at the Mount Mica Quarry in South Paris.
Tom Hoffelder, president of the Oxford County Mineral and Gem Association, holds a mars rock in his left hand and a moon rock in his right Saturday. They are among the items available for the public to hold at the 59th annual Western Maine Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show this weekend at Telstar High School in Bethel.
The Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel features meteorites under glass as part of the Stifler Collection of Meteorites. Information on where each Meteorite fell and other historical data is available for each piece.
The Tiffany Necklace, made about 1915 and featuring Maine gems, is displayed Saturday at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. The seven green tourmaline stones are believed to have been mined at Mt. Apatite in Auburn.
The Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. The 59th annual Western Maine Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show will be held this weekend at Telstar High School in Bethel.
The Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel has many educational exhibits and activities.
A small model of a feldspar mine is seen Saturday at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel.
A Feldspar mine exhibit details the history of feldspar quarries in the state at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum. The industry was active from 1872 to 1970, when transportation costs dug into profits.
A display in the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum shows meteorites and details of where and when they fell in the state. The 59th annual Western Maine Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show will be held this weekend at Telstar High School in Bethel.
The Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel features meteorites under glass as part of the Stifler Collection of Meteorites. Information on where each Meteorite fell and other historical data is available for each piece.
Sunny Kay of Industry high fives her grandson, Roland Kay, 8, of Chicago on Saturday after he completed the scavenger hunt at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel.
A moon rock is displayed Saturday at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. Moon rocks and other items will be available for the public to hold at the 59th annual Western Maine Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show this weekend at Telstar High School in Bethel.
A mars rock is displayed at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel.
The Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel features a space video presentation in the Meteorite room.
A moon rock is displayed Saturday at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. Moon rocks and other items will be available for the public to hold at the 59th annual Western Maine Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show this weekend at Telstar High School in Bethel.
A moon rock is displayed Saturday at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. Moon rocks and other items will be available for the public to hold at the 59th annual Western Maine Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show this weekend at Telstar High School in Bethel.
The Perham's Gem collection is seen Saturday at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. The 59th annual Western Maine Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show this weekend at Telstar High School in Bethel.
The Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel has a display to honor Perham's Minerals in West Paris, which was founded by Stanley Perham.
The Peary Necklace was commissioned by Artic explorer Admiral Robert E. Perry in 1913 as a birthday present for his wife, Josephine. It is part of the Maine Mineral and Gem museum collection. The tourmaline was mined in an Auburn mine in 1907.
Quartz gems are displayed Saturday at the Maine Mineral Museum in Bethel.
The Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel features meteorites under glass as part of the Stifler Collection of Meteorites. Information on where each Meteorite fell and other historical data is available for each piece.
The Perham's Gem collection is seen Saturday at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel.