Eager collectors were on the hunt for precious rocks, crystals and jewelry at the Rock N’ Gem expo at the Cohere Centre this weekend. Enthusiasts had a chance to hunt for unique treasures and explore more than 350 tables with tens of thousands of stones. Everything from crystals, minerals, fossils and gemstones were on display from all across the world. “People love them for all different reasons. Some people love them for the structure of the crystal and seeing where they come from. Some people love them for the metaphysical side of it,” said Dylan Beaver, manager of the Rock N’ Gem show. Sunday was Dawn Stonham’s first time attending the Ottawa expo. She says it’s about picking up what speaks to her. “I just like to look around, see what kind of speaks to me, get the energy and see what wants to come home with me and then I just follow my instinct,” said Stonham. Stonham says she’s always had an affinity for crystals, gems and stones. “I was like a tiny little child. I would love to find the rocks on the ground and see what speaks to me and pick them up. I just didn’t know what I was looking for back then,” said Stonham. Stonham has a vast collection of hundreds of crystals, gemstones and more but she’s looking to grow her specimen collection with fossils. “I definitely come in with a few things on my list, but I always like to take a look around at everything because sometimes, I don’t even know that I need it,” said Stonham. The hobby has gotten more expensive in recent years. Jewelry prices have risen sharply primarily due to the climbing value of precious metals. “The reason the world of jewelry is becoming more expensive is the price of silver has gone up so much in the last year. That’s why we’re seeing that all of our jewelry, it’s at .925 sterling silver,” said Beaver. Mila Osipenko visits the show every year. She bought a garnet ring on Thursday and returned to the show on Sunday to pick up some freshwater pearls. “I’ve been into jewelry, gems and minerals for most of my life. I would say I’ve always loved shiny things,” said Osipenko. The Rock N’ Gem show started by owners Chris and Melissa Robak as a hobby at farmers markets in 2007 in Alberta. It’s grown since from then to nearly 50 shows touring Canada. The Rock N Gem show will return to Ottawa in April 2027.
