Locals examine creations and raw materials during the Roxy Ann Gem and Mineral Show at the Jackson County Expo in Central Point Saturday morning.

Rogue Valley enthusiasts of precious stones gathered at the Jackson County Expo throughout Saturday to peruse a myriad of rare rocks at the Roxy Ann Gem and Mineral Show.

Considering the geological diversity of Oregon and its rich mining history, visitors were treated to countless exquisite stones and minerals from large-scale natural finds to intricately polished and shaped gemstones.

“We have 40 vendors this year,” said Patty Albon, a volunteer organizer and member of the Roxy Ann Gem and Mineral Society. “We have a lot of dedicated people … It’s all volunteer run.”

Held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, the show will continue Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Expo, located at 1 Peninger Road in Central Point.

Tickets cost $5 per person and is free to attend for kids 12 years and younger.

Beyond just the elaborate gems and minerals, the show included demonstration booths for attendees to watch the polishing and shaping process for pieces, gemstone displays put up by the Crater Rock Museum, a kids corner with activities such as crystal grow kits and dig kits and vendors from across the region selling their wares.

Medford resident Alicia Shehorn and her 8-year-old daughter, Desiree Jones, were checking out the wares made of minerals and wood.

“We’re excited to look at everything,” Shehorn said, adding, “It’s a bigger event than what I thought it would be.”

Among the 100-plus attendees, Jones was concentrated on the wooden creations, specifically a “mermaid tail” that caught her eye, she said.

On her favorite type of gem or mineral, Jones said amethyst had to be her favorite.

A couple of booths over, Jacksonville painter Marlene Brittsan was eyeing new rock canvases made of obsidian, slate, Santorini and other materials for her next art projects.

“I paint on rock and I had been thinking, ‘I wonder if we have a local rock and mineral show,’” Brittsan said.

After finding out about the show, “I put it on the calendar and showed up this morning,” Brittsan added.

The painter picked up obsidian slates at the show, aiming to expand her art with new materials.

“This will be my first venture into obsidian, so I’m going to give it a try,” Brittsan said.

At the demonstration booths, artisan Marty Hillman was polishing stone with a grinding device.

“We use various patterns … I like following instructions and coming up with something that’s really pretty,” Hillman said of the process.

Hillman began working with gems and minerals in the late 1970s, working with numerous materials such as sunstone, Oregon’s state gemstone.

Ashland-based crystal purveyor Todd Higgins was selling massive and intricate wares from a large amethyst cluster to agate creations.

“We supply shops all around the world,” Higgins said of the wholesale side of Flower of Life Crystals, his business in downtown Ashland.

Funds raised at the Roxy Ann Gem and Mineral Show benefit the Crater Rock Museum in Central Point.

“We’ve been doing this for 68 years now. It’s put on by the Roxy Ann Gem and Mineral Society and it supports the Crater Rock Museum, which we oversee and run,” Alton said. “It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year and we work all year making sure that we have vendors and we have things for kids to do.”

The show is meant for not only experienced gemstone collectors, but anyone with an appreciation for rare rocks and minerals.

“There’s slabs, there’s things that are machine-shaped or carved, so people looking for that kind of stuff, this is the place,” Alton said. “It’s also for people that just like to look at pretty rocks and things.”

“I always look forward to this show because I’m going to find things that I don’t normally see every day,” Alton added.

For interested people who won’t get the chance to attend the gem show, the Crater Rock Museum is open throughout the year with a captivating collection of gemstones and other materials.

“If you haven’t been here since you were kid, it’s changed and we’ve grown … we’ve got world-class specimens in that museum, its amazing,” Alton said.

To learn more about the Crater Rock Museum, visit craterrock.com.

For more information on the Roxy Ann Gem and Mineral Society, visit craterrock.com/roxy-ann-gem-mineral-society.