Gem Show returns to Sisters

The Sisters Round-up of Gems will return to Sisters for its 13th year on Thursday, July 3. The show runs through Sunday, July 6. It will be held again at Sisters Elementary School.

The show will have a somewhat different face this year:

"We have some changes in our vendor list this year due to retirements, and - as we all know - the ever-changing gas prices," said show organizer Jean Miller. "The quality of the materials is still first-rate, while bringing a much broader scope of materials to choose from, some of which will take your breath away."

Some of the items featured include: crystals, fossils, gem stones, minerals, jewelry, sunstones (the Oregon state gem stone), opals, rough rock, slabs, petrified woods, green jade, wire-wrapped jewelry and ammonite free-formed cabs from petrified opalized prehistoric snail shell and thunder eggs (the Oregon state rock).

"The Sisters SOAR group visits us every year on Friday morning," Miller said. "It is one of the highlights of the show. They are always full of questions and big eyes. It is great to know we are making a difference in their learning and discovering facts of nature first hand."

Miller said she and her husband Wayne and all the vendors welcome schoolchildren.

"Those homeschooling their children or leading with school groups are invited to stop by and set up a time you would like to bring your group through," she said. "We would love to help in any way we can."

Gem show hours are Thursday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.