Every year the town of West Springfield plays host to the East Coast Gem and Mineral show by MZ Expos. Each year the show has the finest dealers from all over the united states and the world, bringing to you specimens of colorful minerals, amethysts and fluorites, gold crystals and books and literature about all sorts of mineral topics! Knowledgeable people, free lectures and every year, a featured exhibit with a very special twist.
Overhead shot of the 2007 East Coast Mineral Show in West Springfield, Mass
For many years the East Coast show followed the usual club show format, with a variety of collectors and dealers being invited to display each year. Under those conditions, the quality of displays can be unpredictable and sometimes disappointing. The first year with a special theme was 1998, when Illinois minerals were displayed by Roy Smith, Ross Lillie, and Tom Weisner.
Fredrick Wilda East Coast Mineral Display Case of Rhodochrosite from 2012
The single (or limited) exhibitor theme was viewed as a way to be different from most other shows. It has given visitors a chance to view many private collections that are seldom on display to any extent. Private collectors and museums have enthusiastically participated since the start. The exhibitors seem to enjoy the challenge of displaying, and the chance to share their collections. For the EC staff, it is much easier to coordinate with just one or a few individuals. The “special exhibitor” program has been a win-win situation all around.
MINERAL SHOW EXHIBITORS
Glossy Smithsonite Specimens from the Gail and Jim Spann Collection, on display in 2009
This year features free public lectures by Bob Jones, Peter Megaw and Kevin Downey on a variety of subjects – Admission is $8, you can save $2.00 with this coupon link. The event is at the Better Living Center and runs August 12, 13 and 14. There are nearly 100 dealers to buy from and the Mexican Mineral Collection on display, by Peter Megaw is an amazing chance to see a private collection that will show you beautiful top quality minerals from all around Mexico. The colors, shapes and forms of these classic minerals will astound you! Find out everything you need to know on the MZ Expos website, MZExpos.com
Herb Obodda traveled in the Afghanistan and Pakistan mountains in search for the very finest crystallized minerals found in those rich deposits.
2011 had the Scott Rudolph collection, featuring this AMAZING Rhodochrosite from Colorado
2008 Herb and Monika Obodda Collection
Amethyst Clusters from Mexico from the Artist Frederick Wilda, 2012
2009 Display Case from the Gail and Jim Spann Collection
Bill Larson’s collection is rich with history and american classics, like these pegmatite minerals
Beautiful Malachite Slices from the American Classics of Bill Larson/Pala display in 2011
Scott Rudolph’s collection from 2011 featuring this beautiful Diopside on Graphite.
Photos by Cindy Rzonca