The 40th Annual Hill Country Gem and Mineral Show happens in Fredericksburg Saturday and Sunday, January 17 and 18. Dealers from all over the country will offer rocks, gems, jewelry, fossils, arrowheads, geodes, shells, and mineral specimens at this special show. Highlights of the event include museum-quality fossils and minerals as well as jewelry made from precious and semiprecious stones and other natural materials.

Visitors to the show can see lapidary equipment demonstrated, have their own stones set in jewelry, get rings sized or watch batteries installed, pan for gold, and see a fluorescent rock display.

Sweethearts or spouses looking for one-of-a-kind birthday or Valentines Day presents will find items in all price ranges. Budding geologists, jewelry designers, and rockhounds will find inspiration. Veteran rockhounds will find new things to see and interesting people to talk to.

All visitors will receive free tickets for hourly door prizes. The Fredericksburg Rockhounds, sponsor of the show, draws members from all over the Hill Country. They attend monthly meetings, go on field trips, and stage the annual show. Many of them sell valuable items at the show. Others bring their treasures for display only. The show is open from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. on Saturday and from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Sunday inside the Pioneer Pavilion at Lady Bird Municipal Park about three miles south of downtown Fredericksburg on Highway 16. Admissionand parking are free.

More information about the show and the club is at fredericksburgrockhounds.org.