Tyler Rose Garden Center hosts 26th gem and mineral show

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - It’s been going on for 26 years, but even if you went every time, you’d still find something you didn’t see before. We’re talking about the East Texas Gem and Mineral Show at the Rose Garden Center in Tyler. Sometimes, the best part is the anticipation of what you’re about to see.

On the outside, they’re just round dirty rocks, but like many things, it’s what’s inside that matters. Keith Harmon’s Stone Crystals are revealed after Tyler Vickers gets to cracking.

“I get as excited as they do, especially when we get the crowd worked up a little bit,” Vickers said.

And, how does he get the customers to gather?

“People get really excited when they hear that cracking sound all across the building, and people just ‘oooh’ and ‘ah’ and some of them come running when they hear it,” Vickers said.

Then there’s that first step: making the correct choice from the crates of rocks. Victoria Egger does a little channeling.

“To be honest, I’m kind of a hippie, so I go by feelings. Like, it’s a gut feeling, and I’m like, ‘this one feels nice,’” Eggers said.

Bethany Perry uses a completely different technique.

“I just feel the vibes. Whichever one has the best vibes. I don’t know,” Eggers said.

They’re experienced geode collectors. Brook Hill sixth grader Lila Shaw was about to see her first, and she had plenty of patience.

“I just wanted to see it open,” Shaw said.

Victoria stayed in the moment.

“Cross your fingers, and it’s just all exciting, and yeah. Kind of nervous a little bit too,” Eggers said.

Whereas Bethany said she felt anxious.

Tyler said the geodes contain many colors of quartz or amethyst and many types of minerals.

“Sometimes we get precious stones. I cracked one about two months ago that had silver growing through it,” Vickers said.

And, one even had gold in it. Then, with a high-pitched crack, the wait is over.

“Oh, that’s pretty. Oh yeah,” Vickers said.

“Woa!” said Shaw.

“I told you, the vibe never fails,” Perry said.

And yes, some of them even fluoresce.

Of course, there’s the famous Rock Food table that is a feast to the eyes, but not so much the mouth. Too many minerals there. So, if you want to be blown away by stuff that just sits there, head to the Rose Garden where you can “Rock out!” as a bunch of Brook Hill sixth graders shouted.

The East Texas Gem and Mineral Show is on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Rose Garden Center. Adult admission is $5, kids are just a buck.

Copyright 2023 KLTV. All rights reserved.