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.

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.

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.

EAST COAST GEM AND

MINERAL SHOW EXHIBITORS 1998 – Illinois – Smith, Lillie, Weisner 1999 – Martin Zinn Collection 2000 – David Bunk Collection 2001 – Arizona – Presmyk & Jones 2002 – Jim & Dawn Minette Collection 2003 – Rock Currier Collection 2004 – Dan & Dianne Kile Collection 2005 – Harvard Mineral Museum 2006 – Michigan Tech/Seaman Museum 2007 – Sterling Hill Mining Museum 2008 – Herb & Monika Obodda Collection 2009 – Gail & Jim Spann Collection 2010 – Bill Larson, Pala International 2011 – Scott Rudolph Collection 2012 – Frederick Wilda, Mineral Art 2013 – Carolyn Manchester Collection 2014 – California Collectors & Collections 2015 – Martin Zinn New Mineral Collection 2016 – Peter Megaw Collection

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



Photos by Cindy Rzonca