New York—The second HardRock Summit is arising, an occasion that can deliver loads of gems, minerals, and fossils collectively below one roof.

Right here are some things to know in regards to the upcoming occasion, slated for Sept. 8-11 on the Colorado Conference Heart in Denver.

1. The present ground is greater.

This 12 months’s HardRock Summit is sort of double the dimensions it was final 12 months.

In 2022, the HardRock Summit will occupy greater than 310,000 sq. toes with greater than 450 exhibitors, a rise from 190,000 sq. toes with 180 exhibitors in 2021.

2. Every thing shall be below the identical roof this 12 months.

Whereas final 12 months the present befell on the Colorado Conference Heart and the close by Sheraton Denver Downtown Lodge, this 12 months organizers are bringing the whole lot collectively on the conference middle.

It can home the “Evolution” part, for effective minerals and fossils, within the 4 Seasons Ballroom; “Sparkle & Pleasure,” for effective gem stones and jewellery within the adjoining Mile Excessive Ballroom; the Denver Gem & Mineral Present within the 200 block assembly rooms; and the LLD Denver Mineral Corridor within the 100 block assembly rooms.

3. There are many new gamers in 2022. 

Along with AGTA GemFair Denver coming again—the group has signed a multi-year settlement with the present and can once more be part of Sparkle & Pleasure—HardRock will welcome the LLD Denver Mineral Corridor for the primary time this 12 months, that includes gems, minerals, fossils, jewellery, beads, décor, and metaphysical merchandise.

Associations on the occasion for the primary time are the Worldwide Gemological Institute, Gem Legacy, Accredited Gemologist Affiliation, American Gem Society, Gemworld Worldwide, and Nationwide Affiliation of Jewellery Appraisers.

The Worldwide Coloured Gemstone Affiliation will even have a presence on the present this 12 months, with ICA exhibitors and a lounge included within the Sparkle & Pleasure part of the present. 

In the meantime, notable new exhibitors embody Aaron Faber Gallery and Willow Diamonds in Sparkle & Pleasure, in addition to Artistry Ltd. and Dorian & Rose, each within the AGTA GemFair Denver part of Sparkle & Pleasure.

4. A particular exhibit will spotlight historic gold treasures. 

This 12 months’s particular shows all share one theme: gold.

Particular person specimens and collections from main museums and personal collectors shall be on show alongside the Someplace within the Rainbow assortment of contemporary jewellery and faceted and carved gem stones.

Two highlights of the exhibit shall be “The Dragon,” the world’s most useful crystallized gold specimen from the Museum of Pure Science in Houston (pictured under), and the “Ram’s Horn” from Harvard’s Mineralogical & Geological Museum.

One other massive attraction shall be gold treasures found in two well-known sunken ships, the S.S. Central America and the S.S. Islander.

The S.S. Central America, or the “ship of gold,” sank off the coast of South Carolina in 1857 throughout a hurricane.

It was carrying 425 individuals and a number of other tons of gold bars and cash from the California Gold Rush.

The wreck was rediscovered in 1988, beginning a protracted battle for the rights of the retrieved gold artifacts.

The S.S. Islander, in the meantime, sunk in 1901 off the coast of Alaska after placing an iceberg, taking with it a somewhat massive load of gold bullion from the Klondike gold fields.

It was recovered in 1996, and likewise noticed a number of years of authorized battles.

5. Schooling classes are returning.

The summit will host a collection of instructional lectures, with matters together with gemology, mineralogy, and the featured particular displays.

One session will dive (no pun meant) into the invention of the S.S. Central American’s sunken treasure by Chief Analysis Scientist Bob Evans and Assortment Supervisor Fred Holabird, president and CEO of Holabird Western Americana Collections LLC.

Further presenters on the summit are Raquel Alonzo-Perez of the Mineralogical and Geological Museum at Harvard College; Robert Gessner, geologist and gemologist; Bruce Bridges of Bridges Tsavorite; fancy coloured pure diamond specialist Brian Denney of Gems of Be aware; and Kerry Gregory, founding father of Gemmology Rocks.

Extra displays shall be introduced sooner or later.

6. Attendance is as soon as once more open to all.

The occasion will once more be open to each the commerce and the general public.

Admission is free for certified commerce present professionals and consumers, whereas a $10 admission price shall be required for the general public, who may have entry to the total present ground aside from AGTA GemFair Denver.

Badges shall be color-coded so exhibitors are capable of distinguish between commerce members and the general public.

Business professionals can get their tickets right here.

For extra details about the occasion, go to HardRockSummit.com.