The Fourth Annual Marble Gem and Mineral Show returns to town with 15 vendors, free entertainment and more June 7 to 9.
“When you step into the Marble Gem and Mineral Show, you enter a world of serendipity and magic,” as stated on the show’s website. “Our geology market brings together vendors, flintknappers, geologists, healers and creators who share their knowledge and passion for crystals and minerals.”
The show takes place at the Marble Campground at the Marble Mill Site stage. For a schedule of events, go to www.marblegemshow.com
The Sopris Sun caught up with Marble Gem and Mineral Show founder Monique Villalobos, who also creates jewelry with local marble, and asked her some questions about the event.
Sopris Sun: What prompted you to start the show?
Villalobos: In 2020, I had my friend Mark Luttrell and a few others up to sell rocks in the Marble Gallery parking lot. One of the people asked, “Why doesn’t Marble have a gem show (seeing as how we are in Marble)?” So I said, “We do now!” I emailed the mayor and told him we are doing it the summer of 2021. This was coming out of the pandemic and we were starving for connection and we had a brilliant space for this to transpire. We held the first one with 11 vendors and two entertainers at the Mill Site Park. The second year we did it differently and spread vendors around town and had music and dancers on private property. Year three was the biggest yet, utilizing the Marble Campground and the Marble Mill Site stage.
Sun: What will the vendors do? Sell gems and minerals?
Villalobos: Our vendors will have a selection of local and international crystals, minerals, gems, jewelry and healing experiences — like private sound bath sessions. We have a Reiki master coming in from New Mexico to perform and hold healing sessions at the basketball court [at Mill Site park]. We have a taco stand coming in from Carbondale and will have an ice cream social at 1pm on Friday, June 7 at the Marble HUB. The Marble Crystal River Chamber also supports us each year with a large contribution.
Sun: Where are the vendors from?
Villalobos: Vendors are from our area as well as Grand Junction, Loveland and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Sun: The Marble Gem and Minerals Show is a nonprofit right? And you hope to build a museum one day?
Villalobos: Right and right. The museum is going to be located in the Marble Gallery (on County Road 3) until we have funding to purchase property and have the right investment partners to create such a place. The working name for the museum is the Marble Geology Museum.
Sun: How did the nonprofit come to be?
Villalobos: In 2022, I received a large donation in the form of rocks, crystals and gems from a donor. Due to the size of the collection I created a nonprofit to support this dream. We created a program to adopt collections of gems, minerals and crystals from people who no longer needed their collection. The Marble Gallery hosted a small display of rocks and minerals, providing a space to sell donated items and receive money to fund the Marble Gem and Mineral Show.
Sun: You are the president of the Marble Gem and Minerals Show. What does that entail?
Villalobos: I am a facilitator and an artist. I create events which hold the values and traditions I want to see manifested in this world. Those values are: community, connection and education. We bring community together to connect with past traditions, history and geology.
Sun: Anything else you’d like to add?
Villalobos: You can see our movie on YouTube, “The Stone People, Weaving a Web of Crystals.” You can also donate at our website at www.marblegemshow.com
In a Nutshell:
What: Marble Gem & Mineral Show
Where: Marble, Colorado
When: June 6-7
More info: www.marblegemshow.com