Upcoming events Feb. 19—KGeMS monthly meeting, details on page 3
Feb. 27-29—Treasure Coast Rock & Gem Society, Vero Beach FL: 29th Annual Gem & Jewelry Show. Vero Beach Community Center, 14th Ave. & 23rd St. Contact Pedro Araoz at 772 231-0005
Feb. 28—DMC Field Trip, Epes, Alabama (details this issue)
Feb. 28-29— MS Gem & Mineral Society, Jackson, MS: 45th Annual Gem, Mineral, Fossil and Jewelry Show at State Fairgrounds, the Jefferson Street Gate. Contact Brenda Hankins, P.O. Box 844, Jackson, MS 39205 or msgem.org. Show and Host for the first 2004 SFMS Executive Board Meeting
March 5-7, Suncoast Gem & Mineral Society, 6340 126th Avenue, North Largo, FL: Contact Sue Black at sue-black@ tampabay.rr.com
March 12-14, Aiken and Augusta Gem and Mineral Societies: 16th Annual Aiken-Augusta Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show, Julian Smith Casino, 2205 Broad Street, Augusta GA. Contact Constance Barrow at 706 547-0178.
March 19-21, Rome GA Gem and Mineral Society, Ganner Lakes Gym, Rome, GA. Contact Ann Batts at 706-235-5932
March 26-28, Tar Heel Gem and Mineral Club: 28th Annual Capital Area Gem Festival, Scott Bldg at State Fairground, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC. Contact Prep Maynard, 330 Julian Dr., Raleigh, NC 27604 or 919 876-3434.
May 14-16 – Graves Mountain Rock Swap and Dig
Mark Your Calendars Today!
Tennessee Pearls
Did you know?
That the shells of the mollusk that produces Tennessee Pearls are exported to Asia where they are used to produce the bead nucleus for cultured pearls? Tennessee
has in excess of $50 million in annual exports to foreign countries of the shells alone.That the Tennessee Pearl is our State Gemstone?
That the two species of mussel most frequently used in the culturing process of the Tennessee Pearl are commonly referred to as the Washboard and Pigtoe varieties?
That the first successful harvest of cultured Tennessee Pearls occurred in 1986?
A “Pearl of a Tour”
Want to visit a Tennessee freshwater pearl farm? Check out http://www.tennesseeriverpearls.com. The only American freshwater pearl farm is located in Benton County in west Tennessee at 55 Marina Road - 9 miles north of Exit 133 on I-40 Camden Kentucky Lake, TN 38320-9699. You may also call them at 800 225-7469. They have a jewelry showroom, a museum and a mini-theater for walk-in traffic at no charge. They also have guided tours of the working farm from April through October with reservations required. The tours range from 2 to 5 hours depending on the package; according to the web site, the group packages ranges from $29.50 to $59.50 per person. Lodging is available at the Birdsong Resort and Marina (same phone number) or at http://www.birdsongresort.com .