East Texas Gem and Mineral Society hosts the annual Gem and Jewelry Show at the Tyler Rose Garden Museum.

Whether you’re an expert rockhound or a budding geologist, the Gemstone and Jewelry Show has something for everyone. Since Friday, gem enthusiasts from around the state have gathered for East Texas Gem and Mineral Society’s 27th annual show at the Tyler Rose Garden Center.

“The club’s been in existence for over 60 years and we’ve been in this location for several years,” said Rick Walker, the show chairman. “We have quite the following.”

East Texas Gem and Mineral Society is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization managed by a Board of Directors, serving 14 counties in East Texas and beyond, according to the organization’s website.

It was established by individuals who shared and continue to share a common interest in the earth sciences.

The club’s purpose is to educate and promote the study of geology, mineralogy, gemology, fossils and the lapidary arts. ETGMS was created so others that shared those same interests would have a place to gather, communicate, and learn from others. The first organizational meeting was held on Nov. 12, 1956.

The annual Gemstone and Jewelry Show is the society’s major fundraiser. The current goal is to raise enough funds to establish a workshop in their Tyler clubhouse.

Each year, the show draws people by the thousands, including newcomers like Sandra Ashcraft.

“I absolutely love it,” she said. “It has definitely been worth the admission. From watching the guys over there break the geos, to the silent auction… it has just been heavenly for me. I love it.”

According to Walker, the show has 11 vendors from all over Texas and the United States, and there is a waiting list to get into the annual show.

“This is a very busy show for our vendors,” he said. “They go to shows all over Texas and all over the United States but this is their favorite and most popular show. It’s their most lucrative show right here because they always want to come back.”

The show offered spectators a chance to look at gemstones, gold and silver jewelry, minerals, fossils, cut and uncut stones, geodes and more.

But the real showstopper was the Rock Food Table, a table full of rocks and minerals that look like food.

“That has been in existence (since 1983),” Walker said. “It was started by Bill and Lois Pattillo, who were part of (Gulf Coast Gem and Mineral Society).”

The Pattillos traveled with the rock food table all over the United States.

“It came to our possession a few years back,” Walker said. “We’re now the guardians of the world famous rock food table because it is truly world famous.”

Karen Trussell, a long-time rockhound, has been coming to the show for almost 12 years.

“I’m the kind of person that stops on the side of the road when we go on road trips and say ‘I need that rock bed for my cactus garden,’” Trussell said.

She has been on the hunt for rocks her entire life and enjoys coming to the show to explore.

“They all are appealing for different reasons,” Trussell said. “I am drawn to the amber section, though.”

As for advice for first-time rock hunters?

“Don’t set your sights on the first rock you see,” Trussell said.

The show continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Rose Garden Center at 420 Rose Park Dr.