Minerals.net

The East Coast Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show (or more commonly known as the Springfield show) is the most significant mineral event on the East Coast. It occurs during the second weekend in August in the Eastern States Exposition Center in West Springfield, Massachusetts. In addition to having many of the prominent domestic mineral dealers, there is also a phenomenal public display exhibit every year, often highlighting the minerals of a significant collector or collection.

After last year's hiatus due to Covid, the show this year was in full swing with a very strong attendance. All the dealers I expected to see were there, and they all told me how good the show was. I was impressed by the volume of foot traffic and the amount of business going on. It was great to see those in the mineral community after such a long time, since many of the big shows had been cancelled over the past year and a half. This was my first major show in that amount of time, and my first opportunity to see many friends and acquaintances after such a long time. 

The special exhibit featured Fluorite from the collection of Dr. James Gebel. Jim Gebel, as he is more popularly known, lives in the Cleveland area, and is Chairman of Neurology at Akron General Medical Center. He is an expert in the mineral Fluorite, and has an outstanding collection of this mineral from all different locations domestic and worldwide.

Jim was supposed to display his Fluorite collection at the 2020 Springfield show, but the show was canceled and his exhibit postponed to this year. It was truly amazing seeing his impressive fluorite collection, and I was able to photograph each case and highlight individual minerals in each case. The most impressive cases and minerals are featured here, with the first post on the mineral cases, and the second post on some of the individual minerals in the cases.

Our second post of the East Coast Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show (AKA the Springfield show) highlights some of the individual display minerals in the public exhibit of renowned Fluorite collector Dr. James Gebel. The displays featured outstanding Fluorite in labelled cases from all parts of the world, with special attention given to the southern Illinois Fluorite district. Below are photos taken by Hershel Friedman of his favorite and most photogenic specimens in the displays.