Events & Awards

5 Reasons You Can’t Miss HardRock Summit in Denver

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5 Reasons You Can’t Miss HardRock Summit in Denver

The show is returning for their second edition this September for jewelry, gems, minerals, fossils meteorites and more.

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Brought To You By HardRock Summit


The 2nd edition of the HardRock Summit is set to return to Denver September 8-11, 2022 at the Colorado Convention Center featuring leading companies exhibiting fine jewelry, gems, minerals, fossils, meteorites and more. The show will also debut unprecedented Special Exhibits and education around the theme “Fabulous Treasures” - including the most precious natural GOLD specimens ever found in nature and gold artifacts from two historic sunken ships of the 18th and 19th centuries carrying the most significant bounties ever recovered at sea. 
 
Here are five reasons HardRock Summit 2022 is not to be missed this fall! 
 
1) Product and Brand Discovery
Under one roof, the HardRock Summit will feature several key areas for attendees to explore and discover exhibitors, special exhibits and education. The exhibition areas include Evolution for sourcing high-end minerals, fossils and meteorites; Sparkle & Joy for fine jewelry and gemstones in cooperation with leading industry associations such as AGTA GemFair Denver, International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) and Brazil’s IBGM. In addition, the show will also house the Denver Gem & Minerals Show and LLD Minerals showcasing a wide range of jewelry, gems, minerals, metaphysical products and education.
 
 

2) Once in Lifetime Special Exhibits 
 
Prepare to be amazed by some of the world’s most remarkable specimens and treasures ever uncovered. An exciting draw for attendees is the access to exclusive special exhibits and expert-led educational seminars throughout the show. 
 
A few special exhibit highlights include:
 
Golden Treasures 
“The Dragon” - the most valuable crystallized gold specimen from the treasury of the Natural History Museum in Houston and the famous “Ram´s Horn" from Harvard’s Mineralogical & Geological Museum. 
 
Lost & Lifted 
One of the highly anticipated exhibits is the gold treasures and artifacts uncovered from two famed sunken ships, the SS Central America and SS Islander, both with unique links to the gold rushes in California and Alaska.
 
The “Ship of Gold” or the SS Central America sank off the coast of South Carolina during a hurricane in 1857 while carrying an enormous amount of gold bars and coins from the height of the California Gold Rush.  It is estimated tons of gold went down with the ship, causing panic on Wall Street, in an already unstable time in the US economy. The wreck was rediscovered and lifted in 1988 and endured a long legal battle for the rights of the retrieved gold and other artifacts. 
 
The SS Islander, carrying a significant cargo of gold bullion from the Klondike gold fields, went down in 1901 off the coast of Alaska after striking an iceberg. It was not until 1996 when it was recovered followed by several years of legal battles. 
 
Modern Treasures
Also on display is an assortment of artisan designed precious jewelry, faceted and carved gemstones from boutique curator service “Somewhere in the Rainbow Collection”. 
 
Many other special exhibits of record-breaking gemstones and mineral specimens to be on display to wow visitors. 
 

3) Stellar Lineup of Education and Access to Leading Industry Associations
The HardRock Summit will offer a series of educational lectures to entertain and inform. Topics will include gemology, mineralogy and talks focused on the featured special exhibits themed on treasures including a presentation on the discovery of the SS Central America sunken treasure by its chief research scientist Bob Evans and collection manager Fred Holabird, President and CEO of Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC.
 
Additional presenters include Dr. Raquel Alonzo-Perez of the Mineralogical and Geological Museum at Harvard University; Robert Gessner, geologist and gemologist; Bruce Bridges, of Bridges Tsavorite on the discovery and development of Tsavorite garnet mining properties in Kenya; fancy colored natural diamond specialist Brian Denney of Gems of Note; and the UK’s Kerry Gregory, founder of Gemmology Rocks for what is sure to be a fast-paced and entertaining session. 
 
Visitors may also meet with leading industry associations such as the Accredited Gemologist Association (AGA), American Gem Society (AGS), Gem Legacy, Gemworld International, International Gemological Institute (IGI), National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) and the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA).
 
4) Unprecedented Connection Opportunities
HardRock Summit welcomes retailers, buyers, designers, collectors and Colorado residents and families to attend. Unlike other North American jewelry or mineral trade shows, which are traditionally held as separate events, the four-day HardRock Summit will welcome industry professionals and the public of all ages with a paid ticket as visitors to experience the event together.  
 
Attendees will have the opportunity to discover, learn and shop from exhibiting companies. 

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5) Location, Location, Location!
 
The mile-high city, Denver, was chosen as the location for the HardRock Summit because it’s a beautiful city with a rich history rooted in nature, science and mining as well as being a thriving business hub. In addition to the access to incredible accommodations, amenities and transportation – the public awareness and appreciation for minerals, gemstones and fossils is ever-growing. 
 
Visitor admission is free for qualified trade show professionals and buyers. A ticket admission fee of $9 is required for the public, which will have access to the full show floor except for the AGTA GemFair™ Denver. 
 
 
Visit https://hardrocksummit.com/for more information on the HardRock Summit. 
 
Don’t wait – register and book your travel now! 

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