Sequim Gazette staff

Local schools will get a helping hand from “Nature’s Treasures,” a rock, gem and jewelry artisans show this weekend in Port Angeles.

The show is produced by the Clallam County Gem and Mineral Society, with the raised funds going to support each of the five school districts within the county.

The show promises to be great fun, too, with 30 vendors on hand and free demonstrations, including the opportunity to fashion an arrowhead.

Other demonstrations include chain mail jewelry, ming trees, wire wrapping, silversmithing, beading and more.

Those with an interesting gem or two, including those mounted in jewelry, can bring their pieces in to have the stones identified by gemologist Karen Jensen.

The show also will include the sale of raffle tickets for three extraordinarily interesting and valuable prizes: two very large emeralds and a collection of 35 smaller stones.

Two of the three prizes have been appraised at more than $40,000 each — and the third may be the most valuable of all. Show chairman Thomas Ellison is quick to point out, however, that fetching the full value would take work, including finding the rare collector who is seeking stones of this type.

The biggest emerald, which weighs a hefty 1,650 carats, is from Brazil. A second large stone, a 1,419 carat pear-faceted emerald, is from Colombia, as is the collection of 35 smaller emeralds.

Raffle tickets are $10 each.

The free event runs from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St., in Port Angeles. Breakfast is served at 8 a.m. each day.

For more information, including a full list of activities, see www.olympicrocks.com.