Hellgate Gem & Mineral Show brings rocks from around the world to Missoula

MISSOULA, Mont. — Vendors gathered at the Hellgate Gem & Mineral Show to showcase geology's finest specimens, offering something for every rock enthusiast.

"We have fossils and other Lake Missoula artifacts, speaker here, and then in the vendor area, we have 24 different vendors, from Montana, Idaho and couple others from other states," said Neil Maier, president of the Hellgate Mineral Society.

The event offered visitors a geological world tour, according to Richard "Doc" Bower, co-owner of Rock Gypsies, who has been cutting rocks for 36 years.

"I trade with different dealers and they buy local U.S. rocks for me, and I buy rocks from them from. We got them from India, Africa, this is from Russia," Bower said.

For Maier, the show serves a larger purpose beyond displaying minerals. The Hellgate Mineral Society aims to inspire the next generation of rock enthusiasts through education.

"We're trying to bring more young people and the parents with the young kids that have that rock interest. We also educate them on what those minerals are and what they're used for" Maier said.