This very large piece of Indian Blanket Jasper was offered for sale at the 2026 Spring Rock and Gem Show in Cedar City, Utah.
On March 7th, 2026, we attended the spring Cedar City Gem and Jewelry Show at the Diamond Z Arena. This small, local event, organized by the Southern Utah Rock Club, featured around 50 vendors. It was our first time attending, and the mild winter made for an easy drive through the mountains. The show had the usual mix of items, including some of lower quality, but also some unique, local materials that are hard to find at larger events. We saw three vendors selling Indian Blanket Jasper, a popular material from Enterprise, Utah. While the quality varied, one large piece stood out. Much of the available Indian Blanket Jasper didn’t meet our purchasing standards, but there was a lot of interest and sales. The quality we saw leads us to believe that high-quality specimens may be becoming more difficult to obtain.
What we purchased at the show
Given the considerable size of our inventory, we exercise selectivity regarding purchases at rock and gem shows, yet we did acquire a few select rocks that proved irresistible for our collection.
Moroccan Seam Agate
One of the items on our shopping list was Moroccan Seam Agate. We located a single vendor with a limited quantity of this material. The pieces available were relatively small, and the quality ranged from average to poor. Nonetheless, we acquired two small specimens to enhance our collection.
Carrasite Jasper
We acquired this exquisite jasper from Thomas & Jessa Pearson of T&J Rocks, who boast an impressive assortment of slabs and rough materials. Notably, they hold the mining claim for Pink Lady Plume Agate, sourced from a specific region within the Graveyard Point Agate area. Furthermore, they maintain a strategic partnership with the claim holders of Carrasite Jasper, facilitating trades between the parties.
Carrasite Jasper is located near the renowned Morrisonite Jasper locality and exhibits similar visual characteristics. Notably, Carrasite Jasper is prized for its distinctive ‘egg patterns’ that occasionally appear within its structure.
Kona Dolomite with Stromatolites
Kona Dolomite with Stromatolites was another acquisition from T&J Rocks. We were thoroughly impressed with Both Thomas and Jessa provided exceptional service, and we anticipate future transactions with them.
The Kona Dolomite, a Paleoproterozoic rock formation estimated to be 2.1-2.2 billion years old, is predominantly situated within the Kona Hills of Marquette County, Michigan, and is notable for its exceptionally preserved fossilized stromatolites comprising ancient cyanobacteria. Characterized by distinctive pink, red, cream, and brown banding patterns, this geological specimen is highly prized for its utilization in jewelry, cabochons, and ornamental carvings.
DoBell Ranch Petrified Wood
We acquired a couple of specimens of DoBell Ranch petrified wood, notable for the striking contrast between its yellowish-pink and dark brown coloration. The DoBell Ranch, situated near Holbrook, Arizona, is a renowned rockhounding site where visitors can collect petrified wood by digging for it themselves.
Hotsonite
Following a brief negotiation regarding the price, we were thrilled to acquire this exceptional piece of Hotsonite from Eric Vogt at Color County Gems. The transaction was a pleasure, facilitated by Eric’s knowledgeable service. He offered a diverse selection of turquoise cabochons and exquisite, handmade sterling silver jewelry.
Wildfire Hyalite Bubble Opal
We were delighted to acquire a selection of Hyalite Bubble Opal from Rock Dreams. This exquisite opal originates from their Wildfire Bubble Opal claim located near Milford, Utah. A single slab was purchased with the intention of crafting it into cabochons. This initial investment will serve as a trial to assess our affinity for working with this material prior to making larger acquisitions or potentially participating in one of their organized digging events.
Azurite & Malachite Slab
Azurite & Malachite lapidary slab
This small azurite and malachite slab garnered our attention due to its reasonable price, prompting us to acquire it. Regrettably, the vendor was unable to provide information regarding its origin.
More About The Show
T&J Rocks
The event marked an excellent beginning to the year. A new vendor we met this year was T&J Rocks who presented some outstanding offerings, and we anticipate their presence at the next rock and gem exhibition we intend to visit. Among the rough materials that garnered our interest were Thulite, Pink Lady Plume Agate, and Utah Sky Opal. Notably, the Utah Sky Opal originates from a claim held by the Southern Utah Rock Club, rendering it challenging for us to procure it through alternative sources.
Huge Chunk of Fordite
One of the vendors was offering the largest piece of Fordite we had ever seen. It was about 14 inches across and about a foot deep. The sheer size of this Fordite was truly impressive, standing out among the other vendors’ offerings. This particular piece was a real showstopper, attracting attention with its unusual dimensions.
Here’s an elaboration:
The Cedar City show wasn’t just about lapidary rough; it also featured an impressive array of finished goods. There were many beautiful cabochons, sparkling spheres, exquisite gemstones, and fascinating crystal specimens on display. These items provided a delightful contrast to the raw materials, offering something for every collector’s taste.
