Expopedras 2008

Today I will share pictures and commentary about Expopedras. This is a gem and mineral show that occurs every other year. It is the second time I have been. The show is in the town of Ametista do Sul. The exhibitors are all from the region known as the “Alto Uruguay.” The region has this name because it is a plateau region near the Uruguay River. It is not particularly close to Uruguay. It’s actually closer to Argentina and Paraguay. This area of about 6 municipalities (kind of like counties in the USA) is where the world’s largest amethyst ore is. You can find some very fine specimens at the show, but it is much less diverse than the Exposol show in Soledade. At Exposol there is material from the “Alto Uruguay”(amethyst and selenite) but also minerals from other parts of southern Brazil as well as crystals and gems from central and northern Brazil. This years Expopedras had many foreign visitors, predominantly Chinese. As with many shows, the material in the booth is just the “bait” for customers to make bigger purchases. The local paper estimated that about 400 tons of minerals were sold during the show. The show is quite an event for little Ametista do Sul. The town is fairly isolated. All the roads to the town are dirt roads, and one of the main roads has no bridge and requires a ferry boat to get across. The show brings people from different countries for business and the locals from the surrounding small towns. At night there are fun events like a rodeo and a concert. The business activities take a backseat and there is a chance for some fun. It’s not sophisticated entertainment, but it is a good time.