The New England Lapidary and Fossicking Club Inc (NELFC) will stage its 35th Annual Gem and Craft Show at Armidale Showground on Saturday, 14 March and Sunday, 15 March 2026.
The free community event will run from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and 9am to 3pm on Sunday. Entry is via Dumaresq and Kennedy streets, with wheelchair access available at the rear of the hall.
More than 50 vendors are expected to attend, with stalls located inside the Trade Pavilion and in outdoor areas. Organisers say the 2026 show is shaping up to be the largest in the event’s history.
“If you are looking for that ‘special’ gift for someone, then the N.E.L.F.C. Gem and Craft Show is the place you will most likely find it. There’s sure to be something to catch everyone’s eye!” said organisers.
A wide range of gems, opals, fossils, rocks, crystals, jewellery, crafts, books, and lapidary equipment will be available for purchase, catering to collectors, hobbyists, and those searching for a unique gift.
Three raffle prizes will be drawn over the weekend: a topaz pendant (first prize), agate bookends (second prize), and a rocks and minerals book (third prize).
The family-friendly event will also feature children’s activities, including face painting and a treasure hunt across both days. For $1, children can take part in fossicking at the popular gem wash stall, with participants able to keep the gems and stones they uncover.
Food and refreshments will be available on site, with the Armidale Dumaresq Lions Club hosting a barbecue breakfast and lunch. Thai Satay and a coffee van will trade throughout the weekend, and an ice-cream van will attend on Sunday.
About the club
Founded in 1991, the New England Lapidary and Fossicking Club is based at the Uralla Showground, with members drawn from across the New England region and beyond.
The club holds monthly field trips and lapidary sessions, with meetings conducted on the last Wednesday of each month at 7pm in the clubrooms. Access to the showground’s automated gate can be arranged through the club secretary.
The club aims to promote and encourage the study and practice of lapidary and fossicking, as well as related crafts including faceting, silverwork, wire wrapping, and jewellery making.
Lapidary is the art of cutting and polishing precious and semi-precious stones. Like many similar clubs across Australia, NELFC provides opportunities for people interested in gemstones and minerals to develop their skills and share knowledge.
For membership details, contact secretary Kerry Tasik on 0407 308 620 or email nelfc@hotmail.com.
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