Every year we have many fine competitive and non-competitive exhibits from individuals and museums. This page lists all of the competitive exhibit categories along with their descriptions and rules.

Competitive exhibits must conform to AFMS rules and local modifications for the category entered. If your exhibit is entered in a category that has local modifications to the rules, you will be so advised upon receipt of your application. Names of the owners/exhibitors may not be shown. See the details in the entry forms (link is below).

If you would like to enter any of the competitions on this page, please download the 2013 Competitive Exhibit Application Form packet (123 KB) here. If you are not familiar with our case dimensions, you should also download the Show Case Information and Dimensions document (1.4 MB) here.

Please direct all questions regarding rules and entry forms to our Judging Chairperson via e-mail: Larry Havens

This trophy, which honors the memory of a man who was committed to the improvement of displays in the Denver Show, will be awarded to the best single case exhibited by a private individual(s) at the Denver Show, as voted for by members of the Show Committee. A given exhibit can win this award only once.

  2013 Deadline: None | No Entry Form Needed

  2012 Winner: Les Presmyk ("Colorful AZ Minerals")
  2011 Winner: Sue and Al Liebetrau ("Russian Minerals")
  2010 Winner: Ed Raines ("Minerals of the Creede Mining District")
  2009 Winner: Steven D. Jorgensen
                            ("Growth Stages of Didymoceras Species from the Black Hills")
  2008 Winner: David L. Roter ("Colorado Rhodochrosite")
  2007 Winner: David L. Roter ("Minerals of Leadville")
  2006 Winner: David L. Roter ("Minerals of the Central City District")
  2005 Winner: William Severance ("Quartz and Associates")
  2004 Winner: Rice Northwest Museum/Rudy Tschernich
                            ("Zeolites of the Pacific Northwest")
  2003 Winner(s): Ed Raines, William Warren, Dan and Dianne Kile
                            ("Minerals of the Gilman Mining District")

A plaque will be presented to the museum curator designing the best display at the Denver Gem and Mineral Show as voted for by members of the Show Committee. A given exhibit can win this award only once.

  2013 Deadline: None | No Entry Form Needed

  2012 Winner: University of Michigan
  2011 Winner: Smithsonian Institute
  2010 Winner: Colorado School of Mines
  2009 Winner: University of Wollongong, Australia
  2008 Winner: Denver Museum of Nature & Science ("Colorado Minerals")
  2007 Winner: Denver Museum of Nature & Science (unnamed display)
  2006 Co-winner: Houston Museum of Natural Sciences (unnamed display)
  2006 Co-winner: Mineral Museum of Montana Tech ("Minerals of South America")
  2005 Winner: Virgina Technological Institute ("The Many Faces of Quartz")
  2004 Winner: Montana Tech Mineral Museum ("Got Zeolites?")
  2003 Winner: New Mexico Museum of Natural History ("Minerals in Medicine")

Specimens entered in each of the following five categories (not including the Individual Competitive Cases and Club Prospector Trophy) will be placed in special group cases provided by the Denver Show Committee. Specimens may not be part of a regular competitive or non-competitive display. Each specimen must have a label giving species name, locality information, and any associated species.

This trophy is awarded in honor of the countless miners, prospectors, and mineral collectors who preceded us and collectively made a monumental contribution to the Earth Sciences. The trophy is given to the best field collected mineral specimen found during the year preceding the opening date of the show. The specimen(s) entered must have been personally (and actively) collected in the field by the exhibitor and may be any species, from any locality and any size. An exhibitor may enter up to three specimens. A specimen is eligible to win this trophy only once. Eligibility for the Prospector's Trophy is strictly limited to amateur participation. Those persons operating a mine or mining claim (particularly operations utilizing mechanized equipment) with the intent of specimen recovery for resale, principally commercial collectors, paid miners, individuals under contract, or owners and/or operators of working mines, are not considered to be of amateur status. Dealers or other "professionals" collecting on a recreational basis on properties other than their own are exempt from this restriction.

  2013 Deadline: September 9, 2013 | Entry Forms Packet (Word DOC format)

  2012 Winner: Kevin Larsen (2" blue topaz)
  2011 Winner: Tim Hillsten (Albite on Quartz, Teller Co., CO)
  2010 Winner: Eric and Sarah Mitchell (Precious Opal, Nevada)
  2009 Winner: Steve Knox (Phenakite, Mt. Antero, Chaffee County, CO)
  2008 Winner: John Melby (Aquamarine, Chaffee County, CO)
  2007 Winner: Bill and Mary Davis (Montana Quartz Scepter)
  2006 Winner: Bill Mahnken (Japan Law Twin Quartz from Montana)
  2005 Winner: Donald Beamer (Barite, Book Cliffs, Grand Junction, CO)
  2004 Winner: Bob and Doris Drisgill (Topaz, Teller Co., CO)
  2003 Winner: Tim Hillsten (Hematite after Siderite, Teller Co., CO)

This trophy is awarded for the best field-collected specimen personally collected by an individual, aged 6 through 14, found during the year preceding the opening date of the show. The specimen(s) entered must have been personally (and actively) collected in the field by the exhibitor and may be any species, from any locality and any size. An exhibitor may enter up to three specimens. A specimen is eligible to win this trophy only once. Eligibility for the Prospector's Trophy is strictly limited to amateur participation. This trophy competition follows exactly the same guidelines as those of the traditional Prospector competition, besides the age limit.

  2013 Deadline: September 9, 2013 | Entry Forms Packet (Word DOC format)

  2012 Winner: Shealeene Kent (Mt. Antero Aquamarine, Colorado)
  2011 Winner: Ethan Steffen (Smoky Quartz on Goethite, Teller Co., Colorado)
  2010 Winner: Trevor Smith (Barite, Hartsel, Colorado)

This award is intended to encourage exhibitors to display fossils at the Denver Show, as well as to increase public awareness of the importance of this aspect of Earth Science. The trophy is given to the best field collected fossil specimen found during the year preceding the opening date of the show. The specimen(s) entered must have been personally (and actively) collected in the field by the exhibitor and may be any fossil, from any locality and any size. Specimen(s) must be labeled with name and location using AFMS fossil labeling standards. In addition, the formation must be cited on the label. An exhibitor may enter up to three specimens. A specimen is eligible to win this trophy only once. See additional eligibility rules for this competition in "Prospector Trophy" immediately above.

  2013 Deadline: September 2, 2013 | Entry Forms Packet (Word DOC format)

  2012 Winner: Dennis Gertenbach (Crinoid)
  2011 Winner: Jeff Shimon (Trilobite)
  2010 Winner: Jordan Sawdo (Turtle Shell)
  2009 Winner: Jordan Sawdo (Titanothere)
  2008 Winner: Christopher Hayward (Fossilized Wood)
  2007 Winner: Paul LyVere (Araucaria cone, Utah)
  2006 Winner: (there were no entries this year)
  2005 Winner: W. Leslie Robinette (Ancient Pig Skull)
  2004 Winner: Bill and Marge Hawes (Cockroach fossil)
  2003 Winner: Richard Tripp (Araucaria Cone on Limb with Fungus)

This trophy is awarded to the exhibitor of the best crystallized mineral specimen entered in this competition. The trophy is given in honor of Professor Richard M. Pearl, a longtime Colorado resident who was instrumental in organizing both the American Federation and the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies, and past President of both. He was the second "Certified Gemologist" recognized by the American Gem Society, as well as the author of many books on Colorado geology and mineralogy. The competition is open to all exhibitors. Entries may be any crystallized mineral, thumbnail or larger, from any locality; the exhibitor must own the specimen. Quality, on a worldwide basis, will be the only criterion by which each mineral specimen will be judged. The exhibitor will be limited to three entries for this trophy in a given year. A specimen is eligible to win this trophy only once. An exhibitor shall not be eligible to enter this competition for two years following the awarding of the Pearl Trophy.

  2013 Deadline: August 26, 2013 | Entry Forms Packet (Word DOC format)

  2012 Winner: [name withheld by request] (Silver, Kongsberg, Norway)
  2011 Winner: Richard Tripp (Berthierite, Romania)
  2010 Winner: Larry Havens (Barite, Frizington, England)
  2009 Winner: [name withheld by request] (Venezuelan gold)
  2008 Winner: Richard Tripp (Pyrite, Spain)
  2007 Winner: Diana Conti (Sardinian Barite)
  2006 Winner: [name withheld by request] (Hematite with Magnesite)
  2005 Winner: Larry Havens (Vivianite from Bolivia)
  2004 Winner: Richard Tripp (Vanadinite, Morocco)
  2003 Winner: Al and Sue Liebetrau (Fluorite and Calcite, China)

Each year the Denver Show Committee chooses a mineral- or fossil-related theme for special competition. For the 2013 Show, the committee chose "Tourmaline". This competition is open to any individual (amateur or professional), but not to institutions, groups, clubs, or businesses. An individual may enter only one specimen in each size or type category. A trophy will be awarded for the best entry in each of seven categories listed on the entry form (i.e. thumbnail, miniature, cabinet, oversize cabinet, field collected, lapidary/jewelry, and best Colorado specimen). Specimen quality will be judged on the basis of worldwide standards for the show's theme minerals. Workmanship for lapidary/jewelry entries must be that of the exhibitor. No point scores are given, and the decision of the judges is final.

  2013 Deadline: August 26, 2013 | Entry Forms Packet (Word DOC format)

  2012 Winners:
  Thumbnail: Paula Presmyk (Chalcocite, Bristol, CT)
  Miniature: Nick North (Azurite, Mapillas Mine, Mexico)
  Cabinet: Les Presmyk (Azurite, Bisbee, AZ)
  Oversize Cabinet: Carol Smith (Copper in fossilized wood)
  Personally Collected: Larry Havens (Turquoise nodule, Turquoise Chief Mine, Leadville)
  Best of Colorado: Larry Havens (Enargite, Longfellow Mine, Red Mtn. Dist.)
  Lapidary/Jewelry: Jody Sawdo (Copper necklace with cabs and trilobite mold)

  2011 Winners:
  Thumbnail: Paula Presmyk (Fluorite cubes, Dal’negorsk, Russia)
  Miniature: Ron and Judy Knoshaug (Ilvaite, Dal’negorsk, Russia)
  Cabinet: Kent Havens (Calcite with Quartz, Nikolaevskiy Mine, Dal’negorsk, Russia)
  Oversize Cabinet: Larry Havens (Milky Quartz, Bor Quarry, Dal’negorsk, Russia)
  Lapidary/Jewelry: Jody Sawdo (Necklace of pyritized ammonite and fresh water pearls)

  2010 Winners:
  Thumbnail: Nick North (Wire Silver, Creede)
  Miniature: Larry Havens (Silver on Quartz, Creede)
  Cabinet: Kent Havens (Barite, Wagon Wheel Gap, Colorado)
  Oversize Cabinet: Larry Havens (Barite, Bulldog Mine, Creede)

  2009 Winners:
  Thumbnail: Jordan Sawdo (Ammonite)
  Miniature: Lou Conti (Ammonite)
  Cabinet: Jordan Sawdo (Oreodont)
  Oversize Cabinet: [name withheld by request] (Mesosaur)
  Field Collected: Jordan Sawdo (Crinoid)
  Lapidary/Jewelry: Jordan Sawdo (Ammonite necklace)
  Best of Colorado: Jordan Sawdo (Mammoth tooth)

  2008 Winners:   Display Case
  Thumbnail: Bill Chirnside (Bertrandite, Mt. Antero)
  Miniature: Bill Chirnside (Phenakite, Mt. Antero)
  Cabinet: Larry Havens (Barite, Muddy Creek, Rio Grande County)
  Oversize Cabinet: Bill Chirnside (Fluorite, Mt. White)
  Field Collected: Bill Chirnside (Phenakite, Mt. Antero)
  Lapidary/Jewelry: Keith Sheel (Amazonite cab, mounted)

  2007 Winners:
  Thumbnail: Jack and Kaye Thompson (Barite, Black Cloud Mine)
  Miniature: Kathy Havens (Barite, Black Cloud Mine)
  Cabinet: Bill Hayward (Rhodochrosite/Galena, Julia Fiske Mine)
  Oversize Cabinet: Larry Havens (Barite plate, Black Cloud Mine)
  Lapidary/Jewelry: Eldon Hunewell (Pyrite in silver sun ray design)
  Field Collected: Bill Hayward (Rhodochrosite/Galena, Julia Fiske Mine)

  2006 Winners:
  Thumbnail: [name withheld by request] (Twinned Phosphophyllite)
  Miniature: Audrey Neff (Brazilianite)
  Cabinet: James Hurlbut (Cassiterite)
  Oversize Cabinet: Annette Ondraka (Rose Quartz)
  Lapidary/Jewelry: Keith Sheel (Ring set with Brazilian Emeralds)

  2005 Winners:
  Thumbnail: [name withheld by request] (Rose Quartz)
  Miniature: Larry Havens (Japan Law Twin from Montana)
  Cabinet: Al and Sue Liebetrau (Quartz after Fluorite)
  Oversize Cabinet: [name withheld by request] (Quartz with Hedenbergite inclusions)
  Field Collected: Eldon Hunewell (Amethyst enhydro)
  Lapidary/Jewelry: Eldon Hunewell (Amethyst butterfly)
  Colorado: [name withheld by request] (Amethyst crystal from Creede, CO)

  2004 Winners:
  Thumbnail: Larry Havens (Gmelinite-CA from Nova Scotia)
  Miniature: Bill & Marge Hawes (Stilbite & Fluorapophylite on Quartz, India)
  Co-Winner (Cabinet): Bill Hawes (Stilbite on Heulandite from India)
  Co-Winner (Cabinet): [name withheld by request] (Green Heulandite)
  Oversize Cabinet: Bill & Marge Hawes (Heulandite on Mordenite, Idaho)
  Self-collected: Bill & Marge Hawes (Stilbite from Nevada)
  Lapidary/Jewelry: Bill & Marge Hawes (Thompsonite from Michigan)
  Colorado: Kent Havens (Analcime from North Table Mtn., CO)

  2003 Winners:
  Thumbnail: Jack Thompson ("Iron Cross" Pyrite twin from Eagle Mine)
  Miniature: Kathy Havens (Pyrite from Eagle Mine)
  Cabinet: Larry Havens (Pyrite from Gilman District)
  Oversize Cabinet: Larry Havens (Ankerite/Dolomite from Eagle Mine)

  2013 Deadline: August 26, 2013 | Entry Forms Packet (Word DOC format)

  2012 Winners:
  A1: Richard Tripp (Master - 5 large mineral specimens)
  EGC-5: Richard Tripp (Master - Fluorescent Agates)
  BT-1: Nick North (Master – Worldwide thumbnails)
  BU-5X: Andreas DeValera (Junior – Minerals containing copper)
  EGS-2: Littleton Gem and Mineral Club (Society - How to cut round and emerald cut gemstones)

  2011 Winners:
  Thumbnail Minerals, Any Type: Nick North (Advanced)
  Minerals, Open Class: Ethan Steffen (Junior – Minerals from Missouri)
  Thumbnail Minerals, One Series/One Species [name withheld] (Master – Quartz)
  Education, General Audience Concept: Richard Tripp (Advanced - Pyrite)
  Minerals, One Country: Larry Havens (Master - Russian Minerals)
  Miniature Minerals, Any Type: Ron and Judy Knoshaug (Advanced)
  Carvings, Soft Stone: Denver Gem and Mineral Guild (Steatite carvings)

  2010 Winners:
  Thumbnail Minerals, Any Type: Nick North (Advanced)
  Minerals, Open Class: Richard Tripp (Master)
  Unlimited Minerals, One Species: Lou Conti (Master - Fluorites)
  Miniature Pseudomorphs: [name withheld by request] (Master)
  Thumbnail Minerals, Any Type: Alexander Schauss (Master)
  Education, General Concept: Richard Tripp (Agates)

  2009 Winners:
  Cabinet Minerals, One Species: Larry and Kathy Havens (Masters - Barites)
  Thumbnail Minerals, Any Type: Nick North (Novice)
  Minerals, Open Class: Richard Tripp (Advanced)
  Unlimited Minerals, One Species: Lou Conti (Advanced - Fluorites)
  Fossils, One Classification Unit: [name withheld by request] (Masters - Mollusks)
  Fossils, Self Collected: Dennis Gertenbach (Novice)
  Fossils, Self Collected: Jordan Sawdo (Masters - Animal fossils)
  Fossils, Self Collected: Jordan Sawdo (Masters)

  2008 Winners:
  Miniature Minerals: Larry and Kathy Havens
  Single Species - Fluorite: Lou Conti
  Open, Special Classification – Agate nodules, Wolf Creek Pass: Dale Gann
  Faceted, Natural gemstones: Keith Sheel
  One Species, One country – Barite, United States: [name withheld by request]
  Thumbnail Minerals: Ben Speed
  Thumbnail Pseudomorphs: Ben Speed
  Single Specie, Cabinet size - Sphalerite: Les Presmyk

  2007 Winners:
  Cabinet size, All one species - Barite; Advanced: Larry and Kathy Havens
  Unlimited size, All one species - Calcite; Advanced: Lorry Melnick
  Miniatures, All one species - Calcite; Masters: [name withheld by request]
  Thumbnails, Single Crystals; Masters: Jack and Kaye Thompson
  Thumbnails, General; Advanced: Ben Speed
  Single Mine - Julia Fiske Mine, Leadville; Novice: Bill Hayward
  Education, Informed Audience - Leadville Distal Ores; Novice: Dale and Mary Plume
  Education, General, Skill, Lapidary:
      Littleton Gem and Mineral Club, "How to Facet – Step-by-Step"

  2006 Winners:
  Thumbnails; Masters: Alexander Schauss
  Thumbnails; Advanced: Ben Speed
  Educational; Masters - Pseudomorphs: Jack Thompson
  Unlimited size; Novice - Calcite: Lorry Melnick

  2005 Winner: Bill and Chris Hayward (Quartz & Associates, Pike's Peak Batholith)
  2004 Winner: [name withheld by request] (Quartz Thumbnails)
  2003 Winner: Robert and Ruth Zartman (South African minerals)

Any member club of the Greater Denver Gem and Mineral Council is eligible to enter up to three specimens collected after September 18, 2012 (for the 2013 Show) on club-sponsored field trips. The specimens should be displayed in a standard Denver showcase with supporting information about the field trips. Maps, pictures, drawings, etc. can be used to make an attractive case that would be of interest to viewers. One half of the case score will be on showmanship as defined in the AFMS Rules (*see below for the language of the rules) as well as the use of supplementary, information options as suggested above. The other half of the case score will be the highest of the three quality scores awarded to the minerals.

Club Prospector Trophy Scoring Example:

Club X enters three specimens:
  Specimen #1 earns a quality score of 65
  Specimen #2 earns a quality score of 87
  Specimen #3 earns a quality score of 79

The judge assigns a showmanship score of 80 to the case.
The highest specimen score (which is #2) is 87; add that to 80, so the case earns a score of 167.
In the case of multiple judges, scores would be averaged.
The club case with the highest score wins the trophy.

* AFMS Showmanship Rule for Minerals (Division B, Rule 2.2):
Showmanship shall refer to the ability of the exhibitor to use the material exhibited, the background material, lighting, arrangement, and labeling features (such as size, neatness, etc.) to create a display which will attract and hold the interest of the viewer upon the specimens exhibited.

AFMS Rules Changes: The 8th Edition of the AFMS Rule book, corrected through 2004, will be used. Your club can obtain copies of the update from Larry Havens.

  2013 Deadline: September 2, 2013 | Entry Forms Packet (Word DOC format)

  2012 Winner: Colorado Mineral Society - Lakewood, CO
  2011 Winner: Colorado Mineral Society - Lakewood, CO
  2010 Winner: Littleton Gem and Mineral Club - Littleton, CO
  2009 Winner: Littleton Gem and Mineral Club - Littleton, CO
  2008 Winner: North Jeffco Gem & Mineral Club - Arvada, CO - Display Case
  2007 Winner: North Jeffco Gem & Mineral Club - Arvada, CO - Display Case
  2006 Winner: Colorado Mineral Society - Lakewood, CO - Display Case
  2005 Co-Winner: Mile Hi Rock and Mineral Society - Westminster, CO
  2005 Co-Winner: Colorado Mineral Society - Lakewood, CO
  2004 Winner: Littleton Gem and Mineral Club - Littleton, CO
  2003 Winner: Mile Hi Rock and Mineral Society - Westminster, CO

 

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