NY/NJ Gem and Mineral Show

[HamptonsDoc]

This weekend is the NY/NJ Gem and Mineral Show. I went on Friday and Saturday and was impressed by the amount of fossils at the show. This show claims to be the largest on the east coast, with 350-400 vendors. My estimate is that there were around two dozen or so high quality fossil dealers. The largest displays by fossil dealers seemed to be from Trans-Union Fossils and Indiana 9, both with some impressive specimens for sale. Indiana 9 has a few nice Sclerocephaluses (one being two feet long!) and a nice juvenile ichthyosaur. Trans-Union has a nice Xiphactinus head that was taken out of the matrix and reconstructed on a stand. Highland rock had some nice plates with local dino tracks. A nice selection of T-Rex teeth ($600 - $8900 for the complete ones) and dino claws from Bryan Clarke Fossils and I think Dinoland Plus.

The show space had a large area in the center with display casts- full T-Rex and Triceratops, Mosasaur, Plesiosaur, many egg nests, T-Rex tracks, etc. I was a little confused by the section as there were a few genuine specimens mixed in with the casts. All of this material was also for sale or rent. There were some nice mineral display cases and a dark room with an ultraviolet mineral display which was interesting to see. I saw two Triceratops horns for sale, a complete with a lot of restoration and a partial, and a nice selection of Green River fish, and even a Tully Monster.

Overall a great show that is worth a trip to see. Fossils for everyone ranging from $1 to $50,000. Lots of activities for kids, too. It was fun for me to recognize some fossils that I saw for sale in Tucson (one that I was very much considering purchasing) being sold by different dealers here! Most of the fossils and dealers seemed authentic, but there was one Moroccan dealer I will not mention who had the typical fakes mixed in with some real stuff. I was surprised by the amount of material there that I was told I wouldn't see any longer- Argentinian pine cones and a good number of eggs and nests being sold by different dealers- full Hadrosaur, Oviraptor, Tarbosaur, Saltasaurus and Segnosaurus eggs, a partial french egg, and nests of Hadrosaur, Oviraptor and Segnosaurus eggs. Most dealers keep this under the table and you had to ask to see, but a few kept them out on their tables. Everyone said the eggs were collected and imported legally prior to the ban.

I thought I took more pictures than I did, but here is what I have:

[vonfatman]

Looks like a great show. I sure enjoy seeing all the displays. The kids always love fossils but all the added colorful minerals would have had my grandson mesmerized That pyrite specimen is outstanding. Actually it's stunning.

Thanks for posting photos.

Bob

Edited April 10, 2016 by vonfatman

[FossilDudeCO]

Looks like a fantastic show!

I would love to make it out there one year!

[Troodon]

Thanks for the pictures. It's grown a bit since I've attended the first few shows. I wish some more of bigger fossil dealers from the Tucson, Denver shows attended this one. I think Indiana9fossils is the only one that does all three shows.

[Scylla]

I saw that ichthyosaur, the Tully monster, and the X-fish skull too! Your reporting of the event is excellent. One of the fossil dealers there told me this is his last year at this show because the booth costs are too high and they just can't turn a profit at this show. I think that this show gets a lot of cheaper fossils sold though. A $30k skull probably won't sell here, but a $300 fossil will, I think.

[JustPlainPetrified]

Nice trip and seems like you saw some great ranges in quality and value.

[Shamalama]

I saw that ichthyosaur, the Tully monster, and the X-fish skull too! Your reporting of the event is excellent. One of the fossil dealers there told me this is his last year at this show because the booth costs are too high and they just can't turn a profit at this show. I think that this show gets a lot of cheaper fossils sold though. A $30k skull probably won't sell here, but a $300 fossil will, I think.

Is it me or does it seem that the show is getting smaller year to year? It felt as though there were less dealers this year overall and more "bulk" dealers. I think the booth fees are driving lower end dealers away.