Kara Combs, 7, and her sister Holly Combs, 5, both of Gray, chat as they examine a mineral and gem display during Saturday’s 59th Western Maine Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show at Telstar High School in Bethel. The girls were at an exhibit from Cardinal Minerals in Barre, Vermont, which is owned by Keith Van Iderstine. The event, which attracted thousands of rock hounds and jewelry seekers, was hosted by the Oxford County Mineral and Gem Association. The event featured more than a dozen exhibit tables displaying gems and minerals from around the world, along with hand-crafted jewelry made with gems from Maine mines. The event also featured a moon rock – that visitors were able to touch – that is on permanent display at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. That exhibit drew a lot of attention from young and old alike. Judith Meyer/Bethel Citizen