It’s no secret that I love gemstones and crystals – we have scattered around the house in every room, including the kitchen. One of my favorite shows all year is the San Francisco Crystal Fair at Fort Mason. The most recent one was held in June and we have covered this event before.
So, What Happens at a Crystal Fair?
The Summer Crystal Fair in San Francisco isn’t a very large expo but its intimate size is one of the things that make it so magical. I obviously go for the “deals” because you can get gemstones and crystals for less than you otherwise could in a store, or even online. I don’t recommend buying crystals online in any event, even though I have done it in the past and occasionally still do if I am after a gemstone quickly for a crystal grid I’m working on and there’s not enough time to explore elsewhere.
Their summer event is held at Fort Mason and is always a wonderful mix of crystals, minerals, beads, jewelry, and the healing arts. It takes place six times a year in 2 different locations. With over 40 vendors at each show, there are thousands of items at affordable prices. And, although they often have the same vendors, this means that you get to know them over time and so they’ll often give you better deals over the time. The more you buy of course, the steeper the discount. I managed to pick up three pieces of dark Amethyst, one from Uruguay at an incredibly reasonable price.
Who doesn’t love Amethyst after all?
There are also rarer rocks you can find and of course, both natural and polished gems we all love, including rarer to find Turquoise, which is becoming harder and harder to find at reasonable prices anymore.
One massive gorgeous piece of Celestite
Have a look at some of the crystal eye candy I took in all day — what a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. And, it’s in Fort Mason, so you h ave a beautiful walk along the beach with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge to take in before or after.
Stunning Lapis: they had jewelry, raw stones, polished objects like book ends, bowls and more.
Admission $12 (free for children 12 and under accompanied by adult) — check out their complete calendar! Their next event is the Summer Contra Costa Crystal Fair from August 4-5, 2018 at the Civic Park Community Center in Walnut Creek.
Do you have any other gemstone events we should know about and attend? Let us know in the comments below!
Renee Blodgett is the Founder and Managing Editor of We Blog the World, a global travel, culture and lifestyle publication exploring the world through the lens of meaningful experiences, human connection and cultural depth. Having lived in 10 countries and traveled to 95, Renee has spent much of her life immersed in the people, traditions, landscapes and ideas that shape how we experience the world.
Since launching We Blog the World in 2007, she has written and produced extensive editorial coverage spanning boutique and luxury travel, culinary experiences, arts and culture, wellness, adventure, technology, spiritual traditions and transformative travel. Her work is rooted in the belief that travel is about more than where we go—it is also about what a place, culture or encounter awakens within us.
Renee brings more than three decades of experience across journalism, photography, media, brand strategy, technology, wellness and global storytelling. She has worked with companies and organizations around the world on brand positioning, communications, product launches, media strategy, speaker positioning and storytelling. Through Blue Soul Media, she works with authors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and purpose-driven brands to clarify their message and expand their impact, which includes speaker coaching/training for high-profile stages such as TED and bringing authors’ work to market while retaining authors rights.
She is also the co-founder of Blue Soul Earth, an educational platform exploring consciousness, ancient wisdom, spirituality, healing and the intersection between science and the nature of reality. Renee is the producer and host of the award-winning Blue Soul CHATS, a conversational series bringing together leading voices in science, technology, consciousness, wellness and spirituality.
Her growing body of work also includes Blue Soul Living, which extends her interest in consciousness and well-being into the spaces we inhabit, exploring how intentional design, energy and environment can support greater harmony and connection.
Renee is the award-winning co-author of the bestselling Magdalene’s Journey and founder of the Magdalene Collection, inspired by women’s voices, stories and wisdom across cultures and generations.
A longtime photographer and storyteller, Renee has documented people, places and cultures around the world and produced photographic collections focused on destinations including the Galápagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome and Ecuador. She also co-founded Traveling Geeks, an international initiative that brought entrepreneurs, journalists, creators and technology leaders together with their counterparts in other countries to exchange ideas and explore innovation across cultures.
Renee’s work has been recognized by Forbes, the United Nations and others for her influence in media and social storytelling. Across her work in travel, media, consciousness and culture, a common thread remains: curiosity about the world, the stories that connect us and the ways meaningful experiences can change how we see ourselves and one another.
