Gary's Rock Shop

Shop Tour: December

2011-12-13T11:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays! In celebration of the season, we have stocked up the shop with old favorites and unique new treasures for all your gift-giving or self-indulging needs:

Feng shui mirrors, Fluorites and Calcites for fluorescence, Nativities and Angels, Stilbites, Apophylites, and Quartz for spiritual work, Himilayan Salt lamps, candles, and crystals for your home environment, Jewelry in every pricerange, Beads and Lapidary supplies for the Do-it-yourself-ers", Pendulums and Runes for dowsing and for fun, Unique Puzzles and Games for the young at heart, Books to learn what it's all about, and even some Coal for the naughty ones!

Don't see what you want for Christmas...no worries! We have gift certificates available and you can come back in early Spring after Gary brings back more treasures from the Arizona buying/collecting trip!

Shop Tour: NOVEMBER

2011-11-01T13:18:00.000-07:00

Viroqua Rock & Gem Show 2011

2011-06-10T12:57:00.000-07:00

Viroqua's Annual Rock & Gem Show was held June 4th & 5th this year. There was a great turnout, some regular vendors mixed with some new, and some awesome treasures to be found! If you missed this year's event, contact us to be placed on the mailing list for next year's event!

Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-07T08:57:00.000-07:00

This mother's day weekend, I've compiled a fabulous list of items for Mom.

Here you'll find bouquet of peacock feathers...$1.65 each feather

Heart Shaped Rose Quartz, the stone of compassion and love...3.95 each

Celestite Crystals, stone of bliss and good fortune...$22.50 large $3.95 small

Relaxation Salt Crystals for the bath...$7.95/bag

Bag of Beads...$0.10 and up

Jewelry, metalworked and beaded necklaces, pendants, earrings and bracelets made by local artists...$15.95 and up

Unique and one of a kind treasures from Mother Earth, lovingly presented to Mom...priceless.

Tour of the Store: March

2011-03-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

Orange Calcite, Onyx, Lamps, Ammonites, Candle Holders, Bowls, Bookends, Agate Chimes, Lingam Stones, and more....

A Local Christmas

2010-11-26T13:05:00.000-08:00

It's "Black Friday" today and I can't help cringing at that term paired with holiday shopping. What happened to the season of jolliness and goodwill? Instead "Retail" has turned the holiday shopping into a "black" event of frenzied greed. This holiday season, I am ignoring the big box stores and choosing instead a unique local experience, right here on Mainstreet Viroqua. As I contemplate the selection of local shops, I begin my journey right here at Gary's Rock Shop with one of a kind gifts from Mother Nature and local artisans. Great gift items include bookends, boxes, jewelry, as well as stones and mineral specimens from around the world. The abundance of local artist work here reminds me I must also add Viva Gallery and Tulips to my shopping list. What better way to support "local" than buying directly from the scores of talented artists in this region. Another great shop to add "color" to my shopping experience is Driftless Fair Trader....this feel-good-about-shopping-store lets you support artisans from all over the world, ensuring fair wages, and taking home quality goods at reasonable prices! Next on the list is Ewetopia and Quilt Basket n' Creations for beautiful handspun yarns and a great selection of fabrics and sewing notions. Next, I'll check out the variety of Mainstreet Market vendors and stop in Bramble Booksellers for the bookworm on Santa's gift-giving list. And I can't forget about Parrish Music, Bluedog Cycles, and the Flower Basket...what a satisfying shopping experience of familiar, friendly faces, warm conversation, and unique gift ideas! Yes, this year I'm shopping local!

Amethyst for the Holidays!

2010-11-13T09:36:00.000-08:00

Amethyst is a stone of "spirituality and contentment", instilling peace and encouraging cooperation...great qualities to keep with us during the approaching holiday season! Amethyst is a bestower of stability, strength and invigoration, properties I often lack during the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping and the inevitable chaos in preparation of the holiday feast. The quality of peace inherent in amethyst, is "perfect peace"...wouldn't that be a beautiful gift for a stressed out loved one! This holiday season, we have an abundance of amethyst in the shop to keep us peaceful and compassionate during the busy months ahead! We have a variety of clusters, large and small quality points, and some excellent large cathedral/geode specimens. So whether your looking to give the gift of peace this holiday, or seeking personal contentment in the season ahead, drop into the shop to feel the good amethyst vibes...and maybe even take some home with you!

New inventory

2010-10-27T14:20:00.000-07:00

We're stocking up for the holidays, so be sure to check out our new specimens and gift items when you stop in the shop! Some of our newest items include Labradorite in small slabs and polished "palm-stones" with exquisite flashes of color, an exciting array of rare and uncommon minerals, beautifully preserved fossil specimens, selenite candleholders and wands, and much, much more!

Viroqua Rock & Gem Show

2010-06-08T12:36:00.001-07:00

If you didn't get the chance to attend this year's Rock & Gem Show at the Viroqua Junior High Gymnasium, I highly recommend checking it out next year. There's great bargains and unique specimens, and something of interest to collectors, jewelers, and the entire family! Still on that rock-finding mission? We have a load of new specimens that we're just now working on pricing and putting out into the shop. Many of these minerals are bargain priced and we also have many new rare and hard to find specimens.

Viroqua Rock and Gem Show

2010-05-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

The countdown begins for the 2010 Viroqua Rock & Gem Show! With the show being less than 2 weeks away make sure to mark your calendars...Saturday June 5 (10-5) and Sunday June 6 (10-4). This year's rock show is once again being held in the Viroqua Junior High Gymnasium. Signs will be placed around town for you to follow for directions.

Dealers attending this year's show include House of Rhodochrosite, Brushy Creek, Cynthia Kelman Jewelry, West Side Agate, Gaia Gems, Phil Oliver's Agate and Wood, World Community, West Side Agate, Phil Burgess and more!

Of course, we'll have a booth set up too with loads of new minerals and specimens, as well as books, jewelry and other offerings we normally carry in the shop. Stop by our booth to say "hi" and check out the old and the new, including some pretty awesome steals on those new specimens!

Be sure to bring the kids, there's activities sponsored by the Coulee Rock Club, and shopping and educational fun for the entire family! Hope to see you there!

New Product: Chakra Pendulums

2010-04-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

While we've always carried a variety of pendulums, new this week are chakra pendulums. These stone pendulums feature the colors of the chakra in stones suspended within the chain and are available in Clear Quartz, Rose Quartz, or Amethyst. Great for use in energy work or just for fun! You can also hang these beautiful pendulums where the sun will "catch" them in windows for enjoyment of their multicolored beauty and transparent stones, however, care should be taken with rose quartz and amethyst as the color can eventually fade with too much direct sun.
Other pendulums we carry include a variety of other stones as well as some unique Shiva Lingam river stones which make beautiful rounded pendulums for a softer effect. These lingam stones from the Narmada River in India are tumbled to their unique oval shape naturally by the river current. These stones are known for their symbolism of "creation" and male/female energy synthesis. Stop by the shop to see more new product, like multi-stone rune sets and books on a variety of stone-related subjects (including pendulums, crystal healing, geology, and more!).

Metalsmithing Demonstration

2010-04-07T10:16:00.000-07:00

On April 18th, we're excited to host a FREE metalworking demonstration by local artist, Raelene Roberts. Raelene is one of our many talented consignment artists here at the rock shop. She does interesting jewelry work with beautiful stone settings. Follow our blog and visit our website periodically to stay updated on more demonstration and event offerings here at Gary's Rock Shop!

Spring into March

2010-02-27T08:50:00.000-08:00

The birds are singing of Spring coming to Wisconsin! Soon, the snow will melt, the ground will thaw and rockhounds will be out searching the local topography for "treasure". Here at the rockshop, we're gearing up for spring with new offerings for our customers. Gary has been bringing in new mineral collections, local artists are making new jewelry, art and gift designs, and we have been ordering more books and gifts for our customers. We are also offering a MARCH INCENSE SAMPLER which includes 4 free Wildberry incense sticks during the month of March with any purchase over $20.00! A great way to sample our incense if you've never tried it before.

Stepping Stone Demonstation

2010-01-30T10:13:00.000-08:00

Get ready for spring gardening activities! Learn the basic procedure to create cement stepping stones Sunday, Feb.7th at 1pm. Sculpture artist, Stacie Anthony, will be giving a FREE demonstration on how to create a simple stepping stone creation. Then shop around the rock shop for the perfect embellishments for your own stepping stone creation. Contact us by phone 608-637-7700 or email rockshop@mwt.net for more information or to register for this free event!

New Collections

2009-09-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

We've just bought a huge collection of stones and specimens and we're currently working on sorting boxes and getting everything labeled! Stop by to check out all of our new specimens in the weeks to come. Some of the items we've come across while unpacking include an entire flat of beautiful green apatite crystals, selenite wands, tourmaline, quartz, mixed minerals, rough sodalite and chrysocolla, and more!

Crazy Daze Sale!

2009-07-05T11:18:00.000-07:00

We've done a belated "spring cleaning" here at the rock shop, in order to make room for new specimens and products. So, now it's time for you to take advantage of some discounts!

This year we will be participating in Viroqua's Crazy Daze Sale on Saturday, July 11th, 7am - 5pm. We'll have some great bargains outside on the sidewalk sale, as well as new items inside the shop! Plan to come early for the best selection!

Followup on Rock & Gem Show 2009

2009-06-10T12:55:00.000-07:00

If you didn't make it to the Rock & Gem Show this year, you missed out on a fun time and some bargains, so mark your calendar for the first weekend in June next year! One of my favorite finds at the show this year was a unique specimen of two nicely preserved dinosaur eggs which was priced out of my meager budget. However, I did walk away with a few nice rough gems and specimens for my personal collection at a fraction of what I would have paid anywhere else. We also hand picked some new product for the rock shop while we were there, so we'll have new products including rough moldavite, carved animals, and more on display soon!

Viroqua Rock & Gem Show

2009-05-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Viroqua's Annual Rock & Gem Show is Coming Soon! You won't want to miss it, so mark your calendars for Saturday, June 6 (10 - 5pm) and Sunday, June 7 (10 - 4pm). Many dealers from throughout the region, specializing in jewelry, minerals, fossils, specimens, gemstones, crystals, polished stones, displays and much more, will be joining us again this year. Be sure to stop by our booth and check out the Narmadashvara Shiva Lingam display, Native Jewelry and Doll display, and other minerals, fossils and books we will be showcasing at this event. This year you will even see some local artists and jewelers demonstrating and selling and their stone and gem creations. The 2009 Rock & Gem Show will be held at the Viroqua Junior High School Gymnasium. For more information or to get on the mailing list for next years event, contact us at rockshop@mwt.net.

PH.D. Level Answers

2009-05-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

Here's the answers to last weeks quiz questions:
1. Amber
2. Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic
3. Pumice
4. The Smithsonian Institution
5. Blue

Are you a rock & gem PH.D.?

2009-05-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

Here's the final questions to our quiz by Ken Fisher of the North American Syndicate.

1. This "gem" is a hard, translucent, fossilized resin.

2. Name the three basic types of rocks.

3. This stone is used as an abrasive and can float.

4. Where would you go to see the Hope Diamond?

5. Lapis Lazuli is a rock, not a mineral. What color is it?

Check back to our blog next week for the answers to these PH.D. Level questions. Don't know the answers? May I suggest a part-time job at your local rockshop or a membership to your local rockhounding club. After a year or so, you'll know all of this and so much more...plus you'll realize there is much more to learn and be hooked into wanting to learn it!

Quiz Answers: Graduate Level

2009-05-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

1. Quartz
2. Cultured
3. Stalactite
4. Stalagmite
5. Fool's Gold

Watch for PH.D. Level Questions later this week.

Graduate Level Questions

2009-05-01T12:52:00.000-07:00

Continuing with the quiz from Ken Fisher, I have the Graduate Level questions listed here...let's see much you know.
1. Amethyst is a variety of what mineral?
2. Pearls that are not created naturally are called ____ pearls.
3. Term for calcium carbonate hanging from the roof of a limestone cave.
4. What is it called if it projects upward from the floor of the cave?
5. Pyrite is also known as what kind of "gold"?

Perhaps alittle more thinking required than last time...I'll post the answers next week.

Freshman Level Quiz Answers

2009-04-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

1. Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby
2. Diamond
3. Carbon
4. Pearl
5. Purple

Are you ready to proceed to Graduate Level? If so, watch for the next set of questions to be posted within the next week...

Q & A: rockhounding sapphires

2009-04-27T14:23:00.000-07:00

We recently received a blog question from Lori who says, "I recently did some gem mining in Eastern Tennessee. I had an assayer look at some of my finds and was told I had quite a large sapphire. I chose not to leave my stone with them for faceting as it would have to be mailed to me. Can you tell me how I can determine if this is a real sapphire?"

Gary responded that she should take it to a jeweler for proper analysis. "It is probably a sapphire, but if it is worth faceting, etc. I don't know. If he knows someone in the business, she might get it done for nothing as long as she does not ask for an appraisal."

Earth Day

2009-04-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

Every day is Earth Day here at Gary's Rock Shop! Not only are we surrounded by all the beautiful gifts from Mother Nature, but we also focus on environmentally-friendly practices, like reusing and recycling, and making earth-conscious business practices a priority. The photo at left is a Vegan Ivory Nut, handcarved in the South Pacific Islands. In honor of Earth Day, I've decided to begin posting a little quiz by Ken Fisher (North American Syndicate) that found it's way onto my desk. Here's the "Freshman Level" questions (I'll post the answers next week):

1) The ruby is one of the four precious stones. Name two of the other three.
2) What is the hardest known naturally occurring mineral?
3) Of what is diamond composed?
4) What is the only gem that has an animal origin?
5) What color is amethyst?

Used Lapidary Equipment

2009-04-08T14:55:00.000-07:00

Gary is always coming across used equipment, and offers up his best finds on the web at www.garysrockshop.net. So if your new to the lapidary arts, or a seasoned craftsman looking for reasonably priced equipment, you may be interested in checking out his recent acquisitions. Among the more recent additions include the saw pictured above, which is a Star 10" Saw, automatic feed. It needs a new motor, but blade is good shape with many hours left on it. This saw includes a plastic cover. $500 Used.

Spring Clearing

2009-03-07T11:44:00.000-08:00

While you're busy doing some spring cleaning, why not work at clearing the energy also? Some helpful items for clearing are sage bundles, and amethyst and citrine stones. Ringing a bell in the corners of your rooms is good feng shui and a salt lamp will release negative ions which cleans the air of dust, pollen, dust mites, animal dander and mold spores...a few salt lamps placed strategically will enhance and clear the energy of a room.

Sculpture Demonstration

2009-02-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

Winter blahs? Spring Fever? We'll give you something to get excited about! Come to Gary's Rock Shop for Demonstrations and Classes. On Sunday, March 22nd 1pm - 2pm, join us for a wire-wrapped sculpture demonstration by artist, Stacie Anthony. Kids are welcome and encouraged, but must be accompanied by an adult. Stacie will be demonstrating techniques she uses for her miniature tree sculptures in stone and wire, and will also adapt the project for little hands! Call or stop by to register for this free event~space is limited!

Youth Fieldtrips

2009-02-01T12:31:00.000-08:00

Youth fieldtrips are something unique we offer at Gary's Rock Shop. Several area schools and youth groups visit the rock shop every year. Most often, school groups visit during a geology unit or scouts visit to learn what they need to earn a geology badge. Most often, we give a little lesson or review what the students have already learned, give them a tour of the shop, and then give them alittle time to look around on their own and do alittle shopping (younger groups combine the geology lesson with a unit on money). If you have a group that would like to learn more about rocks, minerals, and fossils, a fieldtrip to Gary's Rock Shop might be just the thing!

Wire-Wrap Demonstration

2009-01-09T14:29:00.000-08:00

Brad Friske, one of our local artists, is giving a wire-wrapping demonstration on Sunday, February 8th 1:00-2:00pm. His wire-wrapped pendants are AMAZING...Come see the artist at work! You can read more about Brad and see an example of his work in our blog entry dated November 16, 2008. Space is limited, so please call 608-637-7700 or email rockshop@mwt.net to REGISTER for this FREE EVENT!

New Product: Dinosaur Puzzles

2009-01-02T13:14:00.000-08:00

Being a kid-friendly, family focused store, we're always searching for great products for those little hands and inquiring minds. One such product we've recently gotten in the shop are Dinosaur puzzles. They are 3-dimensional plastic dino figurines which come apart into puzzle pieces. The Dilophosaurus has a total of 21 pieces and is approximately 4 3/4" long when assembled. They retail at $6.95 each and come in a variety of Dino species.

Local Artist: Geri La Rocque

2008-12-28T13:26:00.000-08:00

Geri La Rocque, a long-time customer, has just recently created some beautiful (and functional) pendulums available to you here at Gary's Rock Shop. They are a nice contrast to the pendulums we carry from our national supplier. These are embellished with beads and charms, and each pendulum has a personality of it's own. She has created each with intention, and has included instructions to assist you in the use of your new pendulum.

New & Used Lapidary Equipment

2008-12-19T15:08:00.000-08:00

We sell a variety of tools and equipment for your rockhounding and lapidary needs. Check out our website www.garysrockshop.net for great deals on used equipment, or stop by our store in Viroqua, WI to see our the selection of tumblers, rock hammers, and more! Feel free to email us (rockshop@mwt.net) with your lapidary questions, or to inquire about Gary's class schedule.

New Product: Puzzle Boxes

2008-12-13T08:38:00.000-08:00

An interesting item we've gotten in the shop, just in time for the holidays, are wooden puzzle boxes. These items are Fair Trade, made in India. Each box can be taken apart like a puzzle to reveal at least one hidden compartment. An interesting and beautiful gift item, these boxes come in a variety of designs including stylized butterfly, sleeping kitty, and my favorite, a precious dove design.

Local Artist: Stacie Anthony

2008-12-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

We're lucky here at the rock shop to have many phenomenal jewelry artists. One such artist, Stacie Anthony of Winged Woman Art, uses symbolic stones and copper or sterling silver wire in her necklaces and bent wire pendants. We also occasionally carry her wire and cement sculptures. For more information on Stacie's work find her on the web at www.stacieanthony.com or stop in our shop in Viroqua--you may even catch her working--she's one of our treasured employees.

Product spotlight: Fish Fossils

2008-11-29T11:31:00.000-08:00

One of our long-time customer favorites are the Bony Fish Fossils found in the Greenriver shale cliffs of Wyoming. This ancient fish is a member of the minnow family and dates back to the Eocene period, approximately 50 million years ago.

Grateful for our Mother Earth

2008-11-25T12:57:00.000-08:00

At this time of year, with Thanksgiving only a few more days away, and the Christmas season approaching, I find myself thinking about our earth home and the many wondrous gifts from Mother Nature. During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I'm reminded to slow down, "stop and smell the roses"...or more appropriately, stop to smell the pine-boughs...catch a snowflake on my tongue...admire the beauty of bare tree branches silhouetted against the crisp blue winter sky...remember to breathe, and be thankful for the air, the rivers and oceans, and the frozen earth underfoot. Thanks for the life you provide, Mother Earth. Let us not forget you this holiday season.

Local Artist: Brad Friske

2008-11-16T12:57:00.000-08:00

If you haven't stopped in and seen Brad's phenomenal wire wrapping skill displayed in his pendants here at the rock shop, you really should stop in and prepare to be dazzled! He is also willing to custom wire wrap your stone in silver or gold-filled wire. Contact us at Gary's Rock Shop for your custom jewelry needs.

New Products

2008-11-14T11:52:00.000-08:00

Lots of new products coming in for the holiday season...chess boards, books, dinosaur puzzles, herbal smudging scents, oil burners, onyx spheres, jewelry, and more! Stop by our storefront at 317 S. Main Street, Viroqua and immerse yourself in a native and natural holiday shopping experience.

Rock Collecting

2008-11-08T08:14:00.000-08:00

I recently read an interesting tidbit in the Pebble Pusher, newsletter for the Coulee Rock Club in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Stone and mineral collecting is apparently an ancient art! A discovery in a cave in central France consisted of a piece of pyrite (fool's gold), fossil shells, and coral...apparently placed in a corner for the Neandrethal owner to admire as they showed no signs of being worn. I guess humankind has always (even 50,000 years ago) been fascinated by mother nature's gifts. (Source: The Tumbler and Rocky Reader via Flint Flashes 05/99). For more information about the Coulee Rock Club's activities and events, or to subscribe to their newsletter, email rockinbabe@acegroup.cc

Magic Crystals

2008-10-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

Here's alittle myth and magic for the Harry Potter fans this Holloween. Looking for a stone of power? or maybe an embellishment for that magic wand you're creating? I think I've found exactly what you're seeking.

Clear Quartz Crystals--what ignites the imagination more than the naturally formed perfect geometric point on a quartz crystal? If you're looking for a stone of power, magic, and healing, quartz crystals are a great place to start. With both piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties, quartz emits ENERGY, which can be used to amplify your physical and mental energy. There are many different formations of quartz...double terminated, elestials, lazers, key, rainbow, record keepers, sceptre, seer, self-healed, tabby, twins, window, and more. So, there's plenty to choose from, and each has a special mission or message. Quartz was used in Atlantis and Lemuria in the creation of an incredibly powerful civilization...so beware, use your quartz crystal for "the good of all", for it is said that it was the misuse of crystals which brought about the destruction of these mysterious civilizations.

To find out more about the magical properties of stones and crystals, check out some of our favorite references:
~Love is in the Earth, a kaleidoscope of crystals. Written by Melody
~Healing with Gemstones & Crystals. Written by Diane Stein

Rockhounding in Wisconsin

2008-10-24T12:56:00.000-07:00

Looking for Amethyst, Pipestone (Catlinite), Feldspar, Jasper, Garnet, Coral, Agate, Calcite, Trilobite Fossils, and more? Who would have thought we have such a variety of rocks and minerals right under our feet here in Wisconsin! Some great books for more information on the geology of Wisconsin and Wisconsin rockhounding include Wisconsin Through 5 Billion Years of Change and Roadside Geology of Wisconsin. You can find these books and more on the web at www.garysrockshop.net