Geology Club member Nicole Glackin with the amethyst geode. (Sacramento State/Craig Koscho)A rolling stone gathers no moss, but several of them will be gathered together as part of the annual Rock Auction hosted by Sacramento State’s Geology Club (http://csusgeologyclub.webs.com/rock-auction).
From 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, rock fans will roam Harper Alumni Center, where more than 150 pieces of rock, mineral, fossil, and petrified wood will be offered through a silent auction. Another 15 exquisite pieces will be up for grabs during an always-entertaining live auction. The auction is free and open to the public.
This year’s premier item may look familiar to regular Rock Auction participants. A 3-foot-tall amethyst geode is a small tower of sparkling violet crystals. Its twin, cut from the same large stone, was auctioned off a few years ago in spirited bidding.
The evening also includes light appetizers and a children’s table where young rockhounds can fish for prizes, play a pingpong ball toss, and win small samples of rocks and petrified wood. All proceeds benefit the student-run Geology Club to help fund field trips and other activities.
Club officers and members are enthusiastic about the auction and passionate about geology.
“This subject puts you outdoors,” says club President Bobby Carpenter. “You also learn about the earth’s features. The things you walk on and climb on, you know how they got there. I want to do something with my life that will put me in that area forever.”
Junior Class Representative Robert Carlisle echoes Carpenter’s sentiments about the outdoor aspect, as well as being knowledgeable about the geological process. “What really intrigues me is knowing how all these land forms originated.”
Vice President Julie Kale says she, too, always has been fascinated with how Earth was formed but was taking a different path when she entered college. “I took a geology class just for fun, and within the first week I was hooked,” she says. “I switched majors and I haven’t looked back since.”
To donate an item to the auction, call the Geology Department at (916) 278-6337 or visit www.csus.edu/geology. For media assistance, call Sacramento State’s Public Affairs office at (916) 278-6156. – Craig Koscho
In the media: "Rock auction at Sacramento State," Good Day Sacramento