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If yours is the best, prove it! Enter the Mineral Specimen Contest at the 2009 Nittany Gem & Mineral Show |
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These rules are being posted on June 22. We apologize for their lateness. Please read and note any changes from the preliminary page which was posted on June 10. Note the clarification in the classes, which means that an entrant may enter one self-collected specimen in Class 1 and another in Class 2. If you couldn't decide which of two self-collected specimens to enter, now you can enter both! Note minor changes in size limit and labeling. Scope: This contest is for mineral specimens found in Pennsylvania from January 1, 2004, to the present. It is intended to spotlight the mineralogy of Pennsylvania and the collectors who unearth it. Lapidary material is not included in this contest. Classes: 1: Self Collected. Minerals collected in the field by the entrant. 2: General. Mineral specimen must be owned by the entrant. Size limit: All specimens must fit in a 6 inch cube and must be bigger than a 0.75 inch cube as displayed with the flat face of the cube facing the viewing area. Entries that do not meet this requirement will not be judged. Number of Specimens: Each entrant may enter one (1) specimen in each class. Labeling: Each specimen is required to have a label with the name of the mineral or minerals and the locality of the specimen. The locality should show at least the name of the county were it was found. More information is desirable. There should be no marks indicating ownership or any other way of identifying the specimen's owner on the label. The size of the label should be no bigger than a standard business card (2 inches by 3.5 inches). The intent of labeling is to inform the judges and the viewing public. It will not be judged as to accuracy, spelling or completeness. Rules and Criteria: Quality: Is based on the condition of the crystals, their freedom from bruises and flaws, the size of the crystals and their arrangement, and how much excess foreign material is present. Repaired specimens are allowed and the effectiveness of the repair will be judged as part of quality. Specimen Preparation: Is judged on the freedom of excess material and the skill in preparation of the specimens. Showmanship: Refers to ability of the entrant to show the specimen to its best advantage in the given space. Miscellaneous rules: Judging: Three judges will examine each entry. Specimens will not be handled by judges and will be judged as displayed. Each will score the entry separately. Judging comments will be posted after judging is complete. Entrants must not communicate with judges and should stay away from the cases while judging is in progress. Opinions of judges are final. Permission: Entrants agree that if they win, they will allow NMS to use their name and photograph, and a photograph of their specimen. Entrants agree that NMS and its volunteers are not liable for damage or anything that may happen to a specimen. Judging Points: Self Collected Class: Quality: 60 points Specimen Preparation: 30 points Showmanship: 10 points General Class: Quality: 80 points Specimen Preparation: 10 points Showmanship: 10 points PROCEDURES Submitting entries: Entrants should bring their specimens to be entered to the Show on Saturday morning June 27th, 9:00-9:45 a.m., receive an entry number for each and place the specimen in the contest case under NMS supervision. If delivery by the owner is not possible, a specimen may be delivered and set up by a person appointed by the owner (NMS may be able to suggest a person in your area), or the specimen and label may be shipped to the NMS Show Chair -contact David Glick - phone 814-237-1094, ship to 209 Spring Lea Dr., State College PA 16801 - who will place it in the display. Picking up entries Specimens may be picked up immediately after the Show closes at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, June 28th. Advance arragements should be made if the owner does not expect to be available to pick up the specimen. Judging Judging will take place at approximately noon on Saturday. Prizes: There is no monetary prize. Each entrant will receive a label-sized card stating that the specimen was displayed as part of the contest. The winner of each class will receive a label-sized plaque. The winning specimen in each class will be photographed (on Sunday afternoon if possible) and the entrant will receive an enlarged print of the photograph. Questions: If you have any questions, please ask in advance. webmaster |