Geodes, rocks and crystals aplenty

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/01/2017 (3190 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Jacobs Trading Ye Olde Rock Shop just opened its newest location at 1600 Regent Ave. W. , showcasing a wide variety of products in over 4,000 square-feet  of space.

Some of you may be familiar with the Beausejour location. The store is owned by the mother-and-daughter team of  Donna and Tegan Jacobs. Tegan, a silversmith, originally opened a store to sell her jewellery. She supplemented sales with decorative rocks and soon the rock sales overtook those of jewellery. So, with her mother, they changed focus to concentrate on all things rock-related.

Most children are fascinated with rocks, and many of us carry that fascination into adulthood. People like rocks for all sorts of reasons.

On a deeper level, they connect us to the earth. Some believe certain crystals have metaphysical (healing) properties. There are collectors of particular kinds of rocks, and others collect one of each kind. Some want them for decorating, as there are some gorgeous pieces that can be displayed as art.

Geodes are my favorite. From a few inches to several feet in size, they look like plain rocks on the outside but, when broken open they reveal magnificent crystals on the inside. The most common are quartz but there are many varieties, such as amethyst.

Akoya wish pearls are popular with many.  The buyer makes a wish, then the oyster is opened in front of them to reveal the cultured pearl. The oysters come from large oyster farms. 

The biggest sellers are salt lamps. Mined in Pakistan, the salt is the same consistency as Himalayan salt, which some people claim cleans the air and provides positive energy waves. The core is hollowed out to allow for insertion of a bulb, and the glow of the orange/pink salt provides a warm ambient light. 

Donna explained that the store strives to have mainly natural stock. For example, many ambers are synthetic and imported from China, but Jacobs Trading only carries authentic amber. There may be the odd synthetic product, but they are always indicated as such.
Twice yearly the Jacobses travel to Arizona to attend rock trade shows. Suppliers bring raw product from all over the world and Donna and Tegan spend a few weeks choosing what to purchase and ship back anywhere from 10 to 40 pallets of rock. 

In addition to the store, they host rock and mineral shows. Here collectors have first pick at any rare rocks or other new finds purchased from the trade shows. The next one will be held March 23-26 in Beausejour.

The store also carries polished stones, rough and raw minerals, crystals, fossils, and handmade jewellery, to name a few. Check out its website at jacobstrading.ca.

Suzanne Hunter is a community correspondent for Transcona.