Passion shines at the Noblesville Gem Show

By AIDA KARIM
news@readthereporter.com

You don’t have to be a geologist to enjoy the stunning beauties of nature at the Noblesville Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry show June 19 to 21 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville. There is a small attendance fee, but dads can go for free on Father’s Day!

The Reporter spoke with Chase Ekelbarger and Jerry Savage about their ventures in the gemstone business.

Ekelbarger, owner of Nectar Gems, said he’s looking forward to participating in the Hamilton County show for the first time.

Ekelbarger said he got his start in the business largely by coincidence.

“I was working a job and my car broke down and I needed a way to make money,” he said. “It was the beginning of the Facebook sales and my close friend had been selling. I borrowed $100 from him. I bought five teeny-tiny tourmalines. I sold them for a profit and I paid them back, and I just started buying and selling almost every day.”

He said his business continued to snowball until he had a comprehensive collection.

“After doing this for over 11 years, I’ve built a reputation in the business,” Ekelbarger said. “I would go out to the major shows in Tucson and Denver.”

Ekelbarger also said he tries his best to maintain both affordable inventory and more high-end minerals. There’s incredible value in attending in-person shows, both for the success of the business and when it comes to meeting new people and enjoying yourself.

“You never know who you’re gonna meet, so I always approach everyone with an open mind,” he said. “It’s a really fun time when you get to bring the family out and spend a weekend selling, meeting people, and just having a good time.”

Savage Creations is another gemstone business that will be featured at the upcoming show.

As owner of the business, Jerry Savage said he had long pursued an interest in gemstones and minerals, studying mineralogy in university. During his military service, Savage understood that a traditional 9-to-5 job wouldn’t suit him – and that’s when the gemstone business found him.

Savage told The Reporter that during his time in the army, he would travel to local shows where he was stationed. He’s grown his business exponentially in recent years, with over 400,000 specimens in stock and traveling to around 10 shows every year.

Savage said he sources his specimens from all over the world – Indonesia, India, Pakistan, and a variety of other countries.

Savage also attested to the range of crystals you can find at a show.

Savage said he gets joy from, “just seeing a cluster, or a geode full of crystals – and there are thousands of different types – and there are thousands of different variations of those types.”

Savage said the gemstone business is a lot bigger than getting sales from people; something he prides himself on is education.

“The funny thing is everybody sends people to my booth to ask questions because there’s not a lot of actual mineralogists or people that are technically trained in this who do rock shows,” he said.

Savage said after years of being in the business he is still stunned at the appearance of so many beautiful gems at any given show.

“It’s just amazing to me, and there is no more beautiful artwork than what nature can create on its own,” he said.

You can meet Savage, Ekelbarger, and other exhibitors June 19 to 21 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville.

Learn more about Nectar Gems at Facebook.com/nectargemsandjewelry, and Savage Creations at Facebook.com/jsavagecreations.