<< Back 7/31/02 Franklin clings to gem-mining tradition By Beth Seay In the 1870s, mining for rubies and sapphires began in Macon County. Mines were built and worked commercially for corundum, an abrasive, along with mica and kaolin, which were hauled by horse and wagon to the railroad. Sometime in the 1890s, Tiffany’s became interested in the area as a source of rubies and sapphires, but two other companies — American Prospecting and Mining and U.S. Ruby Mining — began looking around for the source of rubies in the corundum mines. The search was given up early this century, and no source has been found yet. In the 1950s, the mines opened to the public and the area became the “Gem Capital of the World.” Members of the Gem and Mineral Society of Franklin are still looking today, however, for the mother lode. According to Quintin King, Gemboree chairman of the Gem and Mineral Society, “there are absolutely still gemstones found in the Franklin area ...including rubies, sapphires, garnet, rhodolite garnet, amethyst and citrine.” None of the local rockhounds would ever reveal their sites in the field. However, many take their hobby quite seriously. “It’s just a hobby for these folks, but it’s as professionally done as if they did it for a living,” said King. The Gem and Mineral Society and the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored this year’s Gemboree, the 37th annual gem dealers show this past weekend. Twenty-four dealers from around the country come to show their wares to the general public, people shopping for finished jewelry, rough gems, jewelry making equipment and supplies, art, artifacts and fossils. “Rockhounds come to buy their rough materials, rather than mining for them,” King said. Many of the Gem and Mineral Society’s 120 members help set up the show, arrange special exhibits, and perform demonstrations. “That’s how we attract people to the business,” said King, “With demonstrations.” Some of the exhibits are brought over from the Society’s museum in the old jail in downtown Franklin. King said this year’s Gemboree appeared to be a “good” show, but not a “record year” in terms of attendance. He said dealers were reporting steady sales. Dealers themselves reported a slightly disappointing turn out. Bill Wenzlawsh from Wenco Enterprises in Mogadore, Ohio, said he’s been coming to the Gemboree for six years. He said that business is down at all the gem shows he does, by about half. Linda Harbuck, director of the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce said she thought attendance was down this year as well. Parking was complicated this year at the Community Facilities Building by a baseball tournament going on. “That was poor planning, and it hurt us,” said Harbuck. She stressed that despite a lower than usual attendance and a few parking problems, the show remains very popular. “Our capacity is 24 dealers, and we have a huge waiting list,” she said. Area hotels also benefit from the show. Harbuck said one hotel owner said that the Gemboree is their “busiest time of the year” and that they have to “turn people away.” The Chamber and the Gem and Mineral Society also sponsor a “Leaf Lookers” Gemboree in October. A wholesale gem show has been held in town in conjunction with the Gemboree for several years. This show is not open to the general public, only to gem dealers. Harbuck said she believes the two shows “enhance” each other. Elmer Robbins, a gem dealer from Plant City, Fla., said he’s been a Gemboree dealer for 15 years, and that business is “slow” this year. “Seems like there’s not as many people out this year,” Robbins said. He blamed part of that on the news media “harping” on the economy. “Jewelry is strictly an adornment,” he said, “It’s the first thing they quit buying when money gets tight.”