In 2017, the Port Moody Rock and Gem Club marked two milestones at once: Canada's 150th anniversary and the Club's own 50th anniversary. The result was 150 Rocks — a collection of 150 rocks, minerals and fossils assembled from across Canada to tell the story of the country through its geology.
Celebrating Canada Through Its Rocks
Specimens came from every province and territory, with contributions from club members, collectors, museums, educators, geological organizations and resource companies in Canada and abroad. Together they represented ancient rocks and fossils, important mineral resources, famous collecting localities, lapidary materials, gemstones and other pieces of Canada's geological heritage.
The collection became the centrepiece of the Club's 2017 Gem and Mineral Show. To extend the experience beyond the display cases, the project also produced a full-colour accordion brochure telling the stories behind the specimens and 150 limited-edition specimen boxes that allowed young visitors to take home examples of Canadian geological material.
Explore the 150 Rocks Brochure
The companion brochure was a laminated, accordion-style publication measuring approximately 37 inches by 9 inches when fully opened. Its original production artwork survives, allowing us to digitally recreate the individual fold panels below. Use the controls to move through the brochure much as you would unfold the printed original.
Tip: use the arrow keys to change pages. Zoom in for fine print, then drag or scroll within the viewer.
A Country in 150 Specimens
The collection was designed to show both the breadth of Canadian geology and the stories hidden within it. Every province and territory was represented, alongside official provincial and territorial stones, fossils, economically important minerals, gemstones and notable collector specimens.
History in Stone
The story begins deep in geological time, with specimens such as Acasta Gneiss from the Northwest Territories and examples connected to ancient oceans, impact events, the Burgess Shale and Canada's rich fossil record.
Mineral Wealth
Silver, coal, copper, nickel, potash, diamonds, uranium, sulphur and gold illustrate the enormous role geology has played in Canada's economic and industrial development.
For the Rockhound
Jade, agate, rhodonite, Thunder Bay amethyst, Bay of Fundy zeolites, Labradorite, Rapid Creek minerals and other celebrated Canadian materials highlight the collecting and lapidary side of the story.
Fluorescent Minerals
Ten specimens from the collection were selected to demonstrate fluorescence under ultraviolet light, revealing another unexpected side of Canadian minerals.
The Heart of the Country
Specimen #150 was a champagne-coloured hessonite garnet from Quebec's Jeffrey Mine, faceted especially for the project by club member Geoff Cameron. Named “The Heart of the Country”, it provided a fitting conclusion to the collection by bringing together Canadian geology and lapidary craftsmanship in a single stone.
The 2017 Exhibition
At the Club's October 2017 show, the 150 specimens filled five display cases spanning approximately 13 feet. Each specimen was numbered and accompanied by information explaining its significance, while one case was devoted specifically to fluorescent minerals. A nearby interactive table gave visitors an opportunity to handle selected material and speak with club members.
The project also included 150 limited-edition specimen boxes for young visitors. Each contained examples of Canadian material featured in the broader project, including ammolite, kimberlite, potash, sulphur, petrified wood and rhodonite. All 150 boxes were distributed during the show.
A Canada-Wide Collaboration
150 Rocks was made possible by an unusually broad network of contributors. Specimens, expertise and support came from club members and private collectors, educators, museums, mining and exploration companies, quarry operators and geological organizations.
Among the contributors were the Royal Ontario Museum, the Royal Tyrrell Museum, MineralsEd, the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines and numerous Canadian resource companies. The Canadian Geological Foundation provided core funding for specimen acquisition and brochure printing, while Pacific Coast Terminals supported the youth specimen boxes.
Club member Rose Kapp created the brochure's design and layout, supported by a volunteer team responsible for research, writing, photography, editing and specimen preparation.
A Project With a Life Beyond 2017
150 Rocks continued well beyond the original show. Portions of the collection were subsequently presented at AME Roundup Discovery Day, Britannia Mine Museum DIG Day, the BC Gem Show and a Fraser Valley Regional Library program, while brochures continued to circulate through educational events, mineral shows and mining conferences.
Many of the specimens acquired or donated for the project were retained as the 150 Rocks Legacy Collection, preserving its educational value long after Canada's sesquicentennial year had passed.
