On Oct. 17, the Excite building filled with rock hounds, collectors and curious families for the Gem and Mineral show, and the atmosphere was friendlier than you'd expect from a room of sellers sharing one audience.

Organizer Brody described the event as being about "community over competition," and with 10 vendors on hand, it was more than a slogan. The vendors cooperated with one another, pointing visitors toward each other's tables and working together to give guests the best experience possible.

Every vendor I spoke with was genuine, informative and friendly. Questions were met with real knowledge rather than a sales pitch, and that openness led to my favourite discovery of the day: Rainbow Carborundum. Displayed at one of the tables, the iridescent crystal cluster was beautiful, its surface shifting through colours as the light moved across it.

It was the kind of find that happened only because I stopped to talk. When vendors lift each other up, visitors benefit most, and the room felt like a gathering rather than a transaction.

For those curious about gems, minerals and the stories behind them, the show was a welcoming reminder of what local community events can be.