The 30th Lismore Gemfest gets under at the Lismore Showground this morning at 9.

2020 should have been the year but COVID delayed that twelve months. Last night the Lismore Lapidary Club committee gathered at their office at the showground with regular tailgaters to celebrate that 30 years and cut a magnificent gem styled cake.

Lindsay Armstrong was present last night, he was the man that formed the very first Lismore Gemfest in 1990.

"I first came to the club in 1984 when my children were interested through school," Lindsay said, "Then one year we were discussing ways to get money in the club and I suggested running a Gemfest in Lismore."

"It was pretty successful straight up with over 3000 attending."

(Lindsay Armstrong with Mayor Vanessa Ekins)

Lismore Mayor Vanessa Ekins was one of the guests invited to help celebrate the achievement. Mayor Ekins has attended every Gemfest for the last 25 years.

While the average person may think Gemfest is just little crystals and jewellery to buy, there are some big ticket items too. One large 3kg opal is valued at $65,000.

Long time member John Hoffman said there are rare local opals from Tintenbar/Teven. They were formed from the remnants of the Mt Warning volcano with the first deposit discovered in 1901 by JH Morris.

(The rare Tintenbar opal with vibrant green, purple and yellow colours when light is passed through the gem)

"Opals from this region are one of the rarest form in Australia and the world," John explained, "The only other examples come from Hungary, Ehtiopia and Mexico."

You will see many more opals, crystals, quartz, topaz and loads more at the 2021 Gemfest today between 9am and 5pm and Sunday between 9am and 3pm at the Lismore Showgrounds.

Entry is only $5 for adults, children 5 to 12 $1 while those under 5 are free. More details on the Gemfest button on the front page of the Lismore App Gemfest 2021.