ABSTRACT
he 2021 Denver Gem I and Mineral Showcase (herein meaning the collection of gem, mineral, and fossil shows and events happening in Denver, Colorado, in the first half of September) saw a lot of changes this year, and speculation about the show proved to be an enduring topic of conversation in the mineral community during the past year. Thankfully, we can say now that, COVID-19 pandemic-related challenges aside, the show turned out to be an excellent constellation of events that were well received and well attended. This year, the biggest change to the Denver Gem and Mineral Showcase was the birth of a new show called the "HardRock Summit" (16-19 September), which combined both the former Denver Fine Mineral Show (run by Dave Waisman of Fine Mineral Shows, LLC) and the traditional Denver Gem & Mineral Show, the nonprofit show organized by a group of Denver-area gem and mineral clubs and currently in its fifty-fifth year (started in 1967).