With HardRock Summit 2025 just over a month away, the Denver-based gem & mineral show is gearing up for one of its most ambitious editions yet.
Taking place over eleven days, from September 2-12, the event promises an impressive lineup of international exhibitors, museum-caliber mineral displays, and one particularly exciting new venue addition: The Lake House, a dedicated hall for top-tier specimens.
Because this is a relatively new show, and certainly an even newer venue (the Westin Hotel in Westminster, about a 20 minute drive from downtown Denver), everyone is encouraging attendees to plan their visit “with purpose.”
So let’s help by giving you the show details so you can get your plan started.
Dates, Times, and Locations
The Show – We start with the OUTDOOR show first…
⛺ OUTDOOR EXHIBITS — Starts Wholesale (Invitation Only), Then Opens to the Public
📍 Located on the floorplan, this area includes the Tent Village and Market Pavilion, directly adjacent to the Westin Westminster hotel.
The outdoor show opens in phases:
🕙 Sept 2–3 – Invitation-only wholesale preview (for selected invitees only – not open to the public)
🕙 Sept 4–11 (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM), Sept 12 (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM) – Open to both public and trade
This OUTDOOR area is ideal for:
- Rough minerals and bulk specimens
- Tumbled stones and fossil material
- Beads, metaphysical items, casual stock
- Secondary inventory and quantity-based purchasing
Expect less formal booth setups, but serious deals still take place here.
💡 If you’re hunting for quantity, secondary stock, or resale items, the outdoor show gives you the broadest range—but from Sept 4 onward, it’s shared with the public.
🏛 INDOOR EXHIBITS — Wholesale Only
Dates: For Trade Only
📍 Located on the floorplan, this area includes the Legacy Ballroom and Westminster Ballroom, inside the Westin Westminster.
The INDOOR portion of the show opens September 4 to all registered members of the trade only.
🕙 Open Sept 4–6 (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM), Sept 7 (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
This INDOOR area is ideal for targeting:
- High-end finished jewelry
- Cut gemstones
- Rare mineral specimens
- Museum-caliber fossils
Here you’ll find major gem dealers, jewelry designers, mineral specialists, and both regional and international vendors.
🔐 Access is restricted to registered trade professionals and is not open to the public.
💡 If you’re a buyer looking for fine goods, appointments, and serious inventory—these four days are your key opportunity.
🗺️ The Floorplan
Definitely check out the interactive floorplan on the HardRock Summit website. Unlike Tucson—where the sheer size of the show can have you racing past dozens of booths just to get to the ones on your list—this layout is compact enough to let you hit your targets and explore new suppliers without burning out.
The tool lets you preview the full exhibitor list—including vendors specializing in minerals, fossils, fine gems, and jewelry—and lets you bookmark your favorites for an efficient walkthrough.
💡 Pro tip: Do this before you arrive. You’ll walk in with a plan—and make the most of your buying time.
🌊 The Lake House
A major highlight this year is the debut of The Lake House, a brand-new showcase area described as featuring “world-class and one-of-a-kind mineral specimens.” While full details haven’t been released, early buzz suggests this new venue will take the show’s museum-style exhibits to a whole new level.
If you’re a serious collector—or just looking to be inspired—this will be a must-visit destination within the show.
🧪 DGMS – The Denver Gem & Mineral Show
Also returning as a cornerstone event is the Denver Gem and Mineral Show (DGMS), held in conjunction with the Summit. This year’s DGMS theme, “Worldwide Barite and Calcite,” promises to draw serious attention from collectors, curators, educators, and mineral lovers alike.
Both minerals are visual favorites—but they also reveal a lot about the geological environments in which they form. Expect educational exhibits, themed display cases, and a strong turnout from the scientific and museum crowd.
✅ Now… Get Your Plan Together!
With the right prep—floorplan, wish list, and comfortable shoes—you’ll be in excellent shape to make the most of this year’s Summit. Enjoy the show!
Tap here to go directly to the HardRock Summit website.
