RALEIGH - With a piece of fool's gold in his pocket, Michael Sadusky bypassed dealers selling sparkling, gem-studded jewelry worth thousands.

He would likely have little success trying to barter the piece of pyrite, commonly known as fool's gold, with them. Besides, Sadusky of Raleigh was interested in raw minerals -- unpolished and uncut.

He was one of hundreds of shoppers Sunday inside the Gov. Kerr Scott Building at the N.C. State Fairgrounds browsing the precious stones and minerals for sale.

Organizer Frank Cox said a variety of shoppers are attracted to the show, which ended Sunday after a three-day run in Raleigh. They include the "rock hounds" such as Sadusky, the "bead people" and the high-end shoppers who are looking for hard-to-find gems to turn into custom jewelry.

"Some people come in here and spend thousands," Cox said.

For many of the dealers, it is a hobby that turned into a business. They come from all across the country to display jewelry made from gems, priced from 50 cents to as much as $50,000. Other items such as sharks' teeth and marine sponges also were for sale.

But Sadusky is a mineral collector. He said he displays the pieces he buys.

"A long time ago, I used to collect some of this stuff, and I'm getting back into it," Sadusky said, staring at minerals on a display table.

He pointed to a sea-green mineral from India, similar to one he bought Saturday. He returned Sunday to find another bargain for his collection.

The more expensive minerals, which are rare and often mined in foreign countries, intrigue Sadusky. But his most recent purchases have been less pricey.

Sadusky prowled the displays until he came to a table owned by Florida dealer Bob Goff. Within a few minutes, he pulled from his pocket an object wrapped in a paper towel and handed it to Goff.

Goff unwrapped it and looked closely at the shiny cube. Sadusky had found a willing trader.

"His crystals [on the pyrite] are huge," Goff said. "Bigger than the ones I have."

For the next 15 minutes, Sadusky browsed. He chose a piece of malachite and a piece of cinnabar in exchange for his fool's gold and about $40.

Malachite is a green mineral, and the red-splotched cinnabar contains mercury.

Sadusky appeared pleased with his new minerals. "They're interesting to look at," he said.

The gem show is scheduled to return next year to the fairgrounds in June and July.

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