You may not see bidders fighting over items like polished ammonite and belemnite at the premier fine art, jewelry and antique auction house Sotheby’s, but the paddles were flying for such items Friday night at the second annual Sacramento State Geology Club Rock Auction.

The event, held at the university’s Alumni Center, raises money for the geology department through a silent and live auction.

“We used the more than $3,000 we raised last year to enhance the department,” said senior Angela Brush, club president. “We’re basically trying to give geology students affordable options for field trips and things like that.”

The money raised last year was used for research, workshops and other supplies.

The early estimate for this rock auction is about $6,000 ?” and it will all go for geology studies.

A large piece of pink halite ?” sparkling and shaped like a salad bowl ?” started a bidding war among audience members. The auctioneer began the bidding at $20, and the item finally went for $150. Not bad for a rock. Brush said she couldn’t have been happier.

“The good thing is that every dollar goes to geology education,” Brush said. “The funds for the food and drinks and the rental of the room were all donated.”

And with 17 items up on the live auction block, the club expected to surpass the money raised last year, Brush said.

Ten silent auction tables surrounding the room also offered bidders smaller priced items that Brush said ranged from $2 to $40 each.

Frank Brown, a 74-year-old retired physician, upped the ante from $15 to $16 on three trilobites, which are small, flat and gray stones with circles of black.

Brown is taking a historical geology course through the “60+” program on campus.

“I’m not a geologist, but it’s very interesting,” he said.

Many of the pieces up for auction were donated by local organizations, private donors and the geology department. The event also offered attendees a chance to win smaller rocks through games and door prizes.

Lora Simmons can be reached at [email protected]