11th October 2026 at 8pm SAST
See everything you need to know below.....
Rocks. Bidding. Francis. The internet. Africa. It’s about to get tectonic!
HOW THE LIVE AUCTION WORKS
Please read the rules and instructions below and start your finger exercises before bidding as there is some important stuff to do. For queries or emotional support after someone outbids you on the piece you definitely weren't attached to, email liveshow@toprocks.com.
BEFORE YOU BID
To participate you must have an active registered Toprocks.com account (See our HELP section in the menu), be subscribed to the Toprock Gemstones and Minerals YouTube channel (rush to YouTube and subscribe HERE), and then make sure to register to participate in the auction via our online Google Form HERE using the same email address linked to your Toprocks.com account + the YouTube Channel name you'll use to bid from.
Your YouTube Channel name is how we identify you during the live auction and only registered bidders are eligible to bid. Undercover accounts will be side-eyed and subjected to bad rock puns. (Help article on your own Youtube Channel: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1646861?hl=en-GB&sjid=12739654895631239582-EU)
You can also join our LIVE AUCTION Whatsapp group for updates on products and specifics here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KttFOmre9O0C4ukU5niXfu?mode=gi_t
Registration closes: Saturday 10 October • 12pm SAST.
AUCTION SHEET
Registered bidders receive access to our Auction Google Sheet before the auction. It includes Box/SKU numbers, item details, locality, dimensions, weight, starting bids, bid increments, reference currencies, photos/videos and final results.
You'll also receive access to our Auction WhatsApp Group for updates, links and hype.
All auction bidding is in USD. Rand and other currencies are for reference only.
HOW TO BID
Francis will show each piece before opening its auction and give you the BOX NUMBER • STARTING BID • BID INCREMENT. Double-check the tag/Google Sheet because Francis can make mistakes/talk schist.
Bid ONLY in YouTube Live Chat using: BOX NUMBER + USD BID — e.g. B677 $340
B677 $340 = a valid bid.
$340!!! MINE FRANCIS!!! = Not a valid bid! (enthusiasm appreciated, but your bid like this, not so much).
Cara (Toprock Account) will be strict about bid format and increments.
BID INCREMENTS
Each item has a set increment, which may vary by item. You may jump several increments, but your bid must remain on the increment grid.
Current $100 / Increment $10 → $110, $120, $150, $200 ✓ YES | $102, $115, $152 ✗ NO
Invalid bids do not replace the current valid bid. So yes, you may dramatically leap from $100 to $200. Just make sure you mean it.
GOING ONCE... GOING TWICE...
Because YouTube Live can lag, the Live Chat is the official auction clock.
Toprock will post GOING ONCE → GOING TWICE → BIDDING CLOSED.
Bidding remains open during Going Once/Twice. If another valid bid arrives before BIDDING CLOSED, bidding continues and the countdown restarts.
Once BIDDING CLOSED appears, it's closed. No late bids.
WHO WON?
Francis will announce the result live once bidding has closed, and the Toprock Gemstones and Minerals account will confirm the official winner in Live Chat, e.g. B765 / $400 - Jack @youtubechannel.
Wait for Toprock's confirmation before assuming you've won.
If two identical valid bids arrive, whichever appears first on Toprock's Live Chat takes precedence. Connections and devices may display comments differently, so Toprock's view is final.
Francis announces it. Toprock confirms it. Trust the chat, not Past Francis.
BIDS ARE BINDING
Bid with care. Valid bids cannot be withdrawn. A bid is a commitment to purchase at that amount. Auction adrenaline is real. So are invoices.
If a winning purchase falls through, it does not automatically go to the next-highest bidder. Toprock may offer the item to another bidder at its discretion, re-auction it, withdraw it or return it to normal sale.
No sneaky bidding schemes. Don't test our Mohs.
NO BIDS?
If an item receives no bids, Toprock may consider private offers afterwards at it's discretion.
This is not a late-claim system. Once an auction with bids has closed, no late claims or bids are accepted.
If nobody bids at all however, you may politely sidle up afterwards and make us an offer. We may say yes. We may say no. The rock may return to its normal gneiss life at Toprock and will appear on Toprocks.com later.
WHATSAPP + TECHNICAL ISSUES
The Auction WhatsApp Group is for updates, links and hype - not bidding. Normal bids are accepted only in YouTube Live Chat.
In exceptional technical/connectivity circumstances, Toprock may accept a bid through another channel at it's discretion. If accepted, Toprock will post that bid publicly into the YouTube Live Chat.
If Toprock experiences a problem with the stream, Live Chat or internet during bidding, we may pause the auction, restart the countdown or restart bidding on the affected item at our discretion.
No secret underground rock bidding.
MOQ, SHIPPING & STOCKPILE
There is no auction Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) for this Live Auction. You may win one item and ship one item.
For our wholesale clients, shipping is generally more economical (per kilogram) with larger consignments, particularly around 28–32kg which offers the best bank for buck. So stack up your purchases. Your one lonely rock can travel alone; it may just have expensive tastes.
Normal Stockpile Rules apply for our wholesale customers which can be viewed HERE
PAYMENT
Auction purchases require full payment - no payment plans.
Purchases are invoiced through your Toprocks.com account and must be paid for in full within 7 days. Uncompleted purchases may be cancelled and the item offered elsewhere, re-auctioned, withdrawn or returned to normal sale.
BE COOL
Keep the chat friendly. Don't pressure other bidders, interfere with bidding, bid on someone else's behalf, artificially inflate prices or coordinate bids.
You'll be Bannite.
Toprock may reject bids or suspend bidders where we believe the auction is being manipulated.
Fight passionately over a mineral, not with each other over one.
WATCH THE CHAT • FOLLOW THE INCREMENT • DON'T ACCIDENTALLY BUY A $4,000 ROCK.
Good luck! ... and for more information, queries or feedback, email us at liveshow@toprocks.com
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