Membership
Meetings:
The club holds meetings on the third Sunday of the month except in July and August. At each club meeting there is a potluck, business meeting and main presentation. In addition, there is a member showcase where a different club member “struts their stuff.” There is also a "knowledge box" where members present information on various topics, such as mineral hardness, what a Herkimer Diamond is, identification of various kinds of petrified wood, etc.
Our club's purpose of sharing knowledge and interests in Rocks and Minerals is very apparent at club meetings.
Member Interests: The Calaveras Gem and Mineral members have diverse interests. Many of our members are faceters and/or lapidarists. Other members have an interest in suiseki, rock carving, fluorescent minerals and/or petrified wood. Some of the members like natural crystals and mineral specimens, while others like the
thumbnails or micromounts. One of our members is becoming a well-known diaza maker. Our group has a strong interest in field trips and offers a wide variety of collecting opportunities to its members and through the club
and an affiliated group, the
Co-op. Use of our lapidary shop is convenient and is encouraged.
Other educational endeavors of the club include:
Library - Members are welcome to partake of the club's library with many journals, reference books, and periodicals.
Monthly Newsletter - The club’s bulletin, The Golden Frog, is published and sent to members monthly (except July and August) to keep them informed about club activities. The bulletin includes articles about gems and minerals, lapidary, historical features, safety and CFMS activities.
County Library Display - The club has had a display case at the local library and hopes to make this a yearly project.
Meeting the Public - The club has had a booth at Snyder’s Pow-Wow to inform the local public about its educational programs and lapidary shop.
Educational Presentations - The Calaveras club is expanding its services and participation beyond its membership. Club members have given numerous talks to other Northern California mineral clubs and, earlier this year, sponsored a CFMS competitive case and judging workshop at its club meeting and
invited surrounding clubs to attend.
Annual Show Displays - There are usually about 80 display cases at the club's annual gem and mineral show. Shows also include vendors, demonstrations and special children's activities. In 2006, the club hosted the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) statewide show.
Club members have the option of entering their cases in competition, which includes cases of visiting exhibitors. By competing, members can learn how to improve their collection and lapidary skills and, importantly, their showmanship skills. Membership
Information
Please contact us if you would like additional information about our club.
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