Earlier this month, I participated in and attended the North Orange County Gem & Mineral Society’s “Jubilee of Gems” Show.
This is the club that started it all for me…the NOCGMS is a fairly large group of friendly, knowledgable and talented folks that meet in La Habra.
NOCGMS is a member of the CFMS (California Federation of Mineralogical Societies), and the AFMS (American Federation of Mineralogical Societies).
Mission Statement: We are dedicated to the advancement of the earth sciences by stimulating interest and encouraging the study of the geological and mineral science and lapidary arts.
Meetings: Second Tuesday each month except July, August, and December at 7:00p.m. Located at La Habra Community Center – 101 La Habra Blvd., La Habra CA.
I entered from the Patio where there was a booth that was slicing geodes that you picked from a bucket and Bural LaRue (CFMS President) was set up with a sluice for panning for gold (YES – GOLD!). Just a constant hub of energy these shows never cease to impress me.
You enter the building through the beautiful plant sale provided by Nancy (with the Green Thumb) Bird! Orchid Cactus, Epidendron and an array of various plants and succulents…at rock bottom prices all benefitting the NOCGMS!
The main floor feature this year was Walt Wright’s extensive (5 – 6 tables full) display of petrified woods – these aren’t smal polished pieces of petrified wood – these are slices of tree trunks most larger than a serving plate!!!
For those of you who have never attended a Gem Show…aside from the dealers (everything from minerals, rough, gems, art, hobby supplies, tools and books) there is a children’s area, demonstrations (faceting, carving, cabbing, etc.) a silent auction and displays.
The displays are usually by club members or the club can invite people to add a display. They are educational and tell a story about a favorite technique, a collection, a hobby – just about anything. This is where I was participating…I put up my display on Quartz!
The variety of dealers and displays at this show is always fun and diverse! Let’s go in…
This was one of the most amazing artists…these are hand painted works of art by a woman artist that paints wildlife and Native American faces on copper – just giant pools of poured copper!
The other item in this booth that was interesting were these bowls – with gorgeous heat patinas in varying shapes.
Joe Girtner’s hand made knives with leather, wood, bone, flint knapping and Damascus Steel…this was a really impressive case!
Izzy Burns is attentive as Walt Wright ( of Petrified Wood fame) explains a Silent Auction Item.
This was taken in the second room, during the Chamber Mixer that was held on the evening before the show opened to the public. The NOCGMS hosted close to 100 Chamber members and City Officials.
I am sorry for the photo quality on this picture – I wanted to show you the Main floor so you could get an idea of the size of this show.
So look for a Gem Show in your area….
Go to http://amfed.org click on the “Club Sites” link at the top of the page and check for the group in your area!
I was talking to someone the other day about why I love Rock Hounding – for me it is all the things I love rolled into a neat package…I get to be outside, camping, learning about history, earth sciences, and it takes you on a trip around the world!
Robyn Hawk
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
How fun! Your pics are really great. Would love to go to one that large!
Wow Jamee – with all of the Volcanic action in HI – it should be full of Rock Clubs! I love flint-knapping – the blades and arrowheads come out so cool – hey! Hawaiian arrowheads – new line of men’s jewelry!!! LOL!Carlotta – feel free to use the photo – if you use it on line just remember to give me credit! I hear great stuff about the clubs up near you..Oxnard, Ventura and Sierra Pelone!Mei – so sad to hear – no gem shows? Is there much gem mining in Malaysia?Szarka – truer words were never spoken – I have never met a rock hound I didn’t like!Robyn Hawk
I love gem shows but even better is I love the people that are rock and gem geeks. They are the cream of the crop. That was a good article Robyn. I love your writing.Szarka
Wow! Look at all the gems…..I can only look fr afar though. We don’t have gem shows here in Malaysia 🙁
Robyn, our little show in Newbury Park in May was no where near the size or quality of this one, yet I still managed to spend nearly 4 hours on my feet just watching the artists at work and examining all of the displays. I wish my health was such that I could take full advantage of joining our local chapter; I still may join just for the education and to take advantage of the less strenuous rock hunts and activities. And Oxnard does have classes and equipment available to it’s members and I think members of other chapters. Oxnard also has classes available to the public. Hmmm.All when I return to work.Thank you for the wonderful eye candy (I want to make the first pic my screen background- YUM!) and tour of the show.Smiles,Carlotta
We don’t have gem shows on Maui…but I hope that some day we will. I would love to go to one. Looks like you have a nice quartz collection. You don’t sell your pieces right? Thats just for education? My husband dabbles in making knives..he would have loved to see those in person. They are beautiful! he’s only done a little bit of the forging and making the blade..hes done a little of the damascus..they are so much work he ends up just making letter openers. But he is always making wooden handles for old knives. I’ve got knives with purple heart wood and coco-bolo..he’s always taking my kitchen knives and redoing them lol!