Jubilee of Gems!!!
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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!
