Gem and Mineral Organizations
California Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc.
The California Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) was organized in 1936 to bring about a closer association of Clubs and Societies devoted to the study of Earth Sciences and the practice of Lapidary Arts and Crafts in the Western part of the United States.
The CFMS includes approximately 110 clubs and societies mostly in California,of which we are a proud member, but there are also a few societies in Arizona and Nevada due to historical affiliation; Hawaii is also considered to be in the CFMS region. The CFMS is a member of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS).
Access this site to get a list of clubs in your area.
The California Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) was organized in 1936 to bring about a closer association of Clubs and Societies devoted to the study of Earth Sciences and the practice of Lapidary Arts and Crafts in the Western part of the United States.
The CFMS includes approximately 110 clubs and societies mostly in California,of which we are a proud member, but there are also a few societies in Arizona and Nevada due to historical affiliation; Hawaii is also considered to be in the CFMS region. The CFMS is a member of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS).
Access this site to get a list of clubs in your area.
Camp Paradise and ZZyzx
The California Federation of Mineralogical Societies offer two "Rockhound Kids Classes for Adults" week long sessions twice a year. The Spring classes are held at at Zzyzx in the Mojave Desert near Baker California and the Fall classes are held at Camp Paradise in the Plumas National Forest near Clipper Mills, California. They sell out fast. Classes offered in the past include cabochon making, faceting, wire wrapping, soft stone carving, silver smithing, chain making, lost wax casting, beading, dichroic glass fusion, glass bead making, enameling, Precious metal clay, and intarsia and inlay.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Many rockhounding sites in California are located in areas designated by the BLM as the California Desert District. Links to maps, rules, governance and permit requirements are found at this site. Under the FAQ's you can find useful information about where off-road vehicles may be driven, where you can go rockhounding, prospecting and camping on BLM land. You can also use this site to find out how to file a mining claim.
Many rockhounding sites in California are located in areas designated by the BLM as the California Desert District. Links to maps, rules, governance and permit requirements are found at this site. Under the FAQ's you can find useful information about where off-road vehicles may be driven, where you can go rockhounding, prospecting and camping on BLM land. You can also use this site to find out how to file a mining claim.
Millbrae Lapidary Shop
180 Poplar Avenue, Millbrae California
There is a Lapidary Shop in Millbrae that is open during the daytime. It is located in a two room garage of a rental house owned by the New Vision United Methodist Church in Millbrae.
Users of the shop meet at the shop on Monday and Thursday mornings around 9:00 am until about 11:00 am. There is a charge $2.00 per morning per person to use the equipment and take advantage of the many features of the shop and to help pay some of the costs to the church for our use of their garage.
There is also a large supply of slabs and rocks available at reasonable prices for any lapidary project you may want to attempt. We have a couple of experienced people that help you get started and teach you the lapidary arts.The shop includes lapidary saws, grinding machines, tumblers, a 24 inch vibratory lap and several sphere making machines.
If you are interested please email Jay Bates at jaybates@astound.net before going.
Jay is presently the lead contact and maintains and repairs the equipment for the shop.
180 Poplar Avenue, Millbrae California
There is a Lapidary Shop in Millbrae that is open during the daytime. It is located in a two room garage of a rental house owned by the New Vision United Methodist Church in Millbrae.
Users of the shop meet at the shop on Monday and Thursday mornings around 9:00 am until about 11:00 am. There is a charge $2.00 per morning per person to use the equipment and take advantage of the many features of the shop and to help pay some of the costs to the church for our use of their garage.
There is also a large supply of slabs and rocks available at reasonable prices for any lapidary project you may want to attempt. We have a couple of experienced people that help you get started and teach you the lapidary arts.The shop includes lapidary saws, grinding machines, tumblers, a 24 inch vibratory lap and several sphere making machines.
If you are interested please email Jay Bates at jaybates@astound.net before going.
Jay is presently the lead contact and maintains and repairs the equipment for the shop.