QUARTZSITE Here We Come!


Pasadena Lapidary Society members will once again be joining the ranks of rockhounds and lapidarists across the nation – and beyond – in an annual sojourn to our ‘mecca’ of rocks – Quartzsite, Arizona. While this isn’t a fieldtrip that requires a rock hammer, shovel or other tools, it’s a great opportunity to see what wonderful gems and minerals exist in our world – all in one place. There are several gem and mineral shows which are held between December and late February in this town, which swells to over a million visitors in the month of January from a paltry 3,714 +/- residents the rest of the year. One of our favorite shows to check out is the QIA Pow Wow, which takes place from January 17 – 21, 2024, with free admission and free parking and way more than a day’s worth of treasures to see. It’s like a giant open air swap meet held under the beautiful blue sky with giant puffy white clouds floating overhead – which sometimes open up with a quick light rain or a heavy shower – then dissipates as quickly as it starts. Quartzsite is just 18 miles east of the California border, along Interstate 10. One can make it a full day trip, or if you’re able to secure lodging in Quartzsite, AZ or Blythe, CA, turn your visit into more than one day so you can visit the other shows taking place as well, such as Tyson Wells or Desert Gardens. If you prefer to take an RV and camp, there’s plenty of open space just on the outskirts of town. How to get there? Take I-10 East until you get to Quartzsite, about a four hour drive from Pasadena when traffic isn’t bad. We often make a quick stop at Chiriaco Summit either on the way to or from AZ, where one can fuel up and stop for a bite or snacks.

And the rockhound fun doesn’t stop with Quartzsite… read further about the big Tucson Show (the 2023 event is the subject of our January 16 Program Meeting) coming February 8-11, 2024.

Pasadena Lapidary Society’s 62nd Annual Tournament of Gems

Dealers Featured at Our Show:

Abalone King

Larimar, Turquoise, Abalone, Malachite, Agate; Silver; jewelry,

Art by Linda Queally

Linda’s Pearl Jewelry Designs feature both the classic and the unusual, reflecting her relentless pursuit of the magical and timeless beauty of Pearls.

Beads Zone US (Sue Wu)

Semi-precious and gemstone beads; tools for the beader.

Buddha Gems & Minerals

Mine direct minerals and specimens from the Himalayas and Nepal. Rocks and minerals from Nepal including Chlorite Quartz, Aquamarine, Sapphire, and Ruby.

Crystal Rapture (Sabrina Keep)

Quartz variety, Fluorite, Tourmaline and other specimens, fossils. crystal rings and various jewelry.

Ethiopian Opals

LASCO

Rotary tools, carving diamond burs, diamond drills, diamond core drills, polishing grits and other rotary tools for lapidary and jewelry.

Mary M. Rafferty, Gemologist

Custom cut gemstones.

Nevada Mineral & Book Company

Meteorites, mineral books, specimens and educational kits.

Sonia DeLong

Beads, rings, earrings, opals, jewelry, crystals.

Stella Stones and Jewelry

Amber, Opals, Turquoise, specimens and pendants.

Toni Floyd

Finished cabochons, seed beads, bezels, carved products, Chrysoprase, Jasper, Montana Agate.

2019 CFMS Annual Show & Convention Announcement

Representing 100 gem and rockhound clubs statewide, the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies proudly presents its 2019 CFMS Annual Show & Convention – California’s Natural Treasures. We invite you to attend and experience…

Mountains, deserts, and the Pacific Ocean have endowed our state with uniquely rich geological resources – and a richly diverse history, with people coming from all over the world to mine, study, build, and make things of beauty. We celebrate them all.

Educational displays, activities for kids, fine jewelry, and lapidary crafts – from stone pendants in colors chosen by Mother Earth to polished spheres like planets – you’ll find rock-related fun on all sides and demonstrators to show you how it’s all done. For the whole family, we’re sharing an exciting way to enjoy Nature through the rockhounding hobby. Don’t miss the Raffle!

2018 Show Announcement

Pasadena Lapidary Society Holds Annual Gem Show, March 10-11

60th Annual ‘Tournament of Gems’ Returns to San Marino

Pasadena Lapidary Society (PLS) presents its 60th annual Tournament of Gems, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 10 and 11, 2018. Titled “Can You Dig It!!!”, this year’s show will feature Society members’ display cases of beautiful gemstones, mineral and fossil specimens, member-created jewelry and artwork; demonstrations of lapidary techniques such as wire wrapping, bending, cabochon grinding, and other jewelry-making skills. Several dealers will be present, selling goods that range from minerals to beads and gems, lapidary tools and everything in between. In the kids’ corner, children can try their luck at the Treasure Wheel and Sand Scoop for goodies. There will be grab bags for sale, a silent auction will be held both days and raffle tickets can be purchased to win some impressive prizes, many of which are hand-made jewelry and other treasures produced by PLS members. Club field trips and other information will be available, along with a new member sign-up table.

Inspiring and educational, the gem show provides an opportunity for families and individuals to explore the world of gem, mineral, rock and fossil hunting, earth sciences and the lapidary arts without leaving town. Pasadena Lapidary Society members go on field trips, find and identify specimens, then bring them home to turn dull (or pretty) stones into works of art.

This event will be held Saturday, March 10 from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, March 11 from 10 am to 5 pm, at the San Marino Masonic Center, 3130 Huntington Drive, San Marino, 91108. Admission and parking are free. For information, please call (626) 260-7239, talk/text to (727) 512-0381; email info@pasadenalapidary.org. Visit our website at https://pasadenalapidary.org/events/2018-03.

About PLS: The Pasadena Lapidary Society serves to educate its members and the community in mineralogy, earth sciences and training in the lapidary and jewelry arts – while promoting sound mineral resource stewardship based on environmental awareness and ethical behavior. Now in its 72nd year, the Society fulfills its mission year-round with a variety of activities, including field trips, lapidary workshops, outreach presentations, public mineral displays, an annual club show and monthly informational meetings open to the public. Visit our website at https://pasadenalapidary.org, like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pasadenalapidarysociety and follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/PasaLapidary. Our monthly program meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month (except December) in the Donald Wright Auditorium of the Pasadena Central Library at 285 E. Walnut St., Pasadena 91101, from 6:30 pm – 8:45 pm, and are open to the public. Free admission.