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North Cadys Fieldtrip; Nov. 27-29, 2020

PLS Members visited one of our favorite spots for gemstones in the North Cady Mountains, about three hours northeast of Pasadena, over Thanksgiving weekend.

The Cady Mountains have produced more gemstones than almost any other Southern California location and we explored the northern part of the range, looking for jasper, agate, fluorite, calcite, and amethyst in places where few rock hounds go. You can join us in the Cadys sometime in the future, by becoming a member of Pasadena Lapidary Society. Check out the photos below to see some of our finds.

Black and blue agate

Blue agate

Botryoidal blue agate

Jasper agate

Calcite with fluorite

Mud tube agate

Orbicular red jasper

Top notch agate

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March Program Meeting CANCELED

Our March Program Meeting, originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in the Donald Wright Auditorium of the Pasadena Central Library, has been canceled based on guidance from the Pasadena Library administration in consideration of the Coronavirus. Information will be posted here in the weeks to come regarding the April Program meeting. Stay safe out there.

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Rhodochrosite Focus of February 18th Meeting

Rhodochrosite is so popular with members of Pasadena Lapidary Society that we’re bringing back a two-part video featuring the mining and geology of this lovely mineral. Part One will be presented at the Tuesday, February 18th program meeting. Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral that ranges in color from light pink to bright red.

The February Rock of the Month Talk speaker is PLS member Karl Stull. Karl will share some tips and ideas for organizing a co-op display case for Pasadena Lapidary Society’s Annual Gem Show, coming in April.

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PLS Takes a Look at Picture Rocks for January 21 Program Meeting

Pasadena Lapidary Society members are continually picking up rocks, wondering what might be inside if cut. More often than not, as one might guess, the inside of a rock can be very similar to the outside.  Every now and then, however, we’re happily surprised to find a sparkling cluster of crystals, bursts of unexpected colors or even images inside a rock.  These images can be eerily realistic, or perhaps resemble an impressionist painting of beach scenes, faces, landscapes, etc.  Ken Rogers of the Culver City Rock & Mineral Club, will be the featured speaker at our Tuesday, January 21st meeting when he discusses “Pictures in Rocks”.  Attendees of the meeting are encouraged to bring their own favorite picture rocks to share on the Display Table.

Our January Rock of the Month talk will be presented by PLS member David Lacy with a focus on Feldspar.  Did you know that Moonstone and Labradorite are feldspars? Come to the meeting to find out more about this luminescent mineral.

The Tuesday, January 21st meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium of the Pasadena Main Library at 285 E. Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91101.  Open to the public. FREE.  Come join us for some rock fun!

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NO DECEMBER PROGRAM MEETING

We will be holding our annual Christmas Party instead of the December program meeting. The members of Pasadena Lapidary Society wish you a lovely and memorable Holiday Season.

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PLS November 12 Meeting Features Kokoweef Caves

illustration source: Kokoweef.com

Pasadena Lapidary Society’s November meeting is being held one week early — on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Have you heard the legend of the river of gold in the Kokoweef Caves of the Mojave Desert? Several versions of the story are out there, involving three Paiute brothers, George, Buck and Oliver Peysert, who discovered a limestone cave with a huge crystal stalactite and an underground river containing gold.

Pasadena Lapidary Society member Carolyn Duncan, who visited the Kokoweef Caves some 30 years ago and brought back specimens of cave onyx, will provide a presentation on this legendary part of the Mojave Desert. She will be displaying some of the specimens at the meeting.

Junior PLS member, Alyson Nishimura, will discuss rocks and minerals of the Yermo, CA area for the November Rock of the Month Talk.

Our meeting will be held in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium of the Pasadena Central Library at 285 E. Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91101. Tuesday, November 12, 6:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

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The CFMS Show Is On!

Over 50 dealers are selling their wares: Gems, minerals, slabs, jewelry, fossils, cabochons, and a whole host of other goodies! There are also fun activities for the kids (and adults, too—no judgement here) including rock grab bags, sand scoops, spin-the-wheel, and gold panning. And don’t miss out on the raffle and silent auction for a chance at great prizes. See you at the Pomona Fairplex!