September 2023 General Meeting

Prospecting for California Emeralds

Richard Edley and his son Bruce have been prospecting and mining gemstones for twenty years. They own two federal mining claims in Barstow, California. The Beautiful Paige mine produces turquoise and azure malachite. They also discovered a deposit of emeralds in the Julian mining District in Southern California. Articles about this discovery were printed in the Gems and Gemology Journal published by the Gemological Institute of America, Winter 2020 issue. Another article was published in the Gold Prospectors Magazine, May/June 2022 issue.

Richard’s presentation will explore searching for and discovering emeralds in Southern California. Topics that will be discussed will be filing claims, mining gemstones and jewelry making. He will gladly answer any questions during and after the presentation.

Our general program meeting for September will be on Wednesday, September 27 at the Poinsettia Pavilion [3451 Foothill Rd., Ventura, CA 93003 –  Map]. Socializing starts around 7, and the meeting starts at 7:30. 

Annual Gem Show

Our annual gem show is held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds on the first full weekend in March. In 2024, the dates will be March 2 & 3.

For more information visit our Show page.

MeMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

VGMS members enjoy many benefits, including an annual gem show, field trips, lapidary instruction and use of equipment, monthly newsletter, museum, extensive library, social events, youth programs, and of course, camaraderie. To become a member, visit our Membership page and fill out the Membership Form at the bottom of the page.

VGMS Meetings

Poinsettia_PavilionGeneral meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of the month (except November and December – 2nd Wednesday).  The public is invited to attend any of our general meetings. We meet either on Zoom or at Ventura’s Poinsettia Pavilion in the Santa Paula Room (3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura, CA 93003) on the 4th Wednesday of every month, except November and December, when we meet on the 2nd Wednesday so as not to interfere with the holidays. Park in either the upper or lower lot, and enjoy an ocean view of Ventura from this hillside venue just below Two Trees.

Mission Statement

The VGMS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote popular interest in geology, mineralogy, paleontology, and related subjects. We sponsor lectures, classes, demonstrations, field trips and school visits to further education and interest both within VGMS and the community at large. Our annual gem show exhibits rock, mineral, fossil, and lapidary arts collections in order to share our hobby with the public. Find out more at About the VGMS.