The Gem & Mineral Council - Upcoming Events


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2009 EVENTS
All events are tentative until event notices are sent.

January 21 (evening) -- LECTURE: Madagascar, Island of Gems
Speaker: Charles I. Carmona
Charlie will give us a recap on all the fascinating experiences from last year's tour to this exotic country of gems, lemurs and baobobs.

February 25 (evening) -- LECTURE: The Origin of the Solar System
Speaker: Alyssa R. Morgan
Alyssa will take us on a fascinating tour of the early Solar System, emphasizing evidence from its earliest minerals, which helps us to understand the formation of the Sun and the planets.

March 17 (evening) -- LECTURE: Diaspore ("Zultanite") from Turkey - A New Gemstone
Speaker: James Fiebig
Learn about this beautiful new high-dispersion, color-change gemstone and how it is mined in the rugged interior of Turkey.

March 28 (morning-afternoon) -- OPEN HOUSE: Behind-the-Scenes at the Natural History Museum
Hosts: Tony Kampf, Alyssa Morgan, Jean Brandt
Tour the Mezzanine Collection Area (never before opened to the public). Get an up-close and personal look at gem and mineral wonders not on public display in the Treasure Room. Learn how new mineral species are discovered and described in the Research Laboratory. Also, enjoy the museum-wide "Art + Science = Gems and Minerals" event.

April 25 (afternoon) -- ANNUAL MEETING: Ametrine - A Mine to Market Story
Speaker: Robert Weldon

GIA's Robert Weldon will present the complete story of the beautiful bicolor (amethyst-citrine) variety of quartz, from its source in the rainforest of the upper Amazon of Bolivia to the world-wide marketplace.

June 20 -- FIELD TRIP: The Faults of Los Angeles
Leader: Dr. Doug Yule

This trip will explore the folds and faults – anticlines, synclines, thrust and reverse faults of the L.A. region. Join us to learn more about the major faults that run right along major city streets and maybe even through your own neighborhood!

July 9 (evening) -- LECTURE: History in the Jewelry Box
Speaker: Diana Sanders

What do Atom bombs and jewelry have in common? Learn how major historical events influenced jewelry styles in the 19th and 20th century.

August 14 - 29 -- INTERNATIONAL TOUR: Brazilian Gem Adventure
Leader: Tony Kampf

October (date to be decided) -- LECTURE: Australian Gem Deposits
Speaker: Charles I. Carmona
Charlie will give us an overview of some of Australia's most important gem occurrences (opals, sapphires, diamonds and more) as an introduction to next year's proposed Council tour of gem deposits downunder.

November (date to be decided) -- LOCAL FIELD TRIP: Mojave Adventure (Part 5)

Leader: Bob Reynolds

December 5 (morning-afternoon) -- OPEN HOUSE & SALE: Jewel Tunnel Imports
Host: Rock Currier

Rock Currier, owner/proprietor of Jewel Tunnel Imports, has again agreed to open his immense Baldwin Park warehouse to Gem & Mineral Council members for a very special open house. What makes this warehouse so special is its contents – an amazing variety and quantity of rocks, minerals, lapidary, jewelry – all at true wholesale prices. (Jewel Tunnel Imports does not sell to the public.) Refreshments will be served throughout the day to keep you going as you search Rock's seemingly endless shelves full of rare and common treasures. Whatever you’re looking for, you won't be disappointed.

For information contact Council Coordinator Jean Brandt.