Gemology Alumni Association Events
Upcoming Events
Science Night at Santiago Canyon College: March 2nd
Students and prospective students visit with their parents. We could use some volunteers! Many thanks to Kelsey, pictured above, for her help at the last event.
Youth Expo at Orange County Fairgrounds, "Ewe Rock"
April 13th - 15th
Help inspire kids about rocks & minerals.
Check out Our Field Trip to the Garnet Queen mine
About 25 people showed up for our last field trip on Saturday, October 30th at the Garnet Queen Mine. Our first stop was overcast, cold, damp and we didn't find any garnets. We backed down the road a piece, the sun came out and everyone found some orange brown grossular garnet (1.75 RI) crystals. The scenery was spectacular and it ended up being a great trip. Hats off to Anne for doing it again .
Outreach Events
Volunteers needed!!!
It's always fun to meet and greet prospective students and catch up with alumni at our outreach events.
If you can help out, please email Lothar Vallot or call (714) 893-6643.
Science Night at SCC
March 2nd
Youth Expo at OC Fairgrounds
April 13th - 15th
Noteworthy Gem Exhibits and Events
San Diego Natural History Musuem Gem Exhibit:
"All That Glitters: The Splendor and Science of Gems & Minerals"
Through May 15, 2012
Did you know that every glittering ruby, sapphire, diamond, and opal has a history as old as the Earth itself? Discover how the same Earth processes that build landscapes produce dazzling gemstones and precious metals—even right here in San Diego County, one of the most famous gem-producing regions in the world.
Witness a stunning selection of spectacular natural mineral crystals, exquisite jewelry, and works of art. See objects on display for the first time ever. Discover “first finds” in the world, found right here in California: benitoite, gold, kunzite and morganite. View stunning objects on loan from private collectors and major U.S. institutions including the American Museum of Natural History, Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Harvard University Mineralogical Museum, Newark Museum and National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.
For more information, visit www.sdnhm.org
Past Events
January 20, 2012: Alumni Association Meeting
Guest speaker was Jack Lui, who supplies stone cutting services in China.
November 11, 2011: Alumni Association Meeting
Held at Nevada Book & Mineral Co., where Walt Lombardo gave a talk on Corundum in North America
September 23, 2011: Alumni Association Meeting
Enrollment is good and we are encouraged by the support of the new Dean, Corine Doughty.
August 6-7, 2011: Orange County Fair
We had a good showing, thanks to those who helped and those who visited!
June 25, 2011: Alumni Association Fundraising Dinner
Moreno’s Restaurant
May 27, 2011: Alumni Association Meeting
Looking for items for the Silent Auction at the upcoming Alumni Dinner. Disneyland has donated $400 worth of tickets!
May 20-22, 2011: West Coast Gem & Mineral Show
This is the premier gem show in Orange County, so plan on helping out at our booth and visiting the show.
April 8th - 10th Barn to Be Wild: OC Fair Youth Expo
We will have a setup similar to what we have at the Fair. Of course, we are there to promote the program to the kids and their parents. However, by participating you are also giving back to your community as a whole by providing information and inspiration to our youth.
Alumni Association Meeting: Friday, February 25, 2011.
Roger will talk about gold mining in Southern California, business agenda items will be discussed after.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Bowers Museum Lecture: Macro to Micro - Inclusions ad Gemstone Formation
Inclusions in gem materials are generally quite small and most often microscopic. However, some are surprisingly large, and contribute significantly to both the beauty and value of the gems hosting them. John Koivula, Chief Research Gemologist, GIA, world leading authority on inclusions in gemstones, explores such inclusions at the macro and micro levels, and describes how they can also help to define the geological origins of their hosts.
Co-sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America and the Gem and Mineral Society, Los Angeles Museum of Natural History.
Friday, March 17, 2011
Santiago Canyon College Career Day
Special thanks to John Eyre and helpers Kelsey and Walt Lombardo for representing us at this event..
December 4, 2010
Jewel Tunnel Imports Open House
Rock Currier: (626) 814-2257 -- rockcurrier@cs.com
Normally we are wholesale only. For this event only, members will be able to buy at our normal wholesale price. The openhouse will also provide people attending a good overview of the kinds of minerals and related natural history objects available on the market today and some insight to the importing and distribution of such things.
November 19, 2010: Alumni Meeting
Lothar brought along a few boxes of gem books to sell -- all proceeds will go to the Alumni Association.
Saturday, November 6th & Sunday, November 7th
American Opal Society's 43rd Annual OPAL & GEM SHOW
www.opalsociety.org
Gene LeVan at (562) 208-7494 -- fineblackopal@sprynet.com
Corey Kuepper at (714) 736-0581 rockhwnd@aol.com
Diamonds in North America
September 17th meeting: presentation by Walt Lombardo from the Nevada Mineral & Book store.
Orange County Fair
July 24th & 25th
For more information about the the Orange County Fair, visit www.ocfair.com
Alumni Dinner
Thanks to all who helped make our fundraiser a success. We had a bigger-than-expected turnout, and members got some great deals on siient auction items!
We want to thank the following for their generous donations to our silent auction:
- Bernhardt, Norbert
- Cinamon, Diana
- Diamond Express
- Dragon Minerals
- Duclos, Frederic
- Dworak, Victor
- Elliott , Jerri
- Gregory, Michele
- Herman, Linda
- Lorenzo, Ana
- Lowry, Julie
- Martin Zinn Productions
- Norbury, Stephanie
- Parade Designs
- Shaffner, Becky
- Stambaugh, Bruce & Mary
- Van Twist. Kathy
- Vombrach, Susan & Andre
- Kim Whites
- Jacque Yunker
Annual Searchers Gem & Mineral Society Show
Saturday, May 1s:t 10 am - 5 pm & Sunday, May 2nd: 10 am - 4:30 pm
For more about the Searchers Gem & Mineral Society, visit www.searchersrocks.org
West Coast Gem & Mineral Show
May 15th, 16th & 17th: 10 am - 6 pm
For more information about the show, visit www.mzexpos.com
Science Night at Santiago Canyon College
March 12, 2010
The Gemology department had a table at this event.
7th Grade Career Day at Santiago Canyon College
March 26, 2010
Many thanks to Kelsey for repesenting the Gemology program at this event.
Charlie Carmona: "Gems Down Under - An Australian Gem Adventure"
January 22, 2010
Charlie gave an interesting slide presentation, and talked about his chartered trip to the Sapphire and Opal mines in Australia next summer. If you are interested, you can contact Charlie at (213) 624-0137.
American Opal Society Show
November 7-8, 2009, Hobby City on Beach Blvd.
We had a booth at the show.
Yvette Eckman of Traditional Jewelers in Newport Beach
September 18, 2009
We were proud to host Yvette, the first woman Master Bench Jeweler, at our alumni meeting.
Crystal Mountain Field Trip
June 28, 2009
Hats off to Anne Davila for coordinating the trip. The quartz crystals were small, but everyone found something interesting.