Nevada County Gem and Mineral Society

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Grass Valley, CA
Nevada County Gem and Mineral Society

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LIKE ROCKS? Come to a meeting! 1st Tuesday of each month at the Golden Empire Grange Hall in Grass Valley. Go to our website for more info: ncgms.org

Come to a meeting! What you will experience:
• Fascinating speakers and programs
• Rock raffle
• Make new friends
• Learn new things
• Great refreshments
• More! What else do we do?
• Thrilling field trips- hunt for buried treasure; enjoy camaraderie; see scenic places
• Active Junior Program – learn about rocks; special kids' activities; earn badges
• Earth's Treasures, our annual show at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, every October – demonstrations; vendors; kids' corner, and much more!
• Family-friendly – kids get a free cool rock at every meeting
• Complete library covering all aspects of the hobby
• Monthly newsletter
• Connected with other clubs across the state – other shows, field trips and activities
• Picnic every July and Christmas party, potluck and gift exchange every December

When do we meet?
• First Tuesday of the month, 7pm

Where do we meet?
• Golden Empire Grange, 11363 Grange Ct, Grass Valley, CA

VISITORS WELCOME!!

10/12/2026

There’s something about rocks, gems, minerals, fossils, and old collecting sites that wakes up the curious kid in all of us.

Maybe you’ve picked up an unusual rock and wondered what it was. Maybe you’ve always loved crystals, geology, mining history, lapidary work, fossils, or just getting outdoors and exploring. Or maybe you simply like being around people who get excited when somebody says, “You’ve got to see what I found.”

That’s what the Nevada County Gem and Mineral Society is all about. You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t even need to own a rock hammer yet. Curiosity is enough.

If you’ve ever thought rockhounding might be fun, or you’d simply like to learn more about the remarkable world beneath our feet, come spend an evening with us.

We meet the first Tuesday of every month at the Grange in Grass Valley:

12629 McCourtney Rd
Grass Valley, CA 95945

Come meet some fellow rock people, ask questions, bring a mystery specimen if you have one, and see what the club is all about.

09/11/2026

💎 ROCKHOUNDS, JEWELERS, CRAFTERS, FAMILIES & TREASURE HUNTERS — THIS ONE’S FOR YOU! 🦖✨

The 59th Annual Earth’s Treasures Gem & Mineral Show is coming to the Nevada County Fairgrounds for one weekend only!

Come explore 25 vendors packed with gorgeous gems, minerals, fossils, fine jewelry, beads, lapidary treasures and more.

📅 Saturday, October 3 | 10 AM–5 PM
📅 Sunday, October 4 | 10 AM–4 PM
📍 Nevada County Fairgrounds

🎟️ Adults: $5
👧 Kids 12 & under: FREE
🇺🇸 Military with ID: FREE
🚗 FREE PARKING

There’s plenty to do beyond shopping too — check out gem and mineral displays, live demonstrations, kids’ activities, raffles, and some seriously cool specimens.

And yes… we have a MOSASAURUS! It is an 8 FOOT Mosasaurus from Morocco, and we will have a large fossilized sea turtle from the same area. 🦖

Come see this incredible prehistoric marine reptile display in person!
Bring the kids. Bring your rock-loving friend. Bring the person who always stops to pick up “interesting rocks” on hikes. 😄

Tag someone who needs to come with you — and share this post to help us spread the word!

🌐 ncgms.org

08/31/2026

05/27/2026

Field Trip Report: Traverse Creek Outing

Saturday, May 21st, four members of the Nevada County Gem and Mineral Society headed out for a field trip to Traverse Creek, tucked away just south of Georgetown in El Dorado County. Our group included John, Sandy, Steve, and Mark.

Centered around the historic Stifle Claim, the area is known for its striking green serpentinite bedrock cut by dense white rodingite veins. For collectors, the prize is often glassy green vesuvianite, historically sold under the name “California Jade.”

We found plenty of the serpentine vesuvianite. As for gold, our pans told a humble little story: lots of hope, lots of swirling water, but not much color in the bottom.

Still, the trip was a success where it really counts. The setting was beautiful, the company was good, and the wildflowers in the area were absolutely amazing. Between the green rock, the creek, the panning, the flowers, and our creekside dog supervising the whole operation, it turned into exactly the kind of outing that makes rockhounding such a pleasure in California’s historic Mother Lode country.

05/06/2026

🌵✨ Cinco de Mayo, Mexican Minerals & Turquoise Magic! ✨🌵

What a wonderful evening at our May Gem and Mineral Club meeting!

We began the night by hearing an update on our club president, John Dolman, who had a heart issue this week and received a pacemaker. After speaking with John earlier in the day, and we’re happy to report that he is in great spirits. We’re all sending him our best wishes and looking forward to seeing him back with us soon.

The evening then turned festive with our Cinco de Mayo theme as we celebrated the incredible mineral contributions of Mexico. Six club members stood up and shared special Mexican mineral specimens from their collections, giving everyone a chance to see just how rich and varied Mexico’s mineral world truly is.

The main attraction of the evening was a terrific presentation by Toler Nevius on turquoise. Toler brought an amazing display of turquoise pieces, and members gathered around the tables to look, ask questions, compare colors, and enjoy the kind of lively rock talk that makes this club so much fun.

Meanwhile, the refreshment table was its own little fiesta, with members bringing Cinco de Mayo-inspired snacks, treats, desserts, chips, dips, fruit, and all kinds of goodies. Good food, good minerals, good company. Hard to beat that combination.

We finished the evening with our raffle, sending a few lucky members home with new treasures for their collections.

A big thank-you to everyone who brought specimens, food, stories, curiosity, and good energy. Nights like this are what make our club special. Join us next month on June 2nd.

Address

11363 Grange Court
Grass Valley, CA
95945

Website

http://ncgms.org/

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