Kitchener-Waterloo Gem and Mineral Club


KWGMC club logo The Kitchener-Waterloo Gem and Mineral Club was formed in 1965. For more than forty years, our club has brought together people who have an interest in the lapidary arts and in collecting rocks, minerals, and fossils. Members are residents of Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, and other communities in Waterloo and Wellington Counties, Ontario.

The club meets on a monthly basis at the Waterloo Community Arts Centre in Waterloo. Meetings include speakers, workshops and the ever-popular monthly raffle for gems and minerals. Special events include picnics, pot-luck suppers and field trips.

The club also provides a forum for an exchange of information and ideas about the hobby. We also promote safe and responsible collecting, and we work with other federation clubs to secure more collecting areas.

Our club is a member of the Central Canadian Federation of Mineralogical Societies.


Meetings


Future Meetings

Past Meetings

For more past meetings, see here.

Kids Club

Our Kids Club is designed for children 5-16 who are interested in rocks, fossils, and minerals. We try to meet monthly on a Saturday at the Waterloo Community Arts Centre.

Future meetings are as follows:

Some past meetings:

For more information about the kids' club, contact Robert Maric.

News and Future Events last updated April 15 2008

On Saturday May 10 2008 the CCFMS hosts its semi-annual trip to the Nelson Aggregates Quarry in Beamsville, Ontario. Meet at the gate at 8:30 AM for sign-in and safety talk. Orange reflective vest, long pants, safety shoes and hard hats are mandatory.

On Sunday May 11 2008 the CCFMS hosts its semi-annual trip to the Dundas Quarry in Dundas, Ontario. Meet on Moxley Road at 8:30 AM for sign-in and safety talk. Orange reflective vest, long pants, safety shoes and hard hats are mandatory.

On Saturday May 24 2008 the 19th Annual Chesapeake Gem & Mineral Show will take place from 10 AM - 4 PM in the Ruhl Armory, Towson, Maryland. Take I-695 Beltway exit 26-York Road South. For more information, call Bernie Emery at (410) 832-5906. Free admission.

On Sunday June 1 2008 our club will have a field trip to the Guelph Quarry. Details are in the June 2008 Rockblast.

On Saturday June 21 2008 our club will have a field trip to the Flamborough Quarry. Details are in the June 2008 Rockblast.

On Saturday June 21 2008 The Niagara Peninsula Gem and Mineral Club hosts Geo-Venture 2008 at the Beamsville Fairgrounds in Beamsville, Ontario, 10 AM - 5 PM. It's held together with the Strawberry Festival. From the QEW, take the exit for Ontario Street south; Fairgrounds Road is on your right. For more information, call (905) 354-6612 or (905) 834-6921, or visit http://www.ccfms.ca/Clubs/NPGS.

On July 12-13 2008 the Gem & Mineral Society of Syracuse present the 42nd Annual Gemworld 2008 Gem, Mineral, Fossil, and Jewelry Show. Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM; Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM. Verizon Center of Progress Building, New York State Fairgrounds, I-690, Syracuse, NY. 50 Dealers. $6 adults, children under 12 free. For more info visit http://www.gmss.us.

On July 18-20 2008, the Sudbury Rock & Lapidary Society presents their 26th Annual Gem & Mineral Show at the Carmichael Arena, Bancroft Drive, Sudbury, Ontario. Friday, 5 PM - 9 PM; Saturday, 10 AM - 6 PM; Sunday, 10 AM - 5 PM. For more information, call (705) 522-5140 or visit http://www.ccfms.ca/Clubs/Sudbury/show.htm.

On July 25-27 2008, the 3rd Annual Toronto Gem and Mineral Summer Show and Sale takes place at the Leaside Gardens Arena, 1073 Millwood Road, East York. Adults $8, Seniors $7, Kids 12-18, $6, under 12 free with adult. For more information, contact Ohannes Bedrossian at (514) 989-9800 or e-mail torontogemshow@canada.com.

On July 31-August 3 2008, the 45th Annual Bancroft Gemboree will take place in Bancroft. For more information, call (877) 410-1513.

On Saturday September 6 2008 Robert Hall Originals is hosting a rock swap. For more information, visit here. Robert Hall Originals is at 138 Sugar Maple Road in St. George.

On September 13-14 2008 the Scarborough Gem and Mineral Club presents their 40th Annual Show, 2467 Eglinton Ave. E., Scarborough, Ontario. Saturday 10-6, Sunday 11-5. Adults $3, Children $1. For more information, contact scarbgemclub@lycos.com.

On September 20-21 2008, the Mid-Hudson Valley Gem & Mineral Society hosts their 39th Annual Gem & Mineral Show & Sale, Route 9, Duchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY. Saturday 10-5, Sunday 10-4. Adults $5, Seniors $4, Students $2, under 12 free. For more information, call (845) 471-1224 or see http://www.geocities.com/nyrockhounds.

On October 10-12 2008 the Michigan Mineralogical Society hosts the 64th Annual Detroit Gem, Mineral, Fossil, and Jewelry Show, South Macomb Community College Expo Center, Building P, 12 Mile Road and Hayes Road, Warren, Michigan. Friday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m, Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Adults $7, Seniors $4, Children $3. For more information visit http://www.michmin.org/show/. This is the largest show within a 4-hour drive of Kitchener-Waterloo, well worth a visit.

On October 25-26 2008 the University of Waterloo Earth Sciences Department hosts the Annual Gem and Mineral Show, University of Waterloo Earth Sciences Museum, Waterloo, Ontario. For more information contact Peter Russell at (519) 888-4567, extension 32469.

On October 25-26 2008 the Rochester Lapidary Society hosts the Rochester Gem, Mineral, Jewelry, and Fossil Show. Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM; Sunday 10 AM - 5 PM. Donation $5; children under 5 free. Located in Minett Hall at the Monroe County Fair and Expo Center, corner of E. Henrietta (15A) and Calkins Road, Henrietta, NY. For more information contact Paul Dudley at (585) 385-2368 or Hollis Heinzerling at (585) 343-5304 or write to mineral@rasny.org.

On November 8-9 2008 The Gem and Mineral Club of Burlington hosts their 37th Gemini Gem and Mineral Show, Mainway Recreation Centre, 4015 Mainway, Burlington, Ontario (NE corner of Walkers Line and Mainway). Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM - 5PM.

On February 28- March 1 2009, the Kawartha Rock & Fossil Club presents the 16th Annual Peterborough Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show at the Evinrude Centre, 911 Monaghan Road, Peterborough, Ontario. Saturday, Sunday, 10-5. $3 admission for adults, children free. For more information, contact Mark Stanley, (705) 639-2406.



How to Contact Us

Mailing Address: Kitchener-Waterloo Gem and Mineral Club
c/o Peter Russell
46 - 121 University Ave. E.,
Waterloo, ON   N2J 4J1
CANADA

Contacts


Annual Show and Sale

Each year our club organizes an annual show, which is open to the public. Our show provides an opportunities for people to buy, sell and exchange rocks, minerals, fossils, gemstones, lapidary material and equipment. The show is held on the first Saturday in May from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Waterloo Community Arts Centre, 25 Regina St. S., in Waterloo, Ontario. Admission is free.

Anyone (including dealers, swappers, clubs, and artists) may participate in the show. Dealers are not permitted to advertise their business. The fee to participate is $5 per foot of table (min. 4 ft., max. 8 ft.), or 30% of sales, whichever is less. Tables are 2.5 feet wide. Space is limited to 138 feet of table (tables are 2.5 ft. wide), and of this 18 ft. or 3 tables are available free to other clubs for displays, sales, promotion, or activities. To reserve space or to obtain more information, please contact Gary Winkler.

Field Trips

Field trips are arranged about twice a year. Past trips have included Field trips are organized by Ray Lehoux, Tel: (519) 822-8523.

Membership

Our annual membership fees are $20 for a family or individual. New members are welcome any time.


Newsletter

The Rockblast is published monthly and is edited by Jeffrey Shallit. Our newsletter outlines activities and includes interesting articles related to lapidary and the rock and mineral collecting hobby. We currently exchange newsletters with other clubs.

The latest Rockblast is the May 2008 issue, and can be seen here.

For past issues, see the archive.

Resources

Our club is sponsored by GemSelect, a German-Thai company specializing in gemstones in Chanthaburi, Thailand. Thanks to GemSelect for their support!