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 (CCFMS).


  Celestine and Calcite, Dundas Quarry, Dundas, Ontario   Sphalerite, Niagara Canal Dumps, Montrose Road, Niagara Falls, Ontario   Silver, Nipissing 404 Mine, Cobalt, Ontario

Meetings

Future Meetings

Coming later in 2012: Nick Giavanti, speaking on "Inclusions in Brazilian Gem Stones", Chris van Donkelaar, and more ...

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. The next meeting is Saturday, February 5 2012 at 2 PM at the Waterloo Community Arts Centre. The kids will have some fun playing ROCKO and taking home some nice mineral specimens.

Some past meetings:

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

News and Future Events last updated December 26 2011

Provided as a public service. Details not guaranteed. Always check with show venue before heading out on a long car trip.


How to Contact Us

Mailing Address: Kitchener-Waterloo Gem and Mineral Club
c/o Stephanie Martin
Waterloo Community Arts Centre
25 Regina St. S.,
Waterloo, ON N2J 1R8 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 cost for a 6-foot table is $20. 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 Katherine La Hay and Faye Meadows, (519) 725-4678, and are sometimes held together with the CCMFS.

Yearly Live Auction

Each year in December our club holds a live auction for gems, minerals, fossils, meteorites, and lapidary items. The public is invited.

Trophies

   

Each year in December our club has a competition for the best self-collected specimen and the best specimen acquired elsewhere (the "Silver Pick" award). Winners are voted on by members and the winner gets a trophy.

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 currently edited by Jeffrey Shallit. Members receive the newsletter electronically or by Canada Post. 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.

For some past issues, see the Rockblast archive.

Resources

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