51st Annual Gem Show, hosted by the Alabama Mineral & Lapidary Society

This family-friendly show will delight everyone from seasoned rockhounds to casual collectors and curiosity seekers. Browse through the fascinating gem, mineral, and fossil specimens, handcrafted jewelry, and decorative items. Wares from local and visiting artists and collectors are featured at 100+ tables. There are sparkling crystals, carved stone obelisks, spheres, and more. A geode cracker is on-site to split whole geodes and reveal their hidden beauty. There will be demonstrations on lapidary equipment, door prizes, and activities for the kids.  The new venue for this year’s show is the Irondale Civic Center (former Zamora Shrine Temple).

The annual show is an outreach event by the Alabama Mineral and Lapidary Society, a non-profit organization for people interested in geology, mineralogy, paleontology, and lapidary arts. Anyone can join and beginners are welcome. Meetings are held on the 2nd Friday of each month at 6:30 pm, at the Cahaba Heights United Methodist Church. We love for visitors and kids to join us. Dues-paying members enjoy club-sponsored field trips, classes taught by experts, and a workshop in Leeds where you can learn to cut and polish with club-owned rock saws and cabbing equipment.  Check us out at http://www.lapidary.com