Good News!
Next Thursday 21st of October our workshop at the Museum will open again at 10 am for a working bee to check all machines and equipment in readiness for our regular open days in the future, our monthly general meeting for this month will also be held at the museum grounds on Wednesday 27th October at 1pm, prior to the meeting arrive at noon for a picnic lunch, show and tell and some long awaited socialising.Whilst at this moment the Museum will not reopen to the general public until the first week of November we are allowed to open our area within the grounds.
I would think that there are a few members that are keen to get back into it, but we must adhere to the conditions set in the new laws relating to Covid that are now in force. Before you can enter our workshop or come to our meetings you must be prepared to show proof of double vaccination.
Are you interested in looking for rocks and gems?
Are you interested in learning how to prepare a stone for polishing?
We welcome visitors and new members!
Have fun, share experiences and learn from the experts in our midst!
Click here to view Max’s agates
Our workshop activities are held each Thursday , from 10am to 2pm and alternate between the grounds of Batemans Bay Heritage Museum and the President’s home.
Please refer to the News page or the Calendar for further details:
(Home page/News page, the Upcoming Events column is on top right if using a computer or at the bottom of the page if using a mobile device).
We had previously established a workshop at The Original Gold Rush Colony at Mogo which was devastated by bushfires in January. It is very exciting to announce a new partnership with Batemans Bay Heritage Museum providing us with a place from which to operate.
Join us for a meeting where we discuss club matters and correspondence from affiliated lapidary clubs, report on excursions held, plan new trips and activities and examine “show and tell” specimens of fossils, gems, minerals and items of interest brought along by members.
We conduct fossicking trips and visits to sites of geological interest in our local area. Weekend excursions are held regionally and at times, extended interstate fossicking trips.
We welcome members to undertake courses, in cutting, polishing and cabochon making.
Lapidary is the art of cutting and polishing stone. There are four basic lapidary arts: tumbling, cabbing, faceting, and carving.
Tumbling
Rough gem material is placed into a tumbler, a revolving barrel with abrasives. Progressively finer grits or abrasives are used until the gem is polished. This process closely resembles what happens to rocks in a stream or on the beach.
Cabbing
Cabbing or cabochon cutting is probably the most common form of lapidary arts. Cabochons or “cabs” are gems cut with a flat bottom and a curved or domed top.
Faceting
Through a mechanical process of cutting surfaces on a piece of crystal, beautiful gems are created. At present, as we don’t have access to a faceting machine, no faceting activities are being undertaken.
Upcoming event: The 58th National Gem & Mineral Show will be held over Friday 15 April to Monday 18 April 2022 at Mudgee NSW.
More details on our News page
Link to News including 2021 Committee.
View photos of Cabochon Course Participants
View photos of March 2021 Trip
Click here to view photos of Seniors Week at the Museum
Due to COVID 19, all Lapidary workshops have been cancelled until further notice.
