Members of the Grant County Rolling Stones Gem and Mineral Society are passionate about rocks and very eager to share their interest with anyone who would like to listen in and explore with them. On Labor Day weekend the society is hosting their 37th yearly gem and mineral show, its is free, and everyone is welcome.
Show chair Jeannine Weiner said she was hooked at the first show she attended.
“I joined the club and started to learn about the gems and minerals,” she said. “It’s fascinating to see what nature brings us in the form of gems and minerals.”
Weiner said Grant County is one of the most mineralized counties in New Mexico.
“It’s pretty amazing here,” she said. “We love rocks!”
Part of the society’s mission is to further gem and mineral education and get more people involved.
“It’s a great pastime and a social situation because we all love rocks,” she said. “We have a lot of geologists as part of our club and help us out when we don’t know exactly what we are looking at. We like to bring the event, a free family event, to people and like to get the kids involved. Who knows maybe they will be future geologists.”
The club has more than 150 members, 80 or so of those are very active. They have a potluck meeting on the first Tuesday of every month and a field trip on the third Saturday every month.
The 2022 Gem and Mineral Show, held at the Grant County Veterans’ Memorial Conference Center, offers 35 to 40 venders, a wheel of fortune with prizes, daily jewelry making demonstrations, field trips every day and daily lectures as well.
There will be daily off-site collecting field trips leaving the front door of the Conference Center at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. on Sunday and Monday. Saturday’s trip will be a geological field trip “Mimbres to Mangas,” Sunday’s trip will be for collecting, in the Agate area north of Silver City off of Hwy 15 and Monday’s trip will also be for collecting in the Orthoclase area in the Fort Bayard animal preserve. Field trips are open to the public, but you must sign up at the front door, bring your own tools, water and transportation.
