Tehachapi Valley Gem and Mineral Society

Did you know Tehachapi Valley has a group of people interested in geology, paleontology, mineralogy, jewelry-making, ancient artifacts, plate tectonics, and a host of other sciences? We are Tehachapi Gem and Mineral Society and we are more than a bunch of rock-hounds. TVGMS is a non-profit organization and our goal is to learn about and educate others in the earth sciences.

There will be something for everyone at our educational booth during the 4th of July Celebration in Bear Valley Springs on July 1 and 2. Explore displays of the many aspects of TVGMS such as lapidary, jewelry-making, flint-knapping, silversmithing, rock art, as well as spin the famous TVGMS Spin Wheel; for $1 or $5 - everyone's a winner of a lapidary item - a polished rock, a fossilized shark's tooth, a piece of petrified wood, etc.

After taking a year off, Tehachapi Gem and Mineral Society's Gem and Mineral Show is back! This August during Mountain Festival weekend, Tehachapi SENIOR CENTER is graciously allowing us to use their facility to hold this event. Vendors will be showing and selling beautiful showcase minerals, polished rocks, jewelry-making supplies, and handcrafted jewelry. All your favorite rock, bead, and jewelry vendors will be present along with the Spin Wheel. Enjoy demonstrations of flint knapping, wire wrapping, and cutting and polishing stones.

This year we are selling raffle tickets for a gorgeous Amethyst cathedral. This lovely, violet-colored natural crystalline structure is about 30 inches tall, weighs about 65 pounds, and is valued at approximately $500! Raffle tickets will be sold at the TVGMS booth during the Bear Valley Springs 4th of July Celebration at Cub Lake, at many locations around town, and at TVGMS's Gem and Mineral Show during Mountain Festival. The winning ticket will be drawn on Sunday, August 20, 2017 at 3 p.m. during the Gem and Mineral Show at the Tehachapi SENIOR CENTER and you need not be present to win.

TVGMS is a non-profit educational organization and a favorite aspect of our directive is to award two scholarships to local high school seniors. Congratulations to this year's winners: Angelica Romero and Taydin Macon! We wish them success in their future endeavors!

Memberships are available for individuals and families. Classes in metalworking and rockwork are held periodically for members in our fully functional laboratory, stocked with a large assortment of rock-working and jewelry-making tools.

Meetings are held the 4th Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Tehachapi SENIOR CENTER at 500 E. F Street.