Diamonds are forever

Stock image.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend. A diamond is a piece of coal that handled stress well. A diamond in the rough. Perhaps you're sensing a theme.

Tehachapi Valley Gem and Mineral Society presents "Diamond Crystals: Types, History, Sources, and Current Issues" by Renee Newman.

Newman is an expert on colored stones and diamonds, and she will be speaking at our upcoming Oct. 24 meeting at 7 p.m. at the Tehachapi SENIOR CENTER. Don't miss this interesting and exciting presentation.

Surprisingly, diamonds were discovered in California in 1849 by prospectors panning for gold. This was about 18 years before the discovery of diamonds in South Africa. Have you ever wondered what diamonds look like in the rough and where you might find them in California? Perhaps you have a fascination with diamond crystals and would like to know more. Do you wonder about ethically sourced diamonds and how diamonds are traced from mine to market? Theses are just a few of the topics covered in Newman's presentation.

Newman developed her interest in gems while conducting tours to Asia, South America and the South Pacific. Wanting to provide more information to her passengers, she took courses through the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to complete the colored stones and diamonds program. After graduating with a gemologist diploma, she was hired as a gemologist at a diamond wholesale firm in Los Angeles. Armed with trade experience and her gemological credentials, Newman decided to create books that show readers how to visually evaluate the quality of gems. Her first book, "The Diamond Ring Buying Guide" was published in 1989. Since then she has written 13 more books on gems and jewelry, including "The Diamond Handbook" geared toward trade professionals and her new large-format book "Diamonds: Their History, Sources, Qualities, and Benefits." Newman's books are used as consumer guides, gemology course textbooks, sales training tools and appraisal references.

Newman will be selling her books at a 20 to 25% discount and autographing them before and after the presentation. Bring cash or a check if you would like to purchase copies.

Tehachapi Valley Gem and Mineral Society is proud of its dedication to educating our members and the public. We take rockhounding field trips nearly every month, sometimes twice a month. We offer (generally free) classes on jewelry-making twice a month and have a fully functional lapidary workshop where we cut and polish our finds, which is open twice a week. At our monthly meetings we often have speakers and educational programs. Our club meets the fourth Thursday of each month at the Tehachapi SENIOR CENTER, located at 500 E. F St. at 7 p.m.