New Home for the El Dorado Mineral & Gem Society!

The El Dorado County Mineral and Gem Society has a strong vision to provide a community home for the study and sharing of minerals, lapidary arts, and the earth sciences, but lacks a property to centralize their activities and operations. 

El Dorado County is in the heart of the California Mother Lode region with a rich mineral and mining heritage and collecting history.  However, the Society lacks a facility and is therefore limited in its ability to serve the community and effectively outreach, inspire, and advance its many community services.

The Society currently manages and holds all their lapidary and jewelry arts workshops, monthly meetings, storage, and administrative functions at numerous locations spread throughout the county-- including in some member’s homes.  Despite 14 years of ongoing and diligent fundraising toward the goal of owning a facility, the Society has been unable to raise sufficient funds needed to purchase and develop a home.

This is your opportunity to donate in support of a new home for the Society where members and the general public can gather, interface, and continue  meaningful work including:

·         Community outreach programs and public Mineral & Gem Shows

·         Development of lapidary and jewelry art skills through workshops

·         Mentoring youth and members of the public new to the hobby

·         Providing both adult and junior educational programs, including outreach to            elementary schools within El Dorado County

·         Bestowing scholarships supporting graduates of El Dorado County high                      schools who are pursuing a degree and/or career in earth sciences, lapidary                arts and other related fields

·         Sharing mineral specimens and education of the mineral, gem and geologic                world

·         Communicating to the public the rich mining history of the Mother Lode and            surrounding mineral, rock, and fossil collecting areas

·         A reference library and secure space for archives, show supplies and                              displays, lapidary material, and Society files /records

·         A location for monthly meetings, committee gatherings, merchandise                            displays and sales and more

Every dollar raised will go toward the goal of purchasing and developing a new home for the Society!  Please consider being a part of this important effort to make the El Dorado County Mineral and Gem Society a strong regional and community presence.