Sparkling: Geelong Gem and Mineral Club’s Lynne Bell inspects a polished gemstone.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
THEY have been ascribed healing and spiritual properties and are associated with dates of birth and zodiac signs.
Gemstones conjure mental images of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds.
But, as members of Geelong Gem and Mineral Club know, it also refers to a host of other precious stones with a cornucopia of aesthetically pleasing characteristics.
While gemstones are also associated with fabulous wealth and expensive jewellery, club president Carol Kirby says they have a down-to-earth side as well.
“They won’t make you rich – at least not in money terms,” she laughed, “but they will give you a lot of enjoyment.”
To the 100 members of Geelong Gem and Mineral Club, amethyst, chert, peridot and quartz are simply the raw materials from which beautiful jewellery is created – usually as gifts for family and friends.
Carol said the club offered some of the best facilities in the state for gem enthusiasts.
“The members built the clubrooms themselves and we have cutting and faceting rooms as well as a silver room to create a setting for the finished stones,” Carol explained.
“We usually have experienced members around to help those who are starting out.”
The cabochon, or French for bald head, cutting room will dome and polish the stone while the faceting room is used to cut stones like diamonds so they can be set into jewellery.
The club organises regular field trips to look for materials. Peridot, a green gem and birthstone for August, can be found at Mortlake, while chert, actually a hard rock also known as flint, is found around Meredith and clear quartz at Steiglitz.
“Some of our older members travel to Queensland for winter and fossick for emeralds and sapphires then come back and cut and polish them,” Carol said.
The club runs a children’s program on a Friday night and has its own library.
“But you learn the most in the tea room just chatting to experienced members about their experiences – everyone is always happy to share information,” Carol said.
Carol was first drawn to the world of stones when childhood neighbours would tumble them in an old dryer with some grit to create a polished finish.
She later attended a gem show that sparked an interest now shared by her whole family.
The club holds its annual gem show on the second weekend in November at Norlane’s Centenary Hall.
The expo attracts up to 500 people with displays of members’ lapidary work as well as jewellery sales and traders and stalls for suppliers from all over the country.
More information is available by visiting gemfossicking.com.au and clicking on Geelong Gem Club or by phoning Carol on 0411 055 297.
