Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society

The Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society is a non-profit organization established in 1939 with the mission of fostering public interest in the lapidary arts and geology, particularly focusing on saline minerals.

History and Purpose

Founded in 1939, the society aims to promote public awareness and appreciation of geology, especially concerning the unique mineral deposits found in the Searles Lake area. The society supports various activities to achieve these goals, including educational events and mineral collecting opportunities.

Activities and Events

The society was previously known for hosting Gem-O-Rama, a well-attended gem and mineral show that attracted international interest. This event took place annually during the second weekend in October and featured three field trips to collect different types of minerals. The trips offered participants the chance to collect rare minerals like hanksite, sulfohalite, borax, and trona, which are found in limited locations worldwide. However, the Gem-O-Rama event was permanently discontinued after the 2018 show.

Mineral Collecting Opportunities

During the annual show, participants had the opportunity to collect various minerals through organized field trips:

• Mud Run: Collectors searched for minerals like large hanksite crystals and borax in excavated mud.
• Upper Salt Minerals: Participants collected minerals such as sulfohalite and trona on the dry salt surface.
• Pink Halite Collection: Collectors accessed brine pools to harvest pink halite specimens, requiring physical effort to break through the salt crust.

Collectors were advised not to wash their finds in water due to their soluble nature and to preserve specimens using a brine bath and mineral oil.

Membership and Meetings

The society meets on the third Thursday of every month, providing a platform for members to engage in discussions about lapidary arts and geology. The organization encourages a community-driven approach to collecting and studying minerals.

Closure of Gem-O-Rama

Although Gem-O-Rama was discontinued, the society continues to promote interest in minerals and geology through other activities and educational efforts. Despite the absence of this significant event, the society remains an important part of the mineral collecting community.

EIN

The organization's EIN is 956095484.

This article is based on historical data as the primary source relating to ongoing activities is unavailable.