Meeting Times & Locations

MEMBER MEETING INFORMATION:

Day: 2nd Thursday of every month

Time: 7:30pm

Location: Hillcrest Art Center 

Address: 403 Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks

(off of McCloud Avenue across from the The Oaks mall up on the hill.)

BOARD MEETING INFORMATION:

Day: 3rd Thursday of every month

Time: 7:00pm

Location: currently online

March 13, 2025

"The Diversity of American Gems; The Western States"

presented by:  Renee Newman

* Learn about gems from California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, and Idaho with a special focus on notable ones such as tourmaline, jade, benitoite, sunstone, opal, turquoise, chrysocolla, and fire agates.

February 13, 2025 (cancelled due to inclement weather)

"Enhanced & Synthetic Gemstones”

presented by: Jim Brace-Thompson

* Over the years, there have been many attempts to recreate precious and semi-precious gemstones. Some are created in laboratories. Others created by Monther Nature. Come see how to determine Fakes and Phonies or the Real Deal.

January 16, 2025

"Fairburn Agates of South Dakota" 

presented by: Austin Lippincott

* We will be learning about the scarcity of the specimen, their geological formation, and the fascinating subculture surrounding them.

Sunday, December 8, 2024

"Holiday Potluck & Annual Meeting" 

Club Members + their families only event.

* We at Conejo Gem & Mineral Club wish all of you a wonderful holiday season and happy new year! We are looking forward to seeing you in 2025!

November 14, 2024

"Silent Action & Pumpkin Pie Extravaganza" 

presented by: CGMC Club Members

* Join us for our annual Silent Auction where you can bid on your favorite items, support a great club, enjoy a tasty treat, and meet new friends! (cash or check payments only please)

October 10, 2024

"Precious and Common Opal: Virgin Valley Opal District" 

presented by: Walter Lombardo 

* Explore properties of this highly fluorescent opal which show spectral colors occurring in seams, nodules and as fossil replacement and learn about the area’s collecting/mining process including locations and materials to discover.

September 12, 2024

" Geological Wonders of California’s Channel Islands" 

presented by: Keri Dearborn

* From volcanic sea caves to spectacular sedimentary formations, the Channel Islands are a collection of geologically varied islands. We will explore biogeology - the role geology has played in shaping the living species on the islands in the past and how it continues to do so today.

June 13, 2024

"Fun Physics From Mineral Properties" 

presented by: Austin Lippincott

*  We will be exploring basic Physics topics of popular minerals such as Fiber Optics (ulexite), Thermal Conductivity (moissanite), Diffraction (opal, rainbow obsidian, iris agate), Light Polarization (tanzanite, iolite), and more!

May 9, 2024

"Shades of Purple – Amethyst North of the Border" 

presented by: Dick Weber

* The largest commercial deposits of amethyst in North America occur near the Canadian border in Southern Ontario. Unlike the more common Brazilian amethyst, this material is unique due to inclusions of red hematite in the outermost layers of the crystals.

April 11, 2024

"Show & Tell" 

presented by: all CGMC Members

* Come see amazing examples of rocks, fossils, and minerals collected, displayed, and/or created by our very own Club members. 

March 14, 2024

"How To Arrange Your Show Exhibitor Case" 

presented by: Mary Pat Weber, CGMC President

* Learn the tricks, trades, and techniques for setting up a gem and mineral show display case. 

February 8, 2024

"La Brea Tar Pits" 

presented by: John Cook

* Discover the secrets of Southern California's history trapped and preserved under LA's streets for the past 45,000 years. 

January 11, 2024

"Mineral Luminescence" 

presented by: Austin Lippincott 

* Learn about all the different aspects of luminescence. The presentation is sure to be illuminating!

November 9, 2023

 " Rainbow Obsidian and How to Reveal its Secrets" 

presented by: Terry Wilson

*  Come experience the wonders of Rainbow Obsidian from Davis Creek, CA, and learn how to inspect specimens often found in your own backyards. Unlocking the rainbow of colors within is tricky, and improper cutting can easily ruin a beautiful piece. Learn how to mark the rough for proper slabbing by exploring this fascinating material.

October 12, 2023

 "Wonders of East African Geology and Wildlife" 

presented by: Susan and Gary Guttman

* Explore the geologically active East African landscape with amazing photos of the wildlife including Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Elephants, Wildebeest, Zebra, Warthogs, Baboons, amazing birds, and more. Amazing overview for those wanting to go on safari or simply enjoy the beauty of the Serengeti. 

September 14, 2023

"Rare and Unusual Gemstones of California"

presented by: Walt Lombardo

* California is an extraordinary state for rockhounding. Geological forces have created one of the widest varieties of rocks and minerals found in any state. This talk will feature benitoite, lapis-lazuli, and vesuvianite including the chemical composition of theses stones, the processes that created them, and where to find them. 

Transform your findings! Would you like to learn to make the rocks you have collected into something new and pretty? We have a small Lapidary Shop located at the Hillcrest Arts Center exclusively for use by current paid members of the Conejo Gem & Mineral Club.

Our Lapidary Shop has Genies for shaping and polishing rocks, a large flat rotary flat lap, a large rock saw, several small trim saws, and a polisher.

Shop Managers keep standing days and times to open the shop. They will be happy to teach you how to properly and safely use the equipment for free.

* 3rd Sunday of the month (by appointment only)

   9:00am-12:00pm: Juan Gonzales Del Valle

   email: jgonzalesdelvalle@gmail.com)

   12:00pm-3:00pm: Manny Valdez

    email: Mvaldez2tohs@yahoo.com

* Weekdays (by appointment only)

    Time TBD: Dick Weber 

    phone: 805-529-2524