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Welcome to the Mitchelton and Districts Gem Club Incorporated

We are a small friendly community based, not-for-profit organisation, promoting and teaching the art of lapidary, silverwork and gem cutting. We are more than happy to have a chat, so if you are interested in the lapidary, silverwork or gem cutting, feel free to drop by the clubhouse in Corbie Park , 40 – 46 Ferneydell St. Ashgrove, Brisbane, during any session time. Alternately email the club secretary on secretary.mitcheltongemclub@gmail.com.

Our volunteers are always willing to show you around and explain how the club works. Many of our members have many years of experience in lapidary arts and the joy of fossicking. We also maintain a lively social calendar during the year.

Our members also organize fossicking trips for those who wish to participate. These trips often turn up some interesting finds including quartz, fossilized wood and other items of interest depending on the area searched. The trips are often into four wheel drive areas so camping is involved, but some are more accessible to places like Redcliffe.

Workshops

Our normal workshop is on Thursday 9 am to 12 noon. The silverwork workshop is on Thursday 12 noon to 3:30 pm.

A Saturday workshop is also available from 1 pm to 4 pm. An additional workshop (9 am – 12 noon) on Saturdays can be arranged.

The workshops will not be opening on a Saturday unless those who wish to work contact the rostered supervisor at least 24 hours before the day. Please check the roster published in the club’s newsletter or noted below for the rostered supervisor.

Club Morning Tea – Club’s monthly morning tea, 10 am, first Thursday of the month. All members and visitors are welcome.

Membership Fees (Due 1st July)

Family Membership $ 55.00

Adult Member over 18 yrs. $ 35.00

Junior Member 14-18 yrs. $ 10.00

Age Pensioner Family $ 30.00

Age Pensioner Single $ 20.00

Joining Fees 

Adult Joining Fee $10.00

Junior Joining Fee $7.00

Due to insurance requirements, you must become a member of the club to use the workshop, participate in fieldtrips or undertake the faceting course.

Workshop Fee

There is a small fee of $8 for each session a member attends to cover costs of equipment use and some materials.

Faceting Course

One on one course, held over a couple of sessions. Rough stone, materials, equipment and training provided to cut your first stone. The cost is $100.

Membership Application Form

Application Form

application-form-1Download
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Lapidary

Lapidary

Though there are simple safety requirements, there are no special skills required in the workshop. There are instructors who are only too willing to impart their knowledge to any beginners. The club members can assist in buying materials such as agate, fossilized wood for your lapidary work.

The fully equipped workshop is available to all members, though, children will need a parents’ supervision. Lapidary is not an expensive hobby and can be enjoyed by all members of the family.

The club has lapidary material for sale.

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Silverwork

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Silverwork

The club has all of the necessary hand tools for the beginners to get started in their work.  Beginners classes are organised as required. Material for each project can be purchased through the club. Instructors are on hand to help your design beautiful silver jewellery and help you to produce the finished item in our Thursday afternoon workshops. No one will have a handmade piece as exclusive as the one you have made for yourself.

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Gem Cutting

Halls Faceting Machines

 

Faceting

The Club has a number of faceting machines and all equipment required to start faceting and cabochoning. Training can be provided and rough faceting materials purchased.

This is a fascinating pursuit and will suit the creative streak in the more technically inclined. The beauty of a faceted or carbochoned gemstone is self-evident. Using our silversmith workshop you can create jewellery that no one else will have and create an heirloom for you children to bicker over.

Faceting Course

One on one course, held over a couple of sessions. Rough stone, materials, equipment and training provided to cut your first stone. The cost is $100. Due to insurance requirements, you must become a member of the club to undertake the training.

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Fossicking

Fossicking Field Trips

A number of fossicking field trips are organised during the year. They can be for a single day or over a few days. Trips are often made to the Lismore Gem Show followed by fossicking for labradorite. Further trips include Chinchilla for fossilised wood and Redcliffe as well a trip to Hogarts Range for labradorite.

PROPOSED FIELD TRIP REPORT 2024

Field Trip Lismore Gem Show.

Dates, Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th May this is a one day or overnight trip.

Accommodation, main camping, Lismore showgrounds or motel.

The schedule, Saturday visit the Hogarth Range, labradorite field departing showgrounds 8 am, equipment, pick shovel, sieves 1/4, 1/8, 1/2 recommended, buckets or bags, bag or similar to put sieved wash on for inspection. Optional, tub with water to wash material.

The gem material is alluvial from the grass roots to approximately 30 cm.

Necessary items, we will be on site until early afternoon in an unprotected environment, (no shade) hat, sunscreen, possibly long clothes, good shoes, water, food, chair.

When we stop digging, we travel back to the showgrounds to check out the show.

Sunday, check out the show and proceed home.

Field Trip Murgon

Dates, to be decided possibly in September.

We will be visiting the agate fields at Windera and Cloyna, this will a 2 day camping trip staying at a caravan park at Murgon. Limited number of cabins available also motels etc.

Equipment, geo pick or similar, bucket or bag, further details later.

Field Trip Chinchilla

Dates, possibly October.

A 2-day trip to the petrified wood (fossil) fields, details to follow.

Contact

Lloyd Hosking for further details on mobile 0429 040 600 or email, lloydhosking@bigpond.com.

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      Social Functions

      Christmas Party

      Social Functions

      The Club organises a number of social functions throughout the year including a Christmas Party, Melbourne Cup Lunch, Trivia Night, Big Morning Tea, and a Bingo Night.

      Many of these occasions a social outlet and allowing club members to get to know each other outside of the pursuits that many specialize in.

      First Thursday of the Month                           

      • Club’s monthly morning tea, 10 am. All members and visitors are welcome.

      Mitchelton Gem Club Functions 2024

      • On Thursday 20th June and Thursday 18 July, there will be a member social morning tea at the Ashgrove Library from 10:30 to 11:30 am. All are welcome.