Rockhounds of all ages are invited to Gems On The Hill on the Sign Hill Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 24 to see, purchase and study concerning the Earth’s hidden treasures.

The occasion is hosted by the Lengthy Seashore Gem & Mineral Society and can have a good time all issues geology, together with demonstrations on geode slicing and making wire jewellery. There will even be 22 distributors promoting geological wares similar to gems, minerals and fossils.

“We’ve all the time been about educating the group about our passions,” mentioned Karin Alvarez, president of the Lengthy Seashore Gem & Mineral Society.

The Lengthy Seashore Gem & Mineral Society has been assembly since 1937. The society has two primary sides: weekly workshops on engraving, slicing and sharpening stones (a follow generally known as lapidary) and a month-to-month assembly the place audio system are invited to cowl a spread of geological subjects starting from gem stones, meteorites, fossil amassing, mining places and extra.

Gems On The Hill marks the primary time the Lengthy Seashore Gem & Mineral Society has partnered with the Sign Hill Public Library.

“It was very thrilling,” Alvarez mentioned of the method of working with the library. “They have been very keen to work with us, assist us, and we in flip gave them concepts on what we want to do. The entire course of went nice.”

Gems On The Hill will even characteristic a “sand dig” for youths, the place varied minerals (together with crystals and semi-precious gem stones) will likely be hidden in a sand pit, giving kids the prospect to stake their declare and excavate their very own distinctive assortment.

“One of many issues that we get pleasure from doing goes out to the sphere and amassing stones, or fossils for that matter,” Alvarez mentioned. “So this sort of offers children the thought of what it might be prefer to go and do this.”

Gems On The Hill is the Lengthy Seashore Gem & Mineral Society’s first massive occasion since earlier than the pandemic started. Throughout lockdown, the 85-year-old society survived via Zoom conferences earlier than ultimately reconvening on the Lengthy Seashore Senior Middle.

“One of many aims of getting our present can be to inform the group that we’re round, and we might love for brand new members to hitch us,” Alvarez mentioned.

Membership for the Lengthy Seashore Gem & Mineral Society prices $25 a 12 months per individual and contains entry to area journeys, lapidary workshops and month-to-month conferences on the Second Wednesday of every month, that includes a unique speaker every assembly.

Gems On The Hill will likely be held on the Sign Hill Public Library at 1800 E Hill St. on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is free.