Our History

The Southern Nevada Gem and Mineral Society is the result of many changes over the years:
In 1932, in Las Vegas, Nevada, a group of local rock collectors organized the Prospector's Club. It's purpose was to educate and promote the unique and interesting variety of activities associated with gemstones and minerals. It was one of the oldest recorded clubs of it's kind in the U.S. In 1940, Club member Paul Mercer published a newsletter called "The Polished Slab" which continues to this day. In 1950, they officially incorporated as the Clark County Gem Collectors. In February of that year, the first meeting of the newly incorporated club was called to order by President W.M. Brown and was held at the Parks Museum. The Parks Museum was a private museum on the property of Gene and Anna Parks which was located on the Eastern edge of Las Vegas. At that time, the Eastern edge of town was near where Charleston intersects with Boulder Highway. The main purpose of the meeting was to ratify the new bylaws drawn up by the board of directors to conform with the Nevada state laws of incorporation. Back then, things were done a little differently and local attorney John G. Cope drew up the papers at no charge! In November of 1967, the club divided into two separate groups and formed the Las Vegas Gem Club. The two clubs coexisted peacefully in the valley and by the 1990's most differences had been put aside. Many of the members belonged to both clubs. Then; late in 2002, the members of the two clubs voted to merge into one club. January of 2003 saw the first meeting of the newly incorporated Southern Nevada Gem & Mineral Society. It was held at the Senior Center on East Bonanza. Currently the monthly meetings are held at the T.E.A. Hall located at 3111 S Valley View, suite E122. The purpose of the club is to promote the interest and education in the various earth sciences, mineralogy, gemology, and to foster the exchange of knowledge in the lapidary arts. We are a non-profit, community service organization. Our workshop features lapidary equipment and classes in many aspects of our hobby. Club meetings are held on the first Monday of every month except December, at 6PM at the T.E.A.Center at 3111 S.Valley View #E122, LV 89102 If the first Monday falls on a holiday, the meeting will be held on the second Monday. The club is open to all who are interested, and visitors are always welcome.