Culver City residents and visitors alike might be happy to learn of a “gem” of an event this weekend.
Now in its 58th year, the annual Fiesta of Gems Show is planned for Saturday and Sunday, June 29-30 at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Fiesta of Gems will offer more than 35 gem and mineral dealers from California, New Mexico, and Arizona, who will sell minerals, gems, slabs, cabochons, beads, and jewelry findings, said Janice Metz of the sponsoring Culver City Rock and Mineral Club. This year’s featured gemstone is “Opal.”
The free annual show is likewise an educational event for the community, which provides fossils, gems and mineral exhibits, demonstrations, and children’s programs.
“There will be workshops throughout the weekend introducing various techniques of jewelry making,” Metz said. “We also offer jewelry making demonstrations, gem, mineral dealers, tools, and books sales.”
Metz added that the gem show “helps several community programs in Culver City” and helps to educate and inspire elementary students in Earth Science activities.” It also enables the Club to provide donations to the El Rincon School, to the Culver City Boy Scouts, Troop 113, and the Culver City Senior Center.
Culver City Rock and Mineral Club members will also exhibit gem and mineral works of art, jewelry pieces, and private collections of gems and minerals.
Admission and parking are free. For more information, contact Janice Metz at culvercityrocks35@gmail.com.
ABOUT THE SPONSORING CLUB
The purpose of the Culver City Rock and Mineral Club is to bring together persons interested in the earth sciences, to engage in research and study in this realm, and to assist members in the collection and preservation of rocks and minerals and in the study of lapidary and related arts.