Des Moines Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show
2018 Gem, Jewelry,
Mineral & Fossil Show
Saturday Oct 20
9 am — 5 pm
Sunday Oct 21
10 am — 4 pm
Admission $5
Children 12 & under FREE
FREE Parking
New Location
Elwell Family Food Center
Iowa State Fairgrounds
The Des Moines Lapidary Society (DMLS) was formed in 1955. The mission of DMLS is to promote, enjoy, and develop the study and practices of the lapidary arts. We are proud to be one of the very few such organizations in the United States to own the building where we have meetings and a full lapidary workshop.
Meetings are held monthly at the clubhouse from September through May on the first Saturday of the month at 7:00 p.m. A knowledgeable speaker presents some aspect of the arts and/or sciences of the identification, acquisition, and use of lapidary material; or techniques for mounting and display. Administrative meetings begin one hour prior to the regular monthly meetings.
The lapidary workshop has a full range of lapidary equipment including trim saws, rock saws, grinders, and cab machines. Members of the club are welcome to use the equipment after they have been trained to use it safely. Our workshop is open to members to work and learn most Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m. A donation is requested to cover the cost of consumables such as saw blades, polishing wheels, etc.
A small metals shop is also available to members.
Classes are available for learning wire-wrapping, beginning silversmithing, advanced lapidary, working with opals, and more.