South Bay Lapidary & Mineral Society

08/31/2026

What purple quartz gemstone has been valued for thousands of years by cultures ranging from the ancient Egyptians and Greeks to European royalty and today’s collectors?

If you said amethyst, you’re correct!

Join us this Tuesday, September 1 at 6 PM for "Amethyst from Around the World," presented by William Strickland, Vice President of the South Bay Lapidary and Mineral Society.

We’ll explore major amethyst-producing regions around the world, differences in color, crystal form, and appearance, and the geological conditions that create this beautiful gemstone.

Plus, we’ll have a show and tell, so bring an amethyst specimen if you have one! We’ll also have our monthly raffle.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday! Guests and prospective members are always welcome.

📅 Tuesday, September 1, 2026
⏰ 6 PM
📍 George Nakano Theater
3330 Civic Center Drive
Torrance, CA 90503

08/25/2026

Join the South Bay Lapidary & Mineral Society on Tuesday, September 1 at 6 PM for a fascinating presentation on one of the world’s most beloved gemstones.

Our presenter will be William Strickland, our club vice president, who will explore the beauty, history, and geology of amethyst.

We’ll learn about:
· Major amethyst-producing regions worldwide
· Differences in color, crystal form, and appearance
· The geological conditions that lead to amethyst formation

Do you have an amethyst specimen? Bring it along for show and tell!

We'll meet at the George Nakano Theater - 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, CA 90503. Guests are always welcome!

08/03/2026

This month's SBLMS meeting is happening this Tuesday, August 4, at 6:00 PM!

Head to the Torrance Cultural Arts Center Garden Rooms for a mesmerizing presentation on Australian opals.

Back from Australia, longtime South Bay Lapidary & Mineral Society Board Member Leslie Neff will share stories from her travels and showcase beautiful opal specimens.

You'll learn firsthand why these remarkable gemstones have captivated collectors for centuries and witness the brilliant flashes of color and unique patterns that make every opal one-of-a-kind.

📍 Torrance Cultural Arts Center – Garden Rooms
3330 Civic Center Drive
Torrance, CA 90503

🎟️ Don't forget to enter our monthly raffle!

💎 Guests and prospective members are always welcome.

07/28/2026

Mark your calendars! The next SBLMS meeting is on August 4 at 6 PM.

Join us as we discover the beauty of Australian opals with longtime South Bay Lapidary & Mineral Society Board Member Leslie Neff, who has recently returned from Australia. Leslie will share stories from her travels and showcase beautiful Australian opal specimens.

Australian opals are known worldwide for their breathtaking beauty and exquisite color. It is said that you can't see the same opal twice, as the play of colors and patterns are unique and reflect differently under the changing light.

You won't want to miss this special presentation.

Be sure to stay for our raffle and invite a friend or two!

📅 Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM
📍 Torrance Cultural Arts Center
3330 Civic Center Drive
Torrance, CA 90503
We will meet in the Garden Rooms.

07/06/2026

Our SBLMS Ice Cream Social is this Tuesday, July 7 at 6 pm!

Come spend the evening with fellow rockhounds, collectors, and friends for a relaxed and fun social gathering. SBLMS will supply the ice cream. Just bring your favorite topping to share and any drinks you’d like.

We’ll also have time for show-and-tell, please pack an interesting find or a new addition to your collection to share with the group.

This meeting is a great opportunity to socialize, share stories, enter our monthly raffle, and enjoy the company of our community.

Guests are always welcome, so scoop up a friend and join us!

Location: The Garden Room at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center
3330 Civic Center Drive
Torrance, CA 90503

06/26/2026

You’re invited to the SBLMS Ice Cream Social!

July's meeting is all about relaxing, connecting, and enjoying time together with fellow members and guests. SBLMS will provide the ice cream. We ask attendees to bring their favorite topping to share with the group, along with drinks if they’d like.

We’ll have an informal show-and-tell during the evening, so bring along a favorite recent find, new acquisition, or interesting piece from your collection to share.

Our monthly raffle will also be happening. Be sure to grab your tickets during the meeting!

Whether you’re new to the club or a longtime member, this is a great opportunity to meet people, talk about rocks and minerals, and enjoy a sweet summer evening together. We hope you’ll join us!

Date: July 7, 2026
Time: 6 pm
Location: The Garden Room at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center
3330 Civic Center Drive
Torrance, CA 90503

06/01/2026

The highlight of your week is happening tomorrow night!

Join us tomorrow, June 2nd at 6 PM at the George Nakano Theatre in Torrance for “Fluorescent Minerals: Nature’s Glow Show.”

Don’t forget to bring:
• Fluorescent specimens for "glow"-and-tell
• Mystery rocks or minerals you’d like to test under UV light
• White, neon, or glow-in-the-dark clothing

We’ll have light up accessories for kids and kids at heart, our monthly raffle, and plenty of time to share and discuss specimens with fellow rock and mineral enthusiasts.

Guests are always welcome, so bring a friend and come enjoy a de-light-ful evening with SBLMS!

📍 George Nakano Theatre
3330 Civic Center Drive
Torrance, CA 90503

05/27/2026

Join the South Bay Lapidary and Mineral Society on June 2nd at 6 PM for an illuminating evening!

Our presentation, “Fluorescent Minerals: Nature’s Glow Show,” will explore the fascinating world of minerals under UV light and reveal the hidden colors and patterns that only appear when the lights go down.

Members and guests are encouraged to bring fluorescent specimens for “glow”-and-tell. Not sure if your rocks or minerals will fluoresce? Bring them along and we can test them under UV light together!

To add to the fun, dress to luminesce! Neon or white clothing works best under UV lighting. We’ll also have glow-in-the-dark necklaces and other small light up goodies for attendees.

Don’t forget our monthly raffle as well. Tickets may be purchased throughout the meeting, and a winner will be drawn at the end of the evening.

Invite a friend and join us for an interactive meeting that will be fun for all ages! Will we see you there?

📍 George Nakano Theatre
3330 Civic Center Drive
Torrance, CA 90503

04/01/2026

03/29/2026

Cal4Wheel is urging the BLM and DOI to appeal the court ruling that closed 2,200 miles of OHV routes in West Mojave... now it's your turn! Use our easy email template to send your letter today, there is no time to waste. . Cal4Wheel's Natural Resources Consultant, Rose Winn, emphasized the unsubstantiated scientific and administrative underpinnings of the 1-million acre court-ordered closure in our letter. The Bureau of Land Management through the Department of Interior have the right and responsibility to appeal this unwarranted closure that locks up over 1/3 of WEMO to public access, and inflicts irreparable economic harm on Randsburg, Johannesburg, and surrounding desert communities that rely on outdoor recreation access to survive.

Now is the time.
Do your part in the fight to save WEMO.
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