TVGMS Membership
Welcome to the TVGMS Membership page! We are delighted to have you here. This platform serves our membership by allowing new members to join our organization, and providing current members with a streamlined way to renew their annual memberships.
To get started, please select the section that applies to you:
New Memberships
So, you’d like to join our wonderful group? Great, there are a couple ways to do so:
- Complete and print the application, and mail it with your check to the address on the application.
- Complete and print the application, and bring it and your membership dues to the meeting.
- Individual Membership $35.00 Yearly Dues
- Family Membership (Up to 4 people) $60.00 Yearly Dues
- Each additional family member will be $10.00. (Example: 6 people = $80.00)
- Memberships are from October 1st to September 30th
- Memberships renew each September
Membership Renewals
Ready to renew? We’d love to have you with us for another year! Please click the button below to proceed to our Zeffy payment portal to complete your membership renewal.
Membership Benefits
List of Services
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Meet & Network With Other Club MembersItem Link List Item 1
Do you like to hang out and visit with other rockhounds, talk about places to find interesting rocks, and check out their finds? We all do! Though we pride ourselves on our educational mission and goals, we also like to socialize and get together with our friends. TVGMS is a friendly group of people with a common interest.
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Monthly MeetingsItem Link List Item 2
Our monthly meetings are fairly informal settings where we discuss upcoming events and ongoing projects. We plan for any fundraising activities, field trips, club needs, etc. Several times each year we have expert speakers come to talk about a wide variety of topics. We’ve had speakers on meteorites, diamonds, roadside geology, etc. Sometimes we show videos on geology related topics. After a field trip we often have a general show and tell. Our monthly meetings are also a chance for those who cannot attend a field trip or shop event to catch up and socialize with those that did.
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Members Only Lapidary ClassesItem Link List Item 3
In addition to member access to the workshop we often hold group or individual lessons on various lapidary techniques and metal working. We can help you take a field trip find to a gorgeous cabochon to setting it in a silver or copper setting and creating a beautiful handmade piece of jewelry. These lessons are given by jewelers with many years of experience to help you learn quickly. The instructors will work with you at your speed and help build your confidence.
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Members Only Workshop AccessItem Link List Item 4
Over the past few years our workshop usage has boomed. Currently the workshop is open twice a week for two-hour sessions. These sessions are available for members to work on cutting and polishing their field trip finds. Sometimes we work on club projects to prepare for a show and sale. Occasionally we have demonstrations on interesting techniques and processes. Newcomers are given a tour of the machinery and instruction on usage and experts are available to help you learn the ropes. Our shop runs on the time and efforts of several devoted club volunteers. Our shop contains large oil lubricated rock saws, several smaller saws, grinding and polishing wheels and laps, a soldering station for metal working. The shop is also available on a reservation basis – just let us know when you’d like to access the shop and we’ll work on getting one of the volunteers to make that work for you.
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Members Only Field TripsItem Link
Rockhounding is a favorite activity of many members so we have an active field trip committee that schedules and leads one or two outings each month. Trips range from half day to full day to overnight trips based on distance. Most places are accessible for a regular vehicle, though some require a higher clearance vehicle. Carpooling is readily available and those with higher clearance vehicles are happy to give you a lift to a more remote location. According to several rockhounding guidebooks, the area surrounding Tehachapi is one of the most accessible and diverse areas in Southern California.
In addition to rockhounding field trips our field trip committee plans a couple educational trips to area museums such as the Rin Tinto borax mine in Boron, the Buena Vista Museum in Bakersfield, and the Antelope Valley Indian Museum.
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Pebble Pups Junior Rockhound ProgramItem Link
Pebble Pups is the official junior rockhound program of the Tehachapi Valley Gem and Mineral Society (TVGMS). Pebble Pups is a dedicated space for young explorers to dive into the world of geology.
We believe that the best way to learn about the Earth is to get your hands dirty! Our program moves science out of the textbook and into the real world through tactile, engaging, and exciting activities designed specifically for children. Pebble Pups is designed to be a shared experience between parents and children. We believe that geology is even more fun when explored together!
