Columbia Gem & Mineral Society
- Website
- https://www.cgms.rocks/
- Location
- Meets at Hope Church, 2609 Seminole Rd, Columbia, SC; mail to PO Box 6333, Columbia, SC 29260
- Last checked
- 2026-10-16
What it is
The Columbia Gem & Mineral Society (CGMS) is a rock, mineral and lapidary club in Columbia, South Carolina. Its About page says it is “an organization of persons associated together to promote popular interest and to provide means for the exchange of knowledge of the Earth Sciences – Geology, Mineralogy, and Paleontology – and of the related Arts – Lapidary and other.” It is a charitable 501(c)(3) and a member of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies and an affiliate of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies.
Who it’s for
Rockhounds, mineral and fossil collectors and beginning lapidaries in the Columbia, South Carolina area who want monthly programs, field trips in the Southeast and a club annual show. The Join page says all are welcome to attend the monthly meetings.
Why it’s listed
It’s a first-party club website that states its meeting schedule and place, dues, field trips, lapidary workshop and annual show. This listing covers the club only. It is not a store and not a school.
Official URL
About: https://www.cgms.rocks/about
Join: https://www.cgms.rocks/cgms-join
(First-party site checked 2026-10-16. Every cited URL returned HTTP 200 to curl with a Chrome user agent.)
Location
Meetings are held the third Monday of each month at Hope Church, 2609 Seminole Rd, Columbia, SC. The club’s mailing address is PO Box 6333, Columbia, SC 29260.
This is a club. It is not a store and not a school.
Notes
- Meetings: third Monday of each month; meeting details are in the Rocky Trails newsletter. The home page gives no start time.
- Dues: $30 for new and returning families, $25 for new and returning individuals. Membership is annual (calendar year), and dues for members joining later in the year are prorated quarterly.
- Show: the 2026 Gem & Mineral Show is Nov 20–22, 2026, with jewelry, beads, loose stones, fossils, minerals, lapidary supplies, cut geodes and lapidary demonstrations.
- Lapidary workshop caveat: the home page says the club “is looking for a new location for our lapidary workshop” and currently has “limited ability to use our equipment.” Workshop questions go to Gary Hert (803-794-9362).
- Member benefits: the Rocky Trails newsletter by email, Southeast Federation field-trip sharing, lapidary classes, picnics.
- Photo: the site’s og:image (a club patch, resized to 1200 × 954 from the 2814 × 2236 original), on a white background.
- South Carolina had no listings before this one.
- Not affiliated with Lapidary Plaza. No form, payment or contact was used.
FAQ
Q: When does the Columbia Gem & Mineral Society meet?
A: On the third Monday of each month at Hope Church, 2609 Seminole Rd, Columbia, SC, with a speaker or interactive program.
Q: How much does membership cost?
A: $30 for a family or $25 for an individual per calendar year, prorated quarterly for members joining later in the year.
Q: Does the club have a lapidary workshop?
A: Yes, but the club says it is looking for a new location and currently has limited ability to use its equipment. Contact the workshop chair, Gary Hert, listed on the About page.
Q: Does the club hold a gem show?
A: Yes. The 2026 show is Nov 20–22, 2026.
Q: Can I attend a meeting before joining?
A: Yes. The Join page says all are welcome to attend the monthly meetings.