What it is

The Kanawha Rock & Gem Club is a rock, gem, mineral, lapidary and jewelry club in South Charleston, West Virginia. Its About page says the club’s purpose includes “the collection and study of rocks, minerals, and fossils,” “the study and practice of lapidary,” and cooperating with educational and scientific groups on geology, mineralogy and the lapidary arts. The home page calls members “Rock, Gem, Mineral, Lapidary and Jewelry enthusiasts.”

The club is a member of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS), the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies (EFMLS) and the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies (SFMS) (including the Dixie Mineral Council).

Who it’s for

Rockhounds, beginning cutters, jewelry makers and families in the Charleston / South Charleston, West Virginia area who want a low-cost club with monthly programs, field trips, member workshops and a yearly show with lapidary demos. Children are welcome; junior activities are listed on the site.

Why it’s listed

It is a federation club with its own website, printed meeting dates and dues, a stated lapidary purpose, member cabochon workshops and a dated yearly show with lapidary demonstrations. It is Lapidary Plaza’s first West Virginia club.

Official URL

https://www.kanawharockandgemclub.org/

About: https://www.kanawharockandgemclub.org/about.html
Events: https://www.kanawharockandgemclub.org/events.html
More Events: https://www.kanawharockandgemclub.org/more-events.html
Workshop Cabochon: https://www.kanawharockandgemclub.org/workshop-cabochon.html
2026 Annual Show: https://www.kanawharockandgemclub.org/2026-annual-show.html
Contact: https://www.kanawharockandgemclub.org/contact.html

(All checked 2026-11-05 and returned HTTP 200 to curl with a Chrome user agent.)

Location

General meetings are held at Christ Church Annex, 327 4th Ave, South Charleston, West Virginia, usually 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of the month. The annual show is held at the South Charleston Community Center, 601 Jefferson Road, South Charleston, WV 25309. Membership mail goes to PO Box 2043, Charleston, WV 25327-2043.

The Contact page lists officers (President Susie Lamb, Vice President Linda Johnston, Treasurer Sue Williams, Secretary Brent Williams, Newsletter Editor Diane Legg) and a club email. The home page prints President Lamb’s phone as 304-989-7558 for field-trip and class planning.

This is a club. It is not a store or a school. Member workshops and field trips require membership; general meetings welcome visitors.

Notes

Meetings (Events page, check date): 2026 dates include January 25, February 22, March 22, April 26, no May meeting, June 28, July 26, August 23 picnic, September 27, October show setup/show instead of a regular October meeting, November 22, and December 13 holiday party.
Dues (home and About): $30.00 per adult per year (18+); children 17 and under are free when accompanied by a responsible adult. Dues can be paid at meetings or mailed to the PO Box.
Visitors: the home page says everyone is welcome at meetings and you do not have to be a member to attend; membership is required for workshops and field trips.
Lapidary: the purpose statement names lapidary practice; the site has a Workshop Cabochon page with past cabbing workshops, and the annual show lists lapidary demos.
Annual show (Events and 2026 Annual Show pages): the 52nd Annual Jewelry, Gems, Mineral & Fossil Show & Sale ran October 17–18, 2026 (Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) at the South Charleston Community Center, with admission $5 for adults and ages 17 and under free with a paying adult; free parking. The More Events page notes the club was hosting the EFMLS Annual Convention with that show. On the check date the 2026 show had already concluded.
What’s next (More Events, check date): regular meeting November 22, 2026, 2–5 p.m.; annual holiday party December 13, 2026.
Not affiliated with Lapidary Plaza. No email, phone call or form was used.

FAQ

Q: Where does the Kanawha Rock & Gem Club meet?
A: At Christ Church Annex, 327 4th Ave, South Charleston, West Virginia, usually from 2 to 5 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of the month.

Q: Can visitors come to a meeting?
A: Yes. The club says everyone is welcome at meetings and you do not have to be a member to attend. Workshops and field trips require membership.

Q: How much does it cost to join?
A: $30 a year per adult (18+). Children 17 and under are free with a responsible adult.

Q: When is the club’s show?
A: The 52nd Annual show ran October 17–18, 2026, at the South Charleston Community Center. The Events page describes it as the third weekend of October.

Q: Does the club do lapidary?
A: Yes. Lapidary is in the club purpose, the site has a Workshop Cabochon page, and the annual show includes lapidary demonstrations.

Q: Is the club part of a federation?
A: Yes. It is a member of AFMS, EFMLS and SFMS (including the Dixie Mineral Council).