OBJECTIVE OF THE SITE

To communicate with people who enjoy rock and gem collecting or practice the lapidary art and to assist and encourage them in the pursuit of their hobby or their business.

WHAT ARE GEMSTONES

A GEMSTONE is a mineral formed without any human intervention which possesses

» beauty or colour

» durability or hardness

» clarity, lustre or fire

» scarcity

all of which govern its value.

Minerals and materials that are equally important to the gemcutter but cannot be classified as gemstones are classified as ORNAMENTAL STONES.

In the past only about 70 minerals of all the defined minerals have been used as gemstones.

Synthetic gemstones or minerals, other synthetic products and imitations of gemstones are the largest source of gemstones, but remain of little interest to the gem collector and gemcutter.

WHAT IS OUR GEM INTEREST

Out of the many different aspects available within the hobby, our interests are:

1.

Collecting of rocks and gemstones

»

Monthly outings to different localities

»

Participation in the yearly Easter 'Gemboree'

2.

The cutting and polishing of all available Southern African gemstones and ornamental stones

3.

The faceting of translucent gemstones

4.

Jewellery design, Silver- and Goldsmithing

WHAT IS OUR OBJECTIVE

Our objective is, through communication

1.

to promote the Southern African gemstones and ornamental stones and to secure global recognition for them

2.

to assist collectors and cutters worldwide in obtaining Southern African rough material and cut stones

3.

to assist collectors worldwide in participating in the Southern African gem collecting events.

Last update: 14/10/2006