We think rocks are cool, and awe inspiring! Here you will find colorful and interesting posts about all things related to the amazing works of art that are beneath the surface of our planet. Sources of beautiful and amazing stones – to view and to purchase. Techniques for enhancing and displaying stone in jewelry… in the home… in your yard… Information about how nature created underground art. T
ips for working with machines that help speed up this ancient art. We are on the lookout for unusual, beautiful, interesting photos and information. Who knows what we might find to share! The Des Moines Lapidary Society is a 60+ year old organization located in Des Moines, Iowa. Our mission is to educate people of all ages about the lapidary arts, and, to provide access to equipment and instruction for people interested in trying the hobby. DMLS maintains a facility with lapidary equipment and a small silverworking shop. We are a Non-profit Educational organization. DMLS coordinates the annual "Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show" every October at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Our show has vendors of all things gem, mineral & fossil: cut gemstones, tools, lapidary rough and slabs, home decor, specimens, much stone jewelry, beads… Income from our show supports our facility and allows us to keep our membership fee low. This family event has much to see. There are activities for children and adults. Children can dig in the sand "Pebble Pit" to find cool stones or go on a treasure hunt. Everyone will find the display case exhibits interesting. Many items are offered at the Silent Auction tables – fossil and mineral specimens with kid friendly starting bids, quality specimens, jewelry, findings, polished and shaped stone cabochons. The silent auctions are held regularly throughout each day of the show. Demonstrations are also presented each day: “Cabbing” -- shaping a piece of stone into a cabochon, “knapping” flint or obsidian into a cutting tool, panning for gold, wire wrapping a cool stone to make a pendant or ring, hammering metal, glass blowing and more. We are glad to have you join us as we celebrate the uniqueness or our earth, and each other.
