Welcome to The Villages Gem and Mineral Society



Below are the 2 latest posts. Be sure to check the News and Events section for additional posts about workshops, meetings, classes, etc!
Our workshop hours are currently Thursdays 5:00 – 9:00pm and Sunday 9:00am – noon.
Clean up starts no later than 30 minutes prior to the end of our sessions as we must be out of the room/building on time.
No preregistration for workshops is required at this time.
Please contact the group for more information including current workshop and business meeting schedules.
Workshop and meeting times are subject to change.
The Villages Gem & Mineral Society-Lapidary Artisans is an organization devoted to the collecting and study of minerals, geology, paleontology and the lapidary arts (stone cutting, polishing, faceting and jewelry making).
Members’ areas of expertise include stone cutting, jewelry making, silversmithing, gem faceting, wire wrapping, beading, metal forming, geology, gemology, fossil collecting, carving, creating mosaics, and more!
No experience is required to become a member of The Villages Gem and Mineral Society–just an interest!
New members will be trained in the use of our equipment to shape, cut and polish rocks and minerals as cabochons and faceted pieces and additional techniques, in the lapidary arts.
Our members pay dues that support the purchase and maintenance of equipment dedicated to the lapidary arts. Members teach and encourage each other in the various skills of the lapidary arts.
This website is for the members of The Villages Gem and Mineral Society. Our Mission: To teach new members the lapidary arts, improve on our own skills and to have a good time.
Here members will find educational information, announcements about upcoming events, membership news, etc.
All members must read and abide by TVGMS Safety Standards and be trained in the safe and proper use of each machine before they will be allowed to use the equipment.
- In order to be a member of this group, you must live in The Villages, Florida
- Meetings are held at the Sea Breeze Recreation Center craft room
- Business meetings are the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm allowing for 2 hour workshop prior to the business meeting.
- Workshops are held all other Thursdays 5:00-9:00pm and Sundays 9:00-noon
Wire Wrapping SIG
The Wire Wrapping SIG consists of members who want to focus on various jewelry making techniques, including wire wrapping. This special interest group is open to all members of TVGMS.
Members of this SIG teach classes on a variety of techniques for beginners and those more advanced.
They meet on the 4th Thursday of each month from 6-9pm in the Destin Room for projects and instruction. Members also meet on the 1st Thursday in the Crescent Beach Room (aka the card room) where they can finish projects, socialize and then attend the business meeting.
The Annual TVGMS Artisan Show
Mark you calendars for Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024!
Click here to read more about the 2024 Annual Artisan Show
The annual Artisan Show, hosted in The Villages each February allows members the opportunity to sell some of the items they have created. The event is open to the public and attracts vendors from around the country who also display and sell their wares. Items for sale range from raw materials to finished jewelry. There is something for everyone available at this event, in every price point.
Also demonstrations of the lapidary arts are put on throughout the day.
Field Trips
The group has gone on field trips in the past to places like Rucks Pit, Graves Mountain, Hoggs Mine and the Peace River. We are considering trips back to these places and other places such as museums, mines and beaches.
Field trips will only be scheduled when there is sufficient member interest for the trip. You must arrange your own transportation for a field trip.
Annual Pre-Christmas Sale
This one-day annual show features work by members of The Villages Gem and Mineral Society. Items for sale will include jewelry, cabochons, fossils and slabs and rocks for you to create your own treasures and gifts.
For the first time in 2023, this event is open to the general public to purchase items from Club Members. Also new for 2023, the sale will be held at the Rohan Recreation Center on Saturday, October 28, 2023, 10am to 2pm.
Read more about this event by clicking here
For More Information
For further information please stop by any of our workshops or meetings or contact one of the TVG&MS officers.