This Saturday and Sunday, the Culver City Rock and Mineral Club plays host to what is considered to be the best of the best of gem and mineral shows in the Southern California area: The 52nd Annual Fiesta of Gems. The event is held at the Culver City Veterans Memorial Auditorium July 13 and 14, from 10 am to 6 pm (5 pm on Sunday).

The Fiesta of Gems is an annual event to introduce the community to minerals, gems, earth sciences and the art of jewelry making. We offer jewelry making and lapidary demonstrations, jewelry making classes and children’s programs.  This event helps to support community programs which introduces, educates, challenges and inspires elementary students in Earth Science activities and provides donations to the Culver City Boy Scouts, Troop 113, and the Culver City Senior Center. Parking and admission are free.

Demonstrations include:

• The Bead Society of Los Angeles will demonstrate various jewelry & beading processes, bead making, bead collecting, and the historical value of beads.
• Chris Brooks demonstrates Precious Metal Clay Art Clay, basic and advanced procedures
• Dorothy and Roy Ridenaur demonstrate Wire Wrapping and Sphere Making
• Patrick Keegan demonstrate Gems and gem hunting in the San Gabriel Mountains

And classes include:

• July 13, Saturday 10 am - Beaded Spiral Rope Necklace or Bracelet – Instructor: Janice Metz
• July 13, Saturday 10:00 am - Woven Wire – Instructor: Sylvia Binkley
• July 13, Saturday 1:30 pm - Metal Etching –Instructor: Ruth Shapiro
• July 14, Sunday 10:00 am - Beginning Enameling – Instructor: Sharon Kaplan
• July 14, Sunday 10am - Filigree Earrings – Instructor: Brad Smith
• July 14, Sunday 2:00 pm – Enameling for the Artisan – Instructor: Sharon Kaplan
• July 14, Sunday 1pm - Metal Etching – Instructor: Ruth Shapiro

Culver City Veterans Memorial Auditorium is located at 4117 Overland Ave.