Who We Are - Umpqua Gem and Mineral Club

UMPQUA GEM & MINERAL CLUB

Serves residents of Douglas County and beyond. Business meetings are held at the Westside Christian Church, 2712 W. Harvard Avenue in Roseburg. 

Founded in 1939, the Umpqua Gem & Mineral Club has grown from a small gathering of curious rockhounds into a lasting community bound by discovery, learning, and stewardship. For generations, our members have explored the landscapes of Oregon and beyond—studying the stories written in stone, sharing knowledge freely, and preserving the natural places that make those discoveries possible. From field trips and gem shows to workshops and youth programs, UGMC has always believed that rocks are more than objects—they are teachers, timekeepers, and links to Earth’s deep past.

AFFILIATIONS 

Umpqua Gem & Mineral Club is affiliated with the Northwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies, the Oregon Council of Rock and Mineral Clubs, and the American Lands Access Association. 

INCORPORATION 

A non-profit organization incorporated in 1956, we encourage the study of earth sciences such as geology, mineralogy, lapidary arts, and the collection and classification of minerals, gems, and fossils. 

PHILANTHROPY 

Umpqua Gem & Mineral Club donates new gem, mineral, and geology books to public schools in Douglas County, Oregon. Each school receives age-appropriate, new books on a four-year rotating schedule. 

MEMBERSHIP 

Anyone interested in joining the club is urged to come to a meeting. New members are always welcome. Dues are payable upon joining the club, and then annually by January 1st. 

MEETINGS 

Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month except July and December. Potluck and social hour begins at 6pm, the Juniors’ Club meets at 6:30pm, and the business meeting starts at 7pm. A program follows the business meeting. Our annual picnic takes place in July, and the club has a Christmas social in December. 

WORKSHOPS AND LESSONS 

The club holds several craft workshops each year to create items for the annual Gem & Mineral show in May, and the Christmas Craft Fair in December. 

A lapidary workshop is available to club members any day of the week with advance notice. New members will receive an orientation on the workshop equipment before using it. Lapidary lessons are available, at no charge, to club members, and experienced members are always happy to share their skills. 

ANNUAL ROCK AND GEM SHOW 

The club sponsors an annual show the first full weekend in May at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. The show features displays of outstanding work in lapidary, faceting, wire wrapping, silversmithing, etc. 

Rockhounds display their beautiful collections of rocks, gems, and fossils. People’s Choice awards are given to two adult displays, and the Junior division receives a separate People’s Choice award. 

Over 20 dealers are present with a wide variety of sale items including rough rocks and gemstones, slabs, carvings, precious and semi-precious faceted gems, jewelry, and fossils. 

A black tent houses an outstanding display of fluorescing rocks and minerals. 

Door prize tickets are drawn approximately each half hour. Several raffle items are drawn for on Sunday, and your presence is not required to win. 

The Kids’ Zone includes a Wheel of Fortune, Klinko board game, grab bags, and other activities. There are three free rock hunts on Saturday, and two free rock hunts on Sunday. 

Donations are accepted and help fund the purchase of the rock and gem books which are donated to Douglas County schools each year. 

FIELD TRIPS 

The club schedules several field trips per year. Information about the trips is shared at club meetings, in the newsletter, and on the club Facebook page. 

CLUB NEWSLETTER 

Umpqua Gem & Mineral Club publishes The Umpqua Gem. This newsletter includes membership meeting minutes, contact information, club news, and an informative calendar. Newsletters are exchanged with other rock clubs, and members are informed of activities of interest in the Northwest. 

Our club members are passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. We bring together a wealth of knowledge and skills to achieve our goals and make a positive impact in our community.