CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April 2026
April 2026
I. SDMG – Meetings, Announcements & Events
Mon, April 13, 2026 – Gemological Division Meeting, 7pm, SDMG Bldg.
Mon, April 20, 2026 – SDMG Board Meeting (Virtual)
Mon, April 27, 2026 – SDMG General Meeting, 7pm, SDMG Bldg.
Sat, May 16, 2026 – SDMG Barbeque/Picnic & Silent Auction SAVE THE DATE – New location: Nobel Recreation Center, San Diego
Detailed listings for Shows and Events appear in The Pegmatite
Join the SDMG mailing list to receive regular e-Newsletters with a link to the bulletin
II. On the Go… To a Show & Other Events
Sat & Sun, April 18–19, 2026 THOUSAND OAKS, CA – Conejo Gem & Mineral Club 49th Annual Pageant of a Thousand Gems
Sat and Sun, April 25–26, 2026 ANAHEIM, CA – The Searchers Annual Show
Sat, April 25, 2026 CARLSBAD, CA – Twentieth Sinkankas Symposium – Registration is now open.
Thu, April 30, 2026, 8pm SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego County Fair – Deadline to submit entries online to the Gems, Minerals & Jewelry Dept. (Submit early and avoid last-minute website connection issues)
Fri, Sat and Sun, May 1–3, 2026 SANTA ANA, CA – West Coast Spring Gem & Mineral Show
Fri, Sat & Sun, May 1–3, 2026 VISTA, CA – Vista Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show
Fri and Sat, May 1–2, 2026 YUCAIPA, CA – YVGMS Annual Gem & Mineral Show
I. and II. All Meetings, Events & Shows
Mon, April 13, 2026 SAN DIEGO, CA – Gemological Division Meeting
Sponsor: SDMG
Venue: SDMG Bldg, at the back of Spanish Village in Balboa Park, San Diego
Hours: 7pm
Admission: Free. Open to the public.
Be aware of the new fee-based parking system at Balboa Park, effective January 5, 2026. Parking at the back of the SDMG bldg is by permit only. Read the latest update on paid parking in and around Balboa Park »
Marcus Origlieri will be hosting the meeting, with our very own Gerry Alvarado making a presentation on A Collector's Guide to Opal and Other Phenomenal Gemstones. As you might guess, opal is Gerry’s favorite gemstone, and his favorite source is Ethiopia. Gerry plans on bringing some of his fine gems for meeting attendees to purchase. He has generously offered to donate a portion of any proceeds to the Gemological Division.
After the presentations we will have refreshments – so please bring something to share. The club will provide coffee, tea and punch.
Sat and Sun, April 18–19, 2026 THOUSAND OAKS, CA – CGMC 49th Annual Pageant of a Thousand Gems
Sponsor: Conejo Gem & Mineral Club
Venue: Borchard Park Community Center
190 Reino Road at Borchard Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
Hours: Fri and Sat 10am – 5pm; Sun 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free. Public welcome.
Website: www.cgamc.org
Exhibits of rocks and mineral collections and lapidary. Vendors of minerals, fossils, gems, jewelry. Silent Auction of rocks and minerals in the rough and fossils. Demonstrators of lapidary work. Youth eoom with games for prizes. Plant sale and hourly raffle.
Fri and Sat, April 25–26, 2026 ANAHEIM, CA – The Searchers 65th Annual Show
Sponsor: Anaheim Searchers Gem & Mineral Society
Venue: Brookhurst Community Center
2271 W. Crescent Ave., Anaheim CA 92801
Hours: Sat 10am – 5pm; Sun 10am – 4:30pm
Admission & Parking: Free. Public welcome.
Contact: nancyjbird68@gmail.com
Website: www.searchersrocks.org
Gems, minerals, fossils, crystals, beads, rough, slabs, vendors, gold panning, extensive silent auction every half hour, door prizes every half hour, grab bags, tools, equipment and exhibits. Lapidary supplies. Faceting, wire wrapping and cabochon making demonstrations. Snacks and drinks are available. Make a polished stone ring for free, crack a dino egg, treasure hunt activities for kids! Rain or shine, show is on. Please, no pets. Service animals only.
Mon, April 27, 2026 SAN DIEGO, CA – SDMG General Meeting
Sponsor: San Diego Mineral & Gem Society
Venue: SDMG Bldg, at the back of Spanish Village in Balboa Park, San Diego
Hours: 7pm
Admission: Free. Open to the public.
Be aware of the fee-based parking system at Balboa Park, effective January 5, 2026. City of San Diego residents can register their vehicle online to qualify for free parking. (Do it ahead of time!) Parking at the back of the SDMG bldg is by permit only. Read the latest update on paid parking in and around Balboa Park »
Lee Bennett will give a presentation on Evolution of the Bolo Tie, Now and Then.. Lee discusses his work as a jewelry artist designing and producing bolo ties, which has its origin in a historical tradition dating back to the 1940s when what is generally considered to be the first documented Native American bolo tie was made by a Hopi silversmith named Willie Coin. Earlier, during the 1930s, members of the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni tribes were wearing and creating similar neckwear using a shell or coin to fasten a bandana.
Please remember to bring something for dessert to share with everyone. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and other drinks will be provided by SDMG. Your help afterward in cleanup is very much appreciated by me, Mike Frye and Dave Smith, who set up and take down. See you there!
Fri, Sat and Sun, May 1–3, 2026 SANTA ANA, CA – West Coast Spring Gem & Mineral Show
Sponsor: LLD Productions Inc.
Venue: Holiday Inn-Orange County Airport
2726 South Grand Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705
Hours: Fri & Sat 9am – 6pm, Sun 9am – 5pm
Admission & Parking: Free. Public welcome.
Contact: mineralshowslld@gmail.com
Website: www.mineralshowslld.com
Eighty retail and wholesale dealers featuring minerals, gems, lapidary, beads, jewelry, fossils, decorator pieces, and much more.
Fri, Sat and Sun, May 1–3, 2026 VISTA, CA – Vista Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show
Sponsor: Vista Gem & Mineral Society
Address: Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum
2040 N. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA 92083
Hours: Fri & Sat 10am – 5pm; Sun 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free. Public welcome.
Contact: info@vistarocks.org
Website: vistarocks.org/shows
Outdoor event in a rustic setting with vendors offering jewelry, slabs, cabs, and rough stones of all kinds. Tools, equipment, and other lapidary related items.
Fri and Sat, May 1–2, 2026 YUCAIPA, CA – YVGMS Annual Gem & Mineral Show
Sponsor: Yucaipa Valley Gem & Mineral Society
Venue: Yucaipa Blvd at Adams Street, Yucaipa, CA 92399
Hours: Fri 5pm – 10pm, Sat Noon to 9pm
Admission & Parking: Free. Public welcome.
Contact: grandpasgems@gmail.com
Website: www.yvgms.org
Over 40 vendors, jewelry, fossils, mineral specimens, silent auctions, and a kids’ corner.