Turning rocks into jewelry is the goal for some members of the South Sask Rock & Gem Club. The group has only been meeting for three years, but already its members have the opportunity to practice their lapidary skills.

The group meets on the second Thursday evening of each month in Weyburn. Club vice-president Dennis Mulhall said attendance varies.

“There can be up to 12, but some weeks it’s three,” he said. “Last time I was out, just Bruce and I were here.”

President Bruce Wagner has provided the group with a space with machines for cutting, grinding and smoothing rocks into jewels.

“It’s more hobby than anything, you’re not gonna make a lot of money,” said Mulhall. “It’s just an interesting pastime, you take a piece of stone and you turn it into a jewel, is basically what you’re doing.”

He explained they used to take turns bringing a particular subject, sharing the knowledge they had individually. He noted the group has gone from just talking about the rocks to working hands-on with them.

“In the past, we were having meetings at another location, Bruce didn’t have this shop built at the time, so it was more of a show and tell type of thing, whereas we didn’t have any equipment to be working on, so this has evolved,” explained Mulhall. “All the equipment is Bruce’s so he’s kind enough to let the club use it, and it works out really well.”

Mulhall said part of the reason the group has flourished so rapidly is due to grant funding.

“Bruce has applied for a couple of grants, and that allows us to purchase equipment and to offer the equipment for use within the club for a nominal fee,” he explained.

“We have been able to access the Sask Lotteries grant from the City of Weyburn and the RM of Wellington # 97,” Wagner explained.

While there is a small yearly membership fee to join, Wagner said anyone is welcome to attend their meetings.

“Anyone is welcome to come out to meetings at any time and see if this is a hobby for them, or they can talk to any of the members or myself with any questions,” he said. Wagner can be reached at 306-861-0555.

Making beautiful jewelry may not be for everyone, but semi-retired Wagner has also gotten into learning silversmith skills. For some, the Rock & Gem Club means being able to create other kinds of gifts limited only by the imagination of the maker.

Some of the stunning pieces Bruce Wagner has been working on in his lapidary shop (photo by Marna McManus).

A closer look (photo by Marna McManus).

Kendall Stamler of Estevan was working on a Christmas surprise for a loved one on Thursday night (photo by Marna McManus).

Club members sharing, buying, trading and selling rocks on Thursday night (photo by Marna McManus).

Contact Bruce Wagner at 306-861-0555 for more information.