Unearth a new hobby at Caboolture Gemfest

Whether you’re keen to unearth a new hobby or looking to purchase some unique gemstones, head on down to the Caboolture Showgrounds next month for the annual Gemfest extravaganza.

Hosted by the Caboolture Gem Club, the event will feature a range of displays and demonstrations by club members, as well as traders and tailgaters selling everything from cut and uncut stones to crystals, fossils, one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces, lapidary tools, plus much more.

Les Hathaway, who is the president of the Queensland Lapidary and Allied Craft Clubs Association Inc and a member of the Caboolture Gem Club, says Gemfest will be a shining example of the work members do.

“One thing people love at gem shows is being able to see what members can do and ask them lots of questions about how things are made,” Les says.

“This year we will have several demonstrations, talks and lectures from different people who will talk on various topics like the basic procedures of gemstone faceting (cutting stones) as well as silversmithing.

“These are all things we do at the club each week, so Gemfest is a great way for us to share that with the community.

“It’s always really nice when you see someone’s eyes light up when they see an uncut rock turn into a beautiful gemstone, or a beautiful piece of jewellery like a necklace, bracelet or a pair of earrings take shape.”

The Gemfest has always attracted big crowds each year, and Les says this year will be no exception.

“This is the sort of weekend where you can come and browse the many trade stalls and tailgaters to pick up something truly unique and learn something new,” Les says.

“You might fall in love with a precious gem you find from one stall holder, and then a little way down find someone who can use that to make a one-of-a-piece kind of jewellery item for you.

“Because no two rocks are ever the same, you are guaranteed to have something that no one else will.”

There will also be fun for the little ones.

“We will have fossicking for kids, where they can sift out their own stones from a little container full of sawdust,” Les explains.

“The kids love it, and always get really excited when they find their stones.”

Head on down

The Caboolture Gem Club’s annual Gemfest will be held on Saturday, August 3 from 8am-3pm at the Caboolture Showgrounds.

Tickets are $5 for adults, and free for children under 12.

Parking will be available for a gold coin donation.

To see more pictures, click through the gallery below. Photos by Dominika Lis. 

Best in the state

After dazzling the judges with their craftsmanship, the Caboolture Gem Club came away with a stack of awards at the Queensland Lapidary and Allied Craft Clubs Association Inc end of year event in November, which included Club of the Year.

Several individual prizes were also handed out, with two Caboolture members being named the best in their fields.

These included the Lapidary of the Year (Faceting) won by the club’s faceting instructor Steve Somerville, and Lapidary of the Year (Jewellery) won by the club’s silversmith instructor Donna Parker.

Although the awards were presented in November 2023, the club is still holding onto this status until the next round of winners is announced in November.

For Steve Somerville, this wasn’t the first time he has received this honour.

“I have won this award six or seven times,” Steve says.

“I don’t enter every year, but it is nice to win.”

Steve spends countless hours faceting (cutting) precious gemstones for his own pleasure, as well as teaching others.

“The most cuts I have ever done are 130 facets (cuts) on a 6mm stone,” Steve explains.

“Every one of those facets is a mirror image, which takes hours to perfect.

“All of my stones, I cut them like they are going on display in a show - I won’t sell anything unless it is good enough.”

For Donna Parker, this was her first big win.

“It was a really big surprise to find out I had won because I wasn’t expecting anything,” Donna says.

“I have always loved jewellery but could never afford to buy it – I would look in the shops and all the different pieces were just so expensive.

“But when you make your own jewellery, you get a lot of pride and satisfaction because you have handmade it yourself and it is unique.

“I like to make all different types of jewellery like rings, necklaces and earrings for myself and my family and friends.

“Some pieces can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to make.”

As President of the Queensland Lapidary and Allied Craft Clubs Association Inc, Les says the winners are determined by a points base system.

“To be named as the Club of the Year, you have got to have members who enter competitions, have a newsletter to promote your club, and you also have to promote the art of lapidary in a wider capacity, like going to libraries, shows, and things like that,” Les explains.

“We have a points system, and every time you do something or enter a competition, you get points, and at the end of the year we bring out a spreadsheet where all the points have been recorded throughout the year and tally them up to find a winner.

“There are 32 clubs vying to be named Club of the Year each year.”

Join the fun

The Caboolture Gem Club is a small community-based club that is located at the Caboolture Historical Village.

If you are interested in rocks, gems, gem cutting, jewelry making, minerals or just going fossicking, they always welcome new members.

For more information, visit the website or follow the Caboolture Gem Club on Facebook.