Welcome

Founded in 1947, Columbine Gem and Mineral Society is Chaffee County, Colorado’s own rockhounding/prospecting, fossil, artifact, lapidary and earth science club.

Columbine Gem & Mineral Society is a group for amateur, recreational, and professional prospectors, lapidaries and jewelers alike. Based in the Buena Vista, Salida, Chaffee County area of Colorado, the group was originally formed in 1947 – so it’s been around for a while. We have members who possess a wide range of knowledge, from beginners who only know what they may have learned on TV shows like “Prospectors”, “Gold Rush” or “Gold Fever”, to formally trained geologists. Joining a club is a great way for people who have a passion for rocks, gems, and minerals to get together. We host monthly meetings with various guest speakers and during the summer/fall months, we organize many field trips to various local areas and different mining claims for people to try their hand at prospecting and rockhounding for specific minerals. We are very family friendly and many members have children. Some of our field trips are a great way for the family to spend quality time together in nature.