For those of you who haven’t heard of it, the British Columbia Lapidary Society is an incredible resource for anyone who loves rocks. It’s a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organization—and the only one of its kind in the province—dedicated to everything in the world of lapidary.

If you’re passionate about stones in any way—soapstone carving, silversmithing, micromount collecting, rockhounding, prospecting, faceting, gem carving, or anything even remotely related to lapidary arts—this is the network you want to be part of.

The provincial society is a collective made up of all the local lapidary clubs across British Columbia, all operating under one umbrella. Membership fees are modest, typically ranging from $30 to $50 per person annually, with affordable family options as well. These fees mostly cover insurance—but don't worry, rockhounding and lapidary work are very safe (and fantastic activities for both individuals and families!).

The core mission of the society is to promote and share the love of rocks. The people you’ll meet through the clubs are friendly, helpful, and just as passionate as you are.

New to rockhounding? Clubs offer field trips at no extra cost, where experienced members (called wagon masters) will guide you to collecting sites and show you what to look for.

Interested in lapidary work but don't have the equipment? Many clubs have shared workshop spaces with all the tools you need—because let’s face it, stone-cutting machines can be a bit cost-prohibitive when you’re just starting out.