Indian Wells Gem & Mineral Society
Club with mining claims for members
Based in Ridgecrest, California.
The club's claims are for members only: contact the club to join.
Gem and mineral society founded in 1945 on the Naval Ordnance Test Station at China Lake, with its own jasper and agate claim at Rainbow Ridge. Meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6 PM at the clubhouse, 527 W. Upjohn Ave., Ridgecrest (use the back door, not the Upjohn side); the clubhouse is also open on Tuesday mornings and every other Sunday. Lapidary equipment and teaching, and the annual show at the Desert Empire Fairgrounds every November (the 70th in 2026), with a field trip to the club's claim.
Prospect on your own near Ridgecrest
16 gem and mineral spots on open public land with no claim on record, within 50 miles.
There are more on the map, some of them with a possible mining claim.
Other clubs and places nearby
- Keysville Recreation Area (Kern River)Free public dig · 46 mi
- Tehachapi Valley Gem & Mineral SocietyClub · 54 mi
- Antelope Valley Gem & Mineral ClubClub · 72 mi
- San Joaquin Valley Lapidary SocietyClub · 74 mi
- Kern County Mineral SocietyClub · 74 mi
- Victor Valley Gem & Mineral ClubClub · 78 mi