East Bay Mineral & Lapidary Club · San Leandro
Volunteer cabbing or faceting class
Contact the volunteer classes coordinator before attending. The club says classes often run over multiple days and currently warns of roughly a month-long wait.
Who can enroll: The official class page does not state that every class requires membership. Independent workshop use does require membership plus Beginner's Cabbing.
Published price: A modest class charge covers materials and equipment use; no exact class price is published. Independent member shop use is listed at $5 per day.
Equipment and materials: Classes include cabbing and faceting. The member workshop lists saws, grinders, flat laps, Genie machines and training-only Facetrons.
How to register: Email the classes coordinator from the official page to ask about the next beginner opening, membership requirements and total cost before visiting.
San Francisco Gem & Mineral Society · San Francisco
Member instruction and weekly shop sessions
A membership-first route with lapidary and faceting instructors and a published weekly clubhouse schedule.
Who can enroll: Attend a monthly open house, apply with full payment and wait for board approval. Shop users must wear their member badge.
Published price: $30 initiation plus $50 regular annual dues ($80 to join), then $5 per shop session; specialized equipment may carry another fee.
Equipment and materials: Members may use lapidary and silversmithing equipment and receive instruction. A complete machine inventory is not published on the reviewed pages.
How to register: Check the current open-house schedule, tour the facilities, then use the official membership application and payment path if the commitment fits.
Antioch Lapidary Club · Antioch
Member cabochon and silver shops
Member workshops pair hands-on training with cabbing, grinding, polishing and silver-shop access.
Who can enroll: Membership is required for shop use. Minors 17 and younger need a parent or guardian who is also a member. Public meetings are not shop access.
Published price: $10 one-time initiation plus $24 annual dues for the first family member; the official page lists $2 shop use. Confirm all current fees.
Equipment and materials: The club documents large and trim saws, grinding and polishing equipment, plus a separate silver shop.
How to register: Review the official membership information, attend a meeting or contact the club, and confirm current training and shop hours before joining.