San Diego Mineral & Gem Society

A hidden gem (lol). They had a little diorama of a farm made of what looked like jade. There was a fossil of a lizard bird; an important evolutionary development.
It’s free. Jus walk in on your way for the zoo. They had an example of how diamond is made.
They had fossils from eras I didn’t even know existed. Ammonites from the Mesozoic era. I think there was a fish from the Eocene. Fossils leaves and shells and a trilobite.
Definitely worth stopping in and checking out some important minerals.

I was at Balboa Park, decided to walk through Spanish Village (art village), and ended up here. I am studying Geology, so it’s right up my alley.
* free entrance
*They have nice displays of many types of rocks, minerals, fossils
*large area, the display cases are solid, so you can bring kids in here w/​o worrying if they’ll break something.
*nice selection of books on rocks & minerals & gems; used magazines @ $.50 each!!!
*a small area where you can purchase rocks/​minerals
*LOTS of beautiful jewelry. the prices are fair because these are hand-​made. Many gemstones, really worth the trip just to look @ the jewelry. Great place to get someone a nice gift.
*friendly service, but kinda slow. wasn’t in a hurry, anyway, so that’s cool.
*there are so many other little shops to check out while here.
*parking is scarce. go on a weekday or early. think they open around 10.

Free admittance to this museum. Located in Spanish Village in Balboa Park.
Bunch of rocks, minerals and gems. Nice old man who runs it.
It’s the best San Diego Mineral & Gem Society in the vicinity of 20 miles… ever!!!