Lap·i·dar·y — a person who cuts, polishes, or engraves gems.
The Gaumer family’s history with gems and minerals goes back four generations to John O. Gaumer, who was a gold miner in Northern California for 25 years. Today, the family passion for rocks is still palpable in this one-of-a-kind “rock shop,” jewelry store and Mineral and Mining Museum. Come peruse the fine gold and silver jewelry, original handcrafted jewelry, semiprecious and precious stones, lapidary equipment and jewelry-making supplies. If you’re looking for an unusual gift, they also carry books, coasters, vases, unique decorative items and beautiful handcrafted jewelry boxes.
Attached to the store is the Mineral and Mining Museum, free and open to the public Monday through Friday 9am till 5pm. Items in the museum have been gathered over fifty years and four generations of collecting. Beautiful, rare gem and minerals specimens from around the world mingle with stone carvings, fossils, Native American artifacts and a fluorescent mineral display. There’s even a detailed replica of an old mine tunnel complete with ore car, tracks and mining equipment. There’s a little bit for everyone in this “Rockhound’s” paradise just five minutes off the interstate.
WHERE: 78 Belle Mill Rd., Red Bluff (google map)
MORE INFO: 530-527-6166 | Gaumers.com