Meet Our Board Of Directors

 My name is Cristian, and I’m currently serving my second year as President of the San Joaquin Valley Lapidary Society. My fascination with rocks began at a young age, wandering family grounds with a bucket in hand, collecting stones that seemed to call out to me. Even then, I found myself drawn to specific pieces—long before I understood why.

That early curiosity eventually grew into a deeper appreciation for minerals, gemstones, and the stories they carry. What began as a simple interest has evolved into a passion for lapidary work and the process of transforming raw material into something meaningful.

I joined the Society in 2024 after reconnecting with members at a local event, and from the very beginning, I was welcomed into a community that felt like home. Since then, I’ve been committed to learning and growing—exploring techniques like cutting, polishing, and design, while continuing to learn from the incredible mentors and members around me.

With a background in leadership and creative work, I bring a perspective focused on growth, accessibility, and connection. As President, my goal is to create opportunities for members to learn, share, and feel inspired—whether they’re just starting out or have years of experience.

For me, this Society is about more than stones. It’s about transformation, community, and the shared experience of discovering something beautiful—both in the material we work with and in ourselves.

I’ve been a member of the San Joaquin Valley Lapidary Society for five years now, and I’m currently serving my first year as Vice President after previously serving as a Director. This is my fourth year on the board, and it’s been an incredible experience being part of the club’s leadership.

I first found the Society at the Kern County Fair during a time when I was looking for something to get me out of the house during COVID. What started as a simple search for connection quickly became something much more meaningful.

I’ve loved rocks for as long as I can remember and have always been fascinated by prehistoric life—especially dinosaurs. That curiosity has stayed with me and continues to shape how I experience and enjoy the lapidary world.

Being part of this club has given me the opportunity to connect with others who share that same sense of wonder, and I’m grateful to play a role in helping the Society continue to grow and thrive.

I’ve been a member of the San Joaquin Valley Lapidary Society since 2019, when my husband and I joined after discovering the club at the Kern County Fair. What started as a shared interest quickly became a passion for rocks, fossils, and the adventure of finding them.

I’ve been fortunate to go on many field trips over the years, exploring different locations and collecting along the way. One of my favorite memories is from a trip to Wyoming, where I found a piece of petrified wood that I still treasure.

I served as a Director for one year and have now been Secretary for three years. Being part of this club has been such a rewarding experience, and I truly enjoy contributing to a community that shares such a love for rocks and the stories they hold.

I became a member of the San Joaquin Valley Lapidary Society in January 2023 after visiting the club’s booth at the Kern County Fair the previous September. My daughter Hannah and I joined together, combining our shared interests in jewelry making and our love for the outdoors.

Since then, I’ve become actively involved in the club and currently serve as Treasurer as well as a lapidary shop lead. I enjoy supporting both the organizational side of the Society and the hands-on creative work in the shop.

One of my favorite parts of lapidary work is creating my own cabochons to use in my jewelry. I’m especially drawn to stones like labradorite and moonstone—anything with a bit of flash always catches my eye.

Being part of this community has been a rewarding experience, and I enjoy contributing to a space where creativity and craftsmanship come together.

I joined the San Joaquin Valley Lapidary Society 11 years ago when there were just nine members meeting in a garage. I had always been interested in rocks but never really got into it—until I did. By the end of my first year, I belonged to seven different rock clubs. I was hooked.

I was later elected President and proudly served for eight years. My two main goals were to get the club into the Kern County Fair and to grow our membership. With the help of our members, we accomplished both, and it’s been incredible to see how far the club has come.

At the same time, I was elected Field Scout, a role I’ve now proudly held for nine years and continue to serve in today. In my early years of field trips, I was bringing home 12 to 15 buckets each time—including trips to Quartzsite—so I now have, quite literally, tons of rocks.

I started making cabochons and even gave my wife three a day for about three years, plus one every fifty miles when we traveled. Then I got into sphere making and really went all in—collecting equipment from estate sales and gathering rocks from around the world.

I can’t say I have just one favorite stone—I have several. What I love most is the surprise. Every time you cut into a rock, you never know what you’re going to find. That’s the magic of it.

Rock On. 

#KingOfRollingRocks

My name is Gerald, and I’m currently serving my first year as a Director on the board. I’ve been a member of the San Joaquin Valley Lapidary Society for about three years now, and it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience being part of such a passionate and knowledgeable community.

One of the things I enjoy most about lapidary work is the transformation process—taking something raw and natural and revealing the beauty within it. There’s something really grounding about working with stones and learning the stories behind them.

My favorite stone is Alexandrite. I’ve always been drawn to its unique ability to change color depending on the light, shifting from green to reddish tones. To me, it’s a perfect reminder of how dynamic and unexpected nature can be—it’s one of those stones that never stops surprising you.

 My passion for rocks and gems began in childhood—often to my mother’s dismay when she discovered stones tucked away in my pockets on laundry day. What started as a simple fascination has grown into a deep love for the outdoors and the natural world.

I believe our planet is extraordinary, providing us not only with the means to thrive but also with its own unique works of art in stone. Through my lapidary work, I feel that every piece I create is a true collaboration with the Earth.

This community means a great deal to me. I was welcomed with open arms, and over the past three years, I’ve found a true sense of belonging within the San Joaquin Valley Lapidary Society. It is both an honor and a privilege to serve on the board and to help share the spirit of our club through social media and community engagement.

I joined the San Joaquin Valley Lapidary Society in October 2024, after knowing about the club for several years through interactions at the Kern County Fair. In 2024, I had a conversation with Bernie at the fair that finally pushed me to attend a meeting—and I became a member that very first night.

In just over a year, I’ve had the opportunity to get involved in so many ways, and I was honored to be nominated for and awarded Rockhound of the Year. In 2026, I was elected as a Director, and I do my best to help in whatever capacity I can. I’m also proud to be a “Field Scout in Training.”

I’ve always been a rockhound at heart. I’m fascinated by the history of the Earth and all of the incredible treasures it holds. Some of my favorite stones include jasper, carnelian, fire quartz, golden healer, and just about any kind of agate.

I’m always ready for the next rockhounding adventure and excited to keep learning, exploring, and contributing to this amazing community.

 I retired from Nestlé Ice Cream in 2018, and not long after, I began crossing paths with SJVLS members at garage and rock sales. They invited me to a monthly meeting, and that simple invitation opened the door to an entirely new chapter for me.

I joined the club soon after and quickly found myself inspired by the creativity and community. That September, I was honored to receive the CEO Award for my Fair Display—an experience that meant a great deal to me and encouraged me to keep exploring and growing within the lapidary arts.

Since then, I’ve remained an active member of the San Joaquin Valley Lapidary Society, and I truly value the friendships, creativity, and shared passion that make this community so special.

 My name is Michelle, though most people call me Chelle. I’ve been with the San Joaquin Valley Lapidary Society for a little over a year now. I originally joined so I could go on field trips with my husband, but it didn’t take long before I found myself truly enjoying the experience—and the hunt for rocks—just as much.

I started attending regular meetings, getting more involved, and eventually joined the board. I really just love looking for anything pretty, though agate is definitely one of my favorites.

As I continue learning and growing in this hobby, I’m especially interested in exploring silversmithing and hope to develop those skills in the future. Being part of this community has been such a fun and rewarding experience, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.