Welcome to the Apache Junction Rock and Gem Club


The Apache Junction Rock and Gem Club is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization established January 19, 1966. We’re a busy club in Apache Junction, AZ, offering field trips from October through April. The Club Lapidary Shop is open year round. Our Youth Program rocks! Members of all ages, enthusiastic rock hounds, are involved in the rock & mineral arts including collecting, lapidary, jewelry making, rock art and crafts and other forms of rock art creation. Our members are interested in passing on their interest and knowledge of these arts to members of the younger generations. Members of all age groups are invited to join us. Learn more about becoming a member here.

The Club has grown and has added more activities every year. If you are interested in joining the fun, you are invited to attend our Monthly Meeting on the 2nd Thursday of each Month September through May at the Club’s Lapidary Shop.

The Apache Junction Rock and Gem Club is a member of the following business organizations and mineralogical societies:

Here is the latest field trip schedule (subject to change) as of 04 March 2025:

(See the Field Trip tab for the rules)

Saturday, March 22

  • This is an exploratory field trip.
  • We will be going to a private mine called the Copper Queen Mine located northeast of the Town of Mayer.
  • By “invitation only” we will be assembling a group of 10 club members who have the special skills and equipment required by the mine owner.
  • We expect that a regular field trip will be scheduled in the future, which will be open to all club members.

Wednesday, March 26

  • Dago Spring (Forest Road 225) north of Miami/Globe.
  • The majority of the land we will be on is private.
  • Rocks we expect to collect include: marble, serpentine, boehmite or tigilite, hickoryite, Halloween rock, and more.

Wednesday, April 2

  • Geode Hill – Northeast of Payson.
  • This site is located in the Tonto National Forest.
  • Expected Rocks – Quartz crystals, geodes, and fossils.
  • The only vehicles that will make it to the collection site are quads, side-by-sides, and vehicles similar to jeeps. We will help give rides to those who need them.

Saturday, April 12 (Two Sites)

  • Dobel Ranch – Southeast of Holbrook – This is on private land.
  • Woodruff Butte – Between Snowflake and Holbrook – This is on BLM land.
  • Expected Rocks – Rainbow petrified wood.
  • To reduce the amount of driving on the date of the field trip, we suggest that you reserve a hotel room at one of the many fine hotels/motels in Holbrook or Snowflake.

Saturday, April 19

  • This is an exploratory field trip.
  • Several New Sites – Located between Payson and Showlow.
  • Expected Rocks – Petrified wood, fossils, and more.
  • Some of the sites are on private land, some are in the Tonto National Forest, and some are in the Sitgreaves National Forest.

Wednesday. April 23

  • This is an exploratory field trip.
  • New Site – McFadden Peak – Located on the Globe-Young Highway (Highway 288) between Globe and Young, and northeast of Roosevelt Lake.
  • McFadden Peak is located in the Tonto National Forest.
  • Expected Rocks – Quartz crystals, and more.

Saturday. May 3

  • Forest Road 198 – Northeast of Payson.
  • The site is located in the Tonto National Forest.
  • Expected Rocks – Variety of fossils.

Wednesday. May 14

  • Diamond Point Mountain – Between Payson and Heber.
  • The site is located in the Tonto National Forest.
  • Expected Rocks – Quartz crystals (Arizona Diamonds).