Date/Time
Date(s) - 09/09/2026
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Categories No Categories

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – 7.30pm

Following the AGM, Murray Thompson will present a talk on

Economic gemmology of rare earth specimens

In addition to my studies in Economic and Exploration Geology at the Western Australian School of Mines (WASM), I have combined my interests in fieldwork and gem cutting over the past decade. This has led to an interesting mix of work with prospectors, collectors, museum curators, gemmological specialists and researchers, plus our clientele both in Australia and overseas.

After a short introduction into the background geology and mineralogical composition of each specimen, I will note the particular characteristics of interest to a gem fashioner. There will be beautiful images to feast your eyes on as we progress through the talk. In particular, the gem material will include pollucite, lepidolite, cleavelandite, morganite, phenacite, bi-coloured tourmaline and emerald, all sourced from WA pegmatites.

About the speaker

Murray has been working in gemmology for over 50 years. He started work in Adelaide in a large jewellery store and studied gemmology, valuing and store management at night. From there he progressed to faceting emeralds in Kalgoorlie and prospecting for gold around the WA goldfields. On returning to Adelaide, he opened a gem cutting business in Gawler Place.

In 1987 Murray won a Churchill Fellowship to study gem fashioning and display across the world. This provided him with the opportunity to learn from internationally renowned gem cutters, as well as to visit high-end jewellery stores, gemmological studios and museums on several continents.

After more than a decade of gem cutting, Murray moved to Perth where he studied geology at Curtin University and the Kalgoorlie School of Mines, then worked as an exploration and resource development geologist in gold, nickel and copper deposits until 2017. He continued his gem fashioning and faceting, concentrating on WA-sourced material, in his garage, before opening a wholesale/retail business, Desert Fire Designs, in suburban Perth – which is both a workshop and a showroom open to the public by appointment.

Wednesday 9 September 2026, 7.30pm

(venue opens at 6.30 pm for socialising and Show & Tell)

WA Lapidary and Rock Hunting Club Inc.
31 Gladstone Road, Rivervale