In my quest to find bead shops in the local area I came across the Cobb County Gem and Mineral Society.  They meet monthly and sponsor rock hunting field trips and provide access to a lapidary workshop in the Artisan Resource Center in Marietta. 

Bill and I attended the monthly membership meeting and enjoyed the guest speaker so we joined.  Neither one of us know alot about rocks and minerals but we hope to learn.  Since I use natural gemstones in jewelry making and we already like to walk and hike it seemed like an excellent fit.  We are looking forwarding to their monthly classes and use of the lapidary workshop. 

You can find more information about the Cobb County Gem and Mineral Society on their website at http://www.cobbcountymineral.org.