“The pebble in the brook secretly thinks itself a precious stone,” says a Japanese proverb. For members of the Athens Rock and Gem Club, no stone is left unturned in the quest for geological treasures.

During its first meeting this school year, the Rock and Gem Club will hold a show-and-tell tonight, identifying unknown gems and stones. “It will be a social in which members will tell stories about their rock-hounding adventures during the summer and show off their new treasures,” said Club President Jim Maudsley. Other events include a rock and fossil dig, and a discussion on the best places to dig in Athens.

The group’s philosophy is to promote the recreational and educational aspects of lapidary arts, rock and mineral collecting and earth sciences, but the club also serves as a myth buster.

“The Romans used to think if you wore a piece of amethyst and you drank alcohol, you wouldn’t get drunk,” newsletter editor Donna Book said, referring to her favorite mineral. Amethyst is a violet type of quartz that medieval European soldiers also wore as protection in battle, she said.

“It’s pretty common to the Athens area, and I can find it a lot of places I go,” she said. “I love the purple color and you can make beautiful jewelry out of it.”

The club’s most significant activity is their flair for turning gemstones into decorative items. “I, myself, made wire craft jewelry,” Book said. Other members enjoy metalsmithing, sculpting and constructing mosaics.

Long-time member Ruth Long, however, finds a simple pleasure in just collecting and using rocks as bases for her trees. “Everybody makes something they love. When you’re out hunting for treasures and find something new, it’s an amazing feeling,” she said. “Some rocks are dull looking, but if you get in the dirt and search, you’ll find the most beautiful jewels.”

One of the most alluring minerals used in lapidary arts is pyrite, known for its metallic luster and brass-yellow hue. Most know this mineral by its nickname, “Fool’s Gold.”

“Pyrite from Spain comes in the shape of perfectly square cubes. That’s the way they come out of the ground naturally,” said Book, who has found pounds of pyrite in Athens through various digging activities. “I’m just a ‘rock hound.’ I love to go out there and dig for it,” she said.

The jewelry crafted by the club is sold in an annual show open to the community in the fall.

Shoppers can find handmade rings, necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry in all prices ranges.

Book and Ruth enjoy the simple pleasure of uncovering the oldest geological substances because wherever they find treasure, their heart will be there also.