Members have been teaching children, and adults, how to turn natural rocks and minerals into polished gemstones for use in jewellery.

Paul Martensz said the children had picked up the skills quite quickly.

In order to make their jewellery, the children had to select a stone, mark it, grind it and then polish it. 

The workshops proved very popular, with each one fully booked. 

Mr Martensz said that children who already had an interest in rocks were eager to take part.

“I think a lot of them have come in with this fascination of rocks and minerals and they want to learn more about it,” he said.

“Some of them already have their own rock collections at home.” 

Mr Martensz said the workshops are a great school holiday activity because it gets children doing something different. 

“Not only is it rocks and minerals and potentially gems, it is also the idea of being occupied, learning a new skill and having something to show for it,” he said.

The club started offering lapidary workshops to children over the spring school holidays in 2017. 

As they have become popular, the club will look at ways to hold more in future school holidays.