The San Diego Mineral and Gem Society's scholarship fund began in 1986 to provide funds to further educational and scientific purposes relating to earth sciences and the lapidary arts. In 1999, the $500 grant was renamed after Carmelita Swarts because of her tremendous contribution to the society.
Carmelita was a tireless member, helping to shape the club for over 30 years, serving on the board of directors for over 20 of those years. She was an extremely active member and was involved in some way in almost every event the club held. She worked steadily for the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies on the public lands advisory committee and was awarded the Golden Bear award - the top single award given by the CFMS because of her long service.
The chosen student for this scholarship must be:
- Enrolled full time in junior, senior, or graduate studies
- Carry a 3.0 or higher grade point average
- Major in subjects relating to the earth sciences or lapidary arts.
Scholarship recipients are chosen in the geology field in odd-numbered years and the lapidary arts filed in even-numbered years. The recipient in art is invited to exhibit work at the gem diego show. The scholarship is awarded at the society's annual banquet in march.
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