National/Regional
Clubs & Membership
Groups
If you live in the Midwest and you’re interested in mining, gemstones, minerals, lapidary or rock hounding, this is a great place to start!
”The Midwest Federation Of Mineralogical and Geological Societies is a member of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies. It was organized in 1940, and one of the original four founders of the AFMS in 1947.
It encompasses a region of 12 states and has about 109 different clubs.”
The purpose of the Midwest Federation is
”To promote interest and education in geology, mineralogy, paleontology, archaeology and lapidary, and to sponsor and provide means of coordinating the work and efforts of groups interested in these fields.”
** Source: Midwest Federation of Mineralogical and Geological Societies’ website
Gem, Mineral, & Lapidary clubs
within the
“To promote popular interest and education in the various Earth Sciences, and in particular the subjects of Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontology, Lapidary and other related subjects, and to sponsor and provide means of coordinating the work and efforts of all persons and groups interested therein; to sponsor and encourage the formation and international development of Societies and Regional Federations and by and through such means to strive toward greater international good will and fellowship.”
** Source: Midwest Federation of Mineralogical and Geological Societies’ website
Gem, Mineral, & Lapidary clubs
within the
California Federation of Mineralogical Societies
California, Hawaii, Nevada and SOME Arizona
Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies
Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia
Midwest Federation
Arkansas, Illinois , Indiana,
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Northwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, *Utah
Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies
Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska (Western portion of state), New Mexico, North Dakota (Western portion of state), Oklahoma, South Dakota (Western portion of state), Utah, Wyoming
South Central Federation
Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas
Southeast Federation
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, *Kentucky, *Louisiana, *Virginia
*Note: Clubs are in these states, but these states are not within the Southeast Federation boundaries.
A Great Reasource for kids interested in geology & gemstones
Special thanks to our friend Anna, who suggested this link after researching the subject with her dad. It pulls together some great topics with links to other resources. We think the information is pretty cool!
(Please note that we are not making an endorsement regarding insurance mentioned on the site.)
Rocks, Minerals, and Precious Stones
https://brite.co/education/rocks-minerals-and-precious-stones/
are usually hosted by clubs within the American Federation
Looking for a fun afternoon for the family? Look no further than your local Gem, Mineral & Lapidary Show!
Teens buying geodes at the Gem Show.
” The American Gem Society (AGS) is a nonprofit trade association of fine jewelry professionals dedicated to setting, maintaining and promoting the highest standards of ethical conduct and professional behavior through education, accreditation, re-certification of its membership, gemological standards and gemological research.”
”IGS was initially founded to make gemology information accessible and affordable to everyone. Members can enroll in our gemology course and take the complete course through to certification. Now, the mission has evolved to bringing together people who want to learn, discuss and trade gemstones.”
