Prominent Rock And Crystal Club Updates Website

The Minnesota Mineral Club, a 75-year-old Minnesota based rock and mineral club, is pleased to announce that they recently updated their website. The update is part of their quest to become the premier rock and mineral club in the Midwest. While portions of the website are inaccessible to all but members of the Club, a lot of the site’s content is open to the public. With more than 400 enthusiastic members and membership dues being only $18 for individuals and $27 for family, their activities are designed to encourage family participation. The Minnesota Mineral Club is a member of The Midwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies.

The Minnesota Mineral Club is a non-profit organization devoted to the study of mineralogy, geology, paleontology, and the lapidary arts. The Club is based in the Twin Cities area, and its monthly meetings are open to everyone who wishes to attend. The Club’s mission is to encourage people to take an interest and get an education in geology, mineralogy, lapidary, and earth sciences. Their vision is to become the premier Minnesota rock club by being the best resource for the education of earth science-based STEM, lapidary, and minerals, engaging and involving a diverse group of members, and promoting respect for the earth among other things. The Club’s values are integrity, education, stewardship, and inclusiveness, and these values have already made it a great space for anyone with an interest in geology to pursue their hobby.

“Education, combined with fun, is a primary focus of our Club,” says their recently updated site. “We encourage kids of all ages (including adult kids–those who have retained their childhood wonder) to participate in all we have to offer. Many of our members enjoy a variety of lapidary arts including cutting, shaping, polishing, drilling, wrapping, faceting rocks, minerals, and gemstones. They are willing and eager to share their techniques and skills so that others may learn and enjoy them. Even experienced rockhounds sometimes have trouble identifying minerals. Our website has numerous tutorials and links to resources to help with mineral identification.”

Every meeting, event, and field trip provides an opportunity to share ideas and absorb information for members and non-members with an interest in geology alike. The Club is often invited to speak with elementary and high school science classes, and they are always willing to work alongside other organizations involved with geological education. The Club hosts an annual show that attracts thousands of families interested in learning more about the earth and the rocks and minerals that can be found in the region and around the world. Read more at the following link: Rockhound Education.

The Club makes an effort to reach out to young people. As their new site says, “We try as a Club to be as kid-friendly as possible. We encourage parents to include their kids in our meetings and when we have events, such as our silent auctions, and contests, such as our ‘Find of the Year’ contest, we set up categories specifically for kids. Our Annual Show’s most popular feature is our ‘Kids’ Corner’ and many of our field trips are open to even young kids.”

The Minnesota Mineral Club holds silent auctions every year which give members and guests a chance to purchase items related to the hobby, including rough and finished rocks and minerals, jewelry, fossils, gemstones, books and magazines, tools and equipment, and more. The proceeds are then used to fund Club activities and provide earth science student scholarships.

The Club began in 1935 as the Science Museum Society of the Minneapolis Public Library Museum and continued until early 1942. During the war, members would continue to meet informally at private homes. In 1945, under William Bingham, it was agreed that a new club would be established known as the Minnesota Mineral Club. It had its first official meeting on the 8th of December in 1945. The Club has continued to provide geology enthusiasts with a place to meet for years and will continue to do so long into the future.

Those looking for more information or who wish to take a look at rock identification snapshots are welcome to visit the Club’s website. The Club can also be reached through its social media platforms.