The Mission of The Helena Mineral Society is to stimulate interest in the study of mineralogy, geology and in the collection and preservation of minerals and geological specimens. We encourage interest in the collecting of rocks, gems, crystals, minerals and learn how to properly collect these specimens in an ethical and responsible way. We teach how to work the materials gathered as lapidary artists. We function on a non-political, amateur basis, to develop a hobby and promote good fellowship among our members. The Helena Mineral Society is a non profit organization in Helena, Montana.
Events
Meetings -Monthly on the 3rd Thursday
Shows
Claims
Field Trips
Classes
Parties
Picnics
And More!
Rock and Mineral Shows
April 12-13 2025
SATURDAY APRIL 9:00AM TO 5:00PM
SUNDAY APRIL 13th 10:00AM TO 4:00PM
Helena Civic Center Ballroom 340 Neill Avenue
Minerals and Jewelry • Agates and Crystals • Grab Bags • Ball Toss • Garnet Hunt • Silent Auction • Raffles • Fluorescent Mineral Display • Gem and Mineral Displays
Fun for all ages!
Admission: $3.00
Children 12 and under are free
Veterans & active military with valid ID are free
Show Chairperson – Alexis McEwan
Checkout Flyer
NOTICE: PLEASE READ
July 24, 2025
To All Members of the Helena Mineral Society,
It is unfortunate that I need to communicate the following “CLOSURE” of all three of
the sapphire claims on the east side of Houser Lake – the Miss Beverly, Miss Beverly #2
and Blue Star. This will take effect immediately. This is ALL of the club’s sapphire
properties. This closure is a result of the fact that HMS has not yet successfully renewed
our “Notice/Plan” with BLM which, according to BLM, has been expired since October
15, 2022. Recently, BLM has made it very clear that, since we have not met their
requirements for a new “Notice/Plan”, that all activity on the claims (other than
reclamation) is unauthorized and subject to ticketing and fines. Efforts have been made
to comply, but dealing with the three governing agencies involved has led to delays.
The HMS leadership has also been informed that there are club members that are
disregarding the club’s written rules regulating the use of the claims and the BLM
regulations governing that area. If this abuse continues, those club members will forfeit
their current membership and be banned from any future membership.
Paul Schmitt
HMS President
Your Title Goes Here
Field Trip Schedule -2025 Coming Soon
Here is an example of last year’s schedule
The field trip committee met on March 21, 2024 and proposes the following schedule
- Mining Museum & Ringing Rocks, Butte: date tbd
- Bynum Dinosaur Museum, date tbd
- April 27, 2024 Franklin Mine Road/RR tracks skarn deposit: calcite, vesuvianite, mica
- May 18, 2024 Sally Ann cleanup: clear the trail, site clean up
- June 8, 2024 Sally Ann: Collecting, quartz, amethyst
- June 22 or 29, 2024: Garnet dig southwest of Ruby Reservoir
- July 13, 2024 White Earth south of Beaver Creek: selenite, agate
- July 20, 2024 Copper City near Wheat Montana, Toston Dam area: fos
- August 10, 2024 Crystal Park: Quartz crystals
Bob Ringler 406-431-3364
Ken Liston
Wayne Waters
Dave Jordan
