The Helena Mineral Society is a non profit organization in Helena, Montana. The Mission of The Helena Mineral Society is to promote mutual education on mineralogy, geology, gemology and the art of lapidary. To encourage interest in the collecting of rocks, gems, crystals, minerals, and how to properly collect them in an ethical and responsible way. To learn how to work the materials gathered as lapidary artists with the use of the proper tools and methods. To promote fellowship and broaden knowledge among its members and the community we live in.

Come join us at our meetings, held the 3rd Thursday of each month (excluding July and Dec), 7PM at The Fortress Of Joy Church, 720 Faw Road (off McHugh). Program consisting of Geology, Rock and Lapidary make up the first half of the meetings. Sometimes the presenter is a club member who has gone on an interesting rock hunting trip and can’t wait to tell the group about their exciting experience or someone teaching us all how to do a lapidary procedure. Several times a year there is a show and tell where you bring in rocks you collected and need help identifying them. The mid meeting is a break where you can mingle with like minded members and enjoy refreshments. The evening ends with a general membership business meeting discussing upcoming club activities.

In April, The Helena Mineral Society hosts Montana’s Best Gem and Mineral Show at The Helena Civic Center. This well-anticipated yearly show has over 20 vendors from Montana and neighboring states who participate, selling their products and informing the public about their beautiful stones and fossils. There are wonderful display cases of gemstones, minerals and fossils that the club members and vendors show off to the public. Other exhibits include a black light display, garnet dig, ball toss, silent auction, grab bags, raffle and concessions.

Besides the annual Gem and Mineral show, there are 2 annual social events hosted by the club for its members. In July, a potluck picnic with Silent Auction, and in December, a club potluck Christmas Party with Silent & Live Auctions.

The club offers cabochon workshops, wire wrapping classes as well as general rock knowledge information discussions from its many talented membership. There is also a vast library of books and videos that can be borrowed by members.

Field trips are scheduled throughout the spring, summer, and fall months. Schedules are announced in the monthly newsletters. Field trip participants must be current members or guests of current members.

The membership rules, which you will be given at sign-up, have information on how to act properly in any collecting area. We expect you to be good ambassadors of The Helena Mineral Society and act safely and properly at all locations, whether you go as a group or alone.

•  Montana Tech Foundation

• The Montana Learning Center

• ExplorationWorks

• World Museum of Mining