ABOUT US

The Suffolk Gem & Mineral Club, Inc. was formed in 1978 and incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in New York State in October, 1979.  The founders consisted of hobbyists and rockhounds who represented all walks of life, and included a high school principal, a doctor, and a Ph.D. in Geology, among others.

The Club today has a membership of approximately 70, whose interests range from collecting mineral specimens to fossils, lapidary work and jewelry making.

We hold meetings monthly at the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library on the third Monday of the month.  Lectures, demonstrations, slide shows, and member participation workshops are presented throughout the year.  In addition, a monthly newsletter, "The Conglomerate", is mailed to all members.

In order to support all of these activities, the Club runs an annual Gem and Mineral Show, normally held on the first weekend in December.  Spaces are rented to gem and mineral dealers who display for sale an unusual variety of precious and semi-precious stones in finished and unfinished form.  Finished jewelry is available also.  A nominal admission fee is charged to the public.  There are many activities of interest to children...most popular if the Mini-Mine where kids attempt to find hidden items.

The Club is a member of the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies, Inc. whose tremendous resources are available for our use.  Through them the Club has access to tapes, books, and advance knowledge of area shows.

In addition to our other activities, the Club has an extensive collection of mineral specimens that are, upon request, exhibited at Suffolk County Libraries on a monthly basis throughout the year.

Some of our members serve our Club by offering knowledge or skills to schools, colleges, and libraries.  The Club has a large library on subjects relating to our hobby.  These resources are available to our members at no charge, however, a nominal deposit is required.

Field trips are occasionally  made to gem and mineral locations, such as Herkimer, NY, Franklin, NJ, Limecrest, NJ, and Williamsport,PA, among others.