About Us
The Rhode Island Mineral Hunters is a non-profit organization, founded in 1962, dedicated
to the appreciation and study of minerals, crystals, fossils, and all aspects of the Earth Sciences. Members can also learn
lapidary skills - fashioning gems, polishing stone from rough rock, silversmithing, and fabricating jewelry. We lecture in
school, and also contribute scholarships to our qualified members enrolled as full-time students in college studying the Earth
Sciences.
The club organizes numerous field trips to quarries, mines and road-cuts to gather mineral specimens, as well
as out-of-state bus trips to museums and other events of interest. We are deeply concerned with the conservation and protection
of the environment and the reopening of digging areas previously closed to amateur mineralogists. Each year we honor the member
who finds the finest mineral or fossil specimen in Rhode Island on a club-organized field trip by awarding them the Birger
Anderson Trophy.
We are an informal group from 7 to 85 years of age. All occupations and lifestyles are represented
with members having a common interest: rocks, minerals and fossils. It is never too late to become acquainted (or re-acquainted)
with this hobby and many people start at retirement age when they need an activity that is both mentally engaging as well
as physically active. Please join us some evening, all of our meetings are open to the public, free of charge. We will welcome
you as a visitor or as a new member.
We are Member of the Eastern Federation of Mineral and Lapidary Societies
(EFMLS) and American Federation of Mineral Societies (AFMS).
Our Monthly Meetings
The
RIMH meets on the second Tuesday of each month (except January, February, and August) at 7:00 PM until 8:30-ish, at Community
College of Rhode Island, Knight Campus in Warwick.
Our meeting consists of a program, a break for refreshments and
a brief "business meeting". The programs have included speakers from Harvard University, Brown University, URI,
and other mineral clubs in New England. Many speakers or members give slide presentations and show specimens from their travels.
Also a part of each meeting is a silent auction of members' specimens and the checkout and return of member borrowed books,
magazines, and video tapes from our extensive library. We also have a free drawing at many of the
meetings.
Bowen-Lite
Our monthly newsletter is "Bowen-Lite", which keeps us abreast of club activities
and other club shows in the area.
Other Activities
Auctions The RIMH annual mineral and fossil
auctions are held in April. The auction is open to Public.
Picnic In August, we usually have a picnic.
Gem
and Mineral Show - This years theme is "Dinosaurs & Crystals". Our very popular Gem and Mineral
Show will be October 23rd & 24th. This year will be the 39th Annual in 2010. It will be held
at Community College of Rhode Island, Knights Campus.
Holiday Dinner Party In December, we hold our
annual holiday dinner party and gift exchange.
Membership
Membership fee is $15 per year for an individual,
and $20 per year for a Family.
