About

“Our Club has a long and storied history in philanthropy, education, mining, lapidary, jewelry creation and having Rock Hound fun. Our general objectives are to promote interest and education in the various sciences, especially Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontology, Lapidary and other related subjects.  And we couldn’t do all of that without joining in a great community of like-minded individuals being involved in the pursuit of rocks and minerals. If this is “you”, Come join us! ​ We have been known by many names over the years.  Here is a quick rundown. The North Idaho Rockhound Club was organized August 24th, 1949.  The name changed to the North Idaho Mineral Club on March 18th, 1953.  The Club was accepted into the Northwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies in June of 1951.  The members drew up the constitution of the club in March of 1952 and in May 1960, the Club was incorporated and is now officially North Idaho Mineral Club, Inc.  We have been the North Idaho Mineral Club ever since. ​ This year (2025) marks the 64th annual show.  Our first show was held in the Washington Water Power Auditorium May 12th and 13th, 1960.  In 1962 we moved to North Idaho College. Along with Shoshone County Amateur Mineral Pickers Society, our Club prepared boxes of minerals, which were given to each Girl Scout attending the show in 1965.  The Club held shows at North Idaho College for four years; then moved to the North Idaho Fairgrounds where it is still held today. The Club has had several “nifty” projects over the years according to Ruth Brooks sharing some of the early history of the Club.  In 1965 two plaques were created, made from Idaho rocks in the shape of the State of Idaho. One of the plaques was given to a Boy Scout troop in New Jersey and the second one to Farragut State Park and is rumored to still be there today.  A jasper cabochon was sent to the Smithsonian for their collection, also 1965.   ​ The Club has supported many organizations over the years with donations.  Some include schools in Coeur d’ Alene, Post Falls, and Rathdrum area. Also the Coeur d’ Alene Museum, Cataldo Mission, Tubbs Hill Fund, the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, the American Federation of Mineral Societies Scholarship Fund.  We continued our donations by giving two scholarships to North Idaho College for Geology related studies over the last several years. In 2018, the club sent two members of our Club to the Northwest Federation Rock Hound Retreat near Fossil, Oregon for a week-long experience in rock related classes. It is sponsored by the Northwest Federation of Mineral Societies.  ​ In 2019, we have given a scholarship to a dedicated geology student attending Lewis Clark State College that came to our 2018 show and demonstrated the effects of weather on the landscape via a computer generated program.  There are three Club members that will attend the Northwest Federation Rock Hound Retreat this year. As a Club, we are very interested in ensuring that our membership continues to grow and learn in their areas of interest.  This Retreat is one of the best opportunities currently available. It is in a remote location with very few distractions, allowing each participate a chance to concentrate on their chosen class projects under expert guidance from the instructors.    ​ There are field trips in the planning stages, weather permitting.   ​ Please come as our guest to a meeting, families are welcome. ”

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