Links

Links to Educational, local area & regional clubs, societies, affiliations, and other interesting sites. If you would like to suggest a link to your club/association;  or, want to offer a non-commercial resource, please e-mail me at: cmarts@cox.net

Educational Links

The Eastern Federation of Mineralogical & Lapidary Societies Wildacres – Indulge your passion for minerals, gems, jewelry, and craft. Join entry and intermediate level short classes. Enjoy programs from our great Speakers-in-Residence. Form new friendships and deepen old ones. What could better!

Gemological Institute of America – Established in 1931, GIA is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. A public benefit, nonprofit institute, GIA is the leading source of knowledge, standards, and education in gems and jewelry.

Manhattan Chapter of the GIA Alumni – GIA Alumni Association Mission is to foster relationships between GIA and our Alumni worldwide and provide information, service and opportunities. The Benefits: Networking – Regular Seminars/Lectures – Career Opportunities – Leadership

The Manhattan Chapter fosters an atmosphere of networking and camaraderie in which the members represent all aspects of the jewelry trade.

American Gem Society – The American Gem Society is the country’s preeminent jewelry trade organization dedicated to consumer protection. Which basically means, if you’re looking to buy jewelry, you just clicked to the right website. Since 1934, we’ve been making it easier and safer to buy jewelry of any kind. Even if you don’t know the first thing about cut and clarity, we can help you, educate you, and point you in the direction of jewelers that are dedicated to protecting you.

American Gem Trade Association – The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is an association of United States and Canadian trade professionals dedicated to promoting the long term stability and integrity of the natural colored gemstone and Cultured Pearl industries. The Association pursues its goals through the combined use of educational programs, publicity, industry events, government and industry relations, and printed materials for both the trade and consumer. The AGTA is well-known in the gemstone and jewelry industries for maintaining the highest ethical standards.

The Antique Jewelry & Art Conference, Inc – Jewelry Camp

The Association for the Study of Jewelry and Related Arts, LLC – ASJRA is an organization dedicated to the advancement of jewelry studies. It is also committed to the dissemination of knowledge to anyone who is interested in the history of jewelry. ASJRA takes a broad approach to the subject, seeking to understand and place jewelry within a variety of contexts, including from the ancient past to present day, the decorative arts, and fashion.

Maryland

Gem Cutters Guild of Baltimore, Inc. (Glyndon) – The Gem Cutters Guild of Baltimore, Inc., a non-profit organization, was established in order to allow its members to gain knowledge and skills in gem cutting and in identifying and evaluating lapidary materials.  We’ve since expanded our interests to include gaining a knowledge of jewelry, and jewelry fabrication.  Through formal classes which are open to the public, field trips, exhibitions, and cooperation with other societies, we endeavor to further our own knowledge and that of the general public.

Gem, Lapidary, and Mineral Society of DC – To increase knowledge and popular interest in earth sciences, geology, mineralogy, paleontology (Fossils), lapidary arts, and related subjects.

Maryland Geological Society (Bowie) – Founded in 1991, the MGS is comprised of both amateur and professional artifact, fossil, and mineral collectors. MGS emphasizes collecting, identification, study and display aspects of the geological sciences. MGS is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS) and the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies (EFMLS).

Calvert Marine Museum Fossil Club (Solomons) –  is a public, non-profit, educational, regionally oriented museum dedicated to the collection, preservation, research, and interpretation of the culture and natural history of Southern Maryland. We are dedicated to the presentation of our three themes: regional paleontology, estuarine life of the tidal Patuxent River and adjacent Chesapeake Bay, and maritime history of these waters. The museum is part of Calvert County.

Patuxent Lapidary Guild (Ft. Meade) – Promoting the Lapidary Arts

Virginia

The Gem And Mineral Hunters, Inc. (Prince William County)

Northern Virginia Mineral Club, Inc. (Arlington) – promotes, educates and encourages interest in geology, mineralogy, lapidary arts and related sciences.

Washington, D. C.

The Mineralogical Society of the District of Columbia (D. C.)

Gem, Lapidary, and Mineral Society of Washington, D.C. Inc.

Area Museums

Delaware

University of Delaware Mineralogical Museum

Iron Hill Museum, Newark, DE

Washington, D. C.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: Gem & Mineral Collection

Jewelry Blogs worth following:

Jewelry Nerd, a place where jewelry lovers can share information, post pictures and talk about our favorite subject- Estate Jewelry!  http://www.jewelrynerd.org

Thinking about jewelry; it’s a frivolity that every culture has. What is it”s purpose, and why do we like it? Why do we want it? And how much is enough? (Answer: Just one more piece.) Jewelry is a joy and an addiction, and everyone should embrace their inner magpie. Check out The Philosopher’s Stone