About Us

What is the Maricopa Lapidary Society?

The Maricopa Lapidary Society is a group of people with varied backgrounds and ages, but who share a passion for lapidary. It is an all volunteer non-profit organization that relies on the time and talents of our members. Rewarding club experiences are made possible by the efforts of volunteers, and we encourage everyone to get involved in helping with activities, such as classes, field trips, displays, or our booth at gem shows.

Current Officers

President:Sue Bartz
Vice President: Loretta Meador
Secretary: Don Richardson
Interim Treasurer: Ford Doran

Committee Chairpersons

Bylaws: Shirley Cote
Coalition: Tony Shannon
Membership: Pedro Chavez
Displays: John Rusinek
Mineral Identification: Joanne Hesterman
Parliamentarian: Paul Finell
Door Prizes: Pedro Chavez
Hospitality: Loretta Meador
Facilities: Shirley Cote
Historian: Frank Burns
Librarian: Frank Burns
Museum Co: Doug Duffy, Shirley Cote
Field Trips: Tony Shannon
Programs: Ann Baker
Newsletter Editors: Ann Baker, Larry Jensen
Past President: Paul Finell

History

The Maricopa Lapidary Society (MLS) was founded in 1948 by a small group of dedicated lapidaries. It was Phoenix's second gem and mineral society.

Desert Magazine excerpt on MLS
Excerpt courtesy of Desert Magazine and the Desert Magazine Archive

The club supported the Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum and met at the museum until its closure in May 2011. The MLS currently meets at the North Mountain Visitor Center in Phoenix on the first Monday of each month, except in July.

In 1952, the MLS held its first annual gem show at the Phoenix Armory. This show would be known as the Phoenix Gem and Mineral Show and continued at various locations, such as the Arizona State Fairgrounds and Mesa Centennial Center.

Associations

Member of the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies
Affiliated with the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies