The Maricopa Lapidary Society is a group of people with varied backgrounds and ages, who share a passion for Lapidary. Rewarding club experiences are made possible by the efforts of an all-volunteer organization which relies on the time and talents of our members. We encourage everyone to get involved in helping with activities, such as classes, field trips, displays, or our booth at gem shows.
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. 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 third Tuesday 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 for over 50 years.
