What it is

The Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society (CSMS) is a membership rock, mineral and lapidary club in Colorado Springs, Colorado, founded in 1936. Its home page calls it “a federation-authorized rock and mineral organization based in Colorado Springs.” Its About page lists the club’s goals: to “promote and disseminate knowledge of the earth sciences, especially as they relate to mineralogy, lapidary, and fossils” and to “encourage the study, collection, and fashioning of minerals.” CSMS is a member of the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies (RMFMS) and the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS).

Who it’s for

Rockhounds, cabochon cutters, faceters, jewelry makers, mineral collectors and families in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region. Members get access to satellite study groups, members-only field trips and the club’s mining claims.

Why it’s listed

It’s an established membership club with its own website (not Facebook-only). The site gives a fixed public meeting place and time, printed dues, and dedicated Lapidary and Faceting group pages. Its Pick & Pack newsletter archive runs from 2009 to October 2026. It is Lapidary Plaza’s first Colorado club listing.

Official URL

https://www.csms1936.com/

(All checked 2026-10-29 and returned HTTP 200 to curl with a Chrome user agent.)

Location

General Assembly meetings: Colorado Springs Christian School, 4855 Mallow Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907, at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month (the club’s newsletter says meetings are not held in January and August; check the Calendar for changes). Visitors are welcome. Mailing address: Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society, P.O. Box 2, Colorado Springs, CO 80901. Satellite groups meet at other places, such as local libraries.

This is a club. It is not a store or a commercial school.

Notes

Dues (Join page): $30 individual, $40 family, $15 junior, $100 corporate per year. Membership includes ten issues of the Pick & Pack newsletter, field trips, all satellite groups and access to the club’s mining claims. Some trips and groups may charge extra fees.
Lapidary group (Lapidary page): meets by appointment only in a group leader’s home garage. You set up a visit through the club’s Contact page.
Faceting group (Faceting page): members use faceting machines and follow faceting diagrams. Sessions are also scheduled by appointment through the Contact page.
Other satellite groups (About page): Crystal Study, Fossil Study, Jewelry, Micromount, Photography and Pebble Pups (juniors).
Field trips (Field Trips page): members only, usually April to October. Trips go to Colorado sites for minerals like amazonite, smoky quartz and topaz, and to the club’s three claims. Some trips go out of state.
Show: CSMS sponsors the annual Pikes Peak Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show, which the About page says is typically held in June and is open to the public.
Not affiliated with Lapidary Plaza. No email or form was used.

FAQ

Q: When and where does the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society meet?
A: At 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at Colorado Springs Christian School, 4855 Mallow Road, Colorado Springs, CO. The newsletter says there are no general meetings in January and August. Visitors are welcome.

Q: How much does membership cost?
A: $30 a year for an individual, $40 for a family, $15 for a junior and $100 for a corporate membership.

Q: Does the club do lapidary?
A: Yes. CSMS has a Lapidary group and a Faceting group. Both meet by appointment, which you arrange through the club’s Contact page.

Q: Can non-members go on field trips?
A: No. The Field Trips page says all CSMS field trips are for members only.

Q: Does it hold a show?
A: Yes. CSMS sponsors the annual Pikes Peak Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show, which is typically held in June.