Next Meeting: Oct. 3, 2022, George and Linda Grow will talk and show pictures from their trip to Arizona and Montana. For more info, directions & map go to Meetings

SAMS Field Trip: No July Trip Planned.

Tim Barton - The Old North State: North Carolina

Carolina Stoneworks Field Trip April 10, 2015 Photos by Dolores Knap

Photos from S.A.M.S. 2011 Annual Meeting and Picnic at Lake Julian & S.A.M.S. at Hey Day

Articles and Photos of field trips to the Cranberry Iron Mine, Appalachian State Geology Boulder Garden and Roan Mountain State Park by SAMS member Ken Casebeer

Welcome to the online home of the Southern Appalachian Mineral Society. We are organized to promote popular interest and education in the various earth sciences, in particular, mineralogy; to foster exchange of knowledge of lapidary techniques; and to promote good fellowship.

Founded in 1931, we are one of the oldest mineral societies in the nation, with membership extending into many states. Located in Asheville, North Carolina, it is in the center of an area which has the largest variety of gems and minerals in the country. S.A.M.S. is a nonprofit organization whose membership is open to all interested applicants. New members, young and old, from near or far are welcome to join our club and will benefit from the following:

Monthly Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month except January and September at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church) in Arden, NC at 7:00 p.m. The meetings include all facets of information about gems, minerals and related subjects. Guest speakers include professional geologists, mineralogists, gemologists, mining specialists, and knowledgeable "rockhounds". Visitors and guests of all ages are always welcome. Here is a Map of the meeting site.

Field Trips to limited access and historic collecting sites take place most months for members.

Third-Party Liability Insurance provided by the S.A.M.S. through the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies covers members at club field trips and meetings.

Why, Mary, fancy meeting you here...

A Newsletter, the Mountain Mineral Monthly, published monthly, provides information about upcoming meetings and events, including detailed information about field trips, original articles by members and news of the Society's activities are featured. The newsletter is available via regular mail or e-mail.

S.A.M.S. members support various civic activities and celebrations throughout the year. Many members volunteer at the Nature Center's "Hey Day Pee Wee" mine. Children mine for mineral specimens which are identified and bagged, and they often form the nucleus of a collection.

Membership is available at the following annual dues levels: