Our club is a registered 501c3 non profit and has thrived since 1952 to promote and teach rockhounding, collecting, geology, and lapidary arts to our members as well as the general public. We’re the largest club in the Portland Metro area and have a vibrant group of members of all ages and experience levels. By joining MHRC you benefit from all of the following great things:

– Two club meetings per month where we discuss club business, have rock/lapidary/geology themed presentations and demos, share on recent rocks and lapidary projects, and socialize with other members. (While our in person meetings are currently prohibited during covid, we have continued to hold every single meeting by utilizing the Zoom online platform. It’s incredibly easy to use and we are glad to help you connect if you’re new to it.)

– Unlimited free entry to the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals for all members anytime they wish. This benefit is extended to us through our annual donation to the Rice Museum, so your dues help ensure their continued success.

– A very active field trip program that allows all members to socialize, enjoy nature, and learn to find great rocks while practicing the rockhound code of ethics for responsible hounding.

– A members-only lapidary shop fully stocked with equipment to use, slab cutting, and one-on-one and small group instruction to learn cab making and other lapidary skills.

– Access to our club-maintained thunderegg claim in the Ochoco Mountains.

– Access to members only sales or pricing on material and equipment that the club sources for a great value through estates, as well as slab cutting and lapidary supplies like grits and oil. Access to discounted purchasing from Kingsley North through our dealer account.

– An annual show plus other opportunities of public outreach that educate the wider public about what we love.

– Dues paid for you by the club to the Portland Regional show – the largest show in the metro area, continuing our public education.

– Dues paid for you by the club to the Northwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies which unites all of the clubs in the NW to promote earth sciences and lapidary arts, plus hosts an annual show and the annual rockhound retreat.

–  Dues paid for you by the club to the American Land Access Association and the Oregon Council of Rock and Mineral Clubs, two organizations that work tirelessly to build stewardship with the BLM and other federal agencies managing our lands to protect rockhound access to the places we love to dig.

– Club emails to keep up with club functions, events, and some of the larger goings-on in the rockhound community.

– Other annual club events like our summer picnic and holiday banquet.