Billings Gem & Mineral Club

Our Story

More than 70 Years of Rockhounding

The Billings Gem & Mineral Club (BGMC) was founded by a small group of enthusiasts who shared a passion for the remarkable geology of the Yellowstone Valley and surrounding regions. Over the decades, we have grown to include dozens of members ranging from curious beginners to seasoned lapidaries, fossil hunters, and well-educated geologists. The BGMC exists today as a community of people who enjoy mineralogy, geology, paleontology, lapidary arts, crafting, collecting, and anything else that is related to rocks. We are dedicated to learning, exploring, sharing, and educating others so can enjoy earth science as much as we do. The club hosts monthly meetings, members-only field trips, an annual Rock & Gem Show, and we sponsor educational programs locally. Our mission remains the same as when founded; "To promote the study and enjoyment of earth science."

We are affiliated with the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS) and the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies (RMFMS).

The BGMC observes the Code of Ethics defined by the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies as follows: • I will respect both private and public property and will do no collecting on privately owned land without permission from the owner. • I will keep informed on all laws, regulations or rules governing collecting on public lands and will observe them. • I will to the best of my ability, ascertain the boundary lines of property on which I plan to collect. • I will use no firearms or blasting material in collecting areas. • I will cause no willful damage to property of any kind such as fences, signs, buildings, etc. • I will leave all gates as found. • I will build fires only in designated or safe places and will be certain they are completely extinguished before leaving the area. • I will discard no burning material — matches, cigarettes, etc. • I will fill all excavation holes which may be dangerous to livestock. • I will not contaminate wells, creeks, or other water supplies. • I will cause no willful damage to collecting material and will take home only what I can reasonably use. • I will practice conservation and undertake to utilize fully and well the materials I have collected and will recycle my surplus for the pleasure and benefit of others. • I will support the rockhound project H.E.L.P. (Help Eliminate Litter Please) and will leave all collecting areas devoid of litter, regardless of how found. • I will cooperate with field trip leaders and those in designated authority in all collecting areas. • I will report to my club or federation officers, Bureau of Land Management or other authorities, any deposit of petrified wood or other materials on public lands which should be protected for the enjoyment of future generations for public educational and scientific purposes. • I will appreciate and protect our heritage of natural resources. • I will observe good outdoor manners and will at all times conduct myself in a manner which will add to the stature and public Image of rockhounds everywhere.