Resources
Feel free to suggest your favourite links and give us feedback on these links.
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Calcite, Tennycape, NS – Photo by Michael Bainbridge
Looking for Information
Explore the links below that our members find highly useful. Each link will open in a new browser tab. Check out the list of Shows below.
Suggest other resources or provide feedback in Comments section on the Home page.
Mineral References
Besides just “Googling” the mineral name, these are some of the best references
- Mindat.org: Great resource on mineral sites in Canada and around the world, as well as details and photographs of thousands of minerals and their locations
- The Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom: Home: A large database of minerals and gems.
- Fluomin: A comprehensive list of fluorescent minerals, and where they are found! English or French
Government Documentation
There are many resources produced by the governments but these are a good place to start
- Geology Ontario: Information on mineral occurrences, geological maps and details of past exploration work in Ontario
- Geology Quebec: Links to Quebec government sites concerning the geology, exploration work, claim maps, etc
- Canadian Mineral and Mining Map: An interactive map of Canada showing minerals and mines
- Mineral and Mining Publications: List many publications from the Canadian government
Mineral Collecting / Rock Hounding
Favourite links for mineral and rock identification, best techniques for rock hounding and other resources
- Central Canada Federation of Mineral Societies: Great resource on mineral collecting, field trip ethics, safety and other guidelines, mineral show and club listings, etc.
- Hobby Mineral Collecting in Ontario: Mineral collection general rules and guidelines from the Ontario government
- Rocks and Minerals for the Collector: on the Geological Survey of Canada website with many publications available
- Mineral collecting guidebooks for much of the road-accessible areas in Canada were created by Ann Sabina of the Geological Survey of Canada over her 63 year-long career. There are several ways to find digital versions of these publications including the above link, popular guidebooks on Mindat
- How to Identify Minerals: A Helpful Guide (With Pictures) – Rockhound Resource
- Cleaning Mineral Specimens: Always remember to try any of these cleaning techniques on the worst, broken specimen you have from the batch! Even water can damage certain soluble minerals (usually not a big issue in our region) and dilute acids will damage calcite and other carbonates, so experiment first on your worst piece to see how it goes. Has the surface become corroded? Has it lost its sheen? Time to try a different method.
Try these links:
http://www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com/jhbnyc/articles/minclean.htm
https://mineralexpert.org/article/mineral-cleaning-introduction
https://rockseeker.com/how-to-clean-rocks-and-minerals/ - Ottawa Lapsmith and Mineral Club: If you are interested in the lapidary arts, jewelry making, wire-wrapping, etc. check out OLMC
Rock and Mineral Shows Can Also be a Great Resource
Attending mineral shows locally or in other cities is an excellent opportunity to explore a diverse range of minerals. You might even discover a specimen that you simply can’t resist buying. Here is a list for your consideration:
- Ottawa Lapsmith and Mineral Club at the Nepean Sportsplex in September: An annual event hosted by the OLMC: Mineral and gem dealers, displays and more
- CanGems Rock and Gem Show at the EY Centre in April, May and in October, November: Large volumes of commercial rocks, minerals, polished rocks, spheres, jewelry, plus dozens of mineral dealers and the OVMC booth. Coming soon: April 10-13, 2025
- Bancroft Rockhound Gemboree at Bancroft in July, August: The granddaddy of them all in Canada’s mineral capital
- Kingston Gem Storm Show at St. Lawrence College in October: Local vendors offer minerals and jewelry
- Montreal Gem and Mineral Club Annual Trade Show at the Palais de Congres in October: a wide variety of gemstones, minerals, fossils, beads, sculptures, tools, books, jewelry supplies
- Tucson Gem and Mineral Show at Tucson Convention Centre in February: The largest show in the world with many vendors and displays
- East Coast Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show at Springfield, Massachusetts in August: The largest show in the eastern USA.
- Kawartha Rock and Fossil Club’s Gem, Mineral and Fossil Shows: Local vendors offer minerals and jewelry
- At the Peterborough Healthy Planet Arena from February 28 – March 2, 2025
- At the Norwood Coliseum from May 24 – 25, 2025
- Franklin NJ Mineral Show at Franklin NJ in September 20-21, 2025: Over 100+ dealers
- International Gem and Mineral Show Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, France June 25-29, 2025: 1000 exhibitors
