Hellgate Mineral Society

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Missoula, MT
Hellgate Mineral Society

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Hellgate Mineral Society is located in Missoula Montana. Guests and new members always welcome! Only 2nd Thurs.-June/July, Nov, 4th in Aug.

We meet twice a month, 2nd & 4th Thursday Sept-May, 7:00 p.m., at the First Luthern Church, 2808 South Ave, W.

09/29/2026

Announcing our 2nd Pop-up Lapidary Clinic of 2026!
Location: First Luthern Church, South Ave., Missoula, MT
Friday Oct. 9 and Saturday October 10.

This time we will have 4, 1/2 days sessions, 9:00-12:30 and 1:00-4:30. If space is available, you can sign up for more than one session. Church members are free and will have first priority for the Saturday afternoon session.

Advance registion is required. space is limited to 5 people per session!

Cost: $7 per person.

Just in! We will also have a wire wrapping class each morning for an additional $5 per person fee. All materials supplied.

All sessions/classes are is open to club members only but membership forms will be available the day of the clinic. Membership is $10 per person and $19 for a family.

To register contact Lora at [email protected]
Keep in mind all initial emails will go into my junk/span. You are not registered until I respond back to you.

09/28/2026

Hi Everyone,

I would like to introduce Seth Buchanan the owner of Sapphire Forge https://sapphireforge.com. He has made for me and others the most professional lapidary saw guides that I have ever found on the market.

The other two images are examples of what he produces and what I am using (Green Saw).

Below are two links to videos we produced together introducing these professional lapidary saw guides and showcasing the Highland Park Lapidary’s HT-10 slab saw.

https://youtu.be/pmldr-MjvCY

https://youtu.be/oh_wiTLr138

I feel these professional lapidary saw guides would be a great addition to what you provide to customers.

You can contact Seth via phone at (407) 739-7384 or via his website.

Sincerely,

James V. Fix

09/11/2026

Hellgate Mineral Society club potluck tonight site # 36 at Challis Hot Springs at 6:00. Call Lora with questions. We will talk about Sat and Sun field trips.

09/03/2026

Challis Feild Trip

Some info on the up coming Challis field trip on Sat 9-12 and Sun 9-13. I am only the last-minute trip leader so bear with me.

The potluck will be at 6:00 at the Hot Springs on Friday night at site # 36, our campsite.

If you are camping, you can camp at the Hot Springs if you can get a reservation. I am assuming they are booked. They normally are. There are several motels in town and several campgrounds both private and Forest Service.

We will talk about where people want to go at the potluck. I have two places I can take people. Ed may also lead folks to other spots. We will leave on Sat. at 9:30 am from the Hot Springs. We may also go out on Sun if folks are interested. Members who have been to Challis before have their own favorite spots and most will let you tag along.

The spots I am taking folks to are relatively "tame" but the roads are rough and rocky. Other sites require high clarence vehicles and some amount of hiking on rough terrain. Make sure your tires are in good condition and that you have a spare along with a jack.

I volunteered because all our normal Challis trip leaders are AOL. I will do my best! I will not be hiking with you but I will be driving you to the spots and pointing you in the right direction. PM with any additional questions and I will try to answer them. Or as a club member, you should have gotten an email and know how to reach me.

Be sure to have good footwear and a pack with water. We will mostly be surface collecting so a pack, bag, or bucket. Rock hammers might to useful for taking out larger rocks that lie just below the surface or chipping them out of a rock face. There will be snakes and ticks. Yes, the danger noodles are rattlesnakes. While dogs on leashes are allowed, it's not a great idea.

THIS IS FOR MEMBERS OF THE HELLGATE MINERAL SOCIETY ONLY!

If your club wishes to join us, you must make prior arrangements. We have had a number of random people show up to our field trips, who break the rules, cause damage to claims, and give the Hellgate Mineral Society a bad name.

08/27/2026

Club picnic tonight! August 27th at 6:00 pm. Chicken provided. Bring a side or dessert. First Lutheran Church on South Avenue. Bring a white elephant item or rock for the auction.

08/19/2026

Club picnic Thursday the 27, at 6:00 pm at our normal meeting place, First Luthern Church on South Ave. The club will provide chicken, bring a side dish or desert. We will have a white elephant live auction so bring an item to donate. It does not have to be rock related but rocks are always welcome. Our friends in Kalispell Rock Chucks Rock Club and the Bitterroot Gem Society are invited to join us.

08/11/2026

2026 Western Montana Fair

08/10/2026

The Grand Champion ribbon was awarded to Hudson Brown for his lego creation and the Reserve Champion ribbon went to Sandy Anderson for her professional display. The Hellgate Mineral Society's Judge's Choice Award for best junior exhibit went to Hudson Brown and the adult
Judge's Choice Award went to Parker Hall for his collection of cabochons.

08/10/2026

If you entered an item in the Western Montana Fair, don't forget to pick up your exhibit and your premium money. Tomorrow is the last day!

Address

P. O. Box 3015
Missoula, MT
59807

Opening Hours

7pm - 9pm

Website

https://hellgatemineralsociety.org/

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