The 10th Annual New England Mineral Conference, 2025. Dates: May 16–18. Location: Newry, Maine, at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel & Conference Center at the Sunday River Resort. Text encourages attendees to pre-register by May 2, 2025, to save. Dealers are invited to contact the organizers. The background features a vibrant image of pale green aquamarine crystals embedded in white matrix rock, adding a geological theme to the announcement

Pre-Registration is Now Open!

Take advantage of early bird pricing by pre-registering before May 2, 2025!

Pre-registration fees are listed on the mail-in registration form (PDF).

A note on banquet tickets: Banquet tickets must be purchased through early registration and will not be available for purchase onsite. You can choose to attend the banquet only, without registering for the full conference.

You can register and pay online using our online registration form. Prefer a more traditional route? Download our mail-in registration form (PDF), then print it and mail it (or email it to us!) See buttons below for both options!

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, feel free to contact us at: nemineralinfo@gmail.com.

About the Conference

Lectures and presentations, banquet and awards ceremony, displays and exhibits, banquet, dealers, hospitality suite, silent and live auctions, field trips, technical session, museum visits and more…

Be sure to check out ‘New England Mineral Association’ on Facebook for frequent news and updates!

Guest speaker at the conference

Discussion and Learning

Dive into expert-led talks that explore New England’s rich mineral history and the science behind stunning specimens. Perfect for both seasoned collectors and curious newcomers eager to expand their knowledge.

Banquet attendees seated around a table

The Conference Banquet

Join us at the banquet for a memorable and entertaining evening of stories, camaraderie, good food, engaging conversations, networking opportunities, and a celebration of our shared passion for minerals.

Two conference attendees out in the field, looking closely at a mineral find.

Connections and
Field Trips

Browse finds and ‘talk rocks’ with mineral enthusiasts in the dealer’s wing. At the end of the conference, participate in exclusive field trips to dig at private sites. A perfect mix of exploration and community.

A male speaker at last year's conference with a projection on a screen behind him
A male speaker at last year's conference
Photograph - a female presenter at last year's conference

A CALL FOR PAPERS

The New England Mineral Association is soliciting abstracts for short papers in topics of specimen mineralogy, including species mineralogy, topographic mineralogy, crystallography, history of mineralogy, and issues of mineral curation. The information in the abstract cannot have been published elsewhere at the time of presentation at the Conference (May 16, 2025). Submitted abstracts will be reviewed and accepted or rejected by a panel consisting of Al Falster (Research Technologist & Experimental Chemist at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum), Dr. Skip Simmons (Director of Research of MP2 Research Team at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum), Dr. Karen Webber (MP2 Research Team at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum), Dr. Carl Francis (Head Curator at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum), and Dr. Sarah Hanson (Professor at Adrian College, Michigan). We will try to accommodate all accepted papers as platform talks during the Technical Session at the NEMC. All accepted abstracts will be published in Mineral News, the Program Notes, on the NEMA website, and the Geoscience Portal.

The Call for Papers can be found below.

What is NEMA?

2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the New England Mineral Association’s (NEMA) annual Conference, also known as NEMC. NEMA is a non-profit organization that was formed by a group of like-minded mineral miners, collectors, enthusiasts and scientists who are interested in mineralogy, gemology, geology and the related sciences, specifically in New England, but also across the globe. We do that through education, science and recreational activities. We bring everyone together to share information and knowledge, whether a beginner or a professional. The Conference is a 3-day event and has been held at Sunday River Grand Summit Lodge/Convention Center for the past 8 events, and again this year. Friday has been a day we focus on education, and now, for the third year in a row, we are holding a “technical talk” session throughout Friday afternoon. These talks are more scientific in nature and based on strong scientific academic research.

What’s in it for you?

Presenting at the NEMC Technical Session gives you an opportunity to present to a widespread audience. Your paper will be published in Mineral News, on the NEMA website (both the Conference Pages, and on the NEMA Geoscience Portal). NEMA will be submitting a Letter to the Editor of Rocks & Minerals that calls out the site where the papers can be accessed for viewing and reading, providing further exposure to your research and findings.

Award for the Best Student Paper

To encourage your further academic pursuits and reward your efforts, there is a $500 prize for the best paper presented by a student who is registered for the Conference, as well as a Certificate of achievement.

Why come to the New England Mineral Conference to present?

NEMA events are a unique opportunity to meet with mineral dealers, collectors, miners, curators, and geologists from academia, government, and corporate settings. You’ve heard it from your professors and advisors…presenting and publishing aids your getting into grad school, it serves as a resume builder, and it gets you published. You’ll be in Maine and have access to the heart of our pegmatite belt, with visits to localities that are closed to the public. You’ll have a great chance to see some pegmatites, to expand your knowledge, and to see some real time geology. And you’ll get to talk with the people that mine those very pegmatites. As a student, you get into the Conference for free. You’ll need to pay your travel, room and board, but NEMA will waive your fee to attend all three days of the Conference. Just show your student ID at registration/check in, and you’re good to go.

Interested?

  • Read the Call for Papers found below
  • Submit your abstract on a timely basis

You can learn more about the Conference itself, and pre-register on this site, as well. Alternatively you can register for the Conference on-site at Sunday River Grand Summit Hotel in Newry, Maine on May 16 beginning at 9am.

Questions? Feel free to contact us…

Al Falster, Research Technologist and Experimental Chemist at The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum is the point person for our Technical Session. He can be reached at: alexander.falster@gmail.com.

Jeff Morrison is the President of NEMA and also owns and mines the Havey Quarry, the Llama Llama Quarry, and the Tamminen-Waisenen Quarries in Maine. He can be reached at: jmorris7@maine.rr.com.

Jan Morrison is the Executive Director of NEMA. She can be reached at nemineralinfo@gmail.com.

Conference Event Schedule

Subject to Change

Friday, May 16, 2025 Schedule
  • Registration – 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, then 6:30 to 7:30pm
  • Maine Mineral & Gem Museum Visit – anytime from 9:00am to 3:00pm
  • Exhibits and Displays – open at 12:00pm. Note: Closed in morning except to exhibitors and their assistants
  • Technical Sessions – from 12:30 to 3:30pm
  • Evening Banquet and MMGM Heritage Awards – 4:00 to 6:30pm Cash bar available (Sunday River doesn’t accept cash! Bring credit card).
  • Conference Opening Session; Talks: Miners’ Update – 7:00 – 8:30pm
  • Dealers’ Wing – open into the evening starting at 8:30pm
  • Hospitality Suites – 8:45pm in the Dealer’s Wing

9:00 am – 4:30 pm: On-site registration will be open in the South Wing lobby! Between visiting dealers, seeing displays (open at noon) and taking an optional visit to the museum, swing by the conference area lobby in the South Wing and register for the full conference; or pick up your pre-registration packet. NOTE: Registrations for the banquet and Heritage Award Ceremony were available only through pre-registration through May 2. Registration will close during the banquet, and will re-open briefly from 6:30 to 7:30pm.

Please bring your AUCTION ITEMS to the auction donation area for cataloging. The auction donation area is located in the middle of the concourse between the hotel’s registration desk in the center of the site, and the NEMA conference registration table; near Grafton Room.

9:00 am – 3:00 pm: Maine Mineral & Gem Museum Visit Option
MMGM will open one hour early on Friday for NEMC registrants to visit; entry stays open through 3:00 pm. You may purchase a reduced rate entry through NEMC registration or arrive at MMGM with your name badge and purchase entry at their front desk. Plan for a minimum of one hour to visit the museum.

12:30 – 3:30pm: Technical sessions in the Grand Ballroom
There will be multiple talks for conference attendees to choose from and attend.

4:00 – 5:30 pm – “Cash Bar” but more accurately, “Credit/Debit Bar,” offered by Sunday River prior to the Banquet/Awards Ceremony. Note that in spite of the name “cash bar” Sunday River takes only digital payment forms; no cash/no checks. Make sure to bring a credit card, or buy a burner card if you want to purchase *anything* from Sunday River.

5:00 – 6:30 pm – Conference Banquet & MMGM Heritage Award Ceremony (note: registration is CLOSED during this time)
Tickets for the banquet were only available for purchase in advance via pre-registration (before May 3!)

6:30 – 7:30 pm On-site registration is open!

7:00 – 8:00 pm Conference Opening Session
“New England Mining & Museum Update – New England Miners” (Miners’ Talk)

8:30 pm and into the evening: Dealer’s Wing
The ‘Dealer’s Wing’ is open late into the night and throughout the conference. DEALER’S WING is open late into the night. Throughout the conference, this is not just about buying; it is a great time to ‘talk rocks.’

8:45p Hospitality Rooms:
Open in the dealer’s wing. Light desserts and beverages.

Saturday, May 17, 2025 Schedule
  • Lectures and talks – typically 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, then 2:00 to 4:00 pm
  • Auction drop-offs until 10:00am
  • Exhibits – All day
  • Auctions – 12:00 – roughly 6:00pm
  • Dealers and Hospitality Suites into the evening

8:00 am – 2:00 pm: On-site registration
Auction item drop-offs resume until 10:00 am – near the Grafton Room in the concourse between the conference’s registration table and the hotel’s registration desk.

9:00 am: Welcome Address

9:10 am – 12:00 pm: Lectures/talks – Grand Ballroom (with short break in between at emcee’s discretion) – featured speakers to be announced later this spring

12:00 – 2:00 pm: Silent Auction
Start of the silent auction to benefit the conference. Please donate mineral items that we can auction – your items should be brought to the registration desk no later than 10:00 am on Saturday morning so we have time to catalogue, price, and display auction pieces.

Live auction items are also available for viewing at your leisure!

Lunch on your own (12-2)
The hospitality rooms are not open to conference attendees during this time period. The Dealers’ Wing is open.

2:00 – 4:00 pm: Lectures/Talks – Grand Ballroom – featured speakers to be announced later this spring

Live Auction and Silent Auction: RIGHT after the Lectures!
The LIVE AUCTION to benefit the conference will begin about 10 minutes after afternoon lectures end. The live auction is one of the best parts of the conference!

The end of the SILENT AUCTION takes place about 5-10 minutes after the live auction finishes. Last chance to place your silent auction bids!

Dealer’s Wing – After Silent Auction and into the evening!
The ‘Dealer’s Wing’ is open late into the night and throughout the conference. DEALER’S WING is open late into the night. Throughout the conference, this is not just about buying; it is a great time to ‘talk rocks’.

6:30 pm – Hospitality Rooms:
Open in the dealer’s wing. Light appetizers and beverages.

Sunday, May 18, 2025 Schedule
  • Field Trip(s) – start time to be announced
  • Maine Mineral & Gem Museum Visit

Field Trips – all day; start time to be announced
The mine field trip location(s) will be announced at the conference.

Admission times to be announced: Maine Mineral & Gem Museum Open for Visits
You may purchase a reduced rate entry through NEMC registration or arrive at MMGM with your name badge and purchase entry at their front desk. Plan for a minimum of one hour to visit the museum. Last entry is typically 4:00 pm!

Important Conference Information

(details added on an ongoing basis!)

Field trip(s) and Field Trip Lunch

Locations for field trips to mines for collecting will be announced at the conference. These are usually trips to mines that are closed to the public, but mine owners generously give special entry to NEMC participants for one day of collecting. Mine rules apply at all sites, and liability waivers must be signed in advance. Field trip tickets and field trip lunches may be purchased through pre-registration, or on site through Saturday morning at noon.

Options for lunch this year will be announced.

Information for Dealers

Dealers: the available rooms on the first floor of the south wing are reserved exclusively for our dealers. When making reservations for rooms, dealers need to:

  1. First, talk with Jeff Morrison at 207.232.4973 or email him at jmorris7@maine.rr.com to request entry as a dealer and receive confirmation from him that you may be a dealer.
  2. Additional details to be posted shortly.

SCAM ALERT! SCAM ALERT! SCAM ALERT! If a ‘Kim Allen’ (or anyone other than Jeff or Jan) posts that “we are still accepting vendors and to send all your info to her”, know that she/he/they/it is a scammer and/or a bot. This entity will try to get you to send them a check or other form of payment. It is also likely this scammer(s) will pop up in another persona – it’s a frequent problem with mineral shows. The ONLY way to vend at the conference (and tailgates too!) is to contact Jeff directly. Do not be fooled! Email or call Jeff or Jan ASAP, or find us at the conference and tell us in person if you have seen this scam in action. Click here for more about this issue on the NEMA FaceBook page.

Reservations at Sunday River Resort

Reservations can be made to stay at Sunday River Grand Summit directly by calling their Reservations Department at 1-800-207-2365.

Be sure to check back soon for our special group rate to mention to Sunday River when making your reservation so you will qualify for our special group rate. Note that it is always questionable if the on-site restaurants at Sunday River will be open during the conference; they are, however, several restaurants in the Newry and Bethels areas that will be open through the event. Last year, there were plentiful options for take-out, groceries, or dine-in in the area. Also, it is not required that you secure lodging on site; some attendees that need lodging prefer to secure it at other locations (hotels, VRBO, AirBnB, etc).

Conference attendees-are generally housed in the northern wing of the facility. If you have special needs for site access, please let the Reservations Department know so they can appropriately accommodate.

If you are not a dealer and are given or request a room on the first floor of south wing, understand that this is the section reserved for dealers, and that you may be moved for us to be able to accommodate the dealers that sign up for this year’s conference.

Volunteers Wanted

There are several options for volunteering at the conference or conference-related events. If you have been a volunteer before for NEMA, please get in touch with Jan at nemineralinfo@gmail.com.

Donations for Our Auction

Please consider any mineral items you may have for donation (specimens, books, photographs, vintage magazines, and other odds and ends) that we can auction off. Check out our photo gallery of some of 2023’s auction pieces! We’ll ask you to bring to registration desk on Friday, and no later than 9:00 am on Saturday morning so we have time to catalogue, price, and display auction pieces. Live auction items will be available for viewing on Saturday afternoon. Live auction and silent auction will take place after the 2:00-4:00 pm talks on Saturday.

Museum Visits

The Maine Mineral and Gem Museum (MMGM) typically opens an hour early for NEMC registrants to visit. Entry to the Museum typically remains open through 3:00 pm. You can visit the museum more than once, but will need a ticket for each entry; each NEMC registrant will receive the reduced rate for each visit. Typical times for visits are on Friday from 9:00 am – 4:00 p and Sunday from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

You may purchase and attend both a Sunday Museum visit and a Mine Collecting Field Trip option and do them in either order. Time frames for attending will remain as 9:00 am – 4:00 pm for mine field trip and 11 am – 5:00 p for the museum.

Tickets may be purchased through pre-registration, or you may present your NEMC 2025 registration badge for a reduced entry fee on site at the Museum for entry.

You can also become a member of the museum with membership fees as low as $35 annually; all membership levels gain you unlimited entries (and more) to the museum. Check out becoming an MMGM Member here.

Evening Banquet

There will be a dinner banquet held on Friday evening from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm in the ballroom. Tickets for the banquet *must* be purchased as a pre-registration item by May 2; they will *not* be available at on-site registration. There is a specific line on our registration form for those who want only to purchase banquet tickets without paying for any other portion of the conference.

Technical Sessions

We will once again offer education to adults in the form of a technical session with consecutive talks of a more technical level and one or two educational talks offered in the afternoon. These talks will take place somewhere in the noon to 4:00 pm time frame on the Friday of the conference. As soon as we have solid timing, we will let you know. Ditto on topic titles! Attendance at the technical session is included in both the two-day and three-day conference options.

Other 2025 Activities

We are hopeful that those that have volunteered for Education Day in the past will come once again to either or both of NEMA’s 2025 tailgates, and set up your educational station there!  Please let Jan know your interest and willingness by emailing her at nemineralinfo@gmail.com, and put KID’s ACTIVITIES in the subject line.

If you want to be a dealer at either of the tailgates, please contact Jeff by email at jmorris7@maine.rr.com, or by phone at 207.232.4973. Note that Jan, the executive director of NEMA, does *not* handle dealers sign up. There is more information about becoming a dealer on the 2025 events page for our tailgate events.

2024 Conference Photo Gallery

Below: Highlights from Day One

Below: Highlights from Day 2

Below: Highlights from Day 3 (Field Trips!)

Below: A small showcase of the many donated 2024 conference auction items

SAVE THE DATE!

11th Annual New England Mineral Conference:
May 15 – 17, 2026

12th Annual New England Mineral Conference:
May 2027

Check back often for updates to this site.

Visit our Facebook page for updates too!