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About MINERALOGICAL SOCIETY OF ARIZONA (MSA)
ESTABLISHED: December 4, 1935
FOUNDER: Arthur L. Flagg
ORGANIZATION: Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Educational Organization.
All contributions to MSA in the United States are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.
MOTTO: EXPLORE | SHARE | INSPIRE
LOGO:
WEBSITE: msaaz.org
PURPOSE/MISSION: To promote popular interest and education in Earth Science, and related fields (Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontology, and Lapidary arts); to foster a fellowship among individuals interested in Earth Science and enable our members to better identify materials we collect, and how to display or further process these materials; to teach all generations about rocks, minerals, fossils, and what can be done with them, and be collaborative in community of groups with similar interests to our Society.
MEETINGS & EVENTS: In event you don’t see future events or meetings posted under Events tab, please use following MSA meeting rules to help with planning your calendar:
1. MSA Meetings are typically 3rd Thursday (January-June) and (September-November).
2. December is MSA Holiday Jamboree (2nd Saturday).
3. Summer Recess/No Meetings (July & August).
Meetings are usually at following location:
Franciscan Renewal Center
PIPER HALL
5802 E. Lincoln Drive,
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Must check website to confirm Meetings Date, Time and Location before traveling to meetings.
Certain events/meetings are member only and not viewable by general public.
Members can view all posted events by logging in to msaaz.org using their MSA membership credentials and view Events tab.
PHOENIX HERITAGE MINERAL SHOW (PHMS):
PHMS is produced by Mineralogical Society of Arizona.
PHOENIX HERITAGE MINERAL SHOW LOGO: WULFENIX
PHMS NORTH STAR PURPOSE:
MINERALOGICAL SOCIETY OF ARIZONA’S
PHOENIX HERITAGE MINERAL SHOW: Focus on well-known, top-quality mineral dealers with a select representation of high-quality gemstone, jewelry, and fossil dealers. The goal of our show is to bring exceptional minerals to the underserved mineral collector and to be a gathering place where collectors can cultivate their passion for fine minerals and enjoy good fellowship with others in the mineral collecting community. PHMS exists to fill a niche not found in most club shows.
Quality is our guiding light as the PHMS Show Committee seeks out and invites highly regarded dealers known for their stunning displays, superb inventories, and loyal customer followings of dedicated collectors.
PHMS is The Largest, Quality Mineral Show in the Phoenix Area catering to mineral collectors and offering them an annual destination to look forward to each year.
MSA FOUNDER
MR. ROCKHOUND
ARTHUR LEONARD FLAGG
Born: June 29, 1883 Woonsocket, Providence County, RI
Death: April 27, 1961 Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ
Read Articles about Arthur L Flagg- BA Geology Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island (1906)
- Assayer Esmeralda Copper Company, Cherry Creek Mine, Yavapai County, AZ (1906 - 1907)
- Mine Examiner Durango & Oaxaca, Mexico (1908 - 1912)
- Mining Engineer Kelvin Sultana Copper Company, Pinal County, AZ (1913 - 1919)
- Private Practice Licensed Mining Engineer, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona (1919 – 1953)
- Founder Mineralogical Society of Arizona (MSA) (1935)
- Founder Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies (RMFMS) (1941)
- Author “Rockhounds & Arizona Minerals” (1944)
- Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (1944)
- Superintendent Mineral Department Arizona State Fair (1946 - 1949)
- Founder American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS) (1947)
- Mining Engineer Arizona Department of Mineral Resources (ADMR) (1949 - 1953)
- First Curator Arizona Mineral Museum (AMM) (1949 - 1953)
- Author “Mineralogical Journey in Arizona” (1958)
- Flagg Mineral Foundation (FMF) A living memorial to Mr. Arthur L. Flagg (1962)
- Flagg Gem and Mineral Show (FGMS) Sponsored by FMF in memoriam of Mr. Flagg (1970)
- Earth Science Museum (ESM) Arizona Mr. Flagg’s Dream (Official 501[c](3) (2011)
“To All Who Are Inspired by the Beauties and Mysteries of the Mineral Kingdom” A. L. F.
MSA LOGO
(2016-Present)
| MSA Board Governor Donald Boushelle in collaboration with MSA President Chris Whitney-Smith, created MSA’s current logo in 2016. This professional logo design exemplifies MSA’s brand and captures the symbolism that honors MSA history, pays tribute to MSA's enduring future and boldly features a Red Cloud Wulfenite in solidarity with successful campaign that made Wulfenite the Official State Mineral of Arizona when Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed HB2092 into law on March 22, 2017. Wulfenite Is Loved! |
90th ANNIVERSARY LOGO (2025) |
 | The Mineralogical Society of Arizona (MSA) 90th Anniversary logo was a collaborative design between graphic designer and MSA member Donald Boushelle and MSA President Chris Whitney-Smith. |
75th ANNIVERSARY PIN DESIGN - (2010) MSA LOGO - (2012-2016) |
| MSA Member Chris Whitney-Smith won design contest for MSA 75th Anniversary logo in 2010. Chris found creative inspiration in former MSA President and retired Professor of Geology, Dr. Raymond Grant’s presentation: “Basalt to Wulfenite or How Arizona Got So Many Minerals.” The distinctive MSA foundation, a gray hexagon represents Basalt, provenance of Minerals. The three colorful and varied shaped wulfenite crystals represent each of the MSA’s 25-year milestones. A turquoise 75 at center symbolizes our Copper State and MSA’s 75th year. MSA Board adopted the revised version of 75th logo as MSA’s full color logo in 2012. |
EARLY LOGOS - (1940-2012) SYMBOLISM |
| The prospector, desert image and hexagon pay tribute to our collecting roots, Arizona and mineralogy as envisioned by Mr. Rockhound, MSA Founder and President Arthur L. Flagg in MSA’s original logo. Mr. Flagg’s MSA legacy continues to be the source of our passion for the natural world & encourages our continued stewardship of its treasures. These designs are layered in MSA history and symbolism and afford every member the opportunity to discuss the wellspring of minerals, their importance to collections and what we can all do to ensure their conservation for future generations. |
MSA MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING ARE
MEMBERS BY AFFILIATION OF FOLLOWING:
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Calling all Mineralogists and Rockhounds, we'd love to hear from you!