Official Club Website Facebook Page Instagram Page The Maple Ridge Lapidary Club is a very active club in the lower mainland of British Columbia. They’ve been around since 1958 and continue to be a vibrant, social club dedicated to the various arts that involve rocks, minerals, and gems. More so than other rock clubs, this … Read more
The first time you go to Sudbury, Ontario, you’re all but obligated get a photo at The Big Nickel. Depending on how often you go, this might be an obligation for every trip to Sudbury. At one time, this tradition was nothing but a roadside “world’s biggest” attraction. Now, thanks to Dynamic Earth, it’s at … Read more
Bell Island is the largest island in Conception Bay and lies off the coast to the west of St. John’s, Newfoundland. That may seem unremarkable, but from 1895 to 1966 this tiny island was a major, global iron ore mining hotspot. So imporant was it, that Nazi Germany attacked it twice during the second world … Read more
The Crowsnest Pass in southwestern Alberta and southeastern British Columbia is renowned for its rich, and sometimes tragic, coal mining history. When approaching from Alberta along Highway 3, you’ll first encounter the ruins of Leitch Collieries. Leitch Collieries is a Provincial Historic Site preserving the remains of Leitch Collieries Coal and Coke Company which operated … Read more
Kirkland Lake in northeastern Ontario, Canadad has a rich gold mining history. Founded in 1911 as a mining camp, its notoriety is particular tied to the famed Mile of Gold on which 7 major gold mines resided. Toburn Gold Mine was the first of those, then known as the Tough-Oakes Gold Mine, and still remains … Read more
British Columbia’s west coast is renowned for it’s natural beauty. The Sea to Sky Highway (#99) offers many opportunities to see Mother Nature’s handywork as it winds its way along the east side of Howe Sound from Vancouver to Squamish and then Whistler. Along the way, you’ll encounter an imposing white building built into the … Read more
The Crowsnest Pass region of Alberta and British Columbia has a long, and sometimes tragic, coal mining history. The coal mining continues to this day but you can get a glimpse into its past at the Bellevue Underground Mine. The town of Bellevue lies on the northeast side of Crowsnest Highway just 2.5 km southeast … Read more
Before the Drumheller region became famous for its dinosaurs, it was known for its coal mines. There have been 139 throughout the valley’s history and Atlas Coal Mine is the last one standing. The Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site preserves the underground and surface workings from Atlas No. 3 and 4 which was active … Read more
Official Club Website Facebook Page Instagram Page Montreal’s namesake Mont Royal is an ancient igneous intrusion, one of several belonging to the Monteregian Hills. Seems fitting that an active gem and mineral club would call this historic Canadian city home. Since 1957, the Montreal Gem and Mineral Club has been nurturing lapidary and geology hobbyists … Read more
The Manitoba Museum, fittingly, is found in the heart of Manitoba’s capital city, Winnipeg. The current museum opened in 1970 but its history goes back much further. Its initial incarnation began in 1932 and the collection was started as far back as 1879. As of writing, it is under construction (still open) preparing for its … Read more