Upcoming Events


Scheduled activities of the Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society Inc. - FOMS, include meetings, field trips, and other events. Regular meetings are held on the third Saturday of March, April, May, June, September, October, and November, and generally comprise a business session followed by a lecture. FOMS meetings are open to the public and are held at 1:30 PM, usually in Kraissl Hall at the Franklin Mineral Museum, 30 Evans St., Franklin NJ (check listings for exceptions).

FOMS field trips are only open to our (Dues paid in full for the current year) membership.
Some quarry trips are restricted to ages 18 and older. Please see field trip details below for age limitations.
Proper field trip gear required: hard hat, protective eyewear, gloves, sturdy shoes.
You are responsible for your own rockhounding tools.
The field trip leader has the right to reject your participation at any given time during the field trip if you are deemed
physically unable to climb hills with good balance or have been observed not adhering to safety guidelines.

For a complete set of rules and regulations follow this link FOMS Field Trip Safety Rules and Regulations

**Activities below are not FOMS functions, but may be of interest to its members. Fees, and memberships in other organizations, may be required. Any information in this schedule, including fees, is subject to change without notice.



Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20, 2026

  Franklin-Sterling Gem and Mineral Show

Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and
Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Franklin Borough Firehouse
137 Buckwheat Road and Parker Street
Franklin, NJ 07416

Prices per day:  Adults, $7.00, Children under 12 and Seniors (65+), $5.00

Description:
Annual indoor show and outdoor swap, daylight and spectacular fluorescent exhibits can be viewed at the indoor show. Mineral specimens, jewelry, lapidary items, books, mining artifacts and unique items will be for sale at this once-a-year event.

Swap and sell spaces are $50 per vendor per day, cash preferred, no credit/debit cards. Thank you.

Also, visit the mineral sale of all Franklin-Sterling minerals to be held for three days in Kraissl Hall at the Franklin Mineral Museum, 32 Evans St., Franklin, NJ 07416 on Friday, September 18 (11:00 a.m.), Saturday, September 19 (10:00 a.m.) and Sunday, September 20 (11:00 a.m.). Contact information: franklinmineralmuseumnj.org, info@franklinmineralmuseum.com and 973-827-3481.



Saturday, September 19, 2026

  The FOMS Annual Banquet starts at 6:00 pm on Saturday at the Lyceum Hall of the Immaculate Conception Church, 75 Church Street, Franklin, NJ 07416. Join us for a fun evening for mineral enthusiasts, FOMS membership is NOT a requirement to attend.

Tickets are $33.00 per person. The meal is a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet; soda, tea, coffee, and dessert are included. Doors will open at 6:00 PM.

After the banquet there will be an auction for the benefit of the FOMS. Please consider donating a quality specimen, mining artifact, book, etc. Any donations to the FOMS auction are very much appreciated.

All those planning to attend, please contact Lois Verbeek prior to September 6th at loismverbeek@gmail.com (or text or call at 201-317-4040) so we can estimate number of attendees. Donations for the auction can be dropped off at the Franklin Mineral Museum during business hours or, if necessary, brought to the banquet. Contact Lois with any questions.



Saturday, September 26, 2026  --  FOMS Field Trip / Meeting

  9:00 AM - Noon - FOMS Field Trip - Collecting at Hamburg Quarry
3620 NJ-23, Hamburg, NJ 07419
Meet at the Quarry Office at 8:30AM sharp to sign waiver forms, check your membership status, and attend site orientation. 
Personal protective gear is mandatory!
Hard hats are strictly required in all quarries and supply yards.
Eye Protection: Safety glasses with side shields or protective goggles to guard against flying stone chips and dust.
Foot Protection: Sturdy, steel-toe work boots with reinforced caps and slip-resistant grip.
Hand Protection: Heavy-duty, abrasive-resistant work gloves.
High-Visibility Clothing: Reflective vests or high-vis jackets to remain visible around heavy machinery.

This is a busy quarry. Be alert for large trucks entering and exiting the quarry. Quarry
equipment always has the right of way. Quarry office is to the left of the scale house on entry to the site.

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM - FOMS Meeting, Franklin Mineral Museum.



Saturday, October 17, 2026  --  FOMS Field Trip / Meeting

  9:00 AM - Noon - FOMS Field Trip - Collecting at Taylor Road, Franklin, NJ.
Meet at the Franklin Mineral Museum parking lot at 8:30AM sharp to sign waiver forms and check your membership status. 
Personal protective gear is advised. Safety glasses are mandatory!

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM - FOMS Meeting, Franklin Mineral Museum.



Saturday, October 24, 2026  --  FOMS Field Trip

  9:00 AM - Noon - FOMS Field Trip - Collecting at Braen Limecrest,
217 Limecrest Rd, Lafayette, NJ 07848
Meet at the Quarry Office at 8:30 sharp to sign waiver forms, check your membership status, and attend site orientation.  
Personal protective gear is mandatory!
Hard hats are strictly required in all quarries and supply yards.
Eye Protection: Safety glasses with side shields or protective goggles to guard against flying stone chips and dust.
Foot Protection: Sturdy, steel-toe work boots with reinforced caps and slip-resistant grip.
Hand Protection: Heavy-duty, abrasive-resistant work gloves.
High-Visibility Clothing: Reflective vests or high-vis jackets to remain visible around heavy machinery.

This is a busy quarry. Be alert for large trucks entering and exiting the quarry. Quarry
equipment always has the right of way. Bypass the scale house to the left when entering the property, go left at top of hill and see the office. Bypass the scale to the right when exiting the property. Try not to drive over the scale.



Saturday, November 21, 2026  --  FOMS Field Trip / Meeting

  9:00 AM - Noon - FOMS Field Trip - Collecting at Andover Mine
Limecrest Rd, Andover, NJ (per MinDat: 1.75 miles NNE of Andover Boro on Limecrest Rd)
Meet at the roadside pull off on the east side of Limecrest Rd at 8:30 sharp to sign waiver forms and check your membership status.
Personal protective gear is advised. Safety glasses are mandatory!
This is a busy road and parking is limited at the pull off here so park quickly and efficiently. The property is overgrown and rugged. Be prepared to exert yourself. Watch for critters.


1:30 PM - 3:30 PM - FOMS Meeting, Franklin Mineral Museum.