About the Society
The Finnish Gem Hobbyists' Society reg. soc. (SJHY, Suomen Jalokiviharrastajain Yhdistys ry.) was founded in Helsinki on March 17, 1977. The purpose of the Society is to provide information on rocks and minerals to its members, to further their stone polishing skills, and to provide a forum for the exchange of views.
To achieve its goals the Society
organises:
• excursions to quarries and to mineral rich sites in the country
• visits to museums and exhibitions
• mineral identification and stone polishing courses in its premises in Helsinki
• an annual stone polishing competition among its members
• monthly member meetings in Helsinki with a specific theme
publishes:
• the member magazine, KIVI (stone), four issues per year.
Currently, the Society has approximately 1000 members, from all parts of the country, and a few members abroad. The members belong to all age groups, men and women alike. The Society has two member clubs, in Rauma and in Tampere.
The Society is run by a board of six members and the chairman, elected at the annual meeting. The board is responsible for the activities and the finances of the Society.
Membership is open to every person interested in gemstones and other minerals, in the collecting and polishing of stones, and related subjects. Membership is subject to acceptance by the board. A member agrees to observe the rules and decisions of the Society and of the Finnish association law.
