Mineralogy is one of the few sciences in which the amateur can still make a significant contribution.  The Friends of Mineralogy (FM) is an organization that was started to bridge the gap between the amateur collector and professional mineralogist.  We are affiliated with the Mineralogical Record and the American Geological Institute.  FM encourages education through awards for best articles in Rocks and Mineral magazine and the Mineralogical Record.  Several state mineral location indices have been prepared by FM chapters or individual members.  Mineral locality indexes prepared by FM members appear frequently in Rocks and Minerals magazine.  Educational symposia and field trips are held both nationally and regionally.  Each year FM sponsors a symposium at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society show.  Also at the Tucson Show, we honor the best educational display cases for both individual and institution.