Member's Name: Donna Albrecht

Member Since: 2008

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Favorite Part About Being A Member: "Belonging to the Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society is a delight!  It’s a great way to get to know people who, like me, care about our natural environment and specifically the minerals it is made of. Meetings with speakers, field trips, classes, and more all enable me to learn more about collecting really beautiful specimens, how minerals are used in art and jewelry, and how they are used in creating products we use every day. I also love participating in the social events and shows!"

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More About This Member: "Since joining the society, I have served many years on the board of directors. Quite a few of those years were as president or program chair. I find that being active in the society’s administration has helped me get to know other rockhounds better and form solid friendships. In my professional life, I am a freelance writer, mostly specializing in medical and business articles for consumers. I’ve also written articles for other magazines, including Rock & Gem, which has also allowed me to delve deeper into understanding the remarkable minerals in our world. My husband and I live in Contra Costa and are currently between Border Collies (but not for long, I hope). We love to travel, and one frequent destination is the annual rock show at Tucson and Quartzsite. The picture with this article shows me at the 2024 American Federation of Mineralogical Societies annual show where the case I created won the blue ribbon and plaque in its class. Creating cases is a way members share their knowledge, love of minerals, and (those who wish to) compete at certain events for fame and glory!"