IMA was founded in 1958 as the the world’s largest organization promoting mineralogy, one of the oldest branches of science. 36 national mineralogical societies or groups are members of IMA. The Association supports the activities of several Commissions and Working Groups at the cutting edge of mineralogy and facilitates interactions among mineralogists by sponsoring and organizing meetings.

IMA Statement
According to our constitution, an important objective of IMA is the promotion of contact and interaction among mineralogists of all nations. The current dramatic events in Ukraine affect IMA, in that both Ukraine and Russia are two of our member countries. Thus, we cannot ignore the present situation, and we call for a dialogue without weapons and for peace. Any military conflict is a humanitarian catastrophe serving against progress and international scientific cooperation.

News

IMA 2026 Nanjing Meeting Schedule (updated)

Two Business Meetings will be held during IMA 2026 Nanjing. Representatives of each national organization are kindly requested to attend the Business Meetings. See details

  • 1st Council Meeting
    20 August, 15:00-17:00, Room 722
  • 1st Business Meeting
    21 August, 13:30-14:30, Room 801
  • 2nd Council Meeting
    22 August, 13:30-14:30, Room 722
  • 2nd Business Meeting (Election)
    23 August, 13:15-14:30, Room 801
  • 3rd Council Meeting
    24 August, 11:30-11:45, Room 722

  • IMA 2026 Nanjing Schedule (updated)

    The schedule for IMA2026 Nanjing has been updated. For detailed schedule of scientific sessions, please visit the official website. (Please log in to your personal page to view the detailed schedule.) Day 0 | Thursday, August 20, 2026 09:00 – 18:00 Registration & Check-in18:00 – 20:00 Welcome Kit Collection & Ice-Breaking Reception Day 1 |…

  • IMA 2026 – Call for Abstract & Registration!

    Abstract submission and registration for the IMA 2026 meeting in Nanjing, China are now open. The deadline is April 15 (extended!). For details, please visit the official website.

  • Greetings from IMA President

    Dear friends of the IMA, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.Let me take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt greetings and sincere gratitude for your continued support throughout the year.We recently held an active Annual Council Meeting remotely (see the photo below), during which we engaged in very productive and…

Mineral of the Year 2025 – Lianbinite

Mineral of the Year award for 2025 has been assigned to lianbinite. The mineral was discovered on specimens collected at the western end of Pusch Ridge, Santa Catalina Mountains, north of Tucson, Pima Co., Arizona, USA. Lianbinite belongs the class 10 of Strunz (organic minerals), being a glycolate, namely a derivative of glycolic acid, C2H4O3. The concurrent occurrence of the glycolate anion and the glycolic acid molecule, never recorded so far in Nature, marks the novelty of lianbinite and led this organic mineral to earn the “Mineral of the year” award.
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2026 IMA Medalist

Christian Chopin of CNRS, France is 2026 IMA Medalist. Congratulations! Dr. Chopin has distinguished himself through the profound and lasting impact of his research in Earth sciences, exemplifying one of the central pursuits of mineralogy: the discovery and interpretation of new mineral occurrences. His identification of coesite in the Dora-Maira Massif demonstrated that continental crust can be subducted to mantle depths and subsequently exhumed, revolutionizing our views on vertical tectonics, and establishing the field of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism. Beyond this landmark discovery, his career has been characterized by rigorous, innovative, and elegant mineralogical research, integrating field observations, crystal chemistry, thermobarometry, and experimental petrology to address fundamental questions in Earth sciences.
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MINERALOGY 2022 – IYBSSD 2022-2023
Interview of Patrick Cordier