As we explore the world of mineral collecting, there is always a towering giant in the room, and that is the International Mineralogical Association (IMA). This important association has incredible influence on the industry of geological study and mineral & rock collecting. Their organization is tirelessly dedicated to classifying new minerals, investigating new mineral finds and claims of discoveries, and tracking the work of important members of the mineral trade, from pioneering students to field scientists, and professionals in museum study of minerals. Hundreds of books, magazines, scholarly journals, trade journals, and other publications use the IMA as a guide to rock classification and study. Their systems have helped rein in mineralogy, disprove spurious claims and give meaning and clarity to the important field of mineral research. The work that this organization does has also proven incredibly valuable as we enter the latest chapter of human exploration - the search for exoplanets, investigation of asteroids and comets, and the quest for exploration of the moon and mars.
Below are some links that will help you get acquainted with the IMA- but please note these publications are full of complex industry specific language, and usually intended for an academic audience. Nonetheless- even a casual collector can benefit from the incredible wealth of knowledge that is offered by the IMA through their web site and their many important publications.
We gratefully acknowledge the work of the IMA in developing sharing this information and providing a large portion of the critical details we use in the Dynamic Earth Collection to catalog and research our minerals.
I.M.A. Web Site
https://www.ima-mineralogy.org
Compendium of Approved Nomenclature
https://www.ima-mineralogy.org/docs/IMA-Nomenclature-e-Booklet-2019.pdf
Commission on New Minerals Nomenclature and Classification
http://cnmnc.main.jp/
RRUFF Project
https://rruff.info/