Carnegie Museum of Natural History is pleased to announce Dr. John C. Medici, of Ostrander, Ohio, as winner of the 2020 Carnegie Mineralogical Award. The award honors outstanding contributions in mineralogical preservation, conservation, and education.
An avid field collector for over 50 years, Medici has preserved exceptional specimens from around the United States. Medici specializes in minerals of Ohio and the Herkimer district of New York but has collected in over half of the states in the US and many sites in Ontario and Quebec. He offers many of his best specimens at discounted prices or by donation to numerous museums, many of which are on display for the public to enjoy.
John’s articles and photos of his specimens have appeared in every major mineral magazine, including The Mineralogical Record and Rocks & Minerals, and he co-authored two chapters in the book American Mineral Treasures. He has been a featured speaker at numerous mineral symposia including The Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium, the Friends of Mineralogy Midwest Mineralogical Symposium, and the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, and has won awards for his self-collected specimens at national and regional gem and mineral shows.
“John Medici is an excellent choice for the 2020 Carnegie Mineralogical Award,” said Travis Olds, Assistant Curator of Minerals, Section of Minerals and Earth Sciences at Carnegie Museum of Natural History. “His contribution to the mineral community has been significant, but his greatest contribution to specimen mineralogy is his dogged pursuit of top-quality specimens in the field, specimens that would otherwise be destroyed by industry or nature.”
With the cancellation of the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, where the award is normally presented, due to COVID-19, the award presentation was held virtually and will be posted on Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s website. There is also an announcement on TheRock.show Carnegie Museum of Natural History Booth.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History established the Carnegie Mineralogical Award, funded by the Hillman Foundation, in 1987.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 Carnegie Mineralogical Award, and the deadline is December 1, 2021. Eligible candidates include educators, private mineral enthusiasts and collectors, curators, museums, mineral clubs and societies, universities, and publications. For information, contact Travis Olds, Assistant Curator, Section of Minerals & Earth Sciences, at 412-622-6568 or oldst@carnegiemnh.org.
Past recipients include:
2019 John F. Rakovan, PhD.
2018 Dudley P. Blauwet
2017 W. Lesley Presmyk
2016 Anthony R. Kampf, PhD.
2015 George Harlow, PhD.
2014 Bryon N. Brookmyer
2013 Gloria A. Staebler
2012 George W. Robinson, PhD.
2011 Jeffrey E. Post, PhD.
2010 The Rochester Mineralogical Symposium
2009 Peter K.M. Megaw, PhD.
2008 Frank C. Hawthorne, PhD.
2007 Jeffrey A. Scovil
2006 Richard C. Whiteman
2005 June Culp Zeitner
2004 Joel A. Bartsch, PhD.
2003 Eugene S. Meieran, PhD.
2002 Terry C. Wallace, Jr., PhD.
2001 Wendell E. Wilson, PhD.
2000 F. John Barlow, PhD.
1999 Sterling Hill Mining Museum
1998 Robert W. Jones
1997 Bryan K. Lees
1996 Cornelis (Kase) Klein, PhD.
1995 Marie E. Huizing
1994 The Mineralogical Record
1993 Cornelius S. Hurlbut, Jr., PhD.
1992 Carl A. Francis, PhD.
1991 Miguel A. Romero Sanchez, PhD.
1990 Paul E. Desautels
1989 Frederick H. Pough, PhD.
1988 John Sinkankas, PhD.
1987 The Tucson Gem & Mineral Society
