Lauren Megaw grew up immersed in the world of mineral collecting, mentored by her father, renowned mineralogist Peter Megaw. From unwrapping specimens together on the basement steps, to carefully selecting pieces for her childhood “When I’m Six” box, collecting quickly became both a passion and a way to connect with family and community.
At age six, Lauren began building her own collection in earnest—funding her first major purchase, a Sweet Home rhodochrosite, by selling micro-mineral “field trips” to fellow collectors. By age seven, she was competing at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show (TGMS), where she would go on to exhibit for over a decade. Progressing from junior to adult divisions, Lauren ultimately won top honours, including best single specimen and best overall case—becoming one of the youngest competitors to achieve that distinction.
Beyond the trophies, competition introduced Lauren to the broader mineral community and opened doors to remarkable opportunities. She participated in Blue Cap Productions’ The New Crystal Hunters, conducted optical mineralogy research at the University of Arizona (including work on the newly identified mineral yangite), interned at the Harvard Mineralogical & Geological Museum, and curated exhibits from the Elwood P. Hancock collection.
Now pursuing a degree in Geological Sciences at Stanford University, Lauren’s path reflects a lifelong dedication not only to minerals themselves, but to the people, mentorship, and shared passion that sustain the field.