Welcome to the Austin Gem and Mineral Society! We are so happy you have decided to join our
family of rock hounds! Below you will find some information that should help you and perhaps answer
a few questions. However if this does not answer all of your questions, please ask another club
member. We are a friendly bunch and all remember being new!
Our membership is open to all persons interested in the earth sciences who agree to abide by the
By-Laws of the society. Available at www.AustinGemAndMineral.org
MEETINGS
General:
4th Thursday of each month with the exception of Nov. and Dec.
Begin at 7pm (unless notified of a special event)
Members, their guests, visitors are all welcome
Held at our clubhouse at 6719 Burnet Lane
Consist of a speaker, business meeting, refreshments and show & tell
Officer Induction:
Usually 2nd Thursday of December
Begin at 7pm
Members and their guests
Held at our clubhouse at 6719 Burnet Lane
Christmas Party with $10 gift exchange, dinner & desserts
Installation of officers
Auction:
4th Thursday of August
Begin at 7pm
Members, their guests, visitors are all welcome
Held at our clubhouse at 6719 Burnet Lane
Yearly fundraiser auction with short business meeting
Board of Directors (BoD): 1st Tuesday of each month (unless notified of a change)
Begin at 7pm
Are open to all club members
Held at our clubhouse at 6719 Burnet Lane
Show Committee:
3rd Thursday of each month (unless notified of a change)
Begin at 7pm
Are open to all club members
Held at our clubhouse at 6719 Burnet Lane
Consist of business and assembly related to our show
Mineral SIG:
2nd Tuesday of each month (unless notified of a change)
Begin at 7pm
Are open to all club members
Held at our clubhouse at 6719 Burnet Lane
Centered around the discussion of minerals
SIG = Special Interest Group
Metalsmith SIG:
2nd Monday of each month (unless notified of a change)
Begin at 7pm
Are open to all club members
Held at our clubhouse at 6719 Burnet Lane
Centered around all things smithing: piercing, soldering, design, polish, etc.
SIG = Special Interest Group
Updated 07/2013
ANNUAL SHOW Gem Capers is our annual gem & mineral show and our main source of revenue
including funding scholarships. Usually the 3rd weekend of October, the show
requires months of preparation, one full day of set up and runs for three days.
With as many as 40 dealers, 5 to 8 demonstrations, 30+ special displays and a
youth education day, our show is a hopping place!
NEWSLETTER
The Stone Chipper is our monthly newsletter which is filled with articles, poems
and helpful tips submitted by members. The Chipper also includes minutes from
the General meeting & the BoD meeting….this is what keeps us all connected.
Upcoming gem and mineral shows are also listed.
Electronic newsletter is included in the yearly dues; however, if you require a
hard copy to be mailed to you, a fee of $10 is required every year.
AGMSLIST
AGMSlist is on Yahoo Groups and is our 24/7/365 members only link to
everything AGMS. Updates on field trips, trip reports, meeting agendas, lapidary
items for sale (gem & mineral items), photo sharing, meeting notices, notable
news articles, etc. are all found here.
To join, you need only to email request@austingemandmineral.org and request
an invitation be sent to you. Be sure to specify AGMSlist.
AGMSclassifieds is on Yahoo Groups and is our 24/7/365 members only link
anything that you would like to sell that is not lapidary related. Cars, furniture,
books, etc. can be listed here.
To join, you need only to email request@austingemandmineral.org and request
an invitation be sent to you. Be sure to specify AGMSclassifieds.
FIELD TRIPS
Several field trips are held each year to various locations within Texas. We also
partner with other clubs in order to access great collecting locations. Members
have recently been sighted in New Mexico, Colorado, Arkansas, Kentucky, South
Dakota and Oklahoma! Information on field trips is passed on in meetings, the
Stone Chipper as well as our AGMSlist.
ROCK SWAP
Our annual rock swap is usually held the 2nd Saturday of April. Members of
AGMS as well as other area clubs set up swap tables to sell and swap their
wonderful treasures. Minerals, agates, fossils, jewelry, tools and equipment are
offered. A potluck lunch keeps us fueled for an arduous day of shopping,
swapping and visiting!
WORKSHOP
The club makes available their workshop one evening a week. Members can
use cutting, grinding, polishing and faceting equipment as well as learn tips and
techniques from other members. Members must have taken a class from an
AGMS instructor or attend an orientation and safety session in order to use the
equipment.
SCHOLARSHIPS AGMS provides scholarships each year to students at the University of Texas
and Austin Community College. We are proud that we can assist students who
share our same interests!
LIBRARY
Updated 07/2013
AGMS has an incredible library that has books, DVDs, periodicals, maps and a
great on-site reference section. The library is open before, during and after most
club functions. Members may check out 3 items for two months at a time. The
mail slot located at the front of the building can be used to return checked out
items.
CLUB COLLECTION
The club collection is housed in 2 large display cases in the foyer. This
unique collection is a result of member donations with the bulk coming from
former member Mary Spears. The mineral specimens are outstanding and there
is always something new to discover!
TEXAS COLLECTION AGMS has put together a collection of rocks and minerals from all over
Texas! All specimens have been collected by AGMS members and really show
off the diversity of Texas minerals.
MEMBER COLLECTION
AGMS has left a shelf empty within our Club Collection to allow
members to display and share their own collection for a month or two. Contact
the BoD, gather your specimens & labels and WOW us with your treasures.
CLASSES
Cabbing:
Beginner cabbing covers the entire process from selecting the right material,
learning to trim the slab, using equipment to shape and polish stone to a cab
(cabochon). Emphasis is on safety and correct procedures when using
equipment.
Metalsmith: Covers the basics of design, piercing, sanding, soldering and polishing. Again
safety is a top concern. Take the cabbing class and learn how to mount your cab
into a beautiful silver or copper bezel setting.
Wirewrap:
Beginner and intermediate wirewrapping covers pendants, rings and bracelets.
Both natural stones and faceted crystals are used. If you have taken the cabbing
class; this is a great class to take to turn your cab into a beautiful pendant!
Beading:
Learn to knot a strand of pearls or other gemstones. Instructor will lead you
through bead selection, string selection and most important, the proper way to tie
knots!
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2013
April 13
Annual Rock Swap
at AGMS clubhouse
August 22
Annual Auction
at AGMS clubhouse
October 18, 19, 20
Annual Gem & Mineral Show
at Palmer Events Center
November 21
Vote for 2014 BoD
at AGMS clubhouse
December 12
Christmas Party &
Officer Induction
at AGMS clubhouse
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2014
Updated 07/2013
April 12
Annual Rock Swap
at AGMS clubhouse
August 28
Annual Auction
at AGMS clubhouse
October 24, 25, 26
Annual Gem & Mineral Show
at Palmer Events Center
November 20
Vote for 2014 BoD
at AGMS clubhouse
December 11
Christmas Party &
Officer Induction
at AGMS clubhouse