THE BACKBENDER’S GAZETTE

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President’s Message

Vice-President’s Message

Pink Diamonds from Lesotho

Section News

New Member Orientation

Education

Bench Tips

Field Trip News

2025 Scholarships

2025 Volcano News

Minutes of Board Meeting

Minutes of General Meeting

Upcoming Shows

Club Information

January 1st, 2026

As we begin a new year, I am honored to serve as the new President of HGMS and excited about what lies ahead for our organization.  2026 will offer us many opportunities to grow our membership and strengthen the benefits we offer our long-term members.

This year, the Board will focus on enhancing our educational outreach, becoming more visible in our community and ensuring that HGMS offers plenty of fun and engagement for all the age groups in our club.  From programs and classes to outreach events and our annual Show, there is much to look forward to.

I encourage you to stay engaged, share your ideas, and take part in the many ways HGMS brings people together through a shared love of earth science. Thank you for your continued involvement and support—I look forward to working with you in the year ahead.

Regards,
Jeanean Slamen
President, Houston Gem & Mineral Society

Jessica Bamford will be our speaker at our general meeting on January the 27th. Jessica is employed by Space Center Houston as an educational instructor. She has worked as a geologist for Columbine Corporation, has experience with various telescopes at Bridgewater State University and has done her Exoplanetary Undergradute research for Tabby’s Star. Her hobbies are 3D design and printing, Lapidary(cabochons and facets) and Houston Robotics. Jessica has a degree in Earth Science with geology concentration.

Here are some of the topics she will talk about. Moon Missions (rockhounding on the moon!), lunar geology, possible resources of future missions and proposed ideas for lunar base development. She will also cover many other interesting topics. Show up and enjoy the informative talk by Jessica.

Significant finds of pink diamonds in Lesotho:

• A Type IIa 39 carat “Fancy Intense Pink” diamond was found in 2023 at the Kao mine.
• The Graff Lesotho Pink . a 33-carat rough pink diamond from Letseng was found in 2019.
• Pink Storm (2013): A 36.06-carat fancy pink diamond found at the Kao mine.
• Pink Dawn & Pink Palesa (both 2021): These finds from the Kao mine weighed 25.97 and 21.86 carats respectively.
• Rose of Kao (2018): a 29.59-carat pink diamond, also from the Kao mine. 

Why are they so special?

• Pink diamonds are very rare, only a tiny percentage of the rough diamonds found.
• Many of Lesotho’s pinks are Type IIa, clear and without flaws.
• Their unique pink hue comes from distortions in their crystal lattice, not from chemical impurities as in other colored diamonds. 

• Studies show that narrow color bands created by plastic deformation change a crystal’s internal structure. The bands reveal where intense stress squeezed and stretched the lattice, long after the diamond first formed. Alternating bands of pink and clear diamond can also create problems for facetors.

They are so special it is hard to find non-commercial photographs of them!

See the brochure:

https://www.mining-outlook.com/mining-brochures/storm-mountain-diamonds-brochure

Gemstones and Faceting – Second Thursday, 6:30 PM

Our next meeting will be January 8th at 6:30 pm.

Topic to be determined.

Paleontology – Third Tuesday, 7:30 PM 

The next meeting is Tuesday, January 20th at 7:30 pm.

Topic to be determined. Zoom link for the meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86053771923?pwd=ek5lNlk5SGFYNjN6U29ONU4xVElyQT09

or

Meeting ID: 860 5377 1923
Passcode: 826994

If you’d like to join the Paleo Section email list, send an email to hgmspaleosection@gmail.com and ask to be added.

Youth, First and Third Saturdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Next meetings will be on January 3rd and 17th,

Mostly we will be working on cabochons. Children must be accompanied by parents.

On Saturday January 24 from 1-3 PM at the Club, Sarah Metsa, Vice-President of Membership, will be holding HGMS’s first New Member Orientation meeting. This is a new program for 2026 and going forward. There will be snacks.

Each New Member Orientation will follow this agenda:

President of the Club

If the Board President is there, Sarah will introduce the President so the President can say a few words of welcome, share some history, etc.

If the Board President cannot attend, she will provide welcome and history.

Sections

If a representative of the Section is there, Sarah will introduce them and have them cover meeting dates, times, Section purpose, etc.).

If a representative is not there, she will cover the above items herself.

Education

If the Education Chair is there, Sarah will introduce the Chair so the Chair can say a few words about classes, upcoming plans, ask for ideas, etc.

If the Education Chair is not there, she will cover the above items herself.

BBG

If the BBG editor is there, Sarah will introduce the Editor so the Editor can say a few words about the BBG. History, awards, importance of sharing articles, deadline to submit, etc.

If the BBG editor is not there, she will cover the above items herself.

Volunteering

If the Volunteer Chair is there, Sarah will introduce the Chair so the Chair can say a few words about importance of volunteering. How it helps the club, and how it can help them (looks good on a resume or college application), what sort of roles need filled permanently or temporarily, reminder to be available for the annual show each November, etc.

If the Volunteer Chair is not there, she will cover the above items herself.

Publicity

If the Publicity chair is there, Sarah will introduce the Chair so the Chair can say a few words about the eBlast, how it differs from the BBG, remind people about our Facebook page, Instagram page, and Youtube page.

If Publicity chair is not there, she will cover the above items herself.

Lapidary shop

If the Lead Shop Supervisor or any Supervisor is there, Sarah will introduce the Supervisor so Super can say a few words about the shop. Covering safety (hair must be back, glasses must be worn), how to pay for time, who to ask questions of, importance of being trained on tools before using them, etc.

If a supervisor is not there, she will cover the above items herself.

Tour of the club

Sarah will end with a tour of the club and will thank them for coming and if the President is there, will have the President say a few final words.

CABS 101 Class with Sharon Halton
Friday, January 9th from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This is an introduction to using the equipment in the Lapidary Shop. Register Here

CABS 101 Class with Sharon Halton
Tuesday, January 13th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This is an introduction to using the equipment in the Lapidary Shop. Register Here

CABS 101 Class with Sharon Halton
Tuesday, January 30th from 2:00PM  to 6:00 PM. This is an introduction to using the equipment in the Lapidary Shop. Register Here

Small Cabochon Wire-Wrapped Ring Class with Susan Burch. Register here.

Intermediate Level (Due to size of stone) in small classroom.

Cost $52 which includes the CC processing and HGMS class fees, $57 with tool rental.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the Houston Gem and Mineral Society is pleased to announce the award of three (3) $2,500 scholarships to deserving students in or from the Houston region! We received a record 16 applications this year, besting our previous record in 2022 by 1. This record was possibly improved by initiating an online application process using Google Forms. There were many more well-qualified candidates than we are able to assist. Of course, while we are disappointed that we cannot help each of them, we are pleased to lessen the financial burden of achieving educational goals for the following awardees:

I would like to take this time to personally thank fellow committee member Nancy English, who is stepping down from her role on this committee after having volunteered with me for these past 11 years. She is such a tirelessly cheerful, good meaning, pleasant, loving person, and her support has been immeasurably valuable. Our fellow hale and hearty, enthusiastic, and immensely personable volunteer Daniel Rodriguez and I will miss having you by our side in this task, but look forward to continuing with new volunteer Karl Schleicher for the 2026-2027 scholarship. Anyone else with any interest in serving, please let me know!

Krasheninnikov volcano on Kamchatka, Russia is showing new lava flows, and 3 others are also erupting on the peninsula.

Japan has its share, with 6 active volcanoes.

Mexico has Popocatepetl, Guatemala has 2, Costa Rica has 2 and Nicaragua has 4.

Columbia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Ecuador all have volcanic activity.

Something is always erupting in Alaska, but nothing major right now!

For Stromboli map

https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/stromboli.html

Taal Volcano Island credit: TheCoffee (Mike Gonzalez), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2^nd Vice President Sarah Metsa called the Zoom meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. A quorum was present.

Approval of Minutes – Secretary Nancy English

There are three months of Board meeting minutes to be approved: June, July, and November.

On December 2, 2025, Nancy English emailed the June 3, 2025, Board of Directors meeting minutes to the Board.

MOTION: Ray Kizer moved to approve the minutes of the June 3, 2025, Board of Directors Meeting. Rhett Cooper seconded the motion, and it passed.

On December 2, 2025, Nancy English emailed the July 1, 2025, Board of Directors meeting minutes to the Board.

MOTION: Ray Kizer moved to approve the minutes of the July 1, 2025, Board of Directors Meeting. Richard Good seconded the motion, and it passed.

On November 29, 2025, Nancy English emailed the November 4, 2025, Board of Directors meeting minutes to the Board.

MOTION: Ray Kizer moved to approve the minutes of the November 4, 2025, Board of Directors Meeting. Richard Good seconded the motion, and it passed.

Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Rhett Cooper sent the October 30 Treasurer’s Report to Secretary English on November 26, 2025. Ray Kizer asked for the October 30 Treasurer’s Report on screen to view. Rhett will send it to all Board members in the future. The Board reviewed the Statement of Financial Position as of October 31, 2025.

Treasurer Cooper reported that the Show’s bottom line has not been figured yet, but it looks favorable.

Chase Bank pending account fees: Nancy English pointed out that the Section accounts’ and the Club accounts’ balances add up to nearly $100,000. All the accounts are under the HGMS tax ID number. There should be no fees on any account. Treasurer Rhett Cooper asked Nancy to look into it when she goes to the bank on December 3.

Treasurer Cooper also asked Nancy to investigate the $100.00 withdrawal on September 11 from the account ending in 5510. The withdrawal is labeled Legal Processing Fee.

Treasurer Cooper announced that reimbursement money can now be paid through PayPal without fees.

Scholarship Donations: Treasurer Cooper told the Board he has two envelopes of money he received at the Show that are specifically addressed to Ray Kizer to be donated to the Scholarship fund. Ray asked him to video the opening of the envelopes. After determining how much money it is, please send the “Thank you and Tax deduction” letter to the donors. Deposit the money and record it all as Scholarship donations in the spreadsheets.

Signature Changes to HGMS Accounts

Jenean Slamen and Debbie Seid need to become Authorized Representatives of and signers on the Chase HGMS accounts.

MOTION: Richard Good moved to add Jenean Slamen and Debbie Seid as Authorized Representatives and signers on the accounts ending in 7598 and 5510. Debbie will need to sign documents showing she is Secretary of the Corporation, Houston Gem and Mineral Society, effective January 1, 2026. Jenean Slamen is President Elect for 2026. As of January 1, 2026, remove President Logan Wilcox and Secretary Nancy English as signers and Authorized Representatives on the accounts ending in 5510 and 7598.

Ray Kizer seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Nancy English will accompany Jenean and Debbie to Chase in December to add them to the HGMS accounts, so it will all be taken care of before year’s end.

Nancy does not need to be a signer on the Paleo account anymore.

MOTION: Ray Kizer moved to remove Nancy English from the Chase account ending in 2263, effective January 1, 2026. This is the Paleo account.

Rhett Cooper seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Add Jody Beck to View Only the savings account ending in 5510.

MOTION: Rhett Cooper moved to add Jody Beck to View Only, the savings account ending in 5510, effective immediately.

            Ray Kizer seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

The Day Light Section elected a new treasurer during their November 12, 2025, meeting. Please approve a motion to make Sandy Cline the Authorized Representative and signer on the Day Light checking account.

MOTION: Nancy English moved to approve Sandy Cline as the Authorized Representative and signer on the Day Light checking account ending in 8762. Also, remove Nancy English as signer on the account ending in 8762.

Richard Good seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Nancy English will accompany Sandy Cline to Chase Bank on December 3 to change signatures.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Donations, Sales, Auction Committee (DSAC) – Ray Kizer has posted 30 pictures of auction items for the Holiday Party on December 13, 2025. Ray has three potential donations coming to the Club. James Cordona is bringing his donation to the December Paleo meeting. Former members Vicky and Tim Finnery moved to Florida. They are donating a practically new Genie to HGMS via their daughter, who lives in Magnolia. Ray will pick it up. No details on the third donation.

Education Committee – Maggie Manley has four classes listed on the E-blast and Website.

Safety/Policy Committee –

• Rhett Cooper will be conferring with Debbie Seid about the new ventilation system and HVAC review in 2026.
• Maggie Manley proposed installing solid insulated doors between the shops and in the garage. This would isolate the noise of the saws from classes and meetings. July Olsen suggested repelling foam.
• Rhett had talked about new 360° cameras, postponed until 2026.
• Ray Kizer said he was not saying no to the insulated doors project, but he has waited a long time for the Ventilation system and the new cameras. The priorities for 2026 should be:
  • HVAC and Ventilation first.
  • Security Cameras and lighting
  • The doors and other improvements.
• Nancy English told the Board that she and Jenean Slamen had worked on new Policy and Procedures for HGMS, with emphasis on the Shops two years ago. Nancy reminded the Board that she discussed a future “Shop Rules and Regulations” project with Elliot during the Board meeting he attended. Elliot was very interested in the idea.

Membership Committee – Sarah Metsa reported new and renewed memberships in November.

Single Adult – 222

Couples – 64

Families – 22

Students – 7

Youths – 15

Lifetime members – 70.

30 of the new members signed up since the Show.

Totals: 460 Adults, 56 Youths, 524 Members.

Volunteer Committee – Nancy English and Daniel Rodriguez

Nancy English is delighted to announce that July Olsen is taking over the Volunteer Coordinator position for 2026. July has seamlessly assumed duties for the upcoming Show Volunteers. She has years of experience coordinating volunteer events. Nancy highly recommends her.

2^nd Vice President Sarah Metsa appointed July Olsen as the Volunteer Coordinator for 2026.

Scholarship Committee – Mike Sommers and Daniel Rodriguez. Mike Sommers sent a write-up and pictures of the scholarship winners to the BBG. Nancy English sent it all to the Event Blast.

Show Committee – Scott Singleton: Be sure to send Scott your expenses now.

SECTION REPORTS

Beading Section – Maggie Manley in person: second Saturday, noon to 3:00 p.m., December 13, after the meeting, they will Carpool to the HGMS Holiday party. The next meetings will be on January 10 for a Holiday Party and February 3, 2026.

Day Light Section – Linda Krzywicki in person: first Wednesday, noon to 3:00 p.m., December 3 Holiday Party, January 7, February 4.

• The Board approved the new signer on the Chase Day Light account: Treasurer Sandy Cline.
• Fred Brueckner announced that this is his last Board meeting. He has enjoyed working with the Board for many years. We all thanked him for his years of service. A new Board Rep will be announced at the December 3 Day Light meeting.

Gemstones and Faceting Section – Randy Carlson Zoom Hybrid: third Thursday, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., No December meeting, No January meeting, February 19.

• On November 29, Randy Carlson emailed the Board. “Effective immediately, I will no longer represent the Gemstones & Faceting Section on the HGMS board.” No replacement has been chosen yet.

Lapidary and Silversmithing Section – Tony Lucci in person: third Monday, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. No December meeting, January 19, February 16.

• Richard Good is stepping down as Treasurer of the Lapidary Section.
• Steve Wilkerson is taking his place. The Board approved the change in Chase checking account signers during the October Board meeting.

Mineral Section – Steve Blyskal Zoom program planned: third Wednesday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., December 14.

• Holiday Party at Steve Blyskal’s home, all Mineral Section members are invited; January 21, February 18.

Paleo Section – Mike Dawkins, Jeanean Slamen, Ray Kizer in person: third Tuesday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., December 16, January 20, February 17.

• They are having a Potluck and Secret Santa on December 16.

Youth Section– Beverly Mace in person: first and third Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to Noon. December 6 Holiday Party, no other meeting in December, January 3 & 17, February 7 & 21.

OLD BUSINESS

During the July 1 Board meeting, we discussed outdoor lighting. Nancy English contacted Audrey Kelly at Coir Property, our business park management company. “Dunn Southwest (Business Park) takes care of the 2 LED lights near the overhead doors – these are considered common areas. Anything else is the owner’s choice to alter or replace. Dunn Southwest has recently started replacing the old LEDs with more powerful lights as they burn out.”

If we need a replacement, we will send a pic, and they will take care of it.

If we want to add lights, there is no issue or need to ask for permission.

Ray Kizer said we need a brighter light under the awning. We probably need to hardwire it through the building wall.

NEW BUSINESS

Membership Process Improvements: Sarah Mesta is planning these changes in 2026.

• Paper-based memberships are an ongoing challenge. Sarah would like to encourage members to use the online application if possible.
  • For this, she proposes to come to the club several weekends during January as a “membership renewal day.” She will help people get their memberships done electronically. This will cut down on the paper applications as well as remind people to renew.
  • Before I roll this out, does this sound like an acceptable plan? The Board agreed.
• Sarah is planning New Membership Welcome Parties. The first is on January 24, 2026.
  • She will cover some history.
  • Go over some rules.
  • She has speakers lined up for brief talks about Sections.
• This is all part of her January Membership drive.

Tasks and Timelines: Sarah Metsa is planning to make a list of tasks and the times they are due or should be started. This may be a committee and would meet outside of the Board meetings.

• Formalize Policies and Procedures.
• Engage a volunteer to function as an HGMS Historian.
• Engage a volunteer to be the Librarian.
• Organize warranties and save electronically.

Restripe parking lot: Maggie Manley plans to measure the parking lot to see if diagonal parking spaces would offer more parking in our lot.

Safety Posters: July Olsen is committed to making professional safety posters for the Shop.

New Field Trip Committee: Sarah Metsa is creating a Field Trip committee for all members, not specifically tied to Paleo or Mineral Section members. They had their first meeting. Allison and Matthew Sklar, and others attended. They are putting together a plan for the first Trip. There will be more information after the New Year.

The next Board of Directors Zoom meeting is on the first Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. January 6, 2026.

The next General Meeting will be on the fourth Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. January 27, 2026.

Program topic: Moon rocks/dust. Presented by Jessica Bamford

Adjourn: Fred Brueckner moved to adjourn. Ray Kizer seconded the motion, and it passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted

Nancy English

Nancy English

Houston Gem and Mineral Society Secretary

December 11, 2026

There was no General Meeting in December. That’s when we have our Holiday Party.

Fredricksburg Rockhounds Annual Show

01/17/2026 – 01/18/2026

Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm, Sunday 10:00am – 4:00pm

Lady Bird Johnson Park (Pioneer Pavilion), Hwy 16 South

Fredricksburg, Texas

Contact Frank Rowell, (325) 248-1067

Email: hcgms20@gmail.com

fredericksburgrockhounds.org

Stone Crystals

Rose Garden Center, 402 Rose Park Dr,

Tyler, Texas

02/07/2026 – 02/08/2026

Sat. 10:00am – 5:00pm, Sunday 10:00 – 4:00pm

Contact Keith Harmon, TX, (903) 316-2967

Email: keithharmon19@gmail.com

Williamson County Gem & Mineral Show

02/14/2026 – 02/15/2026

Sat. 10:00am – 6:00pm, Sunday 10:00 – 4:00pm

San Gabriel Park Community Center

445 E Morrow St, Georgetown TX 78628

https://www.facebook.com/WilliamsonCountyGemSociety

Clear Lake Gem and Mineral Society Annual Show

02/28/2026 – 03/01/2026

Sat. 10:00am – 6:00pm, Sun. 10:00 – 5:00pm

Pasadena Convention Center,

7902 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena TX.

clgms.org

Support our sister club!