THE BACKBENDER’S GAZETTE
Volume LV ----- Houston Gem & Mineral Society ----- February 2025
February's Birthstone Amethyst
Table of Contents
Click a Table of Contents Entry to jump to that article.
Club Information
American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS)
South Central Federation of Mineral Societies (SCFMS)
Permission to use material originating in this newsletter is given freely providing that credit is given to the author and the source. Articles published in the BBG is may be edited for grammar and content.
BACKBENDER’S GAZETTE SUBMISSION DEADLINES
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Email content and comments to editor@hgms.org
President's Message
by LT Wilcox
I swear this year is going to fly by before we know it! This month is the Clear Lake Gem & Minerals annual show, at the Pasadena Convention Center. Be sure to get your Mineral Fix for the summer!
This year we are focusing on people and outreach! I wanna hear from our members and find ways to bring new faces to the club! We’ve already made a lot of new friends last year, so let’s try to make even more this year.
Our first General meeting was one to not miss! Don’t forget we also zoom our meetings and the link is on the home page of the website. Those who show up have a chance at a door prize, and I’m going through the cabinet to clear out some old goodies.
I want to remind everyone to please be Gentle in the lapidary room and report any repairs that may be needed. Our lapidary wheels have been hit hard recently and we want to try to make them last as long as possible.
Vice-President's Message
by John Moffitt
Brian Weed, President of Juneau’s Hidden History, an Alaska adventure club with 27,000 members, will give a talk remotely, titled : “A Rockhound Explores Alaska”.
Brain is an explorer, geologis, blacksmith, spelunker and local historian and one of the authors of Facebook’s Hidden History.
https://www.lastfrontiermagazine.com/stories/juneaus-hidden-history
Amethyst - February's Birthstone
by Don Shurtz, Pleasant Oaks Gem and Mineral Club
February 2025 Chips and Chatter Newsletter
Amethyst is February’s Birthstone. Amethyst is the violet-to-purple variety of Quartz. Except for the Iron trace atoms caught up in the mineral matrix, it is the same as clear Quartz. Its chemical formula is Silicon Dioxide (SiO2). Like Quartz, Amethyst has a Mohs hardness of 7.0. Amethyst’s color can range from violet to purple, with hints of blue and red. They get their color from trace amounts of Iron in the plus3 valence state (Fe3+) and radiation.
The color of Amethyst can fade if exposed to intense sunlight. Amethyst’s name is from Koine Greek amethystos, which means “not intoxicated”. The ancient Greeks believed that Amethyst gems or Amethyst wine goblets prevented intoxication. Medieval European soldiers wore Amethyst amulets in the belief that Amethyst would aid in healing and maintain a cool head. In Tibet, Amethyst is considered sacred to the Buddha; Tibetans still use prayer beads made from Amethyst.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amethyst
https://www.mindat.org/min-198.html
Purple is the color of royalty. Amethyst emblems were worn with purple clothing to show their royalty and office. Historically, the highest quality amethyst was found in Russia (Siberia), Brazil, Uruguay, and Sri Lanka. Today, Amethyst is found in many places throughout the world. The countries that produce the most Amethyst are Brazil, Canada, Uruguay, and Zambia. Lesser amounts are found in Afghanistan, Argentina, Madagascar, Mexico, Namibia, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, and the United States. Amethyst can be found in Texas. The Woodard Ranch in Alpine is likely the most prolific location for finding Texas Amethyst.
Mindat shows seven locations where Amethyst has been found in Texas – three locations in West Texas (including the Woodard Ranch), two locations near Llano, and two locations southeast of San Antonio. In the DFW area, your best bet for finding Amethyst would be the local gem and mineral shows, the local rock shops, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Two spectacular Amethyst geodes are on display at the Perot, the Grape Geode in the Lyda Hill Gem and Mineral Hall and the large heart-shaped geode (pictured above) near the museum entrance.
Note:
Don, of course, lives in the Dallas area. In Houston, you can see fabulous amethyst on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science (and probably in their gift shop).
Naturally, you can find amethyst specimens and jewelry at the Houston Gem and Mineral Show and the Clear Lake Gem and Mineral Show, which is coming up February 22nd and 23rd.
Angel’s Rocks and Fossils in Houston and Katy Rock Shop in Katy are great sources for specimens and killer décor pieces, too.
Section News
Beading – Second Saturday, 12:00 PM
- On February 8th, Ginger will be teaching macrame techniques to create key rings. Nancy Fischer will assist her. They are both very expert in macrame. We meet again on February 8th at Noon.As a follow up to our Pearl Knotting session, here are three very good YouTube Videos on Pearl Knotting:
- Lisa Yang Jewelry.com “Perfect Pearl Knotting – The Easy Way” (uses Clam Shell Bid Tip) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3kW3Wr7pkM
- Lloyd Patterson: “How to Hand Tie a Pearl Necklace No Tools Japanese Method” (uses gimp wire or French Wire at ends) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnmvPxQeQYo
- He has a fantastic way to finish out the piece. Watch to the end.
- Bead Spider “Fool Proof Bead Knotting” (Very thorough with same finishing technique; uses gimp wire or French wire at ends). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i54A6w3ReNw&t=229s
At our last meeting, Maggie showed us a technique for pearl knotting.
NOTICE: Do you have a bracelet or necklace that needs restringing? The Beading Section will carefully restring your piece at an hourly rate of $15.00 + materials. Contact Beading @HGMS.org to make arrangements. All funds will go to the Beading Section.
Always bring beading mat, scissors, wire, wire cutter, round nose and needle nose pliers, thread, and beading needles if you have them.
Find out more about the Beading Section!
Gemstones and Faceting – Second Thursday, 6:30 PM
Our next meeting will be February 13th at 6:30 pm.
- Topic to be announced.
Learn more about the Gemstones and Faceting Section here.
Lapidary and Silversmithing – Third Monday, 7:00 PM
The next meeting will be on February 17th starting at 7:00 pm. The Lapidary and Silversmithing section welcomes everyone into the new year once again. This will be our first meeting due to the cancellation of January’s meeting. Hope everyone can make it – we have a lot of new members and old friends — there will be a workshop on cut slabs. This would be very important to new members because next weekend is the Clear Lake Rock Show. The stone of the month will be actually slabs of different material. I will bring enough for everyone to work a piece, there’s no charge for this Workshop. If you have any slabs make sure you bring them. We will have show and tell and door prizes.
Email Lapidary@hgms.org if you have questions, and check out the Lapidary and Silversmithing Section page.
Day Light – First Wednesday, 12:00 PM
The Daylight Section meets the first Wednesday of the month from Noon to 3 PM.
The next meeting of the Daylight Section is Wednesday, February 5th at Noon.
- Clipboard -used to anchor the braiding
- Jewelers pliers – if you have them already
- Reading glasses or magnifiers for jump rings
- Bead boards or mats if you have them.
Sharon has graciously offered to teach Daylight her Beginner Cabachon Making class on Feb 3, 2025 from 10:00am – 2:00pm. This is on a Monday because the shop is usually too busy on Wednesday’s to host the class during our normal hours. The fee is $15 and the class is limited to 5 students. You will pay Sharon directly on Feb 5. There are 2 spots still open.
Gemstones and Faceting – Second Thursday, 6:30 PM
Our next meeting will be February 13th at 6:30 pm.
- Meeting topic to be announced.
Mineral – Third Wednesday, 7:30 PM
Our next meeting will be February 19th at 7:30 pm.
- We will begin a short series on identifying common minerals. Sure, there are lots of beautiful, exotic, expensive minerals, but there are plenty of common minerals that are accessible, inexpensive and easy to identify! We will begin with Calcite; Sigrid Stewart will show examples and talk about ways to identify calcite.Steve Blyskal will also talk on being a vendor at a mineral show, and bring examples of the kinds of minerals he will take to the Clear Lake Show Feb. 22nd and 23rd. We will have refreshments and door prizes. Bring a mineral to show or identify, if you like. This will be a hybrid meeting.
- The link for the Zoom meeting is:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4517997588?pwd=SnZjckZBTnRMbHRxZitScE9WU3RWUT09Please contact Mineral@hgms.org with any concerns or questions.
Paleontology – Third Tuesday, 7:30 PM
The next meeting is Tuesday, February 18th at 7:30 pm.
Meeting topic to be announced. 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
February 1st and 15th.
Mostly we will be working on cabochons. Children must be accompanied by parents.
Why are Those Lakes There?
by Sigrid Stewart
When you look at a map of North America, there is a striking feature you may have wondered about – the Great Lakes. Why is it that they formed where they did and why are they connected like that? The answer may lie in the movement of a hot spot originating in the Earth’s mantle.
Hot spots are upwellings of hotter material; plumes of magma that move to the surface and interact with the crust. As tectonic plates move over a hot spot, this plume of hot rock melts holes in the crust and can create a chain of volcanoes, such as the Hawaiian Islands, or the trail of volcanism from Oregon to today’s Yellowstone National Park.
A University of Houston seismologist named Aibing Li and a team of researchers were studying the evolution of the North American continent and noticed anomalies in the speed of earthquake waves in the region. Horizontal and vertical waves moved at different speeds, a phenomenon called “radial anisotropy”, seen where the crust has been deformed by stress.
Geologist Johnny Wu of the University of Houston was working on reconstructions of tectonic plate movement and played Li’s team a video of the past movements of the Cape Verde Hotspot, now located beneath the Cape Verde Islands, showing that around 300 million years ago, it had been under the region where the Great Lake are located today. The anisotropic seismic signatures lined up with that track.
300 million years ago, North America was not a separate continent, but a part of the supercontinent Pangaea. As the region which would become North America separated from the remnants of Pangaea, the hot spot beneath traced a path from Lake Superior through Lake Huron and Lake Erie and through New York, Maryland and Virginia out into the Atlantic Ocean. Li’s group theorizes that the hot spot thinned out the crust, creating a low spot which would later be further excavated by glaciers and then filled by glacial melt.
Shop and Building News
LT reports that several of the resin wheels on different grinding machines are damaged.
People! Do all your shaping and any blunting of sharp edges on the metal wheels, to protect our resin wheels.
Bench Tips
DEPTH GAUGE FOR DRILLING
Sometimes you need to drill a number of holes all to the same depth. One quick and easy way to do this is to wind some tape around the drill bit so that the tape just touches the part surface when the hole is deep enough.
You can set the depth either by measuring from the tip of the drill to the tape or by drilling to the correct depth, leaving the bit in the hole, and wrapping tape around the bit at the surface level.
Note that a little extra tape left free on the end will blow away debris from the drilling.
CUTTING A BOLT
Whenever you have to cut a threaded bolt shorter, it’s often difficult to get the nut to thread back onto it. And the smaller the bolt, the more difficult it is to restore any distorted threads. The problem is easily solved with the use of a nut. Here’s how I do it.
First, screw a nut onto the bolt before cutting it. Grip the bolt by the threaded section that is to be sawed off. Then saw the bolt to the desired length, taper the end with sandpaper or file, and unscrew the nut from the bolt.
Unscrewing the nut over the freshly cut end of the bolt will straighten out any damage that sawing and filing did to the threads. Gripping the bolt by the piece to be sawed off localizes any crushing damage to the piece that will be thrown away.
Volunteer at the Clear Lake Show for HGMS
The 50th Clear Lake Gem and Mineral Society Show happens on February 22 and 23,
located at the Pasadena Convention Center, 7902 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, Texas.
CLGMS offers HGMS a booth to promote our annual show. For each of the four shifts, we need 4 volunteers to talk to the public or demonstrator rock skills.
Saturday, February 22, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 1:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 23, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Volunteers get free admission and free parking. There is a concession stand for snacks, or you can bring your own.
Contact Nancy English: at nancyjodi@aol.com or text 832 722 5441.
If you only want to see the show, check out the Clear Lake Gem and Mineral Society Website under Annual Show.
Look for “click here” to get the $1.00 discount on the all-weekend $7.00 ticket.
OR Get the $1.00 off coupon at http://clgms.org › showcoupon.pdf
Field Trip News
Please email at field_trips@hgms.org if you plan to attend so that I can communicate any last minute news or cancellation.
Mike Dawkins
A Perfect Stone
by Ed Clay
To seek the truest color
A subtle and bright shade
To work it well and truly
So the beauty never fades
To hone the skills needed
Sharpen both eye and mind
Find the ways of nature
This skill is truly mine
To cut a perfect stone
Shaping an amazing piece
To work long and well
It brings me quiet peace
Many days and years
I have striven in this path
I will not say all were perfect
But some were of that class
As age has counted long
Yet mind and skills still last
The eyes began to fade
Cutting will be part of my past
Still heart and mind are calm
My ability to cut still lasts
Possibility to cut a perfect stone
Sadly just not quite as fast
To cut a perfect stone
Shaping an amazing piece
To work long and well
It brings me quiet peace
end
Colorado Rockies - So Gneiss
Gneiss (pronounced nice) is a metamorphic rock, meaning that the parent rock, whether sedimentary or igneous, has been subjected to terrific heat and pressure. The name comes from the old German work gneist, meaning spark, because crystals in the rock make it glitter. The banding or foliation seen in gneiss is formed by layers of different minerals, such as the quartz, feldspar, mica and other silicates common in granite.
Sometimes layers take the form of lenses or melted metamorphosed rock injected into other rock formations as pegmatitic intrusions, called injection gneiss. The light and dark minerals separate with time under heat and pressure from deep burial. A mixture like this is called migmatite and is intermediate between metamorphic and igneous.
The gneiss formed from granite is called orthogneiss, and often has an appearance similar to granite except with a stretched appearance instead of separate grains. It is as strong as granite, and like granite, is often used for building stone and countertops. Gneiss formed from sedimentary rock is called paragneiss and can appear as huge band-like formations around an igneous pluton intruded into other rock formations which is the source of the heat and pressure. This is contact metamorphism related to the pluton. Regional metamorphism is related to large mountain-building episodes. Some types of gneiss are also identified by their source rock, like granite gneiss, diorite gneiss, or biotite gneiss.
The same metamorphic processes that create gneiss often create schist, which is a lower-grade metamorphic rock rich in mica, clay, and other flaky minerals. The foliation, or schistosity, is more pronounced in schist than in gneiss. Often mica makes the schist sparkle, even more than gneiss. It splits easily along the plane of flaky component minerals. Schist, like gneisses, are often identified by their parent rock as mica schist, garnet schist, glaucophane schist, etc. Children who are interested in rocks and geology often love to talk about gneiss and schist, after they master the pronunciation. Jokes about “good schist” are common!
Photograph of the Painted Wall, Black Canyon of the Gunnison: The original uploader was Molas at English Wikipedia. Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Leoboudv using CommonsHelper., CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6524982
Areas where it is easy to see gneiss in the Colorado Rockies:
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- In places rock was almost melted, and pink pegmatitic intrusions with large crystals wereinjected into still-solid dark areas of mafic (meaning containing magnesium and iron) minerals like biotite, amphibole and pyroxene, creating huge and dramatic patterns. The melt was squeezed like toothpaste into fantastic loops and bands.
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Gneiss and schist underlay much of the park.
- Highway 6 between Golden and Idaho Springs
- The Idaho Springs Batholith is composed of granite gneiss, biotite gneiss and microcline gneiss. Abandoned mines pepper the mountainsides.
- Many other places along the Front Range
These are outcrops of Precambrian Era metamorphic rocks (1.7 billion years old and older) of the Early Proterozoic Gneiss Complex, formations seen all over the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Certain formations in Colorado have been subjected to more than one metamorphic folding event. Some of the best places to observe the patterns of gneiss are in mountain parking lots, which are often outlined by boulders of gneiss rounded by erosion.
References:
https://theprivatenaturalist.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/the-gneiss-is-nice-in-colorado/
https://www.usgs.gov/geology-and-ecology-of-national-parks/geology-rocky-mountain-national-park
https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/nature/minerals.htm
https://coloradogeologicalsurvey.org/geology/colorado/metamorphic-rocks/
https://www.periclespress.net/geology_IdahoBath.html
HGMS Board of Directors Meeting
Meeting Minutes for January 7, 2025
| Board Member | Section Board Member | ||
| X | President – LT [Logan] Wilcox [LT} | X | Beading – Maggie Manley [MM] |
| 1st Vice President – John Moffitt | X | Day Light – Fred Brueckner | |
| X | 2nd Vice President – Sarah Metsa | X | Gemstones & Faceting – Turner Whitham |
| X | Treasurer – Rhett Cooper |
X | Lapidary & Silversmithing – Richard Good |
| X | Secretary – Nancy English | X | Mineral – Ray Kizer |
| X | Paleontology – Mike Dawkins [MD] | ||
President L T Logan called the Zoom meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.
A quorum was present.
Non-voting members in attendance: Scott Singleton the Show Chairman gave a Show Committee Report.
PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS: President Willcox will invite our new Publicity volunteer, Jacob Walters to the February Board meeting to be introduced to the Board. Jacob will be posting the Events Blast on Sundays. LT invited Treasurer Rhett Cooper to introduce himself to the Board with a brief bio.
Approval of Minutes: Michelle Willcox emailed December 5, 2024, Board meeting minutes to the Board today, January 7, 2025. After we review the minutes, we can vote to approve them online.
Treasurer’s Report:
- Treasurer Rhett Cooper sent the December Financial Tracker report to Board members on January 6, 2025. The Board was pleased with the results of the year-end budget as presented. President Wilcox and Treasurer Cooper will continue to research some unfinished items and report on them next month:
- There are discrepancies in the Lee Thompson Co. (HVAC) billing for the December 16 maintenance call. Nancy English will send Rhett the maintenance contract and A/C warranties for the units purchased in 2020.
- The 2025 Budget plans: On January 8, Treasurer Cooper will send the budget category owners requests for their input in 2025 estimates. The budget committee will meet before the February Board meeting to compile the information.
- Treasurer Rhett Cooper sent prospective Bookkeeper Jodie Beck’s resume to the Board on Monday, January 6, 2025. The Board discussed her qualifications.
MOTION: Nancy English moved to hire Jodie Beck as the HGMS Bookkeeper starting as soon as Michele Marsel returns from her vacation and is available to train Jodie, after January 13. Jodie has agreed to work contract hours for $40.00 per hour, a minimum of 10 to 15 hours per month. She will work through the HGMS Treasurer, Rhett Cooper. All bookkeeper communications can only be made via email at treasurer@hgm.org.
Rhett Cooper seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Club Maintenance: Dean Wix
- On January 4, 2025, Dean Wix engaged a previously used plumber (Polo) to fix the seal leak in the urinal in the Men’s Restroom.
- President Wilcox, Treasurer Cooper, and 2nd Vice President Sarah Metsa will investigate creating a paid contract position to make repairs in the building and shops. This is a contract position with hourly wage on call for shop repairs. They would need a working knowledge of the equipment. The pay would be between $15.00 and $20.00 per hour. For possibly 20 hours per month. It was suggested to consider perks instead of pay. The new committee will put together a plan.
Donations, Sales, Auction Committee (DSAC): Ray Kizer
- Ray sent the Board a list of the 2024 donors that seeded our Auctions.
- He announced that the next auction will be on February 15, 2025.
- The 2024 auctions resulted in tripling his budgeted revenue.
- Scott and Ray will get together to move the donations to his house.
Education Committee: Maggie Manley
- Maggie is collaborating with an HGMS member to create a cloisonne class.
- She will meet with Turner Whitham to discuss future Gemstone and Faceting classes.
Library: Neal Immega
- Neal removed 1,000 books from the library about gold mining and ghost stories. The library will be rearranged to make room for the 3d printing equipment and/or use for donations to keep them more secure.
- LT is looking for people to donate the books to.
Membership Committee: Sarah Metsa
- As of January 7, we have 21 couples, 71 single adults, 6 youths, 7 families, and 69 Lifetime memberships. Sarah is completing the online roster for distribution. 2024 membership
- Membership numbers for 2024, reduced for reporting to the SCFMS were 349 adults, 20 youths, and 69 Lifetime memberships.
Publicity Committee:
- Jacob Walters volunteered to post the weekly Event Blast.
- We still need someone to do our Social Media advertising.
Safety/Policy Committee: Focus this year on
- President Wilcox asked the Board to bring a list to the February Board meeting of things to focus on this year. “Improvements we need at the club”. ACs, Security Cameras, Smithing Room, ventilation. Members were asked to bring a list next month.
Scholarship Committee: Mike Sommers and Daniel Rodriguez
- Another $4,000.00 was donated to the club for scholarships.
- Ask Foster Kneeland about the June $2000 and December $6000 deposits last year.
Shop Supervisor Committee
- Elliott Payne has been trained to be a Supervisor.
- David Pawek has been helping with equipment repairs.
Show Committee: Scott Singleton 2024 Show Results, Scott Singleton Chairman.
- Scott asked Rhett to eliminate the Pre-Show Auction line item on the Show Budget.
- LT and the Board thanked Scott for his continued excellence as Show Committee Chair.
- Scott thanked the Board for its support.
- Scott thanked Sharon Halton for providing all the printing for the Education Committee.
- He thanked the Show Chairs for their contribution. The Security Team did a great job.
Volunteer Committee: Nancy English
SECTION REPORTS Need to find out what all the other sections are planning and if there is any way we can help.
Beading Section, Maggie Manley in person: second Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00, January 11, February 8, March 8.
Day Light Section, Linda Krzywicki, in person: first Wednesday, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00, January 8, (because January 1 was a holiday) February 5, March 5.
New Day Light Chairman is Linda Krzywicki. New Treasurer, Nancy English.
Gemstones and Faceting Section, Turner Whitham, Zoom Hybrid: second Thursday, 6:30 p.m., January 9, February 13, March 13.
The Gemstones and Faceting Section wants to get a digital head for one of their machines.
Lapidary and Silversmithing Section, Tony Lucci, in person: third Monday, 7:00 p.m., January 20, February 17, March 17.
Mineral Section, Steve Blyskal, Zoom program planned: third Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., January 15, February 19, March 19.
Paleo Section, Neal Immega, in person: third Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., January 21, February 18, March 18.
Youth Section, Beverly Mace, in person: first and third Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to Noon., January 4 & 18, February 1 & 15, March 1 & 15.
Beading Section, Maggie Manley in person: second Saturday, 12:00 p.m., January 11, February 8, March 8
Day Light Section, Linda Krzywicki, in person: first Wednesday, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00, January 8, (because January 1 was a holiday) February 5, March 5
New Day Light Chairman is Linda Krzywicki. New Treasurer, Nancy English.
Gemstones and Faceting Section, Turner Whitham, Zoom Hybrid: second Thursday, 6:30 p.m., January 9, February 13, March 13
The facet section wants to get a digital head for one of their machines.
Lapidary and Silversmithing Section, Tony Lucci, in person: third Monday, 7:00 p.m., January 20, February 17, March 17
Mineral Section, Steve Blyskal, Zoom program planned: third Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., January 15, February 19, March 19
Paleo Section, Neal Immega, in person: third Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., January 21, February 18, March 18. Any progress on Neal turning over the Paleo account info?
Youth Section, Beverly Mace, in person: first and third Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to Noon., January 4 & 18, February 1 & 15, March 1 & 15.
OLD BUSINESS
HGMS Bylaws changes: The HGMS BYLAWS discussion and motion to approve were postponed until the February Board meeting, because of time constraints.
Bank signature changes.
Chase
MOTION: President Wilcox moved to add and remove the following individuals on the HGMS JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. checking account ending in 7598 and savings account ending in 5510.
- Add Rhett Cooper, 2025 Treasurer with signing authority.
- Add Logan T. Wilcox, 2025 President with signing authority.
- Add Jodie Beck, Bookkeeper with signing authority.
- Add Nancy English, 2025 Secretary as Administrator only (no signing authority.)
- Remove Sharon Halton and Daniel Rodriguez from all accounts.
- For the account ending in 7598, signers will be Treasurer Rhett Cooper, 2nd Vice President Sarah Metsa, President Logan T. Wilcox, and bookkeeper Jodie Beck. Secretary Nancy English will be the administrator. Current Bookkeeper Michele Marsel will remain as a signer on the accounts until January 31.
- The account ending in 5510 signers will be Treasurer Rhett Cooper, 2nd Vice President Sarah Metsa, President Logan T. Wilcox, and bookkeeper Jodie Beck. Secretary Nancy English will be the administrator. Current Bookkeeper Michele Marsel will remain as a signer on the accounts until January 31.
- Debit cards are to be issued on the checking account ending in 7598 for Treasurer Rhett Cooper, President Logan Wilcox, and 2nd Vice President Sarah Metsa.
Ray Kizer seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Live Oak Bank
MOTION: Secretary Nancy English moved to add and remove the following individuals on HGMS Live Oak savings accounts ending in 5947 and 6501; and CD ending in 8878.
- Add Rhett Cooper, 2025 Treasurer with signing authority.
- Add Logan T. Wilcox, 2025 President with signing authority.
- Remove Sharon Halton from all accounts.
- The signers on savings accounts ending in 5947 and 6501 and CD ending in 8878 will be Treasurer Rhett Cooper, 2nd Vice President Sarah Metsa, and President Logan T. Wilcox. Current Bookkeeper Michele Marsel will remain as a signer on the accounts until January 31.
Ray Kizer seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Holiday Party results: Attended by 47 people, cost $530.00. The auction delivered nearly $3,200 before sales tax and PayPal fees.
Purchase of Laptops?
Painting of HGMS Building: The weather has been too inclement, and schedules have not aligned for the volunteers to complete this task. President Wilcox will report on it in February.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business and no further business.
The next Board of Directors Zoom meeting will be on the first Tuesday, February 4, at 7:30 p.m.
The next General Meeting will be on the fourth Tuesday, January 28, at 7:30 p.m. Program TBD.
Adjourn: Ray Kizer moved to adjourn. Fred Brueckner seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m.
HGMS General Meeting Minutes
Minutes for January 28, 2025
by Nancy English
President LT Wilcox called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. He welcomed 18 attendees in person and 7 people online.
Two new members introduced themselves: Anthony Gutierrez and Julius Albonetti. There was one guest: Bill Spizzirr.
PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS: LT welcomed everyone to 2025. We will continue to work on unfinished projects from last year. This year we want to concentrate on bringing in new members. Last year was all about budget and the budget committee nailed it. He thanked last year’s Board of Directors for all their work. He introduced the new members of the Board of Directors: John Moffitt–1st Vice President (not in attendance), Rhett Cooper–Treasurer, Nancy English–Secretary.
LT asked the audience to let him know what changes or improvements need to be made at HGMS. The club wants to increase membership and encourage the current membership to volunteer for some open operations positions. He will be outlining positions that need to be filled to operate the Club. He can be reached at President@hgms.org.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the November 26, 2025General Meeting have not been published. The BBG Editor will publish them retroactively in the December BBG. Please plan to review them before the February General Meeting, when we vote to approve them.
The Annual Holiday Party replaced the December General Meeting. Thank you, Debbie Seid, for organizing the event. Thanks to the volunteers who set up and tore down the tables. Attended by 47 people, it cost $530.00 for the meat. The auction provided by Ray Kizer delivered nearly $3,200 before sales tax and PayPal fees. As always, the Potluck dishes were delicious. The 2025 party will be on December 13 at the same place, Unitarian Fellowship Hall of Houston, 1504 Wirt Rd., Houston, TX 77055.
COMMITTEE/SECTION REPORTS
Please look for reports of future Section meetings and programs in the BBG calendar, on the Website hgms.org/events, or by reading the weekly Events Blast from Houston Gem and Mineral Society.
President Wilcox invited Section Chairs and Standing Committee Chairs to make any additional announcements. A new Publicity Chairman Jacob Walters has taken over.
The Mineral Section Christmas party was successful. Because the party is in a private home the guest list is limited to Mineral Section members and special guests.
The Paleo Section: Clyde reported that Neal is in rehab at Brazos Towers, his home base. He is doing rigorous physical therapy so he can resume his active life.
Donations, Sales, Auction Committee (DSAC): Ray Kizer Chairman (not in attendance.)
- Ray emailed that the next auction will be on February 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Club.
- DSAC tripled the proposed budget for donations in 2024.
Library: Neal Immega Chairman (not in attendance.)
LT reported that Neal removed 1,000 books from the library about gold mining and ghost town stories. The library will be rearranged to make room for the 3d printing equipment and/or use for donations to keep them more secure.
LT is looking for people to donate the books to. Some collectors and libraries were offered.
Do we want to appoint a temporary Librarian? The Board will consider it.
Membership Committee: Sarah Metsa Chairman (not in attendance.)
- Membership numbers for 2024, reduced for reporting to the SCFMS, were 349 adults, 20 youths, and 69 Lifetime memberships.
- To Renew your membership, go to membership@hgms.org.
- If you are interested in participating in Club operations note it on the application pages or tell any of the club leaders.
Publicity Committee: (not in attendance)
- Jacob Walters volunteered to post the weekly Event Blast.
- We still need someone to do our Social Media advertising. LT is interviewing a volunteer.
Education Committee: Maggie Manley Chairman (not in attendance.)
Safety/Policy Committee: No chairman at this time.
The Board plans to look into ventilation in both the Lapidary Shop and the Jewelry Shop.
Show Committee: Scott Singleton/Sigrid Stewart:
- Nancy English reported we had 180 volunteers filling 225 shifts over 3 days. The 44 dealers were happy. Swap area exchanged record money with the floor dealers.
- Steve Blyskal reported that the first order of business is to create and print the 2025 Annual Show flyer to be distributed at the Clear Lake Gem and Mineral Society Show the end of February.
Volunteer Committee: Nancy English, Chairman requested volunteers and thanked some.
- The 50th Clear Lake Gem and Mineral Society Show is on February 22 and 23. We need 4 volunteers and or demonstrators for each of the 4 shifts.
Saturday, February 22, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., afternoon shift 1:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 23, 9:30 to 1:30, afternoon shift 1:00 to 5:15 p.m.
Members wishing to just attend the CLGMS Show may get tickets and a $1.00 off coupon for the $7.00 ticket at http://clgms.org, showcoupon.pdf.
- Nancy thanked the new volunteer Section Chairmen.
The new Day Light Section chairman is Linda Krzywicki, replacing Nancy Searle.
Turner Whitham will be taking over the facet chairman position, replacing Randy Carlson. Randy is helping to create a Gem & Mineral Society in Huntsville.
Jacob Walters volunteered to prepare and send the weekly Events Blast, replacing Michele Marsel.
Elliot Payne has agreed to be the new Shop Supervisor Scheduler.
Building Issues: Dean Wix, Chairman of Club Maintenance, reported activity in January.
- LT thanked Dean Wix and Matthew Sklar for painting the exterior of the building on Friday, January 24. Bushes covered that area when the building was painted years ago.
- Dean facilitated the repair of the leak in the men’s restroom.
- Dean repaired the light fixture in the Jewelry Shop.
- Dean carried all the fire extinguishers to be reinspected. Three of them need to be serviced. He will reinstall those when they are ready.
- LT asked Dean to make sure the defibrillator was recharged.
- LT wants to be certain we have first aid kits.
Shop News: President LT Wilcox reported on behalf of the Shop Committee. David Pawek has been helping LT and Richard Good to repair shop equipment.
- The Texaco saw is still being repaired. One of the saws is back online.
- The new lapidary soft wheels have bad gouges and holes in them. Be gentle when using them. In the future we will use metal wheels for the sanding and shaping and softer wheels for the polishing steps.
- The Shop Committee is looking for a new flat polisher.
- They are looking at desktop ventilation machines for Jewelry Smithing Shop. That will be less expensive than ventilating the whole shop.
- They will continue to look for better ventilation opportunities for the Lapidary Shop.
Beading Section: Maggie Manley, Chairman, told LT she has been attending the Beading Club Society. They are looking for a consistent place to meet. So, they will be coming to the HGMS Beading Section meeting to see if it is a fit.
OLD BUSINESS
New Bookkeeper: Rhett Cooper announced that a new Bookkeeper has been hired. She will assume the Bookkeeping responsibilities in February. She will only be contacted through Rhett at Treasurer@hgms.org.
President Wilcox asked for further Old Business. None was offered. He told members to look for the progress of Old Business items in the Board of Directors Meeting Minutes in the latest BackBenders Gazette (BBG) on the HGMS Website https://hgms.org under Publications.
NEW BUSINESS
- Susan Burch is the South Central Federation of Mineral Societies’ (SCFMS) Newsletter Editor, BEAC (Bulletin Editors Advisory Chair), newly elected Executive-Secretary, and HGMS member. She presented the 2024 awards to HGMS members for the Authors and Editors Contests for articles presented from the 2023 publications. The BBG editor submits articles to SCFMS for consideration.
- President Wilcox asked for any further New Business. No further new business was proposed.
Show-n-Tell: LT invited presenters to show their rocks.
- Bill Spizzirr asked for advice on how authenticate amber. He also asked for ideas on how to sell rough gems, polished gems, and mounted gems. Steve Blyskal suggested organizing and editing them, then taking them to the Clear Lake Show to show dealers there.
- Quentin Boyer showed items found in West Texas: calcedony over agate, moss agate, botryoidal agate, and a small carnelian nodule.
- Steve Blyskal encouraged everyone to go to Matt Dillon’s sales in Beeville, Texas.
Steve brought purchases from Matt Dillon’s sale: agate from the San Carlos northern Chihuahua, laguna agate, and feldspar from Poland. He also showed Sigrid Stewart’s purchase of pompom agate from Needle Peak.
- Matt Sklar showed two spear points he found in Terlingua, Texas.
Drawing: James Eleckel won the petrified wood. William Seid won the crystal formation. Clyde McMeans won the Indian Black Skin Agate.
President Wilcox reminded everyone:
- The next Zoom Board of Directors meeting will be on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
- The next Hybrid General Meeting will be on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. The program will be announced.
- Debbie Seid provided the Refreshments.
- Feed the Kitty! During the break. Your donations go to offset the cost of the snacks.
Adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
President Wilcox introduced the Program: Steve Blyskal’s Collecting Agate in Laredo, Texas, 1/5/ 25.
Upcoming Shows
Williamson County Gem & Mineral Show
02/15/2025 – 02/16/2026
Sat. 10:00am – 6:00pm, Sun. 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
Sat. 10:00am – 6:00pm, Sun. 10:00 – 5:00pm
Pasadena Convention Center,
7902 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena TX.
Support our sister club!
Dallas Winter Bead & Jewelry Show
AKS Bead & Jewelry Shows
02/23/2024 – 02/25/2024
Fri. and Sat. 10:00am – 6:00pm, Sun. 10:00am – 4:00pm
Grapevine Convention Center,
1209 S. Main Street, Grapevine TX
AKS Bead & Jewelry Shows in Dallas (February 2024)