THE BACKBENDER’S GAZETTE
Volume LV ----- Houston Gem & Mineral Society ----- October 2025
Scott Wilkins – YouTube Rockhound Extraordinaire
Table of Contents
Click a Table of Contents Entry to jump to that article.
Houston Gem & Mineral Society
Regional and National
American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS)
South Central Federation of Mineral Societies (SCFMS)
It's Getting to be Show Time
Support the Annual Show!
Remember, to be a success, the Houston Gem & Mineral Show needs its club members to participate! Please volunteer to help the processes of setting up, running the Club portion of the Show, and breaking down again. Goodness knows it has become much easier with the help of professional movers to get our equipment to the Show.
There are many interesting shifts available in different areas. Contact Nancy English, HGMS Volunteer Coordinator at nancyjodi@aol.com
And spend at least part of the day enjoying the Show!
Postcard Labeling Party Oct. 5th
The Postcard Labeling Party is next weekend, Sunday, Oct. 5th at 10:00am. Yes, every year we produce postcards and send them as reminders to people on our mailing list. It’s easy and fun – Beverly has them all organized into bundles and numbered. Take a bundle and the corresponding sheet of labels and stick them on. Chat with your friends. Have pizza afterwards! Don’t miss it!
Scott Wilkins – YouTube Rockhound Extraordinaire
by Steve Blyskal
If you have an interest in Texas rocks, specifically agate, you should really check out Scott and his many videos on YouTube. Scott has been on YouTube since 2009 and his videos have been watched more than 1.6 million times in total, with an average of 500 views per segment. Scott and his wife Kendra, while based in Austin, have rockhounded all over Texas, with trips to ranches in West Texas like the Kokernot o6, the Ritchie, the Larremore and the Pigmon. They have also hunted agates along the Rio Grande River. These expeditions resulted in them collecting 100s of pounds of agate, which form the basis for many of his videos. Scott has a well-set up workshop with slab saws, trim saws, cabbing wheels, sphere making units and tumbling equipment. His videos can feature slabbing of rocks, with a showing of all the slabs cut, cabbing of material he has slabbed, polishing of nodules and cabochons, tumbling – both rotary and vibratory types, and the very well received Scott and Kendra Rock Off, where he takes a rock that he found and one Kendra found and does a cut and compare. This Rock Off series has more than 200 individual videos and just wrapped up.
Scott is very personable and excited about all the agate he cuts, even the duds. The amount of work he does putting these videos together is immense. For example, I collected 30 pounds of petrified palm pieces out of the ground near Neal Immega’s garage during the time after he and Inda had moved, and before the house and garage were torn down by the new owners. Last October I met Scott in Austin and gave him 10-15 pounds of these pieces of palm so he could make a video. He immediately made a video of his examination of the rough pieces, stored it and put the pieces in line to be tumbled. After a video of the rough grind in a rotary tumbler he polished the pieces and did an extensive video of the results. The video was finally published in May, six months after I gave him the pieces. He really loves rocks, and this comes through in his videos. You could learn a lot about Texas rocks from watching the videos and get tips on how to cut and polish your own rocks.
Section News
Beading – Second Saturday, 12:00 PM
- At our October 11th meeting you can bring an old necklace (broken or just outdated). We will give them new life by restringing them to learn the proper way to design them, string them and terminate them like a professional. You can use beading wire, silk or other thread, cord, or waxed linen to make your piece. We will talk about some design and color combinations to best accent your creation. Bring your materials and findings and we can supplement some materials from our supply cabinet.
- At this meeting we will have an individual who is selling their beading stash. You will have the chance to purchase boxes of their supplies, just in time for your beading project.
- The Camp Allen Beading Section retreat in September was a success. We enjoyed the chance to get together for the weekend which included a trip to a Bee Farm and lots of quality beading time. We intend to do it again next year.
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 – Third Thursday, 6:30 PM
Our next meeting will be October 9th at 6:30 pm.
- The topic will be the Beryl Family of gemstones.
Learn more about the Gemstones and Faceting Section here.
Lapidary and Silversmithing – Third Monday, 7:00 PM
The next meeting will be on October 20th, starting at 7:00 pm.
- The Lapidary and Silversmithing meeting is on the third Monday of each month. Each month, the section meeting will have a workshop alternating between Silversmithing and Lapidary. These are Hands-On workshops you do not have to register for. Sometimes the instructors for the workshop will have a charge for the materials. When this occurs there will be a notice on the website news before that month’s meeting.
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 12:00PM to 3 PM.
The next meeting of the Daylight Section is Wednesday, October 1st at 12 PM. For this meeting,
At our October meeting we will be making Half-Byzantine Chain Maille Earrings. By changing the materials and gauge of metal you can create a different look. You can choose a design from casual to blinged out.
Please register for this class by September 28, 2025 at Lindak.hgms@gmail.com. I will acknowledge your registration. When you register please include information:
- Are you a beginner at chain maille? I will have some larger practice rings for you to experiment with, prior to using the smaller project rings.
- What project do you want to make? First and second choices please. There is a limited number of each project kit. I will fill by receipt of registrations. Be sure to include this information.
Project A – If you have never done chain maille, I highly suggest choosing the Copper Earrings.
Project B – These Sterling Silver earrings were the inspiration for this month’s project.
Project C – If you are comfortable with Chain Maille, and have good dexterity and eyesight (and/or eye magnifiers), this is a good option for a more delicate look.
Project D – The Gold Filled earrings I blinged with some of MY Swarovski crystals because Daylight did not have any gold beads with a big enough holes in them. Daylight has bought some Blue and Red Rhinestone rondelle beads for Daylighters to bling out these gold earrings. A bit of glamour for the upcoming holiday season.
The picture shows 4 versions. There are LIMITED kits available of each design.
A) 18 gauge Copper (best for beginners) $3.00
B) 18 gauge Sterling Silver $7.00
C) Delicate Sterling Silver $5.00
D) Blinged Gold Filled $10.00
Pay for the kit you registered for at the meeting.
Mineral – Third Wednesday, 7:30 PM
The next meeting is Wednesday, October 15th at 7:30 pm. Fluorite will be the subject in our continuing coverage of the Common Minerals
Come see specimens of Fluorite from member’s collections. Find out about the occurences, and yes, it can be found in Texas.
Refreshments will be served and we will have a Door Prize.
Zoom link for the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86053771923?pwd=ek5lNlk5SGFYNjN6U29ONU4xVElyQT09
or
Meeting ID: 860 5377 1923
Passcode: 826994
For more information, email Mineral@hgms.org.
Don’t forget to check out the Mineral Section page.
Paleontology – Third Tuesday, 7:30 PM
The next meeting is Tuesday, October 21st at 7:30 pm. 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
Mostly we will be working on cabochons. Children must be accompanied by parents.
October meetings will be on Saturday October 4th and 18th.
Charlie Fredregill
Charlie Fredregill passed away on August 25th 2025. His Celebration of Life was held on Thursday, September 18th at Casa Vaqueros and many friends and club members were present.
Charlie was a past President of the Houston Gem & Mineral Society and a constant presence in the shop. He was an excellent silversmith and lapidarist.
He was also an incredibly sweet person and loved helping people and instructing at the club, and very knowledgeable about chemistry as well.
Charles Orville Fredregill was preceded in death by parents Charles Orville Fredregill and Vienna Gray Fredregill, sister Gloria Fredregill Cowart, and his wife Carol Fredregill. He is survived by two nieces, Barbara Bangert Heath and Penelope Bangert Koby and many great nieces and great nephews, whom he entertained with magic tricks when they were children. He was skilled at making jewelry and gifted family and friends with many creative and beautiful pieces that he handcrafted. Music was a lifetime love. Many will remember him playing the saxophone.
Education
Classes in October and November. Click on the links for pictures and other information.
Basic Wire-Wrapped Pendant Classes (taught in the Center Classroom at HGMS Clubhouse):
Basic Wire-wrapped Pendant Class (Oct 11, 2025) 10:00 am – 2:30 pm
Cost is $57.00 for members and $67.00 for non-members.
Basic Wire-wrapped Pendant Class (Oct 20, 2025) 3:45 pm – 7:15 pm
Cost is $57.00 for members and $67.00 for non-members.
Silversmithing classes (all will be taught in the Jewelry Lab):
Wide Band Textured Rings Class (Oct 19, 2025) 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Cost is $130.00 for members and $162.00 for non-members.
Textured Stacking Rings (Nov 16, 2025) 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Cost is $110.00 for members and $137.00 for non-members.
Twisted Hoop Earrings (Oct 26, 2025) 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Cost is $105.00 for members and $131.00 for non-members.
Patterned Copper Dangle Earrings Class (Nov 23, 2025) 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Learn about cutting and joining elements, and applying patterns and patina.
Cost is $85.00 for members and $106.00 for non-members.
Shop and Building News
by Steve Blyskal, Elliot Payne and David Pawek
We need more education on how to use the machines properly!
- People using the cabbing machines are still damaging the 1200, 3000 and 8000 wheels on a regular basis, mostly from lack of knowledge about how and when to use them in
the process of making cabochons. These wheels are expensive. - Last month the 18” slab saw got mucked out and new oil put in. It needed it! This saw was completely rebuilt over a year ago by David P. and had not been mucked out since
then. It gets a lot of use. - The band saw in the middle workroom started cutting on angles instead of right angles and repair may take a while. David bought a lightweight miter saw and blade and
fastened it down to a portable workbench. Now we can cut gluing blocks from 2x4s and wedges for the slab saws. - New wheels have been added to the grinding units, including a plated diamond metal 220 wheel that is intended to replace 100 and 200 resin wheels. Response has been
good about this change. - All the slab saws are in good condition and ready to cut slabs.
- David reconditioned 2 10” trim saws with attached vises for cutting small slabs and installed them near the back wall of the shop. This gives us 7 trim saws. They are only
to be used for specialty cutting of small slabs, with permission from the shop supervisor. - The 6” Genie on the line has had its capacitor replaced and is back in service. Wednesday shop, supervised by Sam Trelansky, is very busy with a group of regular
customers. - Weekend shop days are still relatively poorly attended.
- We are getting more members willing to learn to be shop supervisors and take some days so we don’t expect any shop closures for lack of a supervisor going forward.
Bench Tips
SANDING/POLISHING IN TIGHT PLACES
Often you’ll need to sand or polish an area that’s impossible to reach with even a small wheel on a flexshaft. Other times it might be the bottom of a pocket or the inside-bottom corner of a box that needs to be finished. One trick for these nit-picky jobs may be left over from your last Chinese dinner – a chopstick.
I’ve found quite a few uses for these in the shop. Prepare the tip by simply sawing it off at a 45 degree angle. Then apply whatever abrasive grit you will need for the job or hold a strip of sandpaper around the end. Loose grit can be held onto the tip with a bit of vaseline or oil. Tripoli or rouge can be just rubbed onto the end of the chopstick.
DENTAL TOOLS
A ready source of free tools is your local dentist. Dental picks can be reworked into wax tools or straightened and sharpened to make a stylus for marking and layout. The steel in these tools is high quality, and the handles are designed for comfort.
A special note however – If you want to modify the shape of the tool, don’t try to just bend it with pliers. Working this alloy of steel while it’s cold will cause it to snap. Changing its shape can only be done when it’s hot. I work it like a blacksmith. Prop your torch up on the bench so that you can use both hands for the work. Have a hammer and bench block ready. Heat the tip red hot, and hammer it straight or bend it with pliers.
And don’t forget to ask your dentist for some of the cutting burs they throw out. These are useful for a variety of things. It’s best to call a week or two before your visit and ask the dentist or hygienist to put some of these tools aside for you. It’s good practice also to ask that they run them through the sterilizer for you. If that’s not possible, pop them in an oven at around 250 F.
An Important Message for our Membership
Contact Nancy English, HGMS Volunteer Coordinator at nancyjodi@aol.com
Soon our club will be searching for new officers, and we, as nearly all gem & mineral clubs, are at a dangerous point in the lifespan of our hobby.
Our hobby was first popularized by wealthy European collectors as exemplified by the “Cabinet of Curiosities” beloved by royalty and the wealthy. Geology slowly became a formal field of study and scientific associations became common. As we moved into the modern era, members of society attained higher incomes and greater leisure time, but after World War II, with the return to civilian life and the growth of the middle class, the Golden Age of the hobby really dawned. Those were the grandparents of the members who have become today’s elders in the gem & mineral societies. My own grandmother was a rockhound, and I became one! Now I’m a grandmother, and I am working on the grandkids. Annual Shows became popular, and more people became interested in Earth Science and its hobby twins, rock collecting and lapidary. Clubs began offering classes and education about their activities, realizing the importance of outreach.
HGMS was doing pretty well until the Covid epidemic hit. Between quarantine and remote work, maybe people got out of the habit of going to meetings and sharing and gaining knowledge for fun. It is a problem for most of the natural science clubs. Now I am emphasizing the importance of outreach for our survival. Some clubs have “aged out”, unable to attract younger members. We all know that younger people lead busy lives, and many are attracted to the digital life, but we need to fight to preserve some of the knowledge, some of the expertise for the future. It will again become important; children need to know something about the natural world. They can’t learn everything from Minecraft, as much fun as that is. I think an interest in rocks and minerals and the great outdoors is like a gateway to chemistry, physics, biology and even mathematics.
If you have an interest in helping to preserve our hobby, I encourage you to participate in the operation of our club, sister clubs and the regional societies that form our network and which can help support some of our endeavors. Volunteer! Put in a couple of shifts at the Annual Show and consider becoming an officer or serving on a committee. Become active in one of our Sections!
We will need some new officers for next year and there are positions in our own regional society, the South Central Federation of Mineral Societies. We need a VP for District II, which includes HGMS and the Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Society. And if you come to enjoy that, maybe the national society, the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies. See the world through Gem & Mineral Shows!
And volunteer for the Show! Half-day shifts are available, and working at the Show is a lot of fun!
Geological Association of New Jersey Field Trip to Sterling Hill
Roving Reporter Heidi Shelly, Former HGMS member
President John Cambell of the Southeastern Massachusetts Mineral Club requested to share this information that would be a once in a lifetime experience for the fluorescent mineral enthusiast! Sterling Hill Mining District is the WORLD’S BEST locality for fluorescent minerals as well as claiming a whopping 274 valid minerals and 23 type locality minerals (identified in a scientific paper for the first time in the world).
The Geological Association of New Jersey (GANJ) will hold their 41st annual meeting and field trip on October 17 & 18, 2025 at the historic Sterling Hill Mining Museum in Ogdensburg, New Jersey. This year’s theme is “Revisiting The Sterling Hill Orebody In the 21st Century: Challenges In Understanding and Mining This Magnificent Mineral Deposit.”
Sterling Hill is renowned for its diverse and vibrant mineral assemblages, and speakers will explore the historical and scientific significance of these minerals in the broader context of the mine’s legacy. Participants will have unparalleled access to the deposit itself. There will be a number of expert presentations on Saturday and on Sunday tours of the mine and also the museum. For more information visit their website at www.ganj.org
SCFMS / AFMS news
by Don Shurtz, President SCFMS
The SCFMS Convention is on October 18 in Austin, TX, in conjunction with the Austin Gem and Mineral Show, Gem Capers. The show is taking place in downtown Austin at the Palmer Events Center from October 17 to 19. While the show is in downtown Austin, all Convention Activities will be at the AGMS Clubhouse, 6719 Burnet Lane, Austin, 78757, on October 18. Breakfast with the Editors and Webmasters will kick things off at 8:00 AM. The Annual Meeting will be held at the clubhouse (address above) starting at 2:00 PM. The Awards Banquet will take place at 7:00 PM at Nature’s Treasures, 11055 N IH- 35, Austin, TX 78753.
At the Annual Meeting, we will need to approve a budget for 2026, elect new officers for the 2026-2027 term, and address any new or outstanding business.
The Rollin’ Rock Club official meeting will be at 8:00 AM, Sunday, October 19, at the Palmer Events Center, in the back corner of the Exhibit Hall.
Santorini Shaking
by Sigrid Stewart
Santorini, or in Greek, Thera, is an island in the Aegean Sea, about 120 miles southeast of the Greek mainland, north of the island of Crete, and southeast of the country of Turkey. It was the site of a Bronze Age settlement of the Minoan civilization which was destroyed by a massive volcanic explosion approximately 3,600 years ago. Recent excavations have uncovered three-story buildings, shops, and workplaces, but so far, few skeletons of victims indicating possible evacuation. The aerial photo of Santorini shows a large ring-shaped caldera and huge ash deposits called tephra hundreds of feet deep. Many people have speculated that the colossal eruption was the source of the legend of the lost civilization of Atlantis, which according to Plato, sank into the sea in a day and a night.
However, geological evidence suggests that the eruption lasted for weeks and caused gigantic tsunamis which undoubtedly inflicted damage all over the Aegean Sea. In 2024, uplift of the caldera floor was detected and in January of this year an intense earthquake swarm – more than 28,000 of them – has rattled the island and its neighbors. At one point, the quakes cause the authorities to issue a state of emergency message, and schools were closed. Many evacuated.
The geologic setting is a metamorphic complex called the Cycladic Massif, named for the Cyclades, the group of Greek islands which includes Santorini. Seismicity and vulcanism is controlled by Santorini’s location on the Hellenic Volcanic Arc and by the subduction of the African Plate beneath the Aegean Sea Plate. Over the past 360,000 years there have been many eruptions which created shield volcanoes. As these collapsed, calderas formed.
For this reason and because of the volcanic history of the area, a multi-disciplinary team of European seismologists and vulcanologists studied the earthquake record and other clues to the potential for a major eruption. Soon it was obvious that the earthquakes began west of Santorini then migrated towards Santorini, and then moved northeastward toward the nearby islands of Anhydros and Amargos. The earthquakes, the study of seismic velocity anomalies, deformation, and the release of hydrothermal fluids in the crater of Kolumbo, an active underwater volcano some 5 miles northeast of Santorini, indicated that magma was intruding into a dike between the Santorini caldera and Kolumbo. This raised the scary possibility of a combined eruption.
As of May 2025, seismic activity around Santorini has mostly subsided. Hopefully a giant has decided to go back to sleep.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santorini
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolumbo
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09525-7
https://greekreporter.com/2017/04/17/the-breath-of-kolumbo-submarine-volcano/
Photos:
Aerial View: kallerna, own work, under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
Map: Lencer, copyright holder, under GNU Free Documentation License
Map of Seismic Shocks:
Source: Search Results, USGS
Map of Seismic Shocks: Data available under Creative Commons Zero.
HGMS Board of Directors Meeting
Meeting Minutes for September 2nd
| Board Member | Section Board Member | ||
| President – LT [Logan] Wilcox | X | Beading – Maggie Manley | |
| 1st Vice President – John Moffitt | X | Day Light – Fred Brueckner | |
| 2nd Vice President – Sarah Metsa | X | Gemstones & Faceting – Randy Carlson | |
| X | Treasurer – Rhett Cooper |
Lapidary & Silversmithing – Richard Good | |
| X | Secretary – Nancy English | X | Mineral – Ray Kizer |
| Past President – | X | Paleontology – Mike Dawkins | |
| Web & Show – Scott Singleton |
Secretary Nancy English called the Zoom meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. A quorum was not present. There were no non-voting members in attendance:
Secretary Nancy English commented that President Wilcox, 1st Vice President Moffitt, and 2nd Vice President Metsa were not available. So, Nancy ran the meeting.
Approval of Minutes – Secretary Nancy English resent the August 5 Board meeting minutes to the Board on September 1, 2025, asking them to review to approve them on September 2. We did not have a quorum, so the minutes could not be approved. She will send an email request for the Board to vote on the minutes via email and post the approval in the October meeting agenda and minutes.
Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Rhett Cooper sent the Treasurer’s Report of June 30 to members on August 5, 2025. The meeting attendees had not had time to look at them. Rhett committed to sending the July 31 financials to the Board as soon as the Bookkeeper completes them. She was on vacation most of August. Rhett has been tracking the expenses independently and assures us that all is well. He is waiting on the contract and expense requests for the HGMS Show. His goal is to have it all paid for by October.
Committee and Section Reports
Donations, Sales, Auction Committee (DSAC) – Ray Kizer
The next Auction will be on September 20, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Clubhouse.
Education Committee – Maggie Manley asked the Board to look out for a metalsmith teacher. Rhett Cooper said Tony Lucci told him he would not teach metalsmithing until the ventilation system is improved. During the Gemstones and Faceting Section report, Nancy English told Randy Carlson that Turner Whitham had agreed to set up future Faceting classes through the Education committee, pay the room fee, and a per-student fee.
Safety/Policy Committee – Rhett Cooper has received a couple of quotes for the improvements to the circulation, ventilation, and exhaust systems. He talked to Tony Lucci about his expectations. He has not talked with President Wilcox yet. Rhett will contact Sarah Metsa when she returns from vacation. His goal is to present the bids to the Board during September so the work can be done in October.
Mike Dawkins said Jeanean Slamen has donated a portable air-conditioner to the Air Abrasive Shop. They will use that until the new system puts A/C vents in there.
Membership Committee – Sarah Metsa is on vacation in Geneva. We will get the membership numbers later in September.
Lifetime members – 68. Due to Terry Proctor’s passing. See the August BBG for the article about his valuable contributions to HGMS.
Volunteer Committee – Nancy English and Daniel Rodriguez
Daniel wrote two emails for volunteers. One for the 40 people who signed up last year for this year’s Show. And one for all the other former volunteers. She will send them this week. The call for all members to volunteer will go on the September 14 Events Blast. Nancy has received 6 volunteer requests for Saturday, November 8, in the HGS and HMNS booths. Janet Combs, who has overseen the HGS booth for years, is asking previous volunteers to take over the responsibilities for the HMNS booth.
Scholarship Committee: Mike Sommers, Nancy English, and Daniel Rodriguez
Nancy English thanked the Board for voting via email to increase the 2025 Scholarship recipients to 7 and for offering an additional $5,000 in funds. However, Mike Sommers explained to her that there was not enough time to choose 2 more recipients and get the money to the universities by the deadlines. We will use the money next year.
The $2,500 Scholarship winners are:
Award #1 – Safiye Namver, University of Texas at Austin.
Award #2 – Kyra Bennett, University of Houston.
Award #3 – Skylin Bromonsky, Sam Houston State University.
Show Committee – Scott Singleton: Met on August 12 to review the status. The next meeting is on September 9. The Postcard Party is scheduled for Sunday, October 5, 10:00 a.m. Nancy will send Treasurer Cooper the Show Committee minutes.
SECTION REPORTS
Beading Section – Maggie Manley in person: second Saturday, noon to 3:00 p.m., September 13, October 11, November 8. Maggie will decide whether to cancel or reschedule the November meeting, since it conflicts with the Show. The Beading field trip to Camp Allen in Navasota will be attended by 11 members on September 11, 12, and 13.
Day Light Section – Linda Krzywicki in person: first Wednesday, noon to 3:00 p.m., September 3. October 1, November 12. Linda rescheduled the November meeting for the 2nd Wednesday because of the Show move set-up.
Gemstones and Faceting Section – Randy Carlson Zoom Hybrid: third Thursday, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., September 18, October 16, November 20.
Due to a key member not being able to attend the 2nd Thursday scheduled meetings for the Gemstones & Faceting Section, Randy changed the scheduled date to the 3rd Thursday of the month.
Nancy English told Randy that last year, the Board agreed that when the Faceting people use the faceting equipment at the shop, they need to sign in on the daily sign-in and pay $3.00 per hour.
Randy said he has a list of 50 faceting members, but only about 20 participate in meetings. They will be making Lone Star faceted blue topaz stones to sell at the Gemstone and Faceting Gem ID booth at the 2025 HGMS Annual Show.
Lapidary and Silversmithing Section – Tony Lucci in person: third Monday, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., September 22. October 20, November 17.
Mineral Section – Steve Blyskal Zoom program planned: third Wednesday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., September. 17. October 15, November 19.
Paleo Section – Mike Dawkins, Jeanean Slamen, Ray Kizer in person: third Tuesday, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., September 16. October 21, November 18.
The Paleo Section has successfully moved its bank accounts to Chase Bank. Treasurer, Rhett Cooper, opened the account for the Section. One of the principals became a signer on the account and ordered a debit card for the Section’s use. Two others still need to go by Chase and sign the signature cards.
Youth Section– Beverly Mace in person: first and third Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to Noon, September 6 & 20. October 4 & 18, November 1 & 15.
OLD BUSINESS
Problem with General Meeting programs. Nancy English expressed her concern for the General Meeting programs and advertising. There were only 9 people at the August General meeting. No solutions were agreed on.
NEW BUSINESS
Merge with Sam Houston Rock and Gem Club: Randy Carlson’s proposal.
Would HGMS consider taking the Huntsville “Sam Houston Rock & Gem Club” as an affiliate? Currently, we have 10 members. We are quasi-sponsored by Sam Houston State University, but they want us to operate as an independent group. They provide our meeting place and currently own the equipment (2 ultra Tec faceting machines, 1 Covington cabbing machine, 2 18″ slab saws, 1 24″ slab saw, and a 36″ horizontal polisher.
They let us operate out of their Natural History Museum.
Rather than set us up as an entire separate entity, I would like to see if HGMS would be interested in taking the group as an affiliate. I would propose that in 2026, the members would start paying yearly dues to HGMS. I’m currently serving as their President, and Daniel Henderson is our Vice President. Once I get them up & running, on July 01, 2026, I will turn it over to Daniel, due to my move to Magnolia. I will stay involved with them, but not as heavy as I currently am.
The Discussion high points are noted here.
- The students would pay the HGMS Student dues of $35.00.
- The University would support the capital costs.
- Would they want a booth at the Show? They would have to discuss with the Show Chairman.
- Rhett suggested a Texas Education Network for other universities in the area. A Rice Student has asked for a presence at Rice University.
- SHU would sustain the Rock Club.
Future of Gemstone and Faceting Committee: Randy is chairman of the Gemstone and Faceting Committee. He asked the Board to approve capital expenditures on Faceting equipment. The section will pay for the expendables.
Faceting will run classes through the Education committee in the future, paying $15.00 for the space and $5.00 per student. Maggie Manley and Randy will work it out.
Thank you to Debbie Seid. Debbie and William Seid have consistently provided snacks for our General Meetings since February 2023. As our first Social Chairman, Debbie has coordinated our Postcard Party food, the Volunteer Appreciation Party buffet, and the Holiday Party Potluck party. Last year they and this year they are going to run the Hospitality Suite at the Show.
Debbie and William have a busy year coming up in 2026 and are going to step away from the Social Chairman responsibilities.
We are so spoiled. We hope someone else will step into this much-appreciated position for 2026.
The next Board of Directors Zoom meeting will be on the first Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., October 7.
The next General Meeting will be on the fourth Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. October 28, 2025.
Adjourn: Maggie Manley moved to adjourn. Mike Dawkins seconded the motion, and it passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
HGMS General Meeting Minutes
Minutes for September 2025
by Nancy English
1st Vice President Moffitt called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. He welcomed 19 attendees: 18 in person and 1 online.
One guest introduced herself, Mari Vega, and her service dog, Dirk. She is interested in Lapidary.
Approval of Minutes: Secretary Nancy English was unable to get into Zoom to get the recording of the August meeting. She was on vacation during that meeting. She said she would get them done.
COMMITTEE/SECTION REPORTS
1st Vice President Moffitt invited Section Chairs and Standing Committee Chairs to make any additional announcements.
Donations, Sales, Auction Committee (DSAC): Ray Kizer reported that at the September 20, 2025, Auction, ten bidders spent $1827.00.
Show Committee: Scott Singleton/Sigrid Stewart: Met on September 9. Discussed floor plans, mailings, and got updates from each area.
Nancy English announced the need for volunteers for the Show POST CARD PARTY: The volunteers label 7000 postcards on Sunday, October 5, 10:00 to 12:00. Our own Debbie Seid will feed us. Volunteers should contact Nancy English at nancyjodi@aol.com.
Steve Blyskal reported that the Mineral Section had assembled 25 Mineral Kits for the school collections for the Show.
The Paleo Section spent its meeting designing a new footprint for its booth at the Show.
Website Committee: Scott Singleton/Sigrid Stewart Nancy English reported that the issue with the @hgms addresses has been fixed. However, the links on the Contact Us page are not working.
The Paleo Section has been invited to make a presentation at the Clear Lake Library next summer.
OLD BUSINESS: No Old Business was discussed.
NEW BUSINESS
Nominating Committee
Ray Kizer announced the names of the 2025 Nominating Committee: Jeanean Slamen, Ray Kizer, and Sigrid Stewart. They will have a 2026 slate of officers for the October General Meeting. They will be looking for a new President, 1st Vice President, and Secretary.
OUTREACH for Rice University
The Board is investigating an Outreach program for HGMS speakers to go to local colleges and universities. If anyone here would like to join this project, please contact Nancy English or Sarah Mesta.
The next Zoom Board of Directors meeting will be on Tuesday, October 1, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
The next Hybrid General Meeting will be on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Show-n-Tell: 1st Vice President Moffitt asked presenters to limit items to three.
Steve Blyskal described Clyde McMean’s Barite from Missouri, south of St. Louis. It is as dense as lead. Steve showed a leopard skin agate from Mexico.
Mari Vega showed a piece of calcite that has been in her family for generations. It displayed white, grey, clear, and red shades. Steve Blyskal said it was probably from Chihuahua, Mexico. It lights up under short-wave light.
Drawing: David Pawek won the amethyst plate.
Ray Kizer reminded everyone to make their final bids on the Silent Auction Items during the break. He will take payments after the program.
Steve Blyskal announced that Terry Smith is running rock hunts this fall. You must be a member of the Rolling Rock Club to sign up. Membership costs $10.00
1st Vice President Moffitt reminded everyone:
Debbie Seid provided refreshments.
Feed the Kitty! Your donations go to offset the cost of the snacks.
Thank you to the volunteers who made tonight possible.
Thank you to the volunteers who make all of what HGMS has available.
Adjourn: James Eleckel moved to adjourn. Ray Kizer seconded it. The motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Vice-President Moffitt spoke on leadership and club plans.
Upcoming Shows
OCTOBER
October 3-5, Gem and Mineral Society of Louisiana, John A Alario Event Center, Fri 10-6, Sat 10-6, Sun 10:30-4:00. https://www.gmsofla.org/
October 17-19, Austin Gem & Mineral Show (Fri 9-6, Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5), and SCFMS Convention (October 18). The show is held at the Palmer Event Center in downtown Austin. The Convention Breakfast and General Meeting will take place at their clubhouse, located at 6719 Burnet Lane. The awards banquet will be held at Nature’s Treasures, located at 11055 N. IH-35 Frontage Rd. Both are north of downtown Austin.
NOVEMBER
November 1-2, Paleontological Society of Austin, Old Settler’s Heritage Association, https://www.austinpaleo.org/fest.html
November 1-2, Midland Gem & Mineral Show, Bush Convention Center, https://www.midlandgemandmineral.org/
November 7-9, Houston Gem & Mineral Show, Fri 9-6, Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5, Humble Convention Center, https://hgms.org/
November 8-9, Golden Spread Gem, Mineral and Treasure Society, Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5, Amarillo Convention Center
November 15-16, Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Club, Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4, Will Rogers Memorial Center,
https://www.fortworthgemandmineralclub.org/show.html
November 22-23, Dallas Gem & Mineral Society, Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5, Mesquite Convention Center, Mesquite, TX. https://www.dallasgemandmineral.org/
DECEMBER
December 6-7, DeRidder Gem & Mineral Society, Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4, West LA Forestry Fair Grounds, Leesville, LA.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064473110778
References:
Local Shows, https://www.scfms.net/local_shows.htm
https://www.rockngem.com/ShowDatesFiles/ShowDatesDisplayAll.php?ShowState=ALL
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 may be edited for grammar and content and should be submitted before the 15th day of the month. Email content and comments to editor@hgms.org.