First Saturday Events
Mark your calendars and plan to attend the AGMS First Saturday Meet-Up and Network events May through September 2023!
First Saturday events provide opportunities for Members to meet Members and to introduce nonmembers to AGMS. All are invited to participate in First Saturday events to learn about club meetings, events, activities and outings; talk with experts; learn more about our beloved hobby; exchange information, learn and share your interests.
Family-friendly, free, fun event. 9am to 1pm
6719 Burnet Lane, Austin, Texas
Gem Capers // 2023
Minerals of India
October 20 – 22 / Palmer Auditorium
The Austin Gem and Mineral Society’s annual gem and mineral show is open to the public and held at the Palmer Auditorium in Austin, Texas. The 2023 event will host over 30 vendors selling gemstones, jewelry, beads, mineral specimens, fossils, crystals and more!
2023 Dates
Friday, October 20
9am – 6pm
Saturday, October 21
9am – 6pm
Sunday, October 22
10 am – 5 pm
Mesolite, India // Zeolites are a class of minerals found in basalt flows including Mesolite
ANNOUNCING Map Case Dutch Auction
OPENING BID SET AT $900
AGMS is offering its MAP CASE and 50+ years of maps for sale to one lucky club member. The sturdy 11 drawer metal map case containing a multi-decade collection of topographical and other maps assembled by AGMS members over the past 50 years is being offered via “Dutch Auction” to any AGMS club member in good standing.
Log into your Member Account to find detailed information on the MEMBER DASHBOARD
Upcoming Events & Meetings
the March 23rd General Meeting
Speaker: Deborah Wilson Taylor
Topic: Marketing Lapidary Creations
Plan to join us for this great presentation, updates on club activities, socializing with fellow rock and mineral enthusiasts, fabulous door prizes and fun and fun!
2023 Winter/Spring Class schedule:
PLEASE NOTE: ALL OF OUR CURRENT CLASS OFFERINGS ARE SOLD OUT
yOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO PLACE YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST IN THE EVENT SOMEONE IS UNABLE TO MAKE THEIR CLASS – SEND AN EMAIL TO INFO@AGMS-TX.ORG INCLUDE YOUR NAME, CLASS TITLE AND CLASS DATE IN YOUR REQUEST.
THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE IS CURRENTLY WORKING TO SCHEDULE MORE CLASSES. LOOK FOR CLASS INFORMATION TO BE ANNOUNCED IN AGMS MEMBERS UPDATE EMAILS.
AGMS 101: Introduction to Workshop and Cabochon Making
Prerequisite – AGMS Member in good standing (2023 dues are paid) and 18 years of age or older.
Class Description:
This is the basic class required for anyone who wishes to use any machines in the AGMS Workshop or to take any higher-level class at AGMS. Classes should have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 students.
The class is 5 hours in length and may be spread over two sessions of 2 1/2 hours each.
Mar 25
Brian Wetzig
Apr 22
Shana Riley
May 27
Sylvia LaDoux
AGMS 101: Slab Saw Basics
Prerequisite – Completed AGMS 101: Introduction to Workshop and Cabochon Making (or approved to work in the Workshop prior to 2023) CLASS COMPLETED
Feb 18
AGMS on Facebook
Austin Gem and Mineral Society
Meetings are held the 4th Thursday of the month at 6719 Burnet Lane, Austin Texas.@ 7p.m. Providing education on all types of lapidary interests and collections. Formed in the 1950's. Please join us.
AGMS Membership Drive today at Nature's Treasurers in Austin. Join this month and you'll be entered in a drawing to win a new Lortone tumbler plus tumbling media and a bag of tumbler rocks donated by Nature's Treasures. AGMS Members receive 10% discount on NT purchases!
AGMS sends out our sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who attended our Gem & Mineral Show this past weekend! Shout outs to our great vendors and fantastic volunteets!!
It was awesome, thanks again!!
Gem Capers Count Down to the Show! Oct 21 thru 23. Go to www.agms-tx.org/gem-capers/ for more event details.
Gem Capers is the Austin Gem and Mineral Society's largest and most important annual fundraiser. This year's show theme is Fluorescents
What: Gem Capers
When: October 21-23: Friday & Saturday 9 to 6; Sunday 10 to 5
Where: Palmer Event Center in Austin
Event Details: AGMS-TX.ORG/GEM-CAPERS/
Prices: $8 Adults; $2 Juniors (13-18 yrs); $7 Military (Active and Retired); $7 Senior (65 Yrs and over)
AGMS Club Booths:
Youth Booths:
Gem Mine
Wheel of Fortune
Jewelry Booth
Touch Table
General Public:
Silent Auction
Door Prizes
Fluorescent Mineral Room
Multiple Specimen Displays throughout the event
AGMS Information
Gem Capers Vendors: AGMS-TX.ORG/GEM-CAPERS/VENDORS/
Upcoming Events & Meetings
General Meeting 4th Thursday each month
The general public is invited to visit AGMS General Meetings in person or on ZOOM. Meetings are held at our clubhouse at 6719 Burnet Lane, Austin beginning at 7:pm on the 4th Thursday of each month. If you have a question regarding an upcoming meeting, click here.
Our monthly meetings are available via Zoom video conferencing. All are welcome to attend our meetings.
Here’s the meeting link:
Join Zoom Meeting
| https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89935833223?pwd=OU1VTGxmZ3ZWZkxGeG9QSG9rUFM2Zz09 |
Meeting ID: 892 8892 4566
Passcode: 4XpHpR
NOTICE: Currently, we meet in-person with mask wearing as a personal option. We will continue to offer Zoom video conferencing to members and guests.
Gem & Mineral News
- How to Make Turquoiseby Admin (Blog | Rock & Gem Magazine) on March 20, 2023 at 10:00 am
- A Calcite Identification Guideby Admin (Blog | Rock & Gem Magazine) on March 20, 2023 at 10:00 am
- Color Therapy Gemstones 101by Admin (Blog | Rock & Gem Magazine) on March 20, 2023 at 10:00 am
- Heathergems Jewelry 101by Admin (Blog | Rock & Gem Magazine) on March 13, 2023 at 10:00 am
- All About Emeraldsby Admin (Blog | Rock & Gem Magazine) on March 13, 2023 at 10:00 am
The Austin Gem and Mineral Society welcomes you to join us!
Membership Benefits
- Connection and networking with other rock hounds, mineral collectors, geological experts, jewelry artists, gem and mineral professionals and experts, gem and mineral vendors, educators, and a plethora of rock related subject matter experts in a wide variety of gem and mineral related topics.
- General club meetings offer speakers and presentations on a wide variety of gem and mineral topics.
- Access to our website membership portal includes access to member blogs, member specific announcements, posts on member boards, SIG meetings/topics and online discussions (Special Interest Groups: Min Sig, Paleo SIG, Silversmithing SIG, Jewelry SIG, Lapidary Sig, Faceting SIG)
- Access to clubhouse resources includes: large meeting room, lapidary/cabbing workshop, faceting workshop, slab shack saws, extensive resource library, and display exhibits of gems and minerals
- Annual events and activities include: Gem Capers (annual gem and mineral show held at the Austin Palmer Event Center), Swap Meet, Club Auction, Holiday Party
- Classes: Cabbing, Faceting, Silversmithing, Slab Saw, other classes are offered as needs and instructors are identified
- Field trips and rock hunts for members only
Have a Question?
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Federation and Club Resources
Visit these other websites for related information on gems and minerals, activities, learning opportunities, and more.
Federation of Mineral Societies
The Austin Gem and Mineral Society is part of SCFMS (The South Central Federation of Mineral Societies). SCFMS is one of seven different regional federations in the US that are members of the AFMS (American Federation of Mineralogical Societies).
Please note that these links are third party websites that are not maintained by AGMS. AGMS is not responsible for materials found on these sites. Please use caution when visiting an unfamiliar site.