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Gem Capers 2025
The Austin Gem & Mineral Society (AGMS) is thrilled to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2025, marking three-quarters of a century dedicated to the education, appreciation, and preservation of the earth sciences. To honor this milestone, the Society proudly announces its Diamond Jubilee—a radiant theme that will headline this year’s Gem Capers show, taking place October 17–19 at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, Texas.
Southern Central Federation of Mineral Societies
Annual Meeting
October 18th
Palmer Events Center, Austin
Editor’s Breakfast • SCFMS Annual Meeting • Awards Dinner
Tickets On Sale
Exhibitor’s Registration Now Open
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.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 846 9807 8278
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.
AGMS 101: Introduction to Cabbing – Special Geology Club Edition
Cost: Free
Prerequisite: This class is only available to students currently enrolled in the Austin Community College Geology Club.
Class Description: Basics on using machines in workshop safely and how to form cabochon stones.
Class Length: 1:00 PM – 4:00pm
Class Size: 6 students
ATTENTION: This class is only available to students currently enrolled in the Austin Community College Geology Club. You MUST reserve your ticket using .edu email address or your order will be canceled.
Available Classes
Upcoming Classes
There are no upcoming events at this time.
AGMS on Facebook
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Austin Gem and Mineral Society
Meetings are held the 4th Thursday of the month at 6719 Burnet Lane, Austin Texas.@ 7p.m.
AGMS' Mineral Special Interest Group is THIS TUESDAY, November 11 at 7:00 pm. Join us!
#minsig #agms #austingemandmineralsociety #rockhound #minerals #gems
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🍁Fall-Themed Cabochon Challenge is underway 🍁
Celebrate the season with fall colors and cozy autumn vibes captured in stone!
This contest is a single stone only.
That means your entry must be made from one stone.
Single Stone: Allowed
Doublets/Triplets: Not Allowed
Shape: Any
______________________
Contest Overview:
Create a cabochon that reflects the fall theme!
You can interpret the theme through material, shape, color, or imagery in the stone.
It will be exciting to see what everyone comes up with!
*You do not have to submit a cab to participate everyone can vote when voting opens!
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Rules
1. Your entry must be cut and finished by you during the contest month.
2. Cabs must have a domed face and a flat back.
3. Dome height and girdle thickness are your choice, as long as a girdle is present.
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Submission Details:
• Submission Deadline: November 24th at 11:59 PM CST
• Voting Period: November 24th – November 30th at 12:00 PM (noon) CST
(Final celebration and winner announcement will follow!)
Required Photos (3):
1. Front view: clearly showing the face and shape
2. Side view: showing dome and girdle
3. Rough/slab photo: showing where the cab originated
You are welcome to share additional info like:
• Material name
• Cutting methods
• Any challenges encountered during the process
______________________
Judging Criteria:
• Theme: How well does it represent fall?
• Shape & Execution: Clean form, dome, girdle, symmetry, etc.
• Overall Appearance: Beauty, polish, creativity, and craftsmanship
______________________
Final Notes:
Art is subjective — and that’s what makes this fun!
Let’s celebrate creativity, support each other, and enjoy the process.
Thank you to Kurt Westerman for arranging this contest.
#cabcontest #cabs #fall #austingemandmineralsociety #agms #gems #mineraals #rockhounds
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AGMS Calendar
Board Meetings:
First Tuesday, 7:00 PM, Jan – Nov.
No meeting in Dec. Nov meeting is budget planning.
Club Meetings (Open to the Public):
4th Thursdays, 7:00 PM, Jan – Oct.
Open Workshop:
Every Wednesday, 6pm – 8:30pm.
3rd Saturday 10 am – 2 pm (times subject to change)
Min SIG:
2nd Tuesdays, 7-9 pm.
Lap SIG:
3rd Thursdays, 7-9pm.
Show Committee:
2nd Thursdays, 7-9pm.
Paleo Club
3rd Tuesdays, 7:00 PM.
Gem & Mineral News
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Congratulations to the 2025 Officers and Board Members
Officers: |
|
| President: | John Connors |
| VP1: | Michael Egger |
| VP2: | Mark Barber |
| Secretary: | Jan Ozias |
| Treasurer: | James Mercier |
Directors: |
|
| Jeff Greinert | |
| Earnest Carter | |
| Rob Lee King | |
| Michael Burns | |
| Marilyn Gilbreath | |
| James (Jim) Koen | |
LEADS for Standing Committees & Special Interest Groups
| Building: | Michael Egger |
| Bylaws & Operating Procedures: | Jan Ozias |
| Community Outreach: | Doretta Conrad |
|
Curator:
|
Barbara Liebman |
|
Education:
|
John Connors |
| Field Trips: | Ron Carman |
| Gem Capers: | Laird Fowler |
| Historian: | Vacant |
| Hospitality: | Ginger Batson |
| Liaison with Regional (SCFMS) and National (AFMS) Federations: | RonCarman |
| Library: | Laird Fowler |
| Membership: | Jim Koen |
| MinSIG: | Laird Fowler |
|
LapSIG:
|
Ron Patillo |
| Programs: | Mark Barber |
|
Webmaster:
|
James Michener |
| Workshop: | Gef Fisher |
| Youth Programs: | Lorraine Chammah |
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
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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.