The Mineral Special Interest Group (MinSIG) is a sub-group of the Austin Gem and Mineral Society (AGMS). MinSIG meetings are open to anyone with an interest in learning, sharing, seeking and acquiring minerals. Attendees are encouraged to bring specimens for discussion/identification or to simply add to the show-and-tell atmosphere of the group.
MinSIG meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm at the AGMS Clubhouse in the auditorium, unless announced otherwise. Meetings are also available on ZOOM.
Generally, meetings are led by a moderator who opens the meeting by welcoming everyone and asking if anyone has brought specimens for discussion. Specimens can be minerals for identification, minerals about which they have questions, or minerals they just want to show the group. Sometimes a person brings a specimen for what is called “stump the chump.” In this case, the person knows the identification of the mineral and the rest of the group tries to guess its identity. We might also talk about publications, mineral shows we’ve been to or any road trips on which we’ve found specimens.
In general, the meetings last no more than an hour and a half. Meeting length depends on how many folks come and how many want to present their specimens.
The MinSIG group is in charge of the Crystallography Display Cases featured at the AGMS annual Gem and Mineral Show – Gem Capers.
Current MinSIG host is Barbara Liebman