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The Huntsville Gem and Mineral Society (HGMS) is a non-profit educational organization for people interested in mineralogy, geology, paleontology, lapidary arts and related fields.  Our primary purpose is to educate our members and the general public in these areas.  We accomplish this by presenting programs, shows and lectures (to school children and organizations); hosting field trips; and exchanging rocks, minerals and fossils.  We have regular monthly meetings, and special annual events, such as the Fundraising Auction, the Picnic and Rock Swap, the Gem, Jewelry, and Mineral Show (the largest in North Alabama), and the Christmas Dinner.  Plus, HGMS members have access to a state-of-the-art lapidary shop and to jewelry crafting activities, such as wire working and metalsmithing.  Guests and visitors always welcome!

President’s Message

Hello all you Rock Hounds, Metalsmiths, and Jewelry Makers!  I’m writing these words with a heavy heart.  This month, we lost a very dear friend, Michael J. Soroczak, who died suddenly on August 7th.  He was laid to rest on the 14th with a gathering of family and many friends to celebrate his life and wish him a somber farewell.  For those who did not get a chance to know Mike personally, let me give you my thoughts.  First, he was a cornerstone of this club for over thirty years but also of the community in which he lived.  For many years he not only held different offices, taught and shared his knowledge but also served on the board of directors for a lot of those years.  Second, his knowledge and wisdom have led us through difficult times and also periods of growth and expansion.  And most  importantly, he was always there for us with his wife and true partner, Myra.  He and Myra gave of themselves to others and the community in so many ways, the list is too long to mention here.  Join me as we honor Mike and say “Thank you Mike, for being part of our lives.  We will miss you but never forget you!”

Your HGMS President,
Mike Harrison

The 2021 Show is Almost Here!!!

Friday, October 8th – Sunday, October 10th

The highly anticipated Huntsville Gem, Jewelry, and Mineral Show is right around the corner, and you’re invited to join the fun!  This year’s show promises to be bigger and better than ever!  This will be our first show since cancelling last year’s show due to COVID-19!  Our vendors are coming back, so we’ll have plenty of minerals, fossils, jewelry, and other goodies from the great vendors you know and love!  And…

Our expanded Kids’ Activity Area will include all the familiar activities your family loves, plus new activities such as building crystal models, classifying rocks, and identifying minerals using a “hardness” test.  Younger children will enjoy making fossil “rubbings” to take home and getting their picture taken with our 8-foot tall T-Rex skeleton!  There’ll also be a scavenger hunt (inside the show)!

Special Exhibit – In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 15 lunar mission (July 26 – August 7, 1971) we’re going to display a real Moon Rock collected by Apollo 15 astronauts!

Location – The show will be at the Jaycee Community Building (2180 Airport Road, SW, Huntsville, Alabama) conveniently located near local restaurants and shopping, and parking is free! 

Admission – $3 at the door; $1 students; $5 weekend pass; children under 5 free.  New:  Bring an HGMS “Kindness” rock to the show for 1-day free entry (one rock per person = one free admission). We’ve hidden specially labeled painted rocks all over Madison County!