Rocket City Jewelers (RCJ) is a benefit of membership in the Huntsville Gem and Mineral Society (HGMS). Our goals are to learn new jewelry making skills and techniques, to share tips and information, and to have fun! We enjoy the comradery of working together and letting our creativity flow in a safe, friendly environment.
Who Can Participate in RCJ?
All HGMS members in good standing are welcome. To access the HGMS Membership Application online, please click here. Printed applications are also available when you visit us. Participation in RCJ does not currently require certification, and all skill levels are welcome! Previous jewelry making experience is helpful, but not necessary.
When and Where Does RCJ Meet?
RCJ meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from 6p – 9p and 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 2p – 5p. (5th Wednesday activities and times are TBA.) We meet in the RCJ room in the HGMS Education Center, 7901 Bailey Cove Road SE, Huntsville. Please enter the South parking lot from Bailey Cove Road SE, enter the building through the double glass doors, then turn left to enter your security code. If you arrive an hour after the scheduled meeting time, you’ll need to call RCJ security to let you in.
What Kind of Classes Does RCJ Offer?
We are always exploring new ways to incorporate stones and gemstones into jewelry! We currently offer wirework classes on 1st Wednesday evenings and chainmaille classes on 3rd Wednesday evenings with open sessions on 2nd and 4th Wednesday afternoons. Open sessions are a great time to finish unfinished class projects. An instructor will be available to assist you. You can also make up classes you may have missed (requires prior arrangement with the instructor), or work on individual projects.
How Do I Sign Up for Classes?
Upcoming classes are listed in the Calendar of this website and in the HGMS newsletter. First time visitors can sign up for classes by sending email to hsvgems@gmail.com 2 weeks before the class date. This allows the instructors time to prepare the class kits. Any HGMS member or visitor can also sign up in person at RCJ meetings and at monthly HGMS meetings.
Every quarter, RCJ members will be asked to vote for their favorite class ideas. Classes for the next 3 months are selected based on their feedback, followed by signing up for 6 classes. Please be sure to vote either YES or NO for each class. When you sign up for a class, a kit will be reserved for you. You can change your signups up until 2 weeks before the class date. If you do not reserve a kit on or before the deadline, one will NOT be made for you.
Did You Know?
Peridot - The yellow-green gem variety of the mineral olivine. Found as nodules in volcanic rock, occasionally as crystals lining veins in mountains of Myanmar and Pakistan, and occasionally inside meteorites. Spinel - This gemstone offers a range of hues from orange, red, pink, purple, blue, violet, and bluish green. Intense reds are caused by chromium, the same trace element that colors ruby and emerald.
Source: 
