Table of Contents
- Quantum States of the FMS by Philip S. Neuhoff 1–2
- Treasurer’s Report by Andre Silver 3
- Chapter Report by Philip S. Neuhoff 4
- Research Chapter by Philip S. Neuhoff 4
- Northeast Region Fluoresophiles (NERFs) by Howie Green and Lee McIlvaine 5–6
- Rocky Mountain Chapter – 2022 End of Year Report by Brian Walko 7–8
- So. Cal. Collectors Chapter – Year End Report 2022 by David Stuck 9–10
- FMS Facebook Chapter Report by Mark Cole 11–12
- The Journal of the Fluorescent Mineral Society by Philip S. Neuhoff 13
- UV Waves by Howie Green 13
- Website Committee Report by Simone Conti 13–14
- The Fluorescent Mineral Society Hall of Fame by Jan Wittenberg 15
- In Memory of Al Liebetrau, FMS #594 by — 16
- Would I Do It All Again? Fools Step In… by Albert Liebetrau 17–18
Quantum States of the FMS
By Philip S. Neuhoff · pp. 1–2
The Fluorescent Mineral Society’s recent progress and priorities include the strong member turnout at the 2022 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, the society’s redesigned website, and growing public interest in collecting fluorescent minerals. The article credits member volunteers for publications, events, and chapter activity, and encourages members to contribute time, expertise, and articles. It also notes how increasingly available long-, mid-, and shortwave LED lights are expanding access to the hobby and technical study.
Treasurer’s Report
By Andre Silver · p. 3
The FMS’s 2022 finances show a year-end checking balance of $13,096.25, a gain of $647.98, and savings of $4,586.14. Membership dues supplied most income, supplemented by donations, auctions, and publication sales. The report summarizes receipts and expenses, including costs for the Journal, UV Waves, website services, and the society’s Tucson Gem and Mineral Show participation. It also acknowledges the production work that supports the magazine.
Chapter Report
By Philip S. Neuhoff · p. 4
FMS chapters provide local opportunities for members to meet, learn, collect, and promote the society’s mission. This overview outlines the organization’s geographic and interest-based chapters, including regional groups, the European Fluorescent Mineral Circle, the Facebook Chapter, and the Research Chapter. It describes gatherings, collecting trips, talks, swaps, and online meetings, and encourages members to help lead existing chapters or organize new ones where no regional chapter is active.
Research Chapter
By Philip S. Neuhoff · p. 4
The FMS Research Chapter brings together members interested in technical questions and coordinated research on luminescent minerals. Much of its collaboration takes place by email because members are geographically dispersed. The report highlights a study of solarization in filter glasses used in shortwave UV lamps, noting that the work grew from chapter discussions and that members helped acquire and prepare filters. New LED developments are expected to prompt further research and discussion.
Northeast Region Fluoresophiles (NERFs)
By Howie Green and Lee McIlvaine · pp. 5–6
The Northeast Region Fluoresophiles describe their community and activities, centered on the annual NERF Ball at the Sterling Hill Mining Museum. The event combines specimen sales and swaps, expert presentations, museum access, and member-organized food and social activities, with remote participation available. The chapter also supports talks at clubs and schools, museum and university relationships, and collecting trips in New York and Ontario. Its organizers prioritize broad participation, even when attendees are not FMS members.
Rocky Mountain Chapter – 2022 End of Year Report
By Brian Walko · pp. 7–8
The Rocky Mountain Chapter reports on exhibiting at the Denver and Tucson gem and mineral shows, offering presentations to local clubs, and arranging limited collecting trips. A featured Colorado locality is the Emmett Mine, a large open cut containing fluorite, hyalite opal, and autunite. The report also previews a planned collecting trip for fluorescent chalcedony in northwest Nebraska with partner clubs. Photographs show chalcedony beds and geodic chalcedony under white light and shortwave UV.
So. Cal. Collectors Chapter – Year End Report 2022
By David Stuck · pp. 9–10
Southern California collectors recount chapter gatherings and fieldwork, including a specimen-sharing event called “The Viewing of the Rocks” and a technical presentation on UV lamps and LED technology. The report covers trips to remote Inyo County localities and a chapter outing to the California State Gem Mine near Coalinga, where members searched mine tailings for benitoite. It explains the washing and shortwave-UV inspection process and describes gemmy and stoney benitoite, associated natrolite and neptunite, and other minerals reported from the deposit.
FMS Facebook Chapter Report
By Mark Cole · pp. 11–12
The Facebook Chapter report describes the growth and activity of the Fluorescent Minerals group, which had more than 10,000 members and an international audience. Discussions range from specimen identification and photography to spectrographic analysis, filters, and comparisons of LED flashlights with tube lights. The report notes increased interest in midwave and shortwave lighting and fluorescent sodalite found around the Great Lakes. It also encourages experienced collectors to share knowledge and help newcomers connect with the wider FMS.
The Journal of the Fluorescent Mineral Society
By Philip S. Neuhoff · p. 13
The Journal of the Fluorescent Mineral Society publishes original research and review articles on mineral luminescence, UV-generating technology, and related subjects. The report traces the Journal’s long-standing role as an FMS member benefit and highlights two contributions in its latest volume: Don Newsome’s experimental study of filter-glass solarization in shortwave UV lamps and Mike Crawford’s extensive treatment of fluorescent minerals from Sar-e-Sang, Afghanistan. Authors are invited to submit work, while a digital archive is being developed.
UV Waves
By Howie Green · p. 13
The editor’s report marks UV Waves’ transition to an electronic magazine and describes its scientific, educational, and general-interest coverage. Subjects include particular minerals and historic localities, illumination and photography methods, collecting trips, and FMS chapter activities, approached through geology, mineralogy, chemistry, physics, and biology. The report introduces recurring features such as Query Quarry and Every Fluorescent Tells a Story, welcomes contributions of varied lengths, and notes that members can access the magazine’s complete archive online.
Website Committee Report
By Simone Conti · pp. 13–14
The website report reviews improvements to the FMS membership system and online resources. Members can access the complete UV Waves archive, Journal contents and recent downloadable volumes, and a searchable directory of members with website accounts. Other additions include updated society information, a Hall of Fame page, and materials documenting the FMS display at the 2022 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. The report outlines future needs, including expanded educational content, chapter information, event listings, and searchable publication indexes.
The Fluorescent Mineral Society Hall of Fame
By Jan Wittenberg · p. 15
The FMS Hall of Fame recognizes people and organizations for sustained contributions to understanding mineral fluorescence and supporting the collecting community. Areas of contribution include education, outreach, research, technological advances, and exceptional service to the society. Past inductees include Don Newsome, the Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society, and Tom Warren. The article explains that a rotating committee reviews member nominations and directs readers to the society website for the nomination form and submission process.
In Memory of Al Liebetrau, FMS #594
p. 16
This memorial note honors Al Liebetrau, a longtime FMS member and influential participant in the broader mineral community, who died on April 29, 2023. The editor recalls Liebetrau’s commitment to strengthening chapter activity and his experience, patience, and humor. The note also introduces an unfinished effort to record his reflections on the FMS’s participation in the 2022 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, presenting the surviving portion of his writing as a personal tribute.
Would I Do It All Again? Fools Step In…
By Albert Liebetrau · pp. 17–18
Albert Liebetrau recounts how growing up among glacially deposited rocks, traveling across the country, and joining a mineral club led him and his wife, Sue, into mineral collecting. Their interest in fluorescent specimens deepened through mentors and visits with Illinois fluorite dealer Ben Clement, whose Franklin-Sterling Hill minerals made a strong impression. Liebetrau also recalls joining the FMS, becoming active in its governance, and helping organize major society displays, including the 2022 Tucson event. The account ends with an outline for a continuation he did not complete.