Sand Section
A Special GMS Group
for People Interested in Sand
Sand Section Meets
First Wednesday Every Month
If you think sand is just tiny rocks, the insignificant stuff of beaches and dunes, or simply a substance with the ability to invite itself into regions of your clothing where it is most unwelcome, then you need to take a closer look. Consider a sample of green sand. Some grains have bubbles or inclusions. Some are angular and some are rounded. What is it? How did it form? Or how about another sample that looks like tiny stars? What are those little things? How did they end up in some sand? Well, now you know why we have a section for people interested in sand!
So, those of you who thought you were the only person weird enough to think it was a good idea to keep baggies and jars full of sand -- come join us! Even if you still think sand is just tiny rocks, even if you think you already have enough hobbies, or even if you just want to see what all the excitement is about – come join us!
Interesting Articles and Links
Click here for a list of Zoom links from past Sand Section meetings.Click here for the International Sand Collectors Society (ISCS) website.
Click here for a sand nomenclature glossary on the ISCS website.
Click here for a list of links to coloring pages about psammophiles (sand animals).
If you have any questions about Sand Section, please send email to
Sand Section Message
Image Credit: Public domain
Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Social Time: 7:00 PM
Meeting Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Virtually via Zoom Link on the GMS Calendar here
Speaker: Julian Gray
Topic: Microscopes
In October, we had a lively discussion about cataloging our collections. Many thanks to Hans and Julian for showing us their catalogs, as well as everyone who had thoughtful questions and comments. It was an excellent opportunity to learn from each other, and we got some great ideas for improving our catalogs.
In November, Julian Gray will give us a much-anticipated presentation about microscopes. More information soon.
Special Sand Day August 10, 2024!!!
Thank you to everyone who came to help reorganize the GMS study sand!GMS has a permanent collection of sand from all over the world. Excess sand is stored so anyone can get samples. Over time, as sand samples are removed, the boxes where the sand is stored become sparse and take more room than necessary.
Every few years, we reorganize the sand to compress the samples into fewer boxes, or as Brian Curtis quipped, we "defrag" the collection. This time, we recouped more than 5 boxes worth of space, and we only got halfway through the collection!
Many thanks to Katrina, Brian, Pat, Tom, Olga, Bob, and Eric for reorganizing an incredible amount of sand; Katrina and Wayne for donating more sand; and Charles, for getting pizza for everyone.
Lori Carter
Sand Section Chair
Click here for the GMS Sand Collection List
Click below for a map and directions