Gail Butler was a contributing editor to Rock and Gem magazine for more than 20 years and has written many articles on rockhounding, gold prospecting, lapidary, and other subjects for various publications. Now retired, she resides in Elsinore, Utah. The California Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) was organized in 1936 to bring about a closer association of Clubs and Societies devoted to the study of Earth Sciences and the practice of Lapidary Arts and Crafts in the Western part of the United States.The CFMS includes approximately 137 clubs and societies mostly in California. There are a few clubs outside this area in Arizona and Nevada due to historical affiliation. The CFMS is a member of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS). learn more at www.cfmsinc.org
