News Nuggets
Newsletter of the Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club
Volume 50 Number 4
Our Show
ToTE
Our show, Treasures of the Earth: Jewelry, Gem, and Mineral Expo – 2003, is history! I have to thank just about everyone in the club for the splendid help they gave to the cause.
The Committee People
Special thanks go to Orlando Garcia and Kimberly Richie who both worked hard and well beyond anyone else doing all kinds of things like signs, badges, banners, admissions, getting the program printed, etc. The other members of the show committee did a lot – Stephanie Bell – treasurer, Dave Moats – silent auction, Mike Sanders – displays and dealer signs, Hank & Rosemary Miller – door prizes and raffle, Gwen Poe – pot luck dinner and Thursday’s hospitality, Judy DeMark – Friday to Sunday hospitality, and Loyd Keller who also helped with hospitality. Carolyn Wood did a great job checking in the dealers Thursday PM after helping set up in the AM.
Set-Up and Tear Down
Kudos to all the folks that helped set up and tear down - Tom Massis and his crew of friends, Ray DeMark, Mike Sanders, and Scott Wilson as honchos, Pat and Linda Kirkpatrick who also lent their vehicles, Bob and Jan Burrows, John Reinert, Jerry Temple, Dave and Karen Moats, Tom Schmierer, John Scully, Rex & Darlene Nelson, Suzanne Seymour, Melissa Origlio, Nanette Aiken, Stephanie Bell, Dan Sisneros, Bob & June Brothers, John Ottea, and probably some others I don’t have on my list.
During the Show
All the folks who helped with admissions, door prizes, raffle, silent auction, Ray DeMark at mineral ID, Scott Wilson and Dylan Houtman Faceting, John Reinert and his overnighter security folks – son Michael Reinert, Rex Nelson, John Scully, Tom and Lynda Katonak, Scott Wilson, and Tom Massis and his poker playing buddies.
How Did The Show Go?
Pretty well. We had a few problems but they were mostly minor. A few
(cont’d on Page 3)
Officers 2003
President/Editor- Orlando Garcia; Home phone: 345-0520; e-mail: jabog02@msn.com
VP-Programs - Grant Kuck; Home phone: 323-1520
VP-Field Trips- Kimberly Richie; Home phone: 296-8847
VP-Field Trips- Ray DeMark; Home phone: 822-8715; e-mail: RayDeMark@msn.com
Secretary/Historian- Dave Moats; Home phone: 892-8163; e-mail: beepbeep59@hotmail.com
Treasurer- Stephanie Bell; Home phone: 281-7192; e-mail: stephbell22@yahoo.com
Editor- Darlene Nelson; Home phone: 271-4694; e-mail: agmcnews@aol.com
VP-Special Events- Hank Miller; Home phone: 255-7218; e-mail: rgmhgm2@msn.com
Show Chair- Paul Hlava; Home phone: 255-5478; e-mail: hpf1@quest.net
Membership- Donna Scott; Home phone: 934-6564; e-mail: dutchessofalb@aol.com
Jr. Club: Carl Johnson; Home phone: 344-3178
Please call the appropriate Board member for information regarding club functions
The Club Newsletter;
News Nuggets exists to assist the membership in communications and to provide information on club activities. Contributions from all members are welcome on any information that will promote club activities or that would be of interest to club members. News Nuggets is scheduled to be mailed approximately one week prior to the monthly meeting. Mail news, articles or comments to: Darlene Nelson, 817 Sagebrush Trail, Albuquerque, NM 87123, or email to agmcnews@aol.com.The Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club was organized on January 22, 1944. The club is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and enjoyment of the Earth Sciences and associated subjects. Its primary purpose is the exchange of information and the furtherance of knowledge of Mineralogy, Fossils, Geology, Rock Cutting and Gem Faceting and to stimulate interest in the development of these studies.
All Meetings are held at the NM Museum of Natural History. The general meeting is held on the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30 pm at the New Mexico Natural Histury Museum, Albuquerque, NM. The Junior Club meets at 6:45 pm prior to the general meeting. The public is welcome to both meetings. Board of Directors meetings are held at 7:30 pm on the first Monday of each month. (Call for location).
All memberships are family memberships and can include all members of the household. Dues are $20. Send checks to the AGMC, P.O. Box 13718, Albuquerque, NM 87192 or pay Donna Scott ,Membership Chair, at the monthly meeting.
Information about the club can be accessed at www.agmc.info.
President’s Message
Thank you, everyone!! Once again you made the ToTE 2003
show a success. We haven’t looked at the final figures yet but making
money for the club and club scholarships is only one benchmark of a successful
show. Lots of folks pitched in to work, to eat together and to talk rocks.
It’s what makes us a club.
I talked to a lot of dealers during the show. For the most part, they were
pleased with our efforts and with the attendance, which was down only slightly
from last year. We had anticipated lower attendance due to the war and
then we got hit with the rain on opening day and still were only 45 shy of last
year’s attendance. There are a few changes that need to be made for next
year’s show but all things considered I think things went well.
Orlando
SHOWS SHOWS SHOWS
2003 Mariposa Mineral & Gem Show
Mariposa County Fairgrounds, CA
Mariposa, CA April 5-6
Utah Prospectors Show
Golden Spike Events Center
Ogden, UT April 5-6
GPAA’s Gold & Treasure Show
Buffalo Bill’s Hotel & Casino
Primm NV April 12-13
GPAA’s Gold & Treasure Show
New Mexico State Fair Grounds
Albuquerque, NM April 26-27
(Our Show – cont’d from page 1)
items were stolen. Most of the dealers did well and some did FANTASTIC. Most want to come back. Even some that did so-so. The silent auction did the best ever. The door take was close to expectations, even with our lowering the ticket price to a uniform $2.00 for Saturday and Sunday (Friday was dollar day, as usual). It will take a few weeks for the final accounting so I’ll have to at least one more show article for the NN.
Next Year
We are already gearing up for next year’s show. If you have ideas, comments, criticisms, or want to help, get a hold of me or Orlando.
I will close this disjointed article by reiterating THANKS EVERYONE!
Paul Hlava
Pot Luck Dinner
"It's always an experience! Gem Show 2003 is " history"!
Special thanks to each and everyone who helped in every little and big way. The events were friendly and the food was terrific. The willingness of each person involved is a tribute to our club." Thanks
....Gwen Poe
Check out our new web site at
www.agmc.info
Ramblings from the Admission Table
All went well at the front desk this year. There were very few problems and the stress level was very low. I believe the new "no coupon" set price was a major contributor. It was a fun year – as it should be! We could not have pulled it off without the "family members" who contributed their time and made it all work!
Admission volunteers were Darlene Nelson, Tom and Jean Merson, Carolyn Wood, Betty Temple, Dalva Hailstone, Beverly McFadden, Orlando Garcia, Julie Bustamante, Bob and Jan Burrows, Ellen Cosper, Suzanne Miller, Phil Fischer, Kathleen Lawicki, and Katy and Griff Granthan.
Raffle Table volunteers were Linda and Laura Kirkpatrick, Loyd Keller, Heidi Craig, Christine Estill, Roy Wheelock, June and Bob Brothers, Suzanne Seymour, Bob and Jan Burrows, Loretta Hoyt, Wanda Schwarz, Barbara Bragg, and Jeffery Gerlach.
Kimberly Richie
www.agmc.info
Webmaster John Scully reports that the web site is up and running and doing wonderfully well. Items are being added almost daily.
The News Nuggets has been added to the site to make it more convenient to read online – especially for those members who are having problems with the compatibility of the word processing programs.
Darlene Nelson
LITTLE KNOWN ROCK FACTS
Where do rocks sleep?
Bedrock
What do rocks eat?
Rock cakes
What do stones drink?
Soda on the rocks
What do rocks want to be when they grow up?
A rock star
Where do rocks go for a night out?
The crystal ball room
Where do rocks like to spend their vacations?
Pebble Beach
What are big rocks most afraid of?
A rock carver
What will a rock genie do when you tell it your wish?
It’ll granite
From the minds of grade school students
AGMC GENERAL MEETING
Monday, 24Mar03
After the introduction of guests, Paul Hlava gave a wrap-up of the very successful 2003 Treasure’s of the Earth show. A show of hands among the 69 in attendance tonight indicated many had helped in the endeavor to make the show the success that it was. Thanks was given to all for their good efforts.
This is a yearly event that truly requires all member’s participation for the show to be successful. Preliminary figures for the show’s silent auction - $1861; admissions - $2887.60; raffle- $458; and Junior Table - $55, add up to a total of $5261.60. To this figure will be added the dealer’s fees. It looks like we did very well financially and had fun doing it. Paul stated that many of the new dealers were surprised at the friendliness of the club’s members for which we have become famous. We continue to live up to our tradition. Dealer’s profits were down over last year’s in many cases but some were up. The consensus of opinion is that the live wolf exhibit will stay, as it is generally popular.Ray DeMark gave a briefing on the April field trip and he will give details elsewhere in the newsletter.
Grant allowed the two team speakers, Dr. Laura J. Crossey and Dr. Karl E. Karlstrom to introduce themselves. Dr. Crossey has worked as a professor at UNM since 1986. She received her Ph.D. as a Geochemist at the Univ. of Wyoming in 1985. Dr. Karlstrom also works at UNM’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences as a professor of
Geology since 1990 or ’91. He received his Ph.D. in 1981 as a Geologist from the Univ. of Wyoming in 1985 and now teaches Structural Geology. His research interests include the evolution of tectonic styles in the Precambrian and processes of continent accretion, assembly, and stabilization in the Precambrian and Phanerozoic orogenic history. He states that the Precambrian basement rock contains the records of continent formation and deep crustal processes.
The Proterozoic rocks of the Southwest U.S. are a spectacular field laboratory with excellent exposures of rocks due to a lack of vegetation. The Grand Canyon is perhaps the most spectacular with about 2 billion years of rock exposed, almost one half the age of the Earth.
Tonight they would speak to us about their work in the Grand Canyon and entitled their talk "The Trail of Time: Integrating Science & Education at Grand Canyon." They divided this Time into chapters.
Chapter 1: 1.8 – 1.2 (giga-years, Ga), Assembly of the Continent in the SW. U.S. in the igneous and metamorphic record.
Chapter 1A: The Great Unconformity.
Chapter 2: 1.2 Ga – 65 Ma, Meso & Neo Proterozoic, Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary layer cake when the seas advanced and retreated.
Chapter 3: 65Ma – 25 Ma, Cenozoic uplift and magmatism as recorded in the geomorphic record.
Some of the things they then went on to explain were how they put a time sequence to these chapters. They are trying to understand the geologic history of the canyon starting with the
Proterozoic basement rocks. A pictorial diagram of the Canyon’s geologic time scale was projected that showed many large missing rocks sequences thus demonstrating much time is missing in the rock record in the canyon. The oldest rocks in the southwestern U.S. are represented in the Canyon’s basement rocks. They are attempting to reconstruct the past from the present record in the rocks. It was explained North America has grown in time through accretion of island arcs like Japan onto an adjacent continent. Interpreting the rock record involves looking at tilted and flat sedimentary rocks and different types of unconformities or breaks in the rock record. They stated one thing many people don’t understand is that the canyon is only a few million years old yet the rocks that make it up are very much older! The concept of transgression and regression of seas was first described from studies of the Grand Canyon’s sedimentary strata. The Cretaceous Period was the last time the ocean covered much of the United States. In the late Cretaceous we in this area were on the East coast! Mesa Verde sandstone is about 70 million years old. A picture was shown of a huge bolder next to the Colorado river, maybe 15 feet across, that was a huge stromatolite. It represents one of the earliest life forms that produced a sedimentary layered structure.Our two speakers are now trying to get information from rocks in the canyon and in several other locations in the U.S. and around the world that are connected in a way that would suggest they were once a part of the continent called Rodinia. This is a early continent that encompassed most of the land mass of the Earth like the continent of Pangaea at a much later time. To do this they are not using the usual stratigraphy or paleontology methods used in more recently deposited rocks as those methods would not work. Instead they are using geochemical and radiometric dating techniques and a microprobe that utilize carbon isotopes and thorium
(from monazite). This very old and scrambled rock record was an impenetrable book to read until the development of these methods. They have used cosmogenic dating techniques to determine the rate the Colorado river has cut into the rock to form the Grand Canyon and determined a rate of 144 meters per million years in the east and 136 meters per million years in the west.It was stated that travertine is a kind of a geologic oddity and like lava in many ways. Dr. Crossey is trying to date this travertine along several areas of the canyon by testing the trace gases and the strontium and helium isotopes. Travertine forms at warm springs from the water degassing carbon dioxide.
The latest theory in favor of the Grand Canyon’s formation is that it is very young (geologically speaking) and was cut in the last six million years.
With 5 million people visiting the South Rim each year, Dr.’s Crossey and Karlstrom want to build a geologic educational exhibit along that rim called "A Trail of Time". Walking along this trail, one meter would equal one million years of time and would give the visitor an analogy of how long a time it took to build the rock and cut it into its present form. This trail would extend a long distance along the rim with explanations periodically along the way describing the geologic processes involved in the formation of the canyon. They are working up a fund raising program with the National Park now and hope to build this in the next five years.
In closing, our speakers stated "Today there is a need for a geologic perspective to
understand issues such as earthquakes and volcanic hazards, water quality and quantity, climate change, and how cultures have adapted and must continue to adapt, to our natural setting."Following this very interesting talk with its delightful photographs we took a short break for refreshments followed by door prize drawings. The meeting was concluded at about 9:45 p.m.
David Moats, Secretary
You might be a rockhound if…
…your favorite anchorman is STONE PHILLIPS.
…your favorite singer is NEIL DIAMOND.
…you enjoy ordering drinks that are "on the rocks.
"… your favorite WWE wrestler is The Rock. NM_rockhound
Do you have your own "You might be a rockhound if"? E-mail them to agmcnews@aol.com, or give them to Darlene Nelson at the meeting.
ROYAL FLUSH MINE TRIP
March 15, 2003
After congregating at the Bingham Rock Shop and signing our lives away, a respectable number of anxious members set out for an exciting day. After a few late arrivals, the total attendance was 44, including Tom Massis and Wayne Holland. A few members were directed to park at the Desert Rose, as the road to the Royal Flush is not passenger car friendly. After a short discussion on "who’s got the keys?", and very important safety pointers for underground collecting, the group split up. Some headed into the tunnel and others explored the exposed areas.
It didn’t take long for word to get around that a rattlesnake had been spotted under a small bush, sunning and resting and not bothering us. I think everyone saw it at least once – there were several guided tours! I’m sure it was very shy – it only became animated after a couple of pictures were snapped of it.
Of course the collecting was productive. An exposed cut through what was once chalcopyrite, galena, fluorite, and barite produced some nice specimens of goethite, flugrite, barite coated with yellow-green mottramite. Some attractive pieces with speckles of chrysacolla were also found.
My favorite find from that spot is a fluorite crystal, colorless and clear, three-fourths an inch across
with multiple faces. – Dodecahedron specifically fluorite forms in the cubic system of crystal growth, and dodecahedron growth is a variation of that system.
And, yes, there were the usual suspects: plenty of clear to white barite, galena, and stunning medium blue and purple fluorite cubes undergrown with unaltered galena cubes on a white matrix. A few unusual finds that I know of: a small patch of linerite; a small deposit of chalcopyrite that still looks like chalcopyrite; Mike Potts spotted marine shells in limestone.
The only bump in the road was actually a chasm in the road. John Marr’s VW bus almost committed suicide on the way back to the main road. Several members converged on the scene and soon had him on his way.
The happiest collector moment I saw that day was Jeff Gerlach carrying a boulder of barite and galena down the hill from above the mine entrance. I think it was a smile on his face – the chunk he was carrying must have weighed 50 tons!!!
As they say – a good time was had by all. Thank you to Tom Massis for allowing us to raid his "crystal cave".
Kimberly Richie
VISIT OUR NEW WEB SITE AT
www.agmc.info
APRIL FIELD TRIP
Our field trip for April will be a two-day affair on Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th.
The plan is to meet at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday at the inersection of U. S. 285 and NM 137 about 23 miles south of Artesia. From there we will
proceed as a group to the "Queen" location which is 25-30 miles west of our meeting point. This area – in the past – has produced some very nice pyrite crystals (cubes) replaced by goethite (pseudomorphs) up to 2 inches across. Most of this distance should be accessible by passenger cars.Following 2-3 hours at this location, we will depart and head back to US 285 and then south to a gypsum rose location near Malaga, which is about ten miles south of Carlsbad.
Following our Malaga endeavor, club members will be on their own until we meet up on Sunday for day two of our trip.
On Sunday, we will meet at 9:00 a.m. at Prices Truck Stop, which
is just south of the intersection of U.S. 285 and U.S. 70 about four miles north of Roswell. The truck stop is on the west side of the highway. From there we will proceed as a group to Bosque Draw (east of the Pecos River and north of U.S. 70). Passenger cars should be able to make this trip, but if it rains, all bets are off. Superb pyrite crystal groups can be collected at this location as well as selenite crystals. This location is under claim by Roger Maynard, Mike Sanders, Brian Huntsman, and yours truly; so, barring trouble with the local ranchers, we should have no problems here.In the early afternoon, we will go to Cottonwood Draw, which is west of Bosque Draw. Very nice aragonite crystal groups replaced by dolomite can be found here. These crystal aggregates may reach up to 3 inches across. They fluoresce cream colored under short wave UV. Collecting tools here and at other locations would be best described as "soft rock", i.e., shovels, picks and other digging
tools suitable for sedimentary rocks. No lights will be required as we will be surface collecting at all locations.No water or facilities are available at any of the locations, so be prepared.
See you on the 26th.
Ray DeMark
PSEUDOMORPHS
When the original crystal form of one mineral is occupied by another chemically or structurally different species, the resulting specimen is referred to as a pseudomorph (from the Greek "false form"). This situation can arise through three different processes: gradual chemical change, structural change, and wholesale replacement. Most
common is the gradual alteration of chemical composition due to changes in the physical environment. This usually occurs through the loss or gain of volatile elements or compounds, such as water. The alteration of gypsum to anhydrite, or borax to tincalconite, through dehydration are typical examples. Primary species are also replaced through the gradual in-place reorganization of their constituent elements, leaving in their place new species roughly similar in composition, but otherwise unrelated. This is what occurs when feldspar or spodumene crystals alter into chemically analogous clay minerals, or when the aluminosilicate andalusite alters to mica.
Minerals can be altered in the solid state without undergoing any chemical change at all. Changes in the pressure or temperature can initiate paramorphism, in which crystal structure is altered while chemical elements are preserved in the original proportions. Examples of paramorphic changes in which the crystal form include the conversion of aragonite to calcite, or rutile to brookite. Some minerals which are only stable at high temperatures, such as cristobalite and tridymite, change their internal structure as they cool in fresh igneous rock, while retaining the external form of the high-temperature polymorph.
Perhaps the most remarkable kind of pseudomorphs are those in which one species is replaced by another completely unrelated species. This can occur when crystals embedded in rock or
encrusted by other minerals are dissolved, leaving a cast or mold, which is later filled by a secondary species which mimics the form of the original. Strange specimens of quartz in the cubic shape of fluorite crystals have been formed this way.
Pseudomorphs
(Original Crystal…..New Crystal)
galena…..anglesite
aragonite,…..calcite
celestite…..calcite
feldspars…..clay minerals
tourmaline…..clay minerals
beryl…..clay minerals
spodumene…..clay minerals
cuprite…..copper
azurite…..copper
aragonite…..copper
anhydrite……gypsum
aragonite…..gypsum
magnetite…..hematite
cuprite…..malachite
azurite…..malachite
tourmaline…..muscovite
spodumene…..muscovite
glauberite…..opal
pyrite…..goethite
magnetite…..goethite
siderite…..goethite
chalcopyrite…..goethite
sphalerite…..goethite
manganite…..pyrolusite
calcite…..quartz
aragonite…..quartz
fluorite…..quartz
serpentine…..quartz
olivine…..serpentine
pyroxenes…..serpentine
quartz…..talc
pyroxenes…..talc
Martin Holden. Gemstones & Minerals
MYSTERY MINERAL
For April 2003
From the devious mind of Paul Hlava
The Game Plan
– I will describe a mineral and you have to guess/decipher/research the name of the mineral and the answers to the other questions asked about uses, history, notable facts, etc. I expect the Top Guns in the club to be able to guess the name off the top of their heads. The learners will need a reference book or two. You will benefit most if you do not ask others for the answers but work it out for yourselves. When you have decided on the name you can compare notes with others or wait for the answers to be announced at the meetings or published in the News Nuggets. Good luck and have fun.This Month’s Mystery Mineral is—
A rare nickel-magnesium-iron carbonate mineral seen at our show
last month. It is a bright yellow green color with a vitreous luster. The crystallography is like that of calcite but the stuff I’ve seen is all massive and in thin veins. H = 4.5-5, density 3.71 (measured) to 4.358 (calculated end-member).
Questions
What is the name of the mineral?
What is the origin of the name?
What is the mineral used for?
What minerals might it associated with?
Localities
– (Just list the famous ones)--NM –
--USA –
--World –
Answers to Last Month’s Questions
What is the name of the mineral?
CelestiteWhat is the chemistry of the mineral
? Strontium sulfate SrSO4What is the origin of the name? From the Latin for heavenly for the faint blue color of the first specimens identified.
What is the mineral used for?
Strontium nitrate for fireworks and tracer bullets (red color).What minerals might it be associated with
? Common gangue minerals found in low temperature veins – calcite, dolomite, fluorite, lead minerals and minerals found in salt domes -gypsum, anhydrite, sulfur, calcite, dolomite, etc.Localities
– (Just list the famous ones)--NM – none
--USA – Clay Center, OH; Put-In-Bay, Lake Erie; Mineral County, WV, Lampasas, TX, Inyo County, CA
--World – Madagascar; Poland; Sicily; Bex, Switzerland; Yate, Gloustershire, England; Herrungrund, Slovakia
Paul Hlava 030330
GOETHITE
Chemistry
: FeO(OH) HydratedUses: An important ore of iron and is also used as a coloring agent.
Color: Yellow, brown, black, reddish. Can be tarnished with iridescent colors.
Hardness: 5, Specific gravity: 3.5-4.3
Streak: Brown to orange yellow
Crystals: Botryoidal in a massive form; can be fibrous to stalactitic
Accompanied by: Calcite, limonite, manguese, iron and many other secondary minerals
Similar to: Limonite and botryoidal hematite
Goethite is a common mineral due to the abundance of iron ore, but it can form brightly colored iridescent specimens. It can occur with other minerals to form interesting appealing specimens. It is produced by the oxidation of iron-bearing minerals such as pyrite and magnetite.
It is of widespread occurrence, though at one time it was thought to be a rare mineral. In fact much of the ocherous brown ferric oxide described as limonite is composed in a large part of crystaline goethite. Limonite has a yellowish brown streak and a vitreous luster which, together with the lack of cleavage, serves to distinguish it from goethite.
Goethite occurs as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of veins containing iron bearing minerals. It replaces other minerals, and goethite psuedomorphs after pyrite are common.
Role of Two Acids in the Formation of Caves
This month’s talk will be given by the Assistant Director for Public Outreach of New Mexico Tech, the curator of the Mineral Museum in Socorro, and the man who welcomes attendees to the New Mexico Mineral Symposium
Dr. Virgil Leuth
Dr. Leuth will be speaking about the role of two acids in the formation of caves. To find out which two acids, join us for our next meeting on
April 28
The Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club meets on the 4th Monday of every month (except December). All meetings are held at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Sciences, 1801 Mountain Road NW in Old Town (the entrance is on 18th Street), Albuquerque, NM. The meeting begins at 7:30 PM. There will be a short business meeting prior to the evening’s talk, which begins at approximately 8 PM. Refreshments and door prizes will follow immediately after the talk.
Albuquerque Gem
& Mineral ClubDarlene Nelson, Editor
PO Box 13718
Albuquerque, NM 87192-3718