News Nuggets February 2008

Volume 55 Number 2

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, Albuquerque, NM. The general meeting is held on the 4^th Monday of the month (unless otherwise announced) at 7:30 p.m. The Junior Club meets at 6:30 p.m. prior to the general meeting. The public is welcome at both meetings.

Board of Directors meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. All club members are welcome.

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. You are cordially invited to mail news, articles or comments to:

Jay Penn

2324 Alvarado NE

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110

el.chivo.viejo@earthlink.net

Instructions for entering the Members' Page are provided in the new member packet.

You may not know this, but a whole lot of things are going on behind the scenes. Though the Board hasn’t met officially this month every board member is up to something or another.

Some of this flurrying is happening around our upcoming show. Paul Hlava’s Show Committee is implementing the Plan…we have a full slate of dealers, staffing positions are filled and flyers are available, so be sure to pick some up for dissemination at the next meeting.

Rex and Grant our Co-VP’s of Field Trips have already outlined a whole year of collecting adventures for your enjoyment, and Anita and Marcus have booked a number of exciting speakers for our monthly club meetings. Our editor, Jay Penn [and wife Amy], trekked to Tucson for the HUGE annual show there to shop for the door prizes that are given away each month at the meeting. They were guided in this by veteran and Club Historian, Dave Moats who has passed on the job to Jay. Jay has also been working since last years’ show to assemble, sort, clean, and label the inventory for the Junior Table. He has also given buckets of tumbling rough to Walter Morris who has processed the material that becomes the always popular smooth rounded stones that everyone likes to paw through and kids just love to possess.

Speaking of kids, our Co-Chairs for the Junior Club are implementing the Future Rockhounds of America program with our younger members. This nationally designed and sponsored program rewards learning and achievement in a variety of subject areas related to the hobby. Well, that’s just a sampling of what’s going on… you may rest assured that the Board of Directors is working all the time to make this club a dynamic organization that delights our members of all ages and interests.

And we’re having fun, so join in as much as you can!

The meeting was called to order by President Suzanne Seymour at 7:36 p.m. She welcomed guests and new members.

Amy Penn was at the back of the room accepting membership applications and renewals.

Grant Kuck talked about the field trips this past weekend to Kilbourne Hole and to Bishop’s Cap. There were 30 people on Saturday and 12 on Sunday. Everyone had a really good time and the weather was great! The next trip is to Hatchita on February 23^rd, where people will look for turquoise and several other minerals. On February 24^th members can meet at the McDonald’s in Deming and proceed to Cook’s Peak for fluorite and other minerals. The next field trip after that is to the Nakaye Mines for barite, fluorite and calcite. In May, the club may go to the Mayflower Mine near Socorro. Advanced signups will be required for that trip.

Kathy Lawicki needs people to sign up to bring snacks for the meetings in April and later.

Hank Miller circulated a signup sheet for volunteers for the Treasures of the Earth (TOTE) show raffle sheets. Gwen Poe is coordinating the dinner party for the TOTE show vendors and members on March 13^th and said that there will be approximately 100 people, including about 30 vendors. The club will provide Rudy’s brisket and ribs, and members are to bring a potluck side dish. Jay Penn talked about the junior table, where kids can shop, and needs people to man that table. Paul Hlava advised that proceeds from the show help to support the scholarships, picnic, holiday party, science fair prizes, etc. Signup sheets were circulated for volunteers to set up, attend to the admissions table, spend the night as security guards, and tear down the show.

Parking passes and free admission to the show will be provided to all volunteers. Small groups such as scouts, students and their leaders and teachers are subject to free admission. They need only to coordinate with Mike Sanders to gain admission. Mike Sanders also reminded everyone that the theme for the show is quartz, and people wishing to display should contact him.

Anita Willard introduced club member Todd Brown, who gave an entertaining presentation about his and his wife Pat’s turquoise mine, museum, and home near Cerrillos.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. for refreshments and door prizes.

Submitted by Janey Johnson, Secretary

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The topic for the January Jr. Club meeting was Collecting, and attended by 13 junior club members. This was our first meeting since joining the AFMS Future Rockhounds of America club, and the junior members each received the FRA membership badge. Several of the junior members brought in their own rock collections, and Jim and Earlene brought in several of their own collections.

We discussed building a collection, cataloging and labeling, storing and displaying a collection, and reporting about a collection. After the discussion, all were invited to show and talk about their collections. The junior members completed all of the requirements for the Collecting merit badge, and will receive them at the February Jr. Club meeting.

Earlene Shroyer

All memberships expired Dec 31. Dues are still only $20.00 per household for 2008. We'll have a table set up at the Feb 25th general meeting.

The membership form is on our web site and on the last page of this news letter if you'd like to fill it out ahead of time.

Or you can mail it to: AGMC, PO Box 13718, Albq., NM 87192-3718.

PLEASE: We need ALL THE INFORMATION on the form filled in for insurance and/or club purposes. Even if you filled out ALL THE INFORMATION before.

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This issue of the News Nuggets (February) will be the last issue sent to those who haven't renewed their membership for 2008.

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Thank you Sandy Koenig for the donation of "Rhodochrosite: Red Treasure of the Rockies". This DVD is about the finding of Rhodochrosite crystals at the Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado. It will be available at the monthly meetings to borrow for viewing at home sweet home. Ha Ha Ha.

Thanks again Sandy. Many will enjoy it.

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Palo Duro Senior Center

5221 Palo Duro NE, 888-8102.

Memberships (must be age 50+) are $13.00/yr.

The lapidary shop is open Thursday 8 am - noon. There are additional costs for lapidary supplies.

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Howdy Folks. The show is coming up fast! As I write this it is just about 5 weeks to our show (YIKES!). I was really gratified by the wonderful response I got for set-up and tear down volunteers at January’s meeting. I expect that we’ll be able to set the show up in good time. And the tear down should be a breeze. Of course, if you didn’t sign up and feel like rolling up your sleeves, you can just show up and pitch in. That means everyone will get finished quicker and so you all (I suppose that should read "all y’alls") can relax with coffee/tea and some nice, healthy, dietetic donuts! I do still need some folks to help with overnight security on Thursday. If you are interested, call me at 255-5478 or email hpf5@qwest.net

Dealers. We have no booths left at the show. Nada, zip, zero. They are all gone! They are all paid for except those few that just got the paperwork and the contracts and money are coming by the notoriously speedy(?) NM mail, but they have been promised

Publicity for the show is underway. My supply of garish flyers is getting quite depleted but you are all welcome to the rest! We will soon send a stack of these flyers out to each of our out-of-town dealers. We have 6000 postcards to mail out to our lists of past attendees and to pass on to treasured friends and another 1,000 with blank backs for us to sell as regular post cards. This was Gwen Poe’s suggestion. If you want some, they are $0.30 each or 4 for a dollar.

The various rock and mineral magazines have been contacted and we are preparing public service announcements for radio and TV spots. Newspaper ads will be sent in at the proper time. Of course, one of the best advertising media is you. Word of mouth invitations are one of our most popular and effective ways of getting new folks (and returnees) to come to the show.

Once again I will plead for more people to get involved with the show committee. Don’t forget that show workers get free admission to the show and free parking passes. If you are a club member but not working at the show you have to pay to park and to get in. And you don’t have to work ALL the time. Work a stretch then browse the exhibits and dealers, buy some stuff, and then repeat. And please remember – make sure you have fun at OUR show!

Gwen Poe will be coordinating the World Famous Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Club’s annual pre-show Pot Luck supper! I’m sure she would also appreciate a number of angels to help her with that FUN job. I want you to think about what generous dish you can bring to share with the rest of the club and our guests, the dealers. If’n I remember correctly, the club supplies the main dish. Club members supply casseroles and hearty salads and such like. Hmm. I may bring tamales again. Oh, Gwen is handling hospitality for Thursday and the team of Amy Penn and Carolyn Wood will do Friday thru Sunday. They might be able to use another person or two to help take care of coffee, "power pills" (donuts), et cetera, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Others interested in volunteer help include Kimberly Richie (admissions) and Hank Miller (door prizes & raffle),

And lastly - The club has been having new display cases made the last few years. As these new ones arrive we are trying to dispose of the old cases. They are free to any club member who asks for one. Eventually we will dump the last of them.

I will be out of town from Feb. 8 thru March 3. If you need help or info try Suzanne or Amy, or some of the other board members.

Paul Hlava, Chairman - Treasures of the Earth Show

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Our Treasures of the Earth show is quickly approaching and it’s time to make your plans for the silent auction – whether you are donating, selling or buying.

Donating: We need donations to sell at the club tables. You can take them to the silent auction area beginning Thursday night at the pot luck dinner. Most of the tables get sold in advance to dealers and club members so your donations of a few better pieces rather than large numbers of the same thing are much better for the club. While your donations are greatly appreciated, we don’t need flats of scrap material.

Selling: Selling at the silent auction is a great way to offload some of your excess material - it also makes money for the club which is a good thing. You can expand your collection by purchasing flats of material for a good price, keeping the best for yourself and selling off the remainder for enough to pay your table cost and recover your cost of the whole flat. Minerals for free!

You can buy a six foot section of lighted table for $20 per auction. There are three auctions per day of the show and you or a representative needs to be at the table during the auction (limit of two adults per table, please). You can sign up for table space on a first-come basis beginning Thursday night at the pot luck dinner.  You will need to pay for the table in advance in order to reserve it. See Rex Nelson or Jim Van Loan to sign up.

Buying: Because of the way we now do the silent auction, there is often some really nice material available at great prices. You should try to attend as many of the auctions as possible to see what is offered. Whether you are working at the show at auction time or not, it’s worth the trip to attend every auction if you love a bargain!

Thanks for your support. The Silent Auction Staff: Jim Van Loan, Grant Kuck, Jim Hill and myself, Rex Nelson

Hachita, NM

Saturday, Feb 23rd Hachita area: The meeting or congregation place will be at the Baptist Church in Hachita at 9 AM. After a short briefing and coffee we will begin our collecting trips at 9:30. Please note that it is not absolutely positive that the church will be open for our use so we may just be using it as a meeting place. Collecting will include turquoise and misc. other minerals.

Directions: Take I-10 west approximately 30 miles from Deming. Go south at Exit 49 and travel 19 miles on NM146. Hachita will be here at the intersection of NM146 and NM9. The church will be visible by locating the small bell tower and cross approximately one block from this intersection. Hachita’s most visible land-mark is a large black water tower.

Note: Hachita is about 50 miles from the nearest services. Occasionally some services are available but do not count on it. Gas up and bring food and water. Restrooms are not anywhere around except at the church if it’s even open. Most of the roads are primitive but fair when dry. Carry a small shovel for deep ruts if you like to wander about in remote areas. Homeland Security and the Border Patrol rule in this area due to its remoteness and border proximity. If you are stopped, have ID available and be courteous. If you find a drop such as a bundle of goods or whatever, do not touch it. Leave it alone and report it at the first opportunity. It is likely under observation by some undesirables (bad guys) or agents. Helicopters and aircraft frequently patrol the area, especially if you set off one of the sensors. If you get buzzed, just wave.

Most of our collecting will be by digging in dumps or surface collecting. Carry something to wrap specimens in and possibly a small collecting bag for your treasures. Shade is best to hunt for turquoise. If it has been raining or snowing every piece of turquoise will stand out and look great. You can always sort the pieces out later after drying. Possible digging tools for the dumps would be larger picks and rock hound picks. Garden tools sometimes work.

Turquoise: The turquoise in general is blue to green and anywhere in-between. Green is frequently prettier than blue when polished, making green very collectable. The hardness may very from very hard to chalky. Chalky material can be treated to increase the density thereby becoming somewhat polishable. Turquoise is generally considered pure or matrix turquoise. Matrix turquoise means that it has some of the rock mixed in with the turquoise. These pieces are sometimes prettier than the pure stuff. The best places to collect are in the turquoise mine dumps or waste piles. Especially in places that you find small fragments on the surface. You may also find old sorting or cobbing piles where the miners sorted and separated the rock and turquoise. Look for nuggets, thin plates or seams, disseminated grains or just ordinary fragments. Small veins in rocks can be hard to see so check them carefully.

Checkout will be at the church NLT 5:00 PM. This is necessary due to the vastness of the area. We would like to know if anyone is stranded or lost. Traveling in groups is best and safest.

Sunday, Feb 24th Deming area: The meeting place will be at McDonalds near Deming’s I-10 Exit 81. Departure to Fluorite Ridge at the south end of the Cooks Range will be at 9:00 AM sharp. Collecting will include fluorite with barite, manganese minerals, and various agates including carnelian.

PLEASE NOTE: Both of these areas have dangerous mine workings including open shafts. Rattlesnakes and scorpions persist in this area even during the winter. Please use caution at all times. Dress properly with long sleeves and full length pants. Gloves protect hands, especially if you fall down. Every care must be used with underage members to keep them safe. Do not let them wander or be alone for any time whatsoever. The same goes for pets. Dress warm with removables.

See you there, Rex & Grant

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We will be reviewing the topic "Rocks and Minerals" for those who are new to the Jr. Club, and will be earning a merit badge, too! We will learn about the characteristics of minerals, making and using a mineral ID kit, talk about the three different types of rocks, and learn a little about New Mexico rocks, minerals, and gemstones.

Questions? Contact Jim Hill or Earlene Shroyer

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"Our ongoing geological investigations of the northern Tularosa Basin"

by Dave Love

Dave obtained a PhD in Geology from UNM and was a member of AGMC many years ago. He currently works for the New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources studying the landforms and sediments preserved in the northern Tularosa Basin.

He will discuss the role of springs, wetland habitats, rivers, and lakes in forming the floor of the basin over the past 50,000 (or more) years, including the history of the White Sands gypsum deposits.

The following is solely the opinion of the editor------------today.

I might change my mind tomorrow.

I heard this from Todd Brown at the Christmas Potluck.

What your Vanadinite

Aragonite

Lepidolite

Erythrite

Neptunite

Tetrahedrite

Ilmenite

Natrolite

Epidote really wants this year!

Anyone else got any knee slappers or other tidbits they'd like to share?

This section is for the not for profit exchange of goods and services between club members (cars, boats, rocks, minerals, tools, equipment, -------- anything). For profit (stock in trade) items will not be published.

Deadline for submission is the 2nd Monday of the month at noon. Submit to editor.

Hint: This is an excellent place to post a need for a ride to field trips and other club events. Or, to offer rides to help cover fuel expenses.

Saturday morning, January 26th, 30 members of the Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Club gathered at McDonald's just off University Boulevard in Las Cruces. In between bites of Mcmuffins, Mcburritos, and Mcdrinks we talked about Kilbourne Hole and passed around a sample piece of peridot that had been found there. Life time club member Ray Demark put in an appearance but did not go on the trip as he had a previous engagement. At the appointed time we all took off from McDonalds and headed south into Texas. From there we drove west back into New Mexico where we drove to the south end of the Kilbourne Hole (which is located about 30 miles of driving WNW of El Paso.)

There we were met by University of Texas El Paso grad student Keith Cardon and UTEP doctoral student Michael Feinstein, thanks to UTEP grad student Joe Lori who helped set the whole thing up. Anyway Keith and Michael lectured us on the geology of Marr Volcanoes in general and the Kilbourne Hole specifically. I learned that the Olivine group includes magnesium rich Forsterite and iron rich Fayalite. And when these two minerals are chemically combined we have Olivine. Following their talk the two UTEP students took us to the north side of the Kilbourne Hole where collecting is supposedly the best. A thanks and tip of the hat to Keith and Michael for spending a major portion of their day meeting us at Kilbourne, giving us a lecture, answering our questions and then taking us right to the collecting spot. You couldn't have asked for a better set up.

Weatherwise the day was overcast with the sun coming out later in the afternoon making it just perfect for collecting. I thought the club would have to desend into "the Hole" quite a ways before we started finding any olivine, but almost from the moment we parked the cars and started our descent we began to find rocks or bomb blasts just filled with the mineral. By the way, the yellowish green variety of olivine is known as peridot. Olivine can also be yellowish brown or reddish. Ray Demark also reports that Diopside has also been found at this site and I did find a small piece of obsidian.

A special thanks goes out to Bill Curtis for bringing his 4 wheeled all terrain vehicle along just in case we needed it. Also another thanks to Bill for putting up a number of AGMC members for the night so that we could go to Bishop's Cap the next day.

I also want to thank Bill and Kay Walker and Rex Nelson for all their time in preparing everything for this outing. Bill and Kay helped Rex locate and check out Kilbourne Hole in advance. Believe me it made the field trip that much easier. This was one of those trips where you could not help but find olivine . . . well I suppose you could if you shut your eyes. Anyway we had great weather, great collecting, and great fellowship. Upon our return to Las Cruces about 20 of us went out to "Dicks" for dinner. And as my report began in a restaurant I'll end it there in another. Good food to wrap up a good day!

Sunday morning, January 27th, 12 members of the AGMC once again gathered at McDonalds in Las Cruces. Having survived the Kilbourne Hole Field Trip the twelve were anxious to test their skills on Bishop's Cap. So after finishing our Mcbreakfast we all piled into our vehicles for a game of follow the leader. Once again we headed south of Las Cruces toward El Paso but this time we headed east from the interstate and in due time arrived at the Bishop's Cap Prospects. We learned from Rex Nelson, who has collected here in the past, that there was very little mining going on. The minerals of note for this locale were barite and fluorite. Nice pieces of barite could be found on the dumps or removed from the inside and the outside wall of a mine.

I believe it was Dan and Denise Williams who hiked up the mountain and came back with reports of some good pieces of fluorite. That was all it took for Jim Hill, his faithful doggy companion Howdy, Cathy Stringfellow, and myself to follow in their footsteps. Sure enough there were a number of rocks with rich blue and dark green pieces of fluorite in them. Jim even discovered a seam of fluorite that disappeared into mountain. This is definitely an area that encourages some exploration. Once again thanks goes out to Bill Curtis for bringing his ATV along just in case we needed it. The way he went up and down the mountain I'm going to have to think about renting one some time, especially if it has a place to carry rocks and minerals.

Eventually everyone had their fill of collecting and it was time to leave the Bishop's Cap Prospects and head back to Las Cruces. From there it was back to Albuquerque and the regular work a day world. However before we left Las Cruces we had to make one more stop where Bill Curtis, Rex Nelson, Jim Hill, and I stuffed ourselves with warm, freshly made pizza at Ci Ci's - a good place to end another good day of collecting in the field.

Grant & Rex

(editors note: changes reflect the following article's proposed changes)

Feb 23, Hachita area (Saturday)

Feb 24, Deming area (Sunday)

Mar 29, Copper Flat Nakaye Mines

Apr 26, Nakaye Mines Mayflower Mine

May 24, Nacimiento Copper Mine

Jun 28, Hondo Canyon (staurolites)

Jul 19, Section 21 Mine (collecting and picnic) (could be the 26th)

Aug 23, Red River or Colorado by invitation

Sep 27, Pueblo Park

Oct 25, Puerto de Luna

Nov 22, Blanchard Mine

Dec, Club Christmas Party

NOTE: May and October trips may need to be swapped (insect issues).

Questions? Contact Grant Kuck or Rex Nelson

The tentative field trip for March (Copper Flat) is possibly going to be changed to the Nakaye Mine. As it turns out, much of Copper Flat Mine is under claim and would require a considerable effort to obtain permission to access. The Mayflower Mine on Socorro Peak would replace Nakaye for April. This change is pending approval from the club officers at the next board meeting. Approval for this trip by the Energetic Material Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) has been verbally OK’d by Alan Perryman who will also act as our guide.

For those members who are relatively new, this site is on the peak behind NM Tech at Socorro. This location was last accessed by the club through arrangements by Ray DeMark and Kimberly Richie during the March 2002 field trip. The Home Page for our website at agmc.info has an excellent picture showing the view from the Mayflower Mine. Information about that trip is also available on this website in the archived March and April 2002 News Nuggets.

Please note that members wanting to go on this trip will need to submit their name in advance for submission to EMRTC. Street vehicles are ok for this trip as EMRTC personnel will provide transportation the last ½ mile or so. However, hiking up the mountain will be a vigorous 1000 feet climb requiring good health and stamina. We will address this change again in the March Nuggets.

See you there. Grant and Rex

A few folks emailed me that they read the Mystery Mineral and try to decipher the mineral names. Email me at hpf5@qwest.net and let me know your guesses by copying the Questions below and answering them. This includes AGMC members and everyone else who reads "News Nuggets". I have gotten very few responses, folks. EMAIL me! I have been gratified by folks responding that they WORK at these minerals. Good, that IS the idea. This way you learn about them.

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 published in the News Nuggets. Good luck and have fun.

Last year I discussed minerals that are named for some physical property that they possess. This year I thought I’d concentrate on minerals that are used as gemstones. Hmm, I might even include a rock or two used as gems.

This month’s MM is an oxide gem mostly found in marbles (both calcitic and dolomitic), low silica igneous rocks like peridotites, kimberlites, basalts, and alkali igneous rocks, also pegmatites, and alluvial rocks derived from all of them. It is cubic and often forms crystals; these are dominated by octahedral faces. It has no cleavage and the fracture is uneven. It can be colorless, red, blue, green, and brown, Sp. Gr. = 3.57 - 3.72, H = 8, transparent (gemmy) to translucent to opaque, luster -vitreous.

What is the name of the mineral?

What is the origin of the name?

What metal(s) does it contain?

What is/was it mined/used for?

What is the most desirable color of this gem?

What kind of treatment do most of these gems get?

What is the name of the most famous gem of this mineral?

Where is this famous gem now?

What technique is used to synthesize this gem?

Can you name a few minerals that are structurally related to this one?

Do you have some in your collection?

In NM – In the USA – In the world –

What is the name of the mineral? Zircon

What is the origin of the name? Arabic zargun for the golden color of some old material.

What metal does it contain? Zirconium (which was named after the mineral!).

What is/was it mined/used for? Zirconium and hafnium, but also for gems.

What kind of treatment do most of these gems get? Heat.

What color is the gem after treatment? Blue with a slight greenish tint.

What is the metal used for? Zircalloy used in nuclear reactor fuel cladding (low neutron absorption), corrosion resistant alloys, the oxide is an important refractory, cubic zirconia is used as a gemstone

What causes some to be green? Radiation

Do you have some in your collection? Yes

In NM – none

In the USA – CO, NC,

In the world – Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Vietnam

This is your club membership form for 2008. Please include all the names to be included in your Household Membership. This information is required by the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies, RMFMS, for insurance and dues purposes.

Annual dues are $20.00 per household. Please complete all the information below.

New members joining in July or August pay dues of $10.00 for the rest of the year. If you join September through December you can pay dues of $10.00 for the rest of the current year, OR pay $20.00 in dues which will pay you through December of the following year.

All memberships expire Dec. 31st. Dues can be turned in at the monthly meeting or mailed to:

Last Name _________________________________ Date _____________

Adult Member Names 1. __________________________ 2. ___________________________

3. __________________________ 4. ___________________________

Junior Member Names 1. ___________________ age____ 2. ___________________ age____

3. ___________________ age____ 4. ___________________ age____

New Member or Renewal? _________________

Would you like your name and phone number listed on the Club Roster ? __________

All membership information is for Club use only.

Mailing Address: ________________________________________ Apt. # ______

City: ____________________________ State: ________ Zip + 4: ____________

Phone: (_______) ______ - ___________

Email Address: ______________________________________________________

You will receive your newsletter by email unless otherwise requested

Internal Use Only

Payment: $ _____________ Date Received: ___________ Date of Check: ________

Ck #: _________ , Cash or Money Order #______________________

NEXT MEETING: Monday, Feb 25^th, 2008. The Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club meets on the 4^th Monday of the month. All meetings are held at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, 1801 Mountain Road NW in Old Town, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The entrance is on 18^th Street. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. There is a short business meeting prior to the evening’s presentation, which begins at approximately 8:00 P.M.

by Dave Love

Dave obtained a PhD in Geology from UNM and was a member of AGMC many years ago. He currently works for the New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources studying the landforms and sediments preserved in the northern Tularosa Basin.

He will discuss the role of springs, wetland habitats, rivers, and lakes in forming the floor of the basin over the past 50,000 (or more) years, including the history of the White Sands gypsum deposits.

Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club

Jay Penn, Editor

PO Box 13718

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87192