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. in the Sandia Room on the 2^nd floor. There is a short business meeting prior to the evening’s presentation, which begins at approximately 8:00 p.m.

“Mystery Presentation”

by Virgil Lueth, Ph.D.

Senior Mineralogist, Economic Geologist and

Curator of the Mineralogical Museum at the

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

The presentation at our first meeting of 2010 could be on just about anything, because there’s very little about the geology and mineralogy of New Mexico that Dr. Virgil Lueth doesn’t know. Virgil earned his bachelor’s degree in geology at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and his master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Texas at El Paso. He is a past president and board member of the New Mexico Geological Society, president of the Society of Mineral Museum Professionals, campus representative of the Geological Society of America at the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources and vice president and board member of the Friends of Mineralogy.

As anyone who has attended the New Mexico Mineral Symposium can attest, Virgil is also a charming and gifted public speaker. Among his many areas of expertise is the mineralogy and geochronology of hydrothermal manganese deposits, so if you have any questions after the MCA Mine field trip on the Saturday before the general meeting, he should be able to provide definitive answers.

Hi all. Well, the yearend holidays are behind us. Wasn't that a great potluck dinner the club had last month? Thanks Gwen Poe for heading that up again. And thanks to all of last year's board of directors and standing committee members for the jobs they did for the club. Of course, many of us are hanging around doing the same jobs. Some are doing different jobs, and fortunately new people are involved as well.

We had our first meeting as the new board on January 4th. Those of us in new positions are still settling into our respective roles but we had a good, productive meeting and are ready to serve the club. I want to make sure everyone knows that the board meetings are open to all club members. Meetings are held on the 1st Monday of each month, at 6:30 pm, in the same room as the general meetings (i.e. upstairs in the Natural History Museum). Please feel free to drop in and let your ideas be known.

The monthly field trips for the whole year are penciled in, all but two of the standing committee positions have been filled, and monthly speaker scheduling is well under way. But that doesn't mean there won't be a need for more help as the year unfolds. The next big event is the Treasures of the Earth (TotE) gem, mineral and jewelry show that the club puts on every spring. Paul Hlava and Grant Kuck head up this spectacular affair and will be asking for help as time gets closer. Please do whatever you can, this is a big deal and a lot of help is needed.

Then there is the club picnic in July, the State Fair booth and displays in September, the Mineral Symposium in November, and the yearend potluck in December. So if you are new to the AGMC and think we just stand around sipping Lattes and talking about rocks, you are wrong, we do stuff. And we have fun doing it.

Jay Penn

All memberships expired Dec 31, 2009. Dues are still only $20 per household for 2010.

The membership form is near the end of this newsletter as well as on our web site. You can print and fill out a copy to bring to the general meeting or mail it to: AGMC, PO Box 13718, Albuquerque NM 87192-3718.

PLEASE: We need ALL THE INFORMATION on the form FILLED IN for insurance and/or club purposes (even if you filled it out last year).

The February issue of the News Nuggets will be the last issue sent to households that have not renewed their membership for 2010.

Our Treasures of the Earth show is quickly approaching and it's time to plan for the silent auction – whether donating, selling or buying.

Donations: 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. Donations of a few better pieces rather than large numbers of the same thing are much better for the club.

Selling: This is a great way to offload some excess material and help the club.†You get a 6-ft. section of lighted table for $20 per auction, with 3 auctions per day of the show; you or a representative must be at the table during the auction (limit two adults per table). Sign up on a first-come basis starting at the TotE potluck. You must pay in advance to reserve a table.†See Bill Barr, Rex Nelson or Jim Van Loan.

Buying:†Between the dealers and member donations, there is really nice material available at great prices.†Bid early and bid often!

I’ll never forget my first trip to the Blanchard Mine in 2007 – I think I’ve finally thawed out after freezing my keister in the bitter wind coming up the side of the mountain! I also found a big boulder with two fluorite vugs in it while collecting underground in the Portales Tunnel, which makes for a warmer memory.

The weather was a lot more temperate on our latest trip last November. Ray DeMark gave us his usual excellent talk about the Hansonburg mining district and its history and mineralogy, followed by safety instructions for the crowd of newcomers and veterans. It was a big group; I lost count somewhere in the high sixties (I’m told there were 74 on the sign-in sheets). As it was Thanksgiving weekend, we should be reminded to thank Ray for his generosity in allowing the club to visit one of the southwest’s legendary mineral localities every year!

This time around, we didn’t do any underground collecting, but Ray did provide tours of one of the Sunshine adits to those who had never been “down under.” With the fine weather, surface collecting was not arduous, and the sound of hammers and chisels ringing filled the air, so it seems most everybody found something worth taking home. I’m still cleaning and sorting…

Bill Barr

(Excerpted from January Board Meeting minutes)

Jim indicated that there were no specific subjects for January. However, they are making

a list of which juniors need which awards to catch up. They plan to split older rock hounds to mentor younger members. This will allow the younger ones to earn the merit badges and for the rock hounds to complete a mentoring merit badge. They expect this to take the juniors until June. Jim is putting together science project ideas, which will include selenite, crystal projects, fossils and obsidian. They may need donations later, but would accept any. Jay indicated that the club has 50 flats for the junior table at the TOTE show.

Jim Hill and Earlene Shroyer

No minutes were submitted; here’s a rundown. The program was “The Origin and Development of the Elements” by Prof. John Dickel. The Mineral Symposium, Blanchard field trip and December potluck were no doubt discussed, and new and old board members voted in, I think. Eleven juniors were congratulated for achieving “Rock Hound” status.

Editor

A Special Thanks to each and everyone!!

Your being there, your help, your support, your great extras all reflect the love we have for our club and each other.

We had about 122 in attendance and the silent auction helped pay for the event. The entertainment was fabulous.

Thanks again to each of you!!

Hugs, Gwen

P.S. Don’t forget the show…

Howdy, Folks. Before September, I sent out the first round of contracts to all of the dealers from last year who said they wanted to be back and some former dealers to fill in a couple of known holes. I have gotten responses back from all of them. Most are coming back but some can’t because of the economy. I’ve been moving folks who wanted a larger space and contacting dealers on my back-up list and it has been first come, first served. And I still get calls from more several times a week. At this time (Jan. 11, 2010), I have one booth left. All the rest are filled or spoken for.

One of the touchstones of a good show is how well our dealers did last year. And as I mentioned before, ours did from FANTASTIC! to dismal. Most of dealers did well or better. I guess the word is getting around that the Treasures of the Earth show is a good one because I’ve had new dealers asking for space from coast to coast. Of course we still have our returning dealers from ABQ and the rest of the state plus AZ, CO, AR, TX & NY. (Everyone who helped at the show should now pat themselves on the back.)

Publicity for the show is underway. Doug St. Pierre has contacted a list of mineral and gem magazines that have show calendars so you should see these notices soon. Of course, we have thousands of GARISH (on purpose) yellow flyers for everyone to hand out. The postcard has been designed and is being printed. Radio, TV and newspaper ads will be done right before the show.

Once again I will plead for more people to get involved with the show committee. Apropos of that, I plan to have sign up sheets at the January meeting for a number of jobs to be handled. These include set-up, tear-down, and overnight security. I’m sure that Kimberley Richie, John Reinert and Hank Miller will be passing sheets around also. Folks who help at the show get free admission and a parking pass!

A few hours of easy work is a small price to pay for unlimited access to the show and the dealers!

Contact me if you want to help more. 505-255-5478, paulhlava@q.com.

Paul Hlava, Show Chairman

Treasures of the Earth – 2010

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.

Hint: This is a good place to post requests for rides to field trips or other club events, or to offer rides to help cover fuel expenses.

Found: Fold up umbrella at the July picnic.† Please call Gwen Poe about retrieving it.

247-1533.

Found: Windbreaker with some rocks in it, at the Zuni Mountains field trip. Contact Jane Bardal at jbardal@q.com.

Wanted: Rolling mill, for making/ rolling sheet metal. Martin, 254-7804.

When Jay asked if I was willing to take over the editorship so he could become AGMC’s president, I felt a combination of pride and fear (mostly fear!). Following his example in such an important role for such a long-established and vibrant organization is intimidating. I hope you all enjoy this and the following issues of News Nuggets! Please feel free to make suggestions and contributions. – Bill Barr

Museum Tour (field trip)

The field trip for January will be a tour of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources mineral museum in Socorro. We will meet at 9:45 AM in the parking lot of the Macey Center at the north end of the NM Tech campus. From there we will walk across the street to the museum in the Workman addition which houses the museum. We anticipate that the curator, Dr. Virgil Lueth, will give the tour and offer insights regarding the collection and noteworthy mineral specimens. If Dr. Lueth is unable to be present, a museum assistant and myself will guide the tour.

Following the museum tour, those wishing to join a lunch gathering of AGMC members will proceed to the Socorro Springs restaurant on California Street. Following lunch, we will travel as a group to the MCA mine (weather permitting), south of Socorro about 5 miles. The MCA mine was operated for manganese during the 1940's and 1950's. Passenger cars should be adequate for access. The predominant manganese mineral at the mine is hollandite (Hlava, personal communication) and it occurs as botryoidal crusts and veins in a hydrothermally altered, brecciated rhyolite. Calcite crystals may also be found. Rhodochrosite has been reported from the MCA mine but microprobe analysis of this material (Hlava, personal communication) showed it to be iron/manganese colored calcite. Normal hard rock tools (hammers, chisels, etc.) will be required for collecting. See you in Socorro on the 23rd. – Ray

(For map, see http://geoinfo.nmt.edu/about/

offices/Socorro_office.html)

Let’s journey again through “59” via the camera. Colored slides of field trips, the carnival, auction and other activities of Club members will be shown. Added attractions are trips to Buhl Park for peridot and Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona. All members bring specimens found on various field trips, please.

Headlining the new year will be Dr. Lawrence A. Frakes, Associate Professor Geology at the University of New Mexico. He brings us the theory that the North American land mass was part of South America, Africa, India, Pakistan, Australia and Antarctica. The continents began moving apart some millions of years ago and are still moving. Dr. Frakes just completed a five year travel-study of areas where glaciated rock is found and his findings have convinced a lot of skeptics who are beginning to accept the theory. He will supplement his lecture with slides.

We urge you to make a special effort to attend this meeting. The topic is fresh and we are among the first to get first-hand information, as some of his papers are still in the publishing stage. Your guests are cordially invited.

-- Norman Brown, Director of Programs

Bulletin Contest Winners for 1978 as announced at Rapid City, SD, by Jeanne Foster, Bulletin Aids Chrm.

Individual Article–Adult: 3-WAY TIE FOR 3rd: “Mineral Names–part II” by Pete Modreski, NEWS NUGGETS, Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Society!!!!

Hey, great, Pete how’s that!

Santa Fe Community College has just opened up registration for spring continuing education classes. There are 4 offerings, 3 of which are brand new. Below is a listing and brief description of the classes.

To register or if you have questions, call (505) 428-1676 or visit the link to continuing education (southwest explorations) at www.sfcc.edu.

This one-day tour will head south from Santa Fe on Highway 14 towards the town of Cerrillos, then venture east across the Galisteo Basin, returning to Santa Fe via Highway 285 and Eldorado. Weather permitting, a short hike, less than one mile duration, is possible near the town of Cerrillos. Many important geologic sites and events will be discussed as we traverse this landscape, including the volcanic history of the Cerrillos Hills and Ortiz Mountains, the onset of rifting in the Santa Fe area, and how the geology of the Galisteo Basin impacts oil, gas, and water in the area.

The hot springs at Ojo Caliente have been a fixture on the New Mexico historical scene for centuries, visited by the likes of Geronimo, Zebulon Pike and Kit Carson, to name a few. The geologic setting of the hot springs, however, is a story millions of years in the making, including a mountain, a rift, and deep circulating ground water. In the nearby hills, mica was also mined. Join geologist Kirt Kempter for an easy 3.5-mile RT hike to the mica mine, followed by a bone-soothing soak in the many springs at the modern spa and resort. Participants should bring appropriate hiking attire, picnic lunches, water, and bathing suit.

The Ojito Wilderness Area is a unique geologic landscape within an hour’s drive from both Santa Fe and Albuquerque. This journey will explore on foot the spectacular San Ysidro anticline, where Mesozoic rock layers have been folded into a dome structure, the core of which has been breached by erosion, exposing a variety of tilted, colorful rocks. A circular hike of approximately 4 miles will take us into the anticline and back along its eastern edge. The elevation gain/loss on the hike is approximately 400 feet. Participants should bring appropriate hiking attire, picnic lunch, and water. Hiking poles recommended.

This excursion will traverse the southern tail of the Rocky Mountains, investigating the wide array of rocks that tell the long and unique geologic story of northern New Mexico, including the rise of the Rockies after the demise of the dinosaurs. Participants will learn the many sedimentary rocks that drape the eastern Sangre de Cristo Mountains before diving subsurface toward the eastern plains. Near Las Vegas we will visit the Montezuma Castle and United World College where an optional (easy) 1-2 mile hike will be offered. An optional quick dip in the local hot springs for those that are interested (bathing suits required). Participants should bring appropriate outdoor attire, water, lunches and confectionery items.

Editor’s note: After discussion among the president, field trip co-chair and editor, it was decided that the News Nuggets should publish items such as the field trips listed on this page as a service to club members. If you are aware of any similar opportunities, please contact Bill Barr, Jay Penn or Brian Anderson.

Here are events located in NM, TX, OK, CO, UT and AZ for the near future.

You can see a more comprehensive list at: www.rockngem.com/showdates.asp.

22-24--Tyler, TX: Show, "Gemstone and Jewelry Showcase"; East Texas Gem & Mineral Society; Rose Garden Center, 420 Rose Park Dr.; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $3, students $1; exhibits, demonstrations, fluorescent mineral display, geode cracking, dealers, rocks, minerals, jewelry, fossils, supplies, Wheel of Fortune, silent auction; contact Keith Harmon, 8316 Oxford Dr., Tyler, TX 75703, (903) 581-4068; e-mail: kharmon1219@sbcglobal.net

1/15-2/7--Quartzsite, AZ: Shows, "Tyson Wells Sell-a-Rama and Arts & Crafts Fair"; Tyson Wells Enterprises Inc.; Tyson Wells Show Grounds, 100 W. Kuehn St.; 9-5 all days; free admission; contact Kym Scott, P.O. Box 60, Quartzsite, AZ 85346, (928) 927-6364; e-mail: tysonwells@tds.net; Web site: www.tysonwells.com

1/1-2/28--Quartzsite, AZ: Wholesale and retail show, "Desert Gardens International Gem & Mineral Show"; Desert Gardens RV Park; 1064 Kuehn Rd., south side of I-10, along frontage road; 9-6 daily; free admission; crystals, minerals, rough, polished, jewelry; contact Sharon or Sandy, Desert Gardens RV Park, 1055 Kuhen St., P.O. Box 2818, Quartzsite, AZ 85346, (928) 927-6361; e-mail: info@desertgardensrvpark.net; Web site: www.desertgardensrvpark.net

Editor’s note: There are many other shows and swaps in Quartzsite and Tucson throughout January and February.

1/30-2/13--Tucson, AZ: Show, "Arizona Mineral and Fossil Show"; Martin Zinn Expositions LLC; The InnSuites Hotel (475 N. Granada), The Mineral & Fossil Marketplace (1333 N. Oracle Rd.), Quality Inn (1025 E. Benson Hwy.), and Ramada Ltd. (665 N. Freeway); 10-6 daily, final day 10-5; free admission; more than 400 dealers from all over the world, Artists' Gallery (InnSuites Hotel); contact Martin Zinn Expositions, P.O. Box 665, Bernalillo, NM 87004-0665, fax (303) 223-3478; e-mail: mzexpos@aol.com; Web site: www.mzexpos.com

5-8--Tucson, AZ: 9th annual show, "Westward Look Show 2010"; Fine Mineral Show; Westward Look Resort, 245 E. Ina Rd.; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-6, Mon. 10-5; more than 25 of the world's top dealers, "Collector Day" Sat., featuring Will Larson's private collection, Sun. evening cocktail hour, mineral art gallery, and artist panel, including Eberhard Equit, Hildegard Konighofer, Susan Robinson and Wendell Wilson; contact Dave Waisman, P.O. Box 8543, Spokane, WA 99203; Web site: www.finemineralshow.com

11-14--Tucson, AZ: Show, "Tucson Gem & Mineral Show"; Tucson Gem & Mineral Society; Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave.; Thu.-Fri.-Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $9.25, children 14 and under free with a paying adult; displays of "Gems & Gem Minerals," 250 dealers, jewelry, minerals, fossils, door prizes, free lectures and symposiums; contact Tucson Gem & Mineral Society, P.O. Box 42588, Tucson, AZ 85733, (520) 322-5773; e-mail: tgms@tgms.org; Web site: www.tgms.org

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 at paulhlava@q.com! I have been gratified by folks responding that they WORK at these minerals. Good, that IS the idea. This way you learn about them.

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:

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Senior Member Names 1. _____________________________ 2. ______________________________

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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. # ______

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Phone: (_______) ______ - ___________

Email Address: ______________________________________________________

You will receive your newsletter by email.

Internal Use Only

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

Ck #: _________ , Cash or Money Order #______________________

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 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. All club members are welcome.

All memberships are family memberships and include all members of the household. Dues are $20. Send checks to the AGMC, P.O. Box 13718, Albuquerque, NM 87192-3718 or pay the Membership Chair at the monthly meeting. All memberships expire Dec 31.

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 for 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 send news, articles or comments to: Bill Barr, wbarr@umich.edu.

Please begin the subject line with AGMC.

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

Treasurer: el.chivo.viejo@earthlink.net

robair1952@yahoo.com

robair1952@yahoo.com

klawicki@gmail.com