The Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club meets on the 4^th Monday of the month (except this month, because of a movie production). 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. The Junior Club meets at 6:30.

by

Jack Burgess, Mining Engineer

In response to the World War II strategic metals effort, the Kearney mine shaft was sunk 650 ft. in 1942 to access zinc deposits north of the historic Chino copper mine, at Santa Rita, New Mexico. The underground mine was operated by the Peru Mining Company throughout the war and periodically until 1967, when reserves were exhausted.

The mine was one of a small number of prominent zinc producers in the Central mining district of Grant County, New Mexico. With head grades of 6-15% zinc, mineralization occurred as limestone replacement pods in the Hanover Limestone of Mississippian age. It is classified as a skarn deposit associated with the Santa Rita Quartz Monzonite porphyry stock. Minor lead and silver were also recovered.

Mined high-grade ore was shipped by rail to the Peru Mill at Deming, New Mexico, and the produced concentrate was sent to the American Zinc Smelter at Dumas, Texas.

Jack Burgess worked at the Kearney mine as a geologist, engineer, shift boss, mine foreman and mine superintendent from 1960 to 1966. Several photos of mineral specimens, crystals and maps will be included in the presentation.

Here is a quick recap of what we are working on for 2011.

The proposed revised Constitution, Bylaws, and Officer Guidelines will be posted on the web site as soon as our web master, John Scully, unwinds from his trip to Mexico, where he is acquiring mineral specimens for our viewing pleasure the next time we see him at a show.

Our historian, Dave Moats, is working with John and our web service provider to see if it is possible to put the club archives on the web site for easy access to all members.

The field trips for 2011 are all penciled in with trip leaders identified. Of course these are subject to weather considerations, so stay tuned. Thank you, Brian Anderson.

Our new VP-Programs, Jane Bardal, has the first 3-4 months of programs arranged and has several good ideas for programs beyond that.

Nanette Aiken, our incoming Secretary, is on the job and hasn't thrown anything at me (yet) so I'm thinking all is OK there. She also came up with a good idea for a better venue for the year-end party, which we will investigate.

The Treasurer, Amy Penn, will have the 2010 books and inventory records reviewed by a third party CPA and have a report around April.

Paul Hlava and Grant Kuck have the club gem, mineral, and jewelry show (Treasurers of the Earth or TotE show) arrangements on schedule and have a committee meeting planned for next Wednesday. This occurs the 3rd weekend in March so be ready to volunteer a little time and sweat; signup sheets will be coming around soon.

Bill Barr is continuing as our newsletter editor with assistance from Earlene Shroyer. This will give Bill time to write some articles; he has a tremendous amount of knowledge about minerals so this should be good.

As usual we will provide science fair judges, have a State Fair booth, support the mineral symposium and have a club picnic. John D. Reinert is filling the new position of Special Events Coordinator to see that all this happens.

Also as usual, we will have refreshments at the general meetings thanks to Kathy Lawicki and Hank Miller coordinating that gourmet experience. Hmmmm, I wonder if something could be done for the board meetings??? Just kidding…

Also-also as usual, we will be having a door prize/raffle for mineral and rock specimens at each general meeting. Doug St. Pierre rounds up and labels the specimens and Todd Brown runs the raffle. We welcome donations of good specimens for this. Hmmmm, I wonder if something could be done for the board meetings??? Oops, there I go again.

The Junior Club, what can I say? Since Jim Hill and Earlene Shroyer took over the club it has grown from a few members to over 45, with around 25 attending a typical meeting. The junior club will continue to evolve in 2011 with nothing but good things to come.

Merlene Dubre is the incoming Membership Chair, so be ready to have a nice lady provide your name badge instead of that old grouch we had before, ha ha ha, got ya Robert.

Helen Wolfe is on the board again, this year as a voting ad hoc member. She attends most club events, showing up early, staying late and helping out wherever needed.

WOW, this article turned out longer than I thought it would be; we do a lot of stuff. I didn't even try to mention all of you that help out "in the trenches" to make all this happen. We are a great club because we have many great people helping out. THANK YOU.

883-4195

el.chivo.viejo@earthlink.net

Our November 22nd, 2010 meeting was attended by 24 AGMC Jr. Club Rock Retrievers. We encouraged the kids to bring their Mineral ID kits to the meeting, and spent the time using the kits to perform several different tests (color, streak, hardness) to determine the identity of several “mystery” specimens. By the time the meeting was over, the kids had all discovered a talent to investigate and decipher the mystery of the minerals!

We had our end-of-the year Christmas party/ Lapidary workshop on Saturday, December 18th. There were 21 kids and their parent(s) at the party. We glued, we drilled, we wrapped, we strung and we had a blast. A big THANK YOU to all the parents who brought goodies to eat, and participated with their kids in making beautiful Christmas presents from the crystals and stones we have found. It was a really fun time for all, and we hope to plan for another lapidary workshop in the summer.

Get ready for a brand new year, and lots of fun things to come! See you at the meeting!

Due to a movie production and construction work at the Natural History Museum, the January general meeting will be delayed one day and be on Tuesday 01/25/11.

NEXT MEETING will be on TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011!

______________________________________

All memberships expired Dec. 31. Dues are still only $20 per household for 2011.

The membership form is on the last page of this issue as well as on our web site. You can print and fill out a copy ahead of time to renew at the general meeting or mail it to: AGMC, PO Box 13718, Albuquerque NM 87192-3718.

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

We send the first two issues of News Nuggets to last year’s mailing list. If dues are not paid, you’ll be off the list in March.

On behalf of the Los Alamos Geological Society, we invite you to attend our Annual Banquet and Special Guest Lecture!

We are pleased to offer a delicious home-cooked meal, catered by the Decadent Table in Los Alamos, and an interesting lecture on earth science and human origins by Dr. Giday WoldeGabriel of Los Alamos National Laboratory. Dr. WoldeGabriel’s work to constrain the age of the geologic units in which the fossils of Ardipithecus ramidus were found recently received prominent press, and the work was featured in Science, Nature and on many television specials. The findings related to Ardi were named one of the top science stories of recent years.

When: Saturday, January 22 (dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., lecture to follow

Where: Los Alamos Christian Church, 92 East Rd., Los Alamos

Cost: $30 per person

To register, send a check for $30 per person (payable to LAGS) to:

Los Alamos Geological Society

PO Box 762

Los Alamos, NM 87544

Deadline to receive payment and reserve spot is Tuesday, January 18.

Consider a weekend getaway to Los Alamos! There are several reasonably-priced lodging options, and many cultural and outdoor activities to enjoy around the area this time of year.

We hope you can join us! Warm regards,

______________________________________

Paleontologists, like other rockhounds, love pretty rocks - especially the kind (fossils) with stories to tell about ancient life on Earth. A group of avid amateur paleontologists in the Western Interior Paleontological Society (WIPS) - with the help of the Denver Gem & Mineral Council, the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge, and many generous sponsors - will bring the ancient west to life again February 12-13 at the Green Center at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. This symposium, like others they have held every other year since 1999, raises money to support the research and education of other fossil fanatics in the field, while creating a forum for sharing paleontological information and enjoying fantastic paleo art.

This year will feature many Colorado speakers intimately familiar with rocks just underfoot. James Kirkland, State Paleontologist, Utah Geological Survey, will reconstruct Upper Jurassic paleoecosystems. Vince Mathews, State Geologist and Director, Colorado Geological

Survey, will focus on Colorado’s colorful and fantastic geology. Bruce Schumacher, paleontologist with the USDA Forest Service, will revisit a few sea monsters from the Cretaceous Greenhorn Seaway. Ian Miller with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science will fill everyone in on the latest find of a trove of Pleistocene bones, plants, insects and other fossils near Snowmass. Eleven additional great speakers will talk about everything from shells, to bugs, to ancient mammals, to dinosaurs and their tracks, as well as ancient cave dwellers in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

More than two dozen local paleo and natural science artists and illustrators will provide a gallery of artwork to enjoy between talks and during a great “Happy Fossil Hour” reception. A poster session and exhibits will highlight local research and fossil discoveries.

Interested rock lovers of all varieties can attend one or both days. Teachers and students get discounted registration fees, as do those who sign up before February 5. People can register and get more information about The West That Was: Exploring Colorado’s Fossil Past at http://www.westernpaleo.org.

If you are a rockhound with an eye for fossils, put her there, pardner! I’ll see you in Golden where the theropods and mousy mammals play.

www.biostration.com

Howdy, Folks. About Labor Day, 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. 7, 2011), I have two booths and 8 tables 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. As I have 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 from coast to coast asking for space. Of course we still have our returning dealers from ABQ and the rest of the state plus CO, AR, TX & NY. (Everyone who helped at the show last year should now pat yourselves on the back for putting on such a fine show.)

Publicity for the show is underway. Our show is on the EXPO-NM website. 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. Doug has also sent bunches of said flyers to other clubs in NM. 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 (everyone!) to get involved with the show. 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 Rienert 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. 265-4178, paulhlava@q.com.

Paul Hlava, Show Chairman, 110107

Field Trip Report
Blanchard Mine - Bingham, NM
Saturday, November 20

The annual field trip to the Blanchard mine began bright and early with an enthusiastic group of 45 AGMC members rolling into Bingham and then proceeding in a dusty convoy up the road to the pad at the base of the Blanchard Mine. Ray DeMark gave a couple of informative talks on the way, with a great overview of the geology of the area, and then a colorful introduction to the history and mineralogy of the legendary Hansonburg Mining District. After a few notes about safety, it was up the hill in 4-wheel drives for what is always a fabulous day of collecting.

† AGMC members quickly spread throughout the area and collected many treasures… beautiful specimens of fluorite, galena, barite, linarite, brochantite and more. Ray led a large and adventurous group of newcomers on an underground tour of the Sunshine #3.

The weather cooperated and the views of the valley below were fantastic. A big AGMC thanks once again to Ray for his continued generosity in hosting us at one of the southwest’s best mineral localities every year!

______________________________________

The trip will take us to Baker Ranch geode claim south of Deming, New Mexico, on January 15, 2011. We will be collecting geodes and/or thunder eggs (nodules) that are filled with multicolored agate surrounded by layers of banded light brown rhyolite. When cut and polished, the specimens are very pretty. If you

dig and get dirty, you will find nodules. Tools suggested include a rake or a hoe to move dirt.

Preceding the trip to Baker Ranch, we will meet in the southeast corner of Wal-Mart in Deming at 8:15 a.m. Wal-Mart is on Pine Street east of the highway that comes from Hatch to Deming and intersects with Pine Street (also Hwy. 70) at the first traffic light in downtown Deming. We will leave the parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and caravan to the Geode Kid’s house/office (aka Geolapidary Museum) to examine nodules that they have dug, cut and polished. These nodules are for sale, and I suggest you pick out your favorite and work out a purchase agreement with the owners, who also have the claim to Baker Ranch and are letting us dig there (cash or check recommended).

We will then caravan to Baker Ranch to dig for nodules. The drive is approximately 45 minutes. We will be the last to leave at 4:00 p.m., or sooner depending on the last other folks to leave. While I am not concerned about security, we do not want to be there alone. We will see many Border Patrol agents and probably sheriff's deputies.

The drive back to Deming is 45 minutes to 1 hour. The first 4-5 miles are slow because of sharp rocks. I have ruined a tire on my truck there. The road is not four-wheel drive or high clearance, but, as I said, the 4-5 miles going in or out are slow. There will be a fence on the way in which will be closed, and the last vehicle in the caravan will need to close the gate. The same applies as you leave. The western rule is leaving the gates as you find them. You may leave at any time throughout the day if you know the way back to Deming.

We will dig in the claim dump, NOT in the excavation. If anyone tries to dig in the excavation, he/she will be told to leave. This is a condition of digging there.

We are staying at the La Quinta on the east side of Deming. There are many motels in Deming. There are also many RV parks in Deming, and there is camping at Rock Hound

State Park. The restaurants we like are both on Pine Street, 1 block east of Gold Street. They are (Mexican) Si SeÒor, and (Italian) Palma’s Italian. (Editor’s note: El Camino Real on Pine next to Sonic is also highly recommended.)

On Friday, if you go early enough, or Sunday, I suggest you visit the mineral museum in Deming. I have heard it has some very good specimens. (Editor’s note #2: It’s Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, has lots of historical items as well as rocks, and should be open from 1:30-4 p.m. Sunday.)

See you there on January 15. From talking with members, I think this will be a well-attended field trip and, I know, a good time.

Co-leaders:

Home 505-821-1039

Mobile 505-328-5613

______________________________________

January Field Trip #2:
Quebradas Geologic Tour
Saturday, January 29

This will be a joint club outing along with the NM Mountain Club. This is not a hike, but may be of interest to anyone who has hiked or visited†the Quebradas near†Socorro. We will look at geological features at 10 stops along the Quebradas Back Country Byway as described in a recent BLM publication. The booklet describes walking short distances in arroyos to see certain features, so wear appropriate hiking shoes or boots. High clearance vehicles recommended for driving on the dirt road. Dinner in Socorro for anyone interested. Approximately a 200 mile roundtrip.

If you want to carpool, meet at the Smith’s store on†the NE corner of Menaul & Carlisle at 9:00 a.m.† Park in the west end of the lot, away from the store entrance.† The Mountain Club

policy†suggests that each passenger share expenses with the driver (12 cents per mile).† If you want to drive your own vehicle, meet at the gas station at the†Lemitar exit (about 8 miles†N. of Socorro) at 10:00 a.m.† Trip may be canceled if the weather is bad.† Contact me to confirm if in doubt.

Leader:

Jane Bardal, 999-9918, jbardal@q.com
______________________________________

AGMC members in attendance at the August 2010 General Meeting had a special glimpse into one of the largest stone fabrication facilities in the United States, New Mexico Travertine, Inc. in Belen. Now here’s our chance to visit the operation and see it firsthand. If you missed the presentation that evening, be assured this will be an interesting and unique outing.

In only 25 years New Mexico Travertine has grown from a single line processing slabs and tile to a 40,000 square foot, fully integrated stone operation on 15 acres. With multiple tile and slab lines, saws ranging from 24 inches to 12 feet, and computer-controlled sawing systems, they process stone for customers all over America from their own quarries and from quarries across the United States.

We will begin our tour promptly at 8:00 a.m. at New Mexico Travertine in Belen at 3700 Camino del Llano. Plan on about a 45-minute drive from Albuquerque. Take I-25 south to Exit #191 (the 2nd and middle Belen exit) then turn right and head west for two miles, the plant will be on the right.

Weather permitting, we will consolidate into high-clearance vehicles and visit the quarry site first. This will be about a 45-minute drive one-way and approximately an hour or two at the site. Next, we will return to the plant for a full

tour lasting another hour or two. All in all, please plan on at least a four-and-a-half to five hour visit, dependent on the number of people attending.

There are no age restrictions and cameras are encouraged. Small samples will be provided to those on the tour. No open-toed shoes or sandals are allowed.

Please RSVP to Brian Anderson by Monday, February 7 to either my cell 573-8872 or via e-mail so I can provide a headcount.

The 2011 Field Trip Schedule is included on page 12 of this issue of News Nuggets.

January 1976 News Nuggets

By Pete Modreski

The origin of fluorite-barite-galena deposits in New Mexico was discussed in a paper presented in 1974 at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America. The mineral deposits in the Bingham (Blanchard) district and some of those in the Magdalena area are of this type. For those not familiar with the area, the minerals from the “Blanchard Claims” include fluorite (blue cubic crystals), barite, galena, anglesite, cerussite, wulfenite, gypsum and rare copper and lead minerals like linarite, brochantite, spangolite, murdochite and plattnerite. That mineral deposit is unusual in that the common copper minerals – carbonates – like azurite and malachite are absent. The fluids that formed the deposit must have been rich in

sulfate ions and too acid for the carbonates to form. The origin of the deposits, according to

Dr. Richard Beane of New Mexico Tech, was as follows:

About 30 million years ago, intrusions of igneous rock, monzonite, caused the near-surface sedimentary rocks to heat up. Saline waters (brines) in the pores of these sedimentary rocks began to circulate through the strata as they were heated. These brines would have been rich in sulfate (SO₄) and chloride (Cl), and they originated in rocks such as the “redbeds” of Permian age known as the Yeso formation. The Yeso formation contains what are known as evaporite deposits – layers containing salt and gypsum. The brines would have circulated through underlying, slightly older Permian strata (the Bursum and Abo formations) which contain small amounts of lead and barium. The lead and barium in these rocks were present in feldspars, which had been derived from the decay of older granitic rocks. The result would be hot brines rich in barium, lead, sulfate, chloride, fluoride and other elements. These elements were eventually deposited in fractures in limestone strata. Reacting with the limestone, the brines deposited the minerals fluorite, barite, galena, and others.

The title of Dr. Beane’s paper was “Barite-fluorite-galena deposits in south-central New Mexico: a product of shallow intrusions, ground water, and epicontinental deposits.”

Compiled, selected and annotated by Dave Moats, AGMC Historian

For sale: a MSA miner’s cap lamp and charger. MSHA approved for mining environments, dual lamp filaments and a 4-volt spill-proof rechargeable battery. The charger is for 110 or 220 volts and has a battery maintenance circuit built in. $100.00. Jim Hill (505) 865-2914 or see me at the AGMC meeting.

Wanted, UV lamp with long and short wave, also box for viewing. Jay Penn, (505) 883-4195, el.chivo.viejo@earthlink.net

24" slab saw, very good condition, nearly new blade, located in Deming, NM, $2950 OBO, Maurice and Judy Crawford (575) 546-0056 or (760) 417-1249.

Brand new -never used- Wizard 6" trim saw. Retails for $905.00. I am asking $500.00 OBO. Please contact John 948-3311.

For Sale: Keene 12 Volt Dry Washer, model #DW2-12V, with a rechargeable marine battery. Highly portable (32 lbs.) option for classifying gold mining material anywhere. Just assemble, hook-up the battery and pour your buckets in the hopper. Excess material goes over bellows while the heavier concentrates (like gold) remain in the riffles. No water needed. $200. Call Brian Anderson at 573-8872 or email osodad@comcast.net and I can e-mail back manual, photos and/or video.

Note: Advertisers, please contact editor if item sells.

Please, somebody say it ain’t so! I’ve heard a theory that attendance at the AGMC Holiday Party last month was down a bit because some folks thought the prohibition of alcohol meant it wouldn’t be much fun. News flash to those who missed it, for any reason: the food was delicious, the company stimulating, the auction had lots of interesting items, our two scholarship winners were both gracious and grateful and the mood was brightened by the presence of many of our wonderful junior members.

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.

1-31--QUARTZSITE, AZ: Show, "Desert Gardens International Gem & Mineral Show"; Desert Gardens RV Park; 1064 Kuehn St. (I-10 Exit 17, south side); 9-6 daily; free admission; crystals, minerals, rough, polished, jewelry, equipment; contact Sharon or Sandy, 1064 Kuehn St., Quartzsite, AZ 85346, (928) 927-6361; e-mail: info@desertgardensrvpark.net; Web site: www.desertgardensrvpark.net

EDITOR’S NOTE: There are lots of other shows, swaps and whachamacallits in Quartzsite all January and well into February. Take your walking shoes…

14-16--GLOBE, AZ: 54th annual show; Gila Co. Gem & Mineral Society; Gila County Fair Grounds, 3 mi. north of US 60-70 Junction; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; live demonstrations, door prizes, displays, minerals, jewelry; contact Val Lathem, (602) 466-3060; e-mail: val65@cox.net

15-16--FREDERICKSBURG, TX: 42nd annual show, "Hill Country Gem & Mineral Show"; Fredericksburg Rockhounds; Pioneer Pavilion, Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park;

Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; free admission; contact Jeff Smith, 208 Castle Pines Dr., Kerrville, TX 78028, (830) 895-9630; e-mail: jeffbrenda@windstreram.net; Web site: www.fredericksburgrockhounds.org

JAN. 29-FEB. 13--TUCSON, AZ: The big one! Rocks, minerals, fossils, gems, equipment and everything else your heart desires, all over Tucson. The original Tucson Gem & Mineral Show (TGMS) is at the Convention Center from Feb. 10-13. You may find better prices and selection by pounding the pavement to the other shows, but this one has the best displays, events, high-end dealers with eye-popping stuff and, if you’re a smart shopper, some treasures that don’t cost a fortune. You must go at least once!

19-20--MESA, AZ: Show, 2011: “Rocks From Heaven”; Apache Junction Rock & Gem Club; Skyline High School, 845 S. Crismon Rd.; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4; adults $3, students $1, children under 12 free; vendors, jewelry, gemstones, cabochons, rocks, minerals, fossils, beads, findings, lapidary equipment, lapidary supplies, silent auction, gem tree making, wheel of rocks, grand raffle; contact Wally Frlich, 463 N. Valley Dr., Apache Junction, AZ 85120; (480) 982-7760; e-mail: wfrlich@hotmail.com; Web site: www.ajrockclub.com

25-27--GOLDEN, CO: Show; Denver Gem & Mineral Guild; Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 15200 W. 6th Ave.; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; free admission; gem-cutting demonstrations, geode cutting, mineral sample bags, mineral displays, dealers, gems, minerals, fossils, geodes, jewelry, books; contact Joseph Payne, 6101 S Logan Ct., Centennial, CO 80121, (303) 783-0221; e-mail: jpayne@ englewoodgov.org; Web: www.denvergem.org

A few folks emailed me that they read the Mystery Mineral and try to decipher the mineral names. Email me at paulhlava@q.com 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.

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.

Last year I discussed minerals found in the Hansonburg District of NM. This year I’ll work on minerals from the Harding (pegmatite) Mine and area.

This month’s MM is a silicate of 2 metals and is a mineral mostly found in granitic pegmatites. The hexagonal crystals are often quite large and esthetic but at this mine the mineral is usually massive. This mineral has an imperfect basal cleavage. It is transparent to translucent with a vitreous luster. It can be colorless, white, red, pink, yellow, green, or blue, etc. At the Harding it is almost always white. Sp. Gr. = 2.63 - 2.9, H = 7.5 - 8.

What is the origin of the name? Named
after Norman Spang (1889-1954) of Etna,

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA,

contributor of the type specimen for study,

American mineral collector, USA.

What metals does it contain? Copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al)

What non-metals does it contain? Oxygen (O), sulfur (S), chlorine (Cl), and hydrogen (H).

What other minerals might occur with it? Other secondary copper, lead, and zinc minerals

What is it mined and used for? Collector's mineral, not purposely mined.

Do you have some in your collection? Yes

In NM – Hansonburg District

In the USA – AZ, NV, UT

In the World – Australia, Austria, Chile, Congo, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, UK

January 6, 2011

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 sent approximately one week prior to the monthly meeting, earlier if possible.

You are invited to send news, articles or comments to Bill Barr at 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

merlelin@q.com

klawicki@gmail.com

Note: If you feel you have been put on or left off this list in error, please contact Bill Barr.

This is your club membership form. 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. 31. Dues can be turned in at the monthly meeting or mailed to:

Last Name _________________________________ Date _____________

Senior Member Names 1. __________________________________________

2. __________________________________________

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.

Internal Use Only

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

Ck #: _________ , Cash or Money Order #______________________