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.

This year’s curious blessing of winter moisture has graced the collecting areas with colorful flowers not seen in years. A beautiful bonus for those lucky enough to be out there collecting in the field, camping, or picnicking. Picnic? Did she say picnic? Hey, that’s us. Our annual summer picnic event is this month in the Zuni’s. What a beautiful setting for our summer event. I always think of the Sec. 21 as the "rainbow place" anyway cause it seems that all the colors of the spectrum are represented in the rocks. I do hope you’re planning on joining us! This time of year plan for anything from the weather, maybe even rainbows in the sky. Hope to see you there!

Suzanne Seymour

The meeting was called to order by President Suzanne Seymour at 7:40 p.m. She immediately called for someone to take minutes, as there is no currently sitting Secretary. Janey Johnson agreed to act as Secretary when she is in town.

President Seymour announced the change in newsletter editor. Due to Patricia Amshoff’s move to Tucson, Jay Penn has agreed to move into that position.

An announcement was made about a continuing education class at the museum on July 2^nd and a subsequent field trip on July 6^th.

The club requests members to bring samples to pass out at the State Fair in September. The samples need to fit in 2" x 3" Ziploc-type bags, and there should be about 30 specimens for each lot to facilitate the labeling of the specimens. John Reinert will be collecting the samples. He also asked for items to put in the display cases and asked for volunteers to man the tables. Rex Nelson also discussed how people can enter into competition at the fair.

President Seymour welcomed new members and guests: John Davis, Steve Davis, Bob and Molly Martin, Alice Webb, and Brian Anderson.

With regard to club rosters, there was a discussion regarding how much information should be available for members’ use. A show of hands indicated that the majority of the members would like to have a club roster. The membership form has been modified to include email addresses.

Rex Nelson was called upon to outline upcoming field trips. He indicated that the June newsletter had the information needed for the trip on Saturday, June 30, 2007. The annual picnic will be at the Section 21 Mine on July 21, 2007. The permit for the picnic site is in the process of being approved. There will also be a trip to nearby Bonita Mine later on the 21^st. Amy Penn described what to bring to the potluck and said the meal would begin about 1 p.m.

Kathy Lawicki announced there were enough refreshments lined up through the end of the year. She also discussed an email warning about the use of plastics in microwaves and freezers causing cancer.

The members were advised that Martin Fuller passed away in March and that John Masters has cancer.

Marcus Price introduced the guest speakers: Dean Crane and Conne Gibson of Two Cranes. They discussed and demonstrated how to transform ordinary minerals into jewelry. Connie said that Dean began lapidary when he was about 9 years old. She told about their first bead show in Tucson. They now do bead shows and lectures around the country. They prefer using a manual drill because of the delicate minerals. Connie and Dean described in detail how to make the beads and how the equipment is used for shaping, drilling and polishing.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. for refreshments and door prizes.

Submitted by Janey Johnson, Secretary pro tem

There is going to be a Club Membership Roster available for distribution within the club. The board has had several requests for this and at the June 25th general meeting there was an overwhelming consensus of the members present that a Club Roster would be appreciated.

If you don't want your name and/or phone number on this, call Amy Penn, 883-4195, by Aug. 12.

The Membership Roster will be printed and available beginning with the Aug. 27th general meeting. I can email it to you, but we won't snail mail this roster.

Amy Penn

The September general meeting will be a silent auction instead of the typical invited speaker format. This auction is so that the club can convert no longer needed and donated items to cash for the general fund.

Some of the items are: 1) rock tumbler with grits, 2) trim saw with two attached grinding wheels, 3) rough & slabbed rocks, 4) display "pony" case, 5) books, 6) misc. rocks and minerals, 7) 5 yards of fabric 8) etc. etc. etc.

If you have any items that you would like to donate to the club for this auction please bring it to the September meeting or contact: Suzanne Seymour, Amy or Jay Penn, or Rex Nelson. (See Board of Directors roster on the last page of this issue)

Jay Penn

On the last morning of June, 42 people gathered at the Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center Parking Lot. About 10 o’clock a caravan of 4WD vehicles, lead by John Scully, headed to Hondo Canyon. After driving two miles up the canyon, we parked the vehicles and were joined by 3 more AGMC members bringing our grand total to 45 avid rock hounders.

There we ran into mineralogist extraordinaire, Jessie Kline, who was just returning from his own collecting expedition. The club walked about a half mile from the parking area to the beginning of the collecting area. At that point John put together small groups, each having one person with a GPS unit to ensure nobody got lost. The small groups then dispersed in search of staurolites which are also called fairy crosses or tear of Christ.

It was hot and some of the staurolites that were in the sun were hard to hold on to, but everybody got something. Jim Van Loan actually found one in the shape of a cross with the proportions right. Craig Person found a staurolite where the arms of the cross were all the same size. In addition Craig also found staurolites that formed an, "X." as well as some garnet bearing schist.

Thanks to the 45 members who showed up, this was the second best attended field trip of the year right behind the trip to Tom Massis’ claim called the Royal Flush. A special thanks to John Scully for leading the expedition as well as to all the members who contributed by bringing their GPS units and all the rock hounds who came, collected, and shared their camaraderie.

Grant Kuck and Rex Nelson

The following is the schedule for the remainder of 2007.

Jul 21, Section 21 Mine (see "AGMC This Month" for details)

Aug 25, Globe Mine near Petaca

Sept, Questa Moly Mine (Pending permission)

Oct 20, Turquoise Trail Geological Tour (Tour guide will be our own Paul Hlava)

Nov 25, Blanchard Mine at Bingham, NM (date is tentative and subject to change)

Dec 8, Potluck Christmas Party

Questions concerning these events should be directed to Grant Kuck or Rex Nelson (See Board of Directors roster on the last page)

The July field trip and picnic is in a forest area near the Section 21 Mine and El Calderon area.  To reach this location, take I-40 West to Exit 81. Immediately after exiting, cross over the interstate on NM 53 and continue Southwest to mile marker 65.  Shortly after the marker is a gate on the right where we will assemble for a short briefing.  The picnic site is in this immediate area.  We will try to have a sign up near the gate.

Besides our picnic, activities will include mineral collecting at the recently reclaimed Section 21 Mine and a possible forest road trip to the Bonita Mine.  Both mines have produced some very nice fluorite specimens.  Regular street vehicles may not be suitable for travel to these locations, so car pooling will be necessary.

Opportunities for visiting some very unique places in this area include Bandera Volcano and Ice Caves, El Morro National Monument, and El Calderon area.  Trips to these locations are at the discretion of individuals.

See you there,

Rex Nelson & Grant Kuck

_________________________________

Potluck Picnic

For this year’s picnic, there are no limits on how many can attend. All are invited. Children, too, of any age. YEAH!! Directions to the site are found in the previous article, so you can show up and leave whenever you get the urge. Last year we enjoyed some Tailgating Sales. Bring items to sell, swap and/or money to buy. We'll break for lunch around 1:00pm. The club supplies soda, tea, juice, ice and cups.

There is a restroom in the visitor center about a 1/2 mile west and across the highway from the picnic area.

You'll need to bring: your potluck goody, plates, silver, napkins, condiments, chair, sunscreen, and hat. And if planning to collect: digging tools, wrapping material, bucket, back pack, pick, hammer, chisel, gloves, safety glasses, water, etc.

Amy Penn

Forest Service Grants Permission for Picnic Site

The officials at the Mt. Taylor Ranger District have approved a group use permit for the Zuni mountain site where we are having our picnic. The permit is for the 21st of July only and does come with some restrictions and concerns. Please look over the very abbreviated list below and abide accordingly. Most of this is just good common sense anyway.

1. The area granted for use is approximately 2 acres
2. Permission is granted to hold a club picnic and collect rock samples at the Section 21 Mine.
3. No soil, trees or other vegetation may be removed or destroyed .
4. We must repair any damage that we do to the site and leave it clean.
5. We shall bear the expense of repairing damage to any lands, trail, or roads caused by our activities.
6. We are responsible for making the area safe for our activities by reporting any dangerous trees, hanging limbs, etc. for removal.
7. We are RESPONSIBLE for any FIRE suppression costs, loss or damage to natural resources and environment that arises from our activities.
8. The Forest Service or government is not responsible for any kind of damage or harm that occur as a result of our activities. We have indemnified and agreed to hold them harmless.
9. We cannot block any other legal activity or access to the site.
10. We cannot bother any archeological sites or objects.

Most of this is an over simplification of the items listed on our permit. Any questions or doubts as to our permit requirement please ask Grant or Rex to see the permit. In addition, each of us is required to abide by the general rules of the National Forest usage. Read the fire warnings and restrictions.

If you plan on camping out before or after our permitted period you are on your own and need to check with the Forest Management concerning having fires or open flame cook stoves. At the time that I talked to the forest supervisor, it was recommended that we use camp stoves and not open fires.

Driving and parking: We will try to set up a diagonal pull off the road system where no one blocks the narrow dirt road. We will designate a turn around area that disturbs the least vegetation. Try to keep from driving on any grass more than once.

Rex Nelson

"Light and Heavy Rocks"---

Density and Heft and what they mean.

Bring your test kit and a heavy (but not big) rock to share. We will have some equipment to use and will determine the heft and density of it.

Questions? Contact Jim Hill or Earlene Shroyer (See Board of Directors roster on the last page)

"The Materials Known as Gemstones"

Did you ever wonder why emeralds are usually cut in rectangular shapes or what criteria determine the value of a gem? Perhaps you want to know how to pick out a good stone. What makes a gem beautiful? What is the difference between a synthetic and a simulated gemstone? What do they mean by disclosure and how does it affect me? What does it cost? These questions and a lot more will be covered by our club’s own Paul Hlava at the July 23^rd general meeting when he gives his presentation "The Materials Known as Gemstones". Originally composed as an after-dinner talk for materials scientists and their spouses, this richly illustrated talk is aimed at a non-technical audience but is still has plenty of meat to chew on (pun intended). You won’t want to miss this one.

Paul Hlava for Mike Sanders

I am listing the events located in NM, TX, OK, CO, UT, and AZ for the next 2 months. You can get more comprehensive lists at: www.rockngem.com/showdates.asp

www.lapidaryjournal.com/cal1.cfm

None found for the remainder of July.

Aug 3-5--PRESCOTT, ARIZONA: 4th annual show and sale; Prescott Gem & Mineral Club; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Activity Center, 3700 N. Willow Creek Rd.; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; adults $2, children 12 and under free; fine jewelry, beading components, mineral specimens, tools, equipment, lapidary rock; contact Larry Jackson, P.O. Box 3923, Chino Valley, AZ 86323, (928) 636-9188, e-mail: lpjack65@cableone.net.

Aug 9-12--BUENA VISTA, COLORADO: Show, "Contin-tail show"; Colorado Federation of Gem & Mineral Societies, Rodeo Grounds; Thu. 9-5, Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-5; free admission; outdoor show, more than 100 dealers, rocks, minerals, gems, beads, jewelry, lapidary items; contact Carolyn Tunnicliff, 1130 Francis #7010, Longmont, CO 80501, (303) 833-2939; e-mail: ctunnicliff@comcast.net; Web site: www.coloradorocks.org.

Aug 17-19--TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA: Swap, show and sale; Tahlequah Rock & Mineral Society; Tahlequah Community Bldg., 1st St. and College; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4; free admission; demonstrations, children's booth, live auction; contact Sara Brasel, (918) 458-0801, or Maxine Woods, (918) 456-8198.

Aug 25-26--JASPER, TEXAS: Annual show; Pine Country Gem & Mineral Society; VFW Bldg., FM 2799 and FM 1747, 9 miles west of Jasper; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-5; adults $2, students free; displays, dealers, jewelry, gemstones, rocks, fossils, minerals, polished and faceted stones, findings, jewelry, demonstrations, door prizes, silent auction; contact Sharon Kerr, (409) 384-3441 or (409) 489-0487; e-mail: seadigest@aol.com.

Sept 1-2--ARLINGTON, TEXAS: 50th annual show; Arlington Gem & Mineral Club; Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; gems, jewelry, beads, SCFMS convention, annual Rolling Rock meeting; contact Karen Cessna, (817) 860-5232, Rick Kupke, 2004 N. Meadow Way Cir., Arlington, TX 76015, (817) 465-5270; e-mail: rickkupke@nwiis.com; Web site: http://tses.org.

Sept 1-3--SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO: 24th annual show; Rolling Stones Gem & Mineral Society; Recreation Center, 11th St. and Gold St.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-5, Mon. 10-4; free admission; field trips, exhibits, more than 40 vendors, silent auctions, live demonstrations; contact Judy Allen, 16 McKinley St., Silver City, NM 88061, (505) 388-4054; e-mail: Show@stockmanfamily.net.

Sept 12-16--DENVER, COLORADO: Show, "Colorado Mineral & Fossil Show"; Martin Zinn Expositions, Holiday Inn-Denver Central, 4849 Bannock St.; Wed. 10-6, Thu. 10-6, Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; free admission; more than 200 dealers from around the world, minerals, fossils, meteorites, gems, jewelry; contact Regina Aumente, P.O. Box 665, Bernalillo, NM 87004, (505) 867-0425; e-mail: mz0955@aol.com; Web site: www.mzexpos.com.

Sept 13-16--DENVER, COLORADO: Bead Renaissance Show; J&J Promotions LLC; Holiday Inn, DIA, 15500 E. 40th Ave., I-70 and Chambers Rd. (exit 283); Thu. 10-6, Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; free admission; contact J&J Promotions LLC, P.O. Box 420, Williamsburg, NM 87942, (505) 894-1293; e-mail: info@beadshow.com; Web site: www.beadshow.com.

Sept 14-16--DENVER, COLORADO: Show; Greater Denver Area Gem & Mineral Council; Denver Merchandise Mart, 451 E. 58th Ave.; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $5, seniors and students $3, children free; lectures, hobby demonstrations, museum and competitive exhibits, kids? gold panning and hands-on activities, more than 120 dealers; contact Aaron Rever, DMNS Box 4, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205, (303) 233-2516; e-mail: glowrock@netscape.net; Web site: www.denvermineralshow.com.

Sept 20-23--McDERMITT, NEVADA: Show, "Rockhound Rendezvous"; Nevada Commission on Tourism; Diamond A Motel, U.S. Hwy. 95; Thu. 9-4, Fri. 9-4, Sat. 9-4, Sun. 9-4; free admission; dealers, agates, jaspers, opals, petrified wood, jewelry, field trips; contact Illyssa I. Fogel, P.O. Box 437, McDermitt, NV 89421, (775) 532-8088; e-mail: lisa@diamondamotel.com; Web site: www.diamondamotel.com.

Sept 21-23--HUMBLE, TEXAS: Show; Houston Gem & Mineral Society; Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Pkwy.; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $5, seniors and students $3, children under 12 free; kids' day Fri.; contact Sigrid Stewart, 20403 Coleridge Ln., Richmond, TX 77469, (281) 239-0377; e-mail: show@hgms.org; Web site: www.hgms.org.

Sept 22-23, Richardson, TX - Dallas Bead Market. Richardson Convention Centre, 411 W. Arapho. 22nd, 10-5; 23rd, 10-4. Rebekah Wills, 903-734-3335, www.thebeadmarket.net.

Sept 28-30--LLANO, TEXAS: Show, "Golden-Gem Rendezvoux & Knap-In"; Llano Chamber of Commerce; Badu Park, Bessemer Ave.; Fri. 1-6, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 11-5; free admission; 3rd annual Great State of Texas Gold Panning Championship, compete for prizes or just have fun, flint knappers, gems, jewelry; contact contact Frank Rowell, 504 Bessemer, Llano, TX 78643, (325) 247-5354; e-mail: frank@llanochamber.com;Web site: www.llanochamber.com/rendezvoux.html.

Sept 28-30--SANDY (SALT LAKE CITY), UTAH: Show, "Gem Faire"; Gem Faire Inc.; South Towne Exposition Center/Exhibit Hall 5, 9575 S. State St.; Fri. 12-7, Sat. 10-7, Sun. 10-5; admission $5 (weekend pass); contact Gem Faire Inc., (503) 252-8300; e-mail: info@gemfaire.com; Web site: www.gemfaire.com.

Sept. 29-30, Dallas, TX - Pleasant Oaks Gem & Mineral Club. 40th Annual Show. Brookhaven College, 3939 Valley View Ln. 972-509-2821, shurtz@gmail.com, www.pogmc.org.

Sept. 29-30, Denison, TX - Texoma Rockhounds. Gem and Mineral Show. Senior Citizen Center, 531 W. Chestnut. 29th, 9-5; 30th 10-5. Rosemary Siems, 903-891-9702, ramblingrosetoo@yahoo.com.

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

I might change my mind tomorrow.

I think that there shall never be

An ignoramus just like me,

Who roams the hills throughout the day,

To pick up rocks that do not pay.

For there's one thing that I've been told

I take the rocks and leave the gold.

O'er deserts wild or mountains blue

I search for rocks of varied hue.

A hundred pounds or more I pack

With blistered feet and aching back

And after this is said and done

I cannot name a single one.

I pick up rocks where e're I go

The reason why I do not know.

For rocks are found by fools like me

Where God intended them to be.

Author Unknown

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 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 that are named for geographic localities. This year I thought I’d concentrate on minerals named for some physical property that they possess.

This month’s MM is an important vein mineral. It is an orthorhombic, usually white or clear but can be pale shades of yellow, blue, or red, vitreous, heavy Sp. Gr = 4.5, H = 3-3.5, cleavages - 2 imperfect @ ~80¡ with a third perpendicular to the other two. It is often found with ores of lead, zinc, copper, silver, cobalt, manganese, and antimony.

What is the name of the mineral?

What is the origin of the name?

Where is/was this stuff mined in NM?

What is it mined/used for?

What metallic element is present?

Besides oxygen what other non-metallic element is present?

What is this mineral used for?

Do you have some in your collection?

List some famous localities:

In NM –

In the USA –

In the world -

What is the name of the mineral? Carminite

What is the origin of the name? From its carmine-red color

What two metallic elements are present? Ferric iron and lead

Besides oxygen and hydrogen what other non-metallic element is present? Arsenic

What is this mineral used for? Nothing

In NM – Granite Gap

In the USA – Utah, Montana

In the world – Australia France, Germany, Mexico, Namibia, Portugal, UK,

List some famous localities:

In NM – Iron Mountain #2 District

In the USA – Foote Mine in NC

In the World – Brazil, China, Norway, Saxony in Germany,

This section is for the not for profit exchange of goods and services between club members. For profit (stock in trade) items will not be published. Deadline for submission to the current month's issue is the 2nd Monday of the month at 12 noon. Submit to editor. (See Board of Directors roster on the last page)

For Sale or Trade: 20" diamond saw blade. This is a notched rim Star Diamond Industries blade that has been factory reconditioned. The blade has a 1" arbor hole, .10" kerf, .064' core, and .16" of remaining notches (diamonds). $200, or trade for 18" blade or other items.

Jay Penn 883-4195 el.chivo.viejo@earthlink.net