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 PM

"Many Facets of Faceting."

by Mr. Ernie Hawes

Mr. Hawes is an internationally recognized facetor and cut designer. He is often featured in the Lapidary Journal and is the spokesman for Fac-ette Gem Master, and as such is seen on the back cover of Rock and Gem Magazine each month. There may be a demonstration-- and cut stones will be available for inspection and enjoyment.

NM State Fair

The State Fair is almost here! The AGMC sponsors the rock and mineral displays and disseminates information about our club and hobby.

We will be manning a table in the Creative Arts Building for the three weekends of the fair. Sept. 12-13, 19-20, and 25-27. There will be two persons needed for each of the three shifts each day: 9:00-12:00, 12:00-3:00 and 3:00-6:00. This is a very rewarding experience! Anyone volunteering will get free parking and admission to the Fair for that day.

I'll bring the sign up sheet to the July meeting or you can call me at 299-0732 to sign up. I'm looking forward to meeting with members who would like to get involved. Last year we had a great group of volunteers and a job well done. We also need volunteers to set up the display cases.

For those who would like to enter their specimens, the entry dates are:

Thursday Sept 3rd 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Friday Sept 4th 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Saturday Sept 5th 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Here are the categories (classes), rules, and divisions (sections) for entries, and the awards given to winners of each section in each class.

Minerals & Fossils (Classes 1-6)

1. Single Mineral Specimens – One mineral entry displayed separately or with the base rock in which it was found.

2. Multiple Mineral Specimens – Two or more minerals displayed as part of the base rock in which they are found, each mineral on the specimen must be identified.

3. Collections – Collections must present a theme, for example, variations of color in a specific mineral or minerals from the same location.

4. Single Fossil Specimens – One fossil entry displayed separately or with the base rock in which it was found.

5. Multiple Fossil Specimens – Two or more fossils displayed as part of the base rock in which they are found, each fossil on the specimen must be identified.

6. Fossil Collections – Collections must present a theme, for example, of class in fossil species or variation in fossils for the same location.

Special Rules, Minerals & Fossils

1. All entries must be clean, securely mounted on an appropriate base if less than 2" in diameter, correctly labeled with scientific identification, location found, and neatly displayed.

2. Specimens may be solitary or in a collection and must fit in the cases provided.

3. Collections are limited to 10 individual specimens or one 8" x 10" frame display case with each specimen in the collection correctly labeled.

4. Judging will be based on presentation of the specimen or collection, accuracy of labeling, and quality.

Lapidary (Classes 7-8)

7. General Lapidary – cut, carved, polished, or faceted gemstones.

8. Carved Stone – any carved stone not covered by Class 7.

Special Rules, Lapidary

1. All entries must be exhibitor’s own work.

2. The exhibitor must have cut, carved, polished, or faceted all stones.

3. All work less than 5" in diameter must be securely mounted on an appropriate base.

4. Judging will be based on workmanship, quality of materials, and originality of design.

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Sections (450-454)

450 - Junior (6 years & under)

451 - Youth (7 years thru 12 years)

452 - Senior (13 years thru 17 years)

453 - General

454 - Handicapable (Youth or Adults with Special Needs)

Awards (for each section in each class):

1st, Ribbon

2nd, Ribbon

3rd, Ribbon

Best of Show, Rosette

John D. Reinert,  State Fair Chair,  299-0732

Warning, Warning

The August News Nuggets will be coming out a few days later than usual because we will be just returning from the Contin-Tail Show in Buena Vista, Colorado.

This is a great show in a very scenic location; maybe we'll see you there. See article in the Miscellaneous Section for more information.

Field Trip Report

Ghost Ranch, Hayden Quarry

June 6, 2009

On June 6, Anita Willard arranged for Alex Downs, Paleontologist at Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, NM to lead AGMC members to a dig at the Hayden Quarry, on Ghost Ranch property, to observe a dig of the Dromomeron romeri, as well as similar animals that were the precursors to the dinosaur. This dig, discovered in 2002, is a very important find, the only one of its type in this hemisphere.

Various prestigious University (UC Berkeley, Brown, Columbia, NY American Museum) doctoral and post-doctoral paleontology students and paleontologists (including Sterling Nesbitt) were participating in the dig, and our members were able to view the meticulous work these paleontologists were doing in order to extract and field-jacket the skeletons. Alex then showed us the lab where the paleontologists bring the field-jacketed specimens back and arrange and identify various fossils found.

Before Alex took us to the dig, he gave us a tour of the paleontology museum, where he is the Curator. We enjoyed the beautiful, colorful Ghost Ranch; many members discovered the Ranch for the first time.

Alex may issue a call for volunteers to go back in October and help with the dig. He needs volunteers to hike on the property and look for more fossils. Just think, you could be the next person to have a dig named after you! After all, the Hayden Quarry was named after a guy named Hayden that was just hiking on the property. Alex will keep Anita posted, and Anita will notify you via the News Nuggets.

For more information on the Dromomeron romeri and the Hayden Quarry dig, please visit the following website for the article which was released by UC Berkeley in July, 2007.

http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2007/07/19_dinosaurs.shtml

Anita Willard

Jr. Club Meeting Report

June 22, 2009

We again learned our lesson the hard way – the meetings are on the 4^th Monday of the month – not the last – and both Jim and I goofed! We missed our own June Jr. Club meeting! And, worst of all, it was to be our summer party….maybe it’s time to lose a few of the rocks in our heads to free up a bit of memory…

We will try the summer party again at the July meeting, see the AGMC this Month Section for information.

A special "THANK YOU" to Marcus Price for being there to cover for us. Marcus led a discussion on mineral science.

Congratulations to our newest Rockhounds Mike and Megan Agena. We now have a total of 9 official Rockhounds! We will resume our Merit Badge program in August.

Earlene

General Meeting Minutes

June 22, 2009

Where o where have the minutes gone to

Where o where have they gone?

Saturday, July 25^th

July Field Trip and Club Picnic

8:00 a.m.

The annual July field trip and picnic will be at the San Pedro Mine located near the intersection of NM 14 and NM 344 about 55 minutes from Albuquerque.

Mine owners Frank and Sally Baca are allowing us to rock hound and picnic on their property without any limit to the number of club members allowed to attend.  This is a privately owned mine and therefore we must adhere to the owners instructions about where, when, and how much we collect, and otherwise conduct ourselves.

One stipulation is that we stick together as a group. The property is behind locked gates and once we enter, the gates will be re-locked until the field trip is over.  Don't be late!!

Pets will not be allowed. There is no age limit for children, however all children will need to be properly attended at all times and not allowed to roam at will.

Ray DeMark will be our interpretive speaker during the mine tour.  We will have a limited collecting time and then break for our picnic.

WHEN AND WHERE: Take I-40 east, exit 175 at Tijeras, take NM 14 north towards Cedar Crest and Golden. It's a 30 - 45 minute drive. We'll meet in a large open area at the SE corner of NM 14 and NM 344 at 8:00. Waiver sheets will be filled out and collected at this time. At 08:30 we will depart to the gated mine property entrance. Don’t be late!

FOR COLLECTING: Bring the usual tools: pick, bucket, newspaper to wrap specimens, small spade/shovel, safety glasses, WATER, sunscreen, hat, gloves. In July the rattlers are slithering and mountain lions have been seen in the area in the last several years. Just be alert!! We suggest boots and long pants. You may want to bring shade or your camera. We will be carpooling with 4WD vehicles.

COLLECTING POSSIBILITIES: Garnets, goethite after pyrite, quartz, calcite, malachite, and many other different specimens. Iridescent garnets are frequently found and much sought after.

Around 1:00 we'll head back down for our picnic. This is a potluck. Bring a potluck dish to share, and place settings, chairs, etc. for yourselves. The club will provide drinks, ice and cups. There is a building we can use to get out of the sun but if you prefer sitting outside bring an awning for shade. A single porta-potty will be at the picnic site for our use.

To add to the fun during the picnic, we will have a Members Tailgate Sale. Bring your rocks, minerals, gems, tools, etc., and money, to sell/trade/buy/show.

Field trip: John Reinert, 505-299-0732

Picnic: Gwen Poe, 321-0818 or 247-1533

Monday, July 27^th

Junior Club Meeting

Natural History Museum Annex

6:30 p.m.

Let’s try this again. We are planning a special summer party for the JULY Jr. Club meeting (July 27) which will include a Jr. Club Silent Auction for the kids (no money – we’ll give them tickets for the bidding), refreshments (parents, can you help bring goodies?? and THANK YOU to those who have already offered to bring yummies), and we’ll play Mineral Bingo for great prizes.

Hope you can come! Earlene and Jim

Monday, July 27^th

General Meeting

Natural History Museum

7:30 p.m.

"Many Facets of Faceting."

by Mr. Ernie Hawes

(see page 1 for abstract of talk)

Field Trip Schedule

for the remainder of 2009

(subject to change)

Jul 25, AGMC picnic, San Pedro Mine

(east of Albuquerque) leader: John Reinert

Aug 22, Harding Mine (South of Taos)

leader: Jim Hill

Sep 19, Zuni Mountains (Southwest of Grants)

leader: Jane Bardal

Oct 24, Turquoise Trail (East of Albuquerque)

leader: Paul Hlava

Nov 28, Blanchard Mine (east of Socorro)

leader: Ray DeMark

Dec 12, Club Christmas Party Potluck

leader: Gwen Poe

Questions? Contact: Brian Anderson

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Saturday, August 22

Field Trip

Harding Mine (owned by UNM)

Dixon, NM

9:30 am

We will need to organize this trip a bit differently than usual to meet UNM's requirements. This means we will need to sign up for the trip on UNM's form prior to going to the mine. There will be a signup sheet at the July club meeting which I will then register with UNM. (editors note: if you don't get signed up on this list you can still attend the field trip. You will have to sign the UNM form at the meeting place)

The Harding Mine is owned and managed for research and collecting by the Department of Earth and Planetary Science of the University of New Mexico and permission to collect there is only granted by them.

The mineralogy of the Harding is a quartz pegmatite with beryl and spodumine as accessory minerals within the formation. Other minerals found within the larger deposit are lepidolite, rose muscovite, microcline, microlite and columbite-tantalite. Over 50 mineral species have been confirmed from this mine in the 109 years since it was discovered! It is a treasure trove for collectors!

We will be allowed to collect up to 5 pounds of loose minerals at the mine and on the mine dumps. There will be NO UNDERGROUND COLLECTING ALLOWED! Anyone found underground will cause the whole group to be ejected from the site and be refused entry in the future.

Be prepared for hot weather and rough terrain. Water, boots, long pants, a hat, eye protection, and gloves are required. A rock pick or dump rake, bag for specimens, and wrapping materials will be needed for collecting.

To get there, head north from Albuquerque on I-25. In Santa Fe you want to get to US 84/285 north to Espanola but due to construction on the Santa Fe bypass route entrance ramp (SR 599) you can't access it directly from I-25.

You can continue on I-25 and take the St. Frances exit which is US 84/285 and follow it through Santa Fe and on to Espanola. Or you can take the Cerrillos Road exit (SR14) and find a way back to the bypass route SR 599 and follow that to US 84/285. Take US 84/285 north to Espanola.

In Espanola, take the Taos hi-way, SR 68. Stay on SR 68 until you come to SR 75 on your right. Take SR 75 through Dixon and drive about 5+ miles to the meeting point on the right side of the road. We will meet there at 9:30 am. Allow 2 ½ to 3 hours (or more for construction delays) for the trip from Albuquerque. The only facilities will be a porta-potty at the parking area. Bring a lunch and lots of water.

See You There,

Jim Hill

Editor's Opinion

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

I might change my mind tomorrow.

Regarding the San Pedro Mine field trip and picnic:

In the past the AGMC lost the privilege of collecting at this desirable site due to members who wouldn't follow the rules.

Last year's field trip VPs and other club members worked hard to get permission for us to come back after going elsewhere for two years. So, let us respect Mr. and Mrs. Baca's stipulations so we can do it again next year. .

A Long Long Time Ago in AGMC

The following is from AGMC's 1^st newsletter, undated and in a one page format, sometime in 1953.

ALBUQUERQUE GEM AND MINERAL CLUB NEWS, Louis W. Heister, Editor

One of the purposes of a club bulletin is to conduct a slightly educational program so far as minerals are concerned. A good mineral to begin on is hackmanite. Hackmanite is a sodium mineral, is fluorescent, and possesses one of the rarest properties in the mineral world. It is a photosensitive mineral and in addition to being fluorescent, changes color upon exposure upon an ultraviolet lamp. It is a grayish-white mineral, but after exposure changes to a pink that looks much like lepidolite. After several hours exposure to natural light it again becomes its regular color.

Submitted by Dave Moats

Columbite-Tantalite

Interesting Stories About Last Month's

Mystery Mineral Names

Columbite and columbium (Cb) are derived from the poetical name of the USA – Columbia (not the South American Country of Colombia).

The metal was discovered and described in 1801 by an English chemist Charles Hatchett. He found this new element in a mineral sample that was sent to England from Massachusetts by John Winthrop in 1734.

Chemists later changed the name columbium to niobium at the 15th Conference of the Union of Chemistry in Amsterdam in 1949. Columbium/niobium and tantalum are extremely similar in chemical nature.

Tantalum (Ta) was discovered in 1802 and was very difficult to isolate. Thus it was named for the mythical figure Tantalus. He was condemned to be "tantalized" by standing in knee-deep water which receded if he bent to drink and under a branch of perfect fruit which moved away if he tried to reach them. Niobe was one of Tantalus’s daughters, thus the name chosen in 1949. By the way – many metallurgy books still use columbium for the metal (Cb).

Ah, now for a fun story. One of my former colleagues at Sandia Labs once worked at Ford Motor Co. in their chemistry department. He fielded a call from an individual who promised to make him (them both) rich! He seriously said that he had discovered a technique that would allow him to separate niobium from columbium! My friend hung up on him. Moral - Some people need to do more research before going off half-cocked.

Paul Llava

San Pedro mine

San Pedro mine. The name itself conjures images of Spanish miners, marvelous minerals and enthusiastic AGMC members digging and scooping up garnets. To give our members a better sense of this storied mine, I will paraphrase the excellent article written for Rocks and Minerals magazine by our very own Mike Sanders in 1992. Mike has collected extensively underground at the San Pedro mine and writes with first hand knowledge.

The recorded history of the mine begins in 1776 when a Spanish map named the village in the San Pedro Mountains. By 1840, copper ore was being mined and carried by burro to Chihuahua, Mexico. Although operated primarily as a copper mine, gold has been recovered as well. In the early 1980s, an attempt was made to operate the mine for gold. This small scale operation was by and large unsuccessful, although it provided a boon to high graders, claim jumpers and midnight miners who collected wonderful specimens of leaf, wire and sponge-like masses of gold that were etched from enclosing calcite.

Additional minerals of interest to collectors include andradite/ grossular garnets, exceptionally large chalcopyrite crystals, Japan law and sceptered quartz crystals, some of which have amethystine heads, blocky and scalenohedral calcite crystals, malachite, hematite, adularia and micro crystals of antase and brookite. In recent years, wonderful orange to cream-colored scheelite crystals perched on quartz crystals have been found by Jerry and Phillip Simmons in the Apex Pit area.

Geologically, the San Pedro mountains have been formed by Tertiary intrusives penetrating basement Precambrian and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks (Permian and Pennsylvanian). These intrusive have "cooked" the enclosing sediments forming tactites, marble and hornfels and are responsible for the mineralization we see today. Surface collecting in the Apex pit area has in the past produced excellent crystals of andradite/grossular garnet (some of which are iridescent), sceptered quartz crystals, hematite and adularia.

Ray DeMark

References:

Sanders, M. R. 1992, The San Pedro mine, Santa Fe County. Rocks and Minerals. 67: 390-395.

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Contin-tail Rock & Gem Show

Aug. 6 - 9, 2009

Rodeo Grounds, Buena Vista, CO

This show has FREE dry camping at the show grounds, Monday Aug 3 through Monday Aug 10, for venders as well as customers. Check out time is 10am on the 10th.

No reservations needed, but check in at registration tent to see where camping is allowed. The area is flat, no trees, no electric, water is from a faucet near the concession stand. There are porta-potties on site and showers can be had at the laundromat in town or at near by pay camp grounds for a few dollars. Average temperature for August is 84/46. Expect a thunderstorm or two every afternoon. So why do we need the showers in town? ---------Oh yeah, warm water.

For campgrounds, RV parks, cabins, motels, etc. between Leadville and Salida go to:

www.buenavistacolorado.org/directory

Directions: I-25 north to Colorado Springs, take US 24 to Buena Vista. Approx. 465 miles, estimate 7 hours driving time.

Or: I-25 to Santa Fe, take US 285 to Espanola and on to Alamosa. Take SR 17 for 42 miles and you're back on US 285. (Note: you can stay on 285, which is more scenic, but using 17 is more direct). At Johnson Village take US 24 for the last 2 miles to Buena Vista. Approx. 300 miles, estimate 6 - 7 hours driving time.

For other events in the Buena Vista area:

www.buenavistacolorado.org

www.fourteenernet.com/buenavista

Amy Penn

The Classifieds

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.

Ride Needed: Seeking to share transportation costs of trip to San Pedro mine on July 25. We are adaptable to schedule(s) of driver(s).  If there's room for 2 extra people, we can ride in same vehicle; if room for only one, we are OK riding in separate vehicles.  Would appreciate information re: ride-share opportunities at earliest opportunity so we can discuss cost, scheduling, etc. with driver(s). Maria McEwen mcelewen132033@yahoo.com 227-6433

Richard Haynes 504-5802

For Sale: Cab making machine, 6" wheels, Star Diamond (currently sold as Barranca model GP6), 3 station plus buff, easily converts to diamond wheels, has motor etc., ready to cut cabs, $400. Walter Morris 345-3245

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For the Collector

Mosquitoes ? Fill a spray bottle with Listerine, the original medicinal type. Spray the area and they seem to disappear.

(Ed. note: I haven't tried this, mosquitoes don't seem to bother me, I wonder why?????)

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For Fun

My wife said, "Whatcha doing today?"

I said, "Nothing."

She said, "You did that yesterday."

I said, "I wasn't finished."

Great Truths About Growing Old:

1) Gray hair is inherited; you get it from your kids.

2) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.

3) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

4) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.

5) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.

6) Its frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.

7) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.

8) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.

Some Surefire Signs You're a Rockhound:

1) The sign on the side of the road says "Falling Rock" and you pull over to wait.

2) Your kids bring you a "pretty stone" they've found, and you contrive to steal it. And you know you've done it. Don't lie.

3) You are convinced that buried deep in some secret government archive is a document that will conclusively prove that the entire US Apollo space program was conceived and developed for the sole purpose of getting a moon rock for a certain Presidential rock collection... The truth is out there!

4) You think the primary function of road cuts is tourist attractions.

5) You own more pieces of quartz than underwear.

6) Your wife has had to ask you to move rocks out of the tub so she could take a bath.

7) They won't give you time off from work to attend the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show and you go anyway.

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

JULY

31-2--Creede, CO: 8th annual show; Rare Things; Underground Mining Museum, N. Canyon Rd.; Fri. 10-5, Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-5; free admission; gems, minerals, local rocks, jewelry, programs; contact Jenny Inge, P.O. Box 371, Creede, CO 81130, (719) 658-2376; e-mail: rarethingsgallery@yahoo.com

31-2--Prescott, AZ: Show and sale; Prescott Gem & Mineral Club; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Activity Center, 3700 Willow Creek Rd.; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; adults $2, children under 12 free; rough rock, slabs, cabochons, jewelry, findings, mineral specimens; contact Pam Jackson, P.O. Box 345, Chino Valley, AZ 86323, (928) 636-9188; e-mail: lpjack65@cableone.net; Web site: www.prescottgemmineral.org

AUGUST

6-9--Buena Vista, CO: 26th annual show; Contin-tail; Rodeo Grounds, Rodeo Rd. and Gregory Dr.; Thu. 9-5, Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-5; free admission; more than 130 vendors, rocks, minerals, fossils, beads, jewelry, demonstrations, fluorescent light display; contact Carolyn Tunnicliff, 1130 Francis #7010, Longmont, CO 80501, (303) 833-2939; e-mail: ctunnicliff@comcast.net; Web site: www.coloradorocks.org

14-16--Lake George, CO: Show; Lake George Gem & Mineral Club; 37380 U.S. Hwy. 24, next to post office; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; free admission; contact John Rakowski, P.O. Box 171, Lake George, CO 80827, (719) 748-3861; e-mail: president@LGGMClub.org; Web site: www.LGGMClub.org

21-22--Tahlequah, OK: Swap and sale; Tahlequah Rock & Mineral Society; Tahlequah Community Bldg., 300 W. First St.; Fri. 9-6:30, Sat. 9-5; free admission; children's booths, educational exhibits ang displays, auction; contact Sara Brasel, (918) 458-0801; e-mail: crosstimbersrd@earthlink.net

SEPTEMBER

5-6--Arlington, TX: 51st annual show, "Nature's Kaleidoscope"; Arlington Gem & Mineral Club; Arlington Convention Center, 1100 Ballpark Way; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $6, seniors and children $3; dealers, jewelry, beads, gems, minerals, fossils, Kids' Korner, Rock Food Table, professional gem identification, silent auctions, hourly door prizes, ; contact Karen Cessna, 1408 Gibbins Rd., Arlington, TX 76011, (817) 277-2286; e-mail: cessnak@ont.com; Web site: www.agemclub.org

5-7--Silver City, NM: 26th annual show; Grant County Rolling Stones Gem & Mineral Society; Silver City Recreation Center, 11th St. and Gold St.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-5, Mon. 10-4; free admission; more than 60 dealers from the U.S., Mexico and Asia, free daily field trips, silent auction, Wheel of Fortune, raffles; contact L. Lett, (575) 538-3216; e-mail: show09@stockmanfamily.net; Web site: http://rollingstonesgms.blogspot.com/

16-20--Denver, CO: Show, "Colorado Mineral & Fossil Show - Fall"; 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; 200 wholesale and retail dealers, free shuttle bus to Merchandise Mart; contact Martin Zinn Expositions, P.O. Box 665, Bernalillo, NM 87004-0665, fax (505) 867-0073; e-mail: mz0955@aol.com; Web site: www.mzexpos.com

Editor's note: The web site has 6 shows in Denver at this time.

18-20--Enid, OK: Show; Enid Gem & Mineral Society; 4125 W. Owen K. Garriot Rd., 1705 S. Johnson St.; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; contact Billy Wood, 1705 S. Johnson St., Enid, OK 73703, (580) 234-5344; e-mail: baronladislaus@att.net

25-27--Salt Lake City, UT: Gem Faire; Gem Faire Inc.; South Towne Exposition Center/Exhibit Hall 5, 9575 S. State St.; Fri. 12-7, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $5 weekend pass; contact Yooy Nelson, (503) 252-8300; e-mail: info@gemfaire.com; Web site: www.gemfaire.com

30-4--Idabel, OK: Annual show and sale: McCurtain Gem & Mineral Club; Museum of the Red River, 812 S.E. Lincoln Rd.; free admission; Wed. 9-5, Thu. 9-5, Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-5; contact Cephis Hall, (580) 494-6612

OCTOBER

3-4--Greeley, CO: Show; Weld County Rock & Mineral Society; Greeley Senior Activity Center, 1010 6th St.; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 12-4; free admission; children's games, demonstrations, rough and polished rocks, drawings, grab bags, minerals, dealers, fossils, jewelry; contact Melanie DeHart, 410 21 Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631, (970) 352-8149; e-mail: hamlethouse@yahoo.com

9-11--Moab, UT: 50th annual show; Moab Points & Pebbles Club; Old Spanish Trail Arena, 3641 S. Hwy. 191; Fri. 10-7, Sat. 10-7, Sun. 10-4; free admission; dealers, demonstrators, field trips, raffle, spin wheel; contact Jerry Hansen, P.O. Box 1459, Moab, UT 84532, (435) 259-3393; e-mail: moabrockclub@live.com; Web site: moabrockclub.net

10-11--Payson, AZ: 12th annual show; Payson Rimstones Rock Club; Mazatzal Hotel & Casino Event Center - Bingo Hall, Tonto Apache Reservation; adults $3, children under 12 free; discount tickets available at Payson Chamber of Commerce, Payson Library, Parks & Recreation Office; contact Barry Jones, (928) 476-3513

10-11--Sierra Vista, AZ: 35th annual show; Huachuca Mineral & Gem Club; Elks Lodge, Wilcox Ave., 1 block east of Buffalo Soldier Trail; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-4; free admission; live demonstrations, educational displays, gems, jewelry, fossils, equipment, lapidary supplies; contact Ingrid Baillie, P.O. Box 1596, Sierra Vista, AZ 85636, (520) 459-3718; e-mail: ibaillie@cox.net

10-11--Temple, TX: Show; South Central Federation, Tri-City Gem & Mineral Society; Frank Mayborn Civic & Convention Center, 3303 N. Third St.; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $2, children under 12 free; faceting demonstrations, grab bags, treasure wheel, silent auction, displays; contact Leslie O. Connally, 875 N. Wheat Rd., Belton, TX 76513, (254) 939-7015; e-mail: lconnally@clearwire.net

16-18--Victoria, TX: Show; Victoria Gem & Mineral Society; Victoria Community Center, 2905 E. North St.; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $3, children free with adults; jewelry-making demonstrations, gemstone identification, wheel of fortune, jewelry, fossils, minerals, geodes, crystals, jewelry findings, gemstones, lapidary equipment and supplies; contact Ken Lemke, 3417 Coletoville Rd., Victoria, TX 77905, (361) 575-5350; e-mail: klemke@vctx.org

From the devious mind of Paul Hlava

The Game Plan – I will describe a mineral and you have to guess/decipher/research the name of the mineral and the answers to the other questions. 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. Email me at hpf5@qwest.net and let me know your guesses by copying the questions below and answering them. 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. Good luck and have fun.

Last year I discussed minerals and rocks that are used as gemstones. This year I think I’ll work on minerals with metallic and sub-metallic lusters.

This month’s MM is a common mineral formed under highly oxidizing and alkaline conditions as in lacustrine (lake), shallow marine, or bog conditions. It can also be found in the oxidation zone of certain ore deposits. It is usually found as soft masses, earthy powder, or fibrous aggregates that dirty the hands. Short to long, tetragonal prismatic crystals are rare. It exhibits two distinct cleavage directions at 90 degrees. It is opaque with a metallic, dull, or earthy luster, the color is black or dark gray. It has a black to bluish-black streak. Sp. Gr. = 5.04 to 5.08, H = 2 (massive) to 6 or 6.5 (crystals).

Questions

What is the name of the mineral?

What is the origin of the name?

What form is it often ascribed to even though it does not occur in this form?

What is the obsolete name for crystals of this mineral?

What metal does it contain?

What non-metal does it contain?

What other minerals might occur with it?

What other mineral might it be easily confused with?

What is it mined and used for?

What is the metal used for?

Do you have some in your collection?

List some famous localities

In NM –

In the USA –

In the World –

Answers to Last Month’s MM

What is the name of the mineral? Columbite-Tantalite

What is the origin of the name? Columbite is derived from an alternate name of the USA – Columbia. Tantalum (Ta) was named for the mythical figure Tantalus.

What metals does it contain? Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Niobium (Nb) and Tantalum (Ta).

What non-metals does it contain? Oxygen (O)

What other minerals might occur with it? All kinds of pegmatite minerals.

What other mineral might be easily confused with it? Magnetite, hematite, ilmenite, wolframite, schorl, cassiterite, et hoc genus omne.

What is it mined and used for? Niobium and tantalum

What are the metals used for. Structural steel alloys (90%), superalloys, and electronic components.

Do you have some in your collection? Yes.

List some famous localities

Columbite and tantalite are found in many/most pegmatites, world wide.

In NM – Harding Mine, Petaca District

In the USA – CA, CO, CT, ME, NC

In the World – Afghanistan, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Brazil, Madagascar, Pakistan

Paul Hlava July 12, 2009

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 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:

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