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. The Junior Club meets at 6:30.

Rock, mineral and fossil collectors must be some of the most “retro” people around, considering that the objects of our desire are mostly millions of years old. Therefore, this month’s program ought to be a special treat – a retrospective look at a retrospective program from last year’s New Mexico Mineral Symposium, held at New Mexico Tech in Socorro. Our own Ray DeMark, noted mineral collector and author of numerous articles for The Mineralogical Record and other publications, has presented fascinating programs at the symposium over the past thirty years.

This talk, illustrated with slides of specimens, localities, collectors and more, hits the highlights of all those programs, taking the viewer on a geological journey to some of the most celebrated mineral occurrences in New Mexico. In addition to historic and scientific information, the subject matter runs the gamut from the sublime (beautiful world-class minerals) to the ridiculous (and hilarious – colorful exploits of well-known collectors, some of whom may be in the audience). If you didn’t get a chance to see it last November, don’t miss it now!

Picnic: The AGMC annual picnic and field trip is coming up soon (see following articles for details). Once again Mr. and Mrs. Baca are allowing us to have it at their San Pedro Mine near Golden, which is a short scenic drive from Albuquerque.

In the past the AGMC lost the privilege of collecting at this desirable site due to members who wouldn't follow the rules. Club members worked hard to get permission for us to come back after going elsewhere for two years. So, please, respect Mr. and Mrs. Baca's stipulations as stated by the field trip leaders.

Rock Show: The middle of August offers the Contin-Tail rock and gem show in the beautiful Arkansas River Valley of Colorado (see article this issue). The name Contin-Tail is derived from Continental Tailgate since it is an outdoor show near the Continental Divide. This is a real good all-around show having lots of lapidary material, minerals, gems, jewelry, cabochons, fossils, etc. and an outstanding view of 14,000+ foot peaks all around.

NM State Fair: The State Fair is in September and the AGMC hosts a booth and display case(s) in the Creative Arts Building. This event is very effective at getting the word out about our club as evidenced by the large increase in new memberships at the September and October meetings. We will need volunteers to set up the booth and display(s) as well as staff the booth during the weekends of the Fair.

There will be a sign up sheet at the July meeting. Volunteers get free parking and admission to the Fair.

Jay Penn

Call to Order: President Jay Penn called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Welcome: Jay Penn welcomed newcomers to the meeting. There were 5 newcomers present.

News Nuggets: Jay Penn talked about last month’s canceled meeting. He mentioned the article from the News Nuggets that explained the situation.

Field Trips: Brian Anderson announced the next field trip to the San Pedro Mine would be July 24^th, which is our annual picnic. He encouraged members to look at the News Nuggets for more details. Gems and minerals to be found at the San Pedro mine are: iridescent garnets, linarite, pyrite, quartz, chalcopyrite, chrysocolla, malachite and azurite. Gwen Poe indicated that she will be gone for the picnic. Members should bring your own lunch, plenty of water and something to share with the group. Attendees should also bring their own chairs and minerals to trade/sell.

August 14^th is the next field trip. Originally, the trip planned was to the Morenci Mine in Arizona but Freeport-McMoRan, the company that runs the mine, had to cancel due to limited time to train new guides. Plan B on the same date is to go to the Section 21 Mine in the Zuni Mountains. Look for more details in the July News Nuggets.

Treasurer- Amy Penn indicated that she has several items available for checkout at the table. The following items are available: rhodochrosite

DVD, National Geographic magazine (gem and mineral article), new AGMC roster, and the new field trip calendar.

Membership: Robair Lobato brought name tags for three members.

Junior Club: Earlene Shroyer reported that there were 25 kids at tonight’s meeting and 3 new families. The younger junior club members did gold panning, while the older ones did an experiment on gypsum.

Refreshments: Kathy thanked Alice Webb and Brian Anderson for the snacks. She indicated that all the months were filled to bring refreshments up to February 2011.

Old Business: None

New Business: None

Introduction of Speaker: Bruce Owens introduced tonight’s speaker, Chris Cowan. Members of AGMC were treated to the talk “Marvelous Agates of Luna County”. Chris Cowan filled in for Fred Hurd, who was to be the speaker. Both gentlemen are noted for their collection of beautiful agates and in particular, Baker agates. Chris talked about geodes and thundereggs and popular collecting sites, including Cooks Peak, Little Florida Mountains, Baker Mine and Rockhound State Park. He encouraged visitors to the area to make time for the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, where there is an extensive collection of Mimbres pottery and Paul Colburn’s thunderegg collection. Other delights to the area are the Geolapidary Museum, “The Rock Shop That Never Was”, Big Diggins and the Baker egg mine. He also encouraged members to attend the Rockhound Round-up in Deming the second weekend in March each year.

Respectfully submitted,

Carmen Taylor, AGMC Secretary

Our June Jr. club meeting was attended by 25 kids; there were 2 visiting families (said they’d join next month!), and we welcome our newest Rock Retriever, Jeremy Rifkin.

Our group is getting so large that we have formed two groups – the Rockhounds (who have completed 6 merit badge activities) and the Rock Retrievers who are working on earning their Rockhound badge. The Rockhounds worked with Jim on an experiment with Gypsum, while the Rock Retrievers learned about Gold Panning and Prospecting.

Jim’s experiment with Gypsum required the Rockhounds to follow several different procedures – crushing the gypsum, heating it or adding water to it, and recording what happened. In addition, the Rockhounds will be working on earning their Communications merit badge by collaborating with the other Rockhounds and writing an article about the experiment for an upcoming issue of the NEWS NUGGETS.

Meanwhile, the Rock Retrievers learned about the properties of gold as a mineral (color, streak, cleavage, fracture, etc.) and compared these to the properties of “fool’s gold” or pyrite. We talked about placer gold deposits in New Mexico, and looked at maps which showed the location of gold and mineral deposits in the state. We especially noted the location of many mines in and around the Sandia Mountains.

Finally, the Rock Retrievers concluded the meeting with actual gold panning! Jim Hill set up three large tubs of water outside and provided special “dirt” that contained priceless nuggets of “gold”. The kids each got to pan for gold, and carried their little bottles of golden treasure that they panned for themselves proudly with them. We didn’t even notice the rain!

A big CONGRATULATIONS!! to our newest Rockhound – Benjamin Stewart. Benjamin has completed six activities in the

AFMS merit badge program. If you would like more information about the AFMS and their merit badge program, visit their website at www.amfed.org.

Earlene Shroyer

Ten members, including two new ones who joined the club for the field trip, met at the BLM visitor center in Pilar. We all fit into the only two 4WD vehicles and made the trip 2 miles up the rugged road into Hondo Canyon. The day was pleasant and breezy making the 0.7 mile walk to the collecting area a comfortable one despite a swarm of mosquitoes. The collecting was good with all members finding some nice staurolites (singles and plates) as well as some decent garnet plates. We collected for about 2 hours and headed back to the parking area with all hands accounted for.

John Scully and Brian Anderson

†

†††† The July field trip and picnic will be at the San Pedro Mine located near the intersection of NM 14 and NM 344 about 30 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 attending, 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 1-40 east, exit 175 @ Tijeras Canyon, take Rt. 14 north towards Golden. It's a 30 - 45 min. 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, 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. Bring your own picnic basket, place settings, chairs, etc. 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. I believe the club will provide drinks, ice and cups. Cindy Teague is pinch-hitting for Gwen Poe on the potluck, so contact her for details.

†††††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. Or as Amy says, “Let's have a grand time!”

†

Questions concerning the field trip:

call John Reinert, (505) 299-0732

Field Trip Change

It was announced at the June AGMC General Meeting that the Saturday, August 14 field trip to the Morenci Mine in Arizona is postponed until possibly next year. Freeport-McMoRan, the company which operates the mine, is still in the process of hiring new drivers and guides after labor issues and have currently cancelled all tours.

This field trip is to the reclaimed Section 21 Mine southwest of Grants in the eastern Zunis, host to one of the largest fluorite mining districts in the state. The material here is intensely colored dark blue and emerald green. Most of the green is banded octahedral, but cubes up to an inch or more are known from here in the blue/purple colors. With the reclamation has come improved and safer access than in past years and though there aren't huge holes anymore, hazards still exist. No water and no facilities. Snakes are a possibility. The best material will probably require some digging so bring your tools, and packing material for your finds. Remember water, hat and sunscreen. This is National Forest and all fire restrictions will apply. Hopefully we will have none, but it would be prudent to monitor the news for possible closures. To reach the meeting point drive west on I-40 to exit 81 in Grants. Exit, then turn left or south on NM 53 back under the interstate. Proceed southwest on NM 53 approximately 26 miles to mile marker 65. Slow and look for the green gate on the right. Enter here. High clearance or 4 wheel drive recommended, though at the assembly point we can consolidate those with passenger cars to travel the last couple of miles in.

Hope to see you there,

Suzanne Seymour 877-3621

The field trip in September will be to Rabb Canyon in the Black Mountains to collect moonstones. Finding white moonstones is pretty much guaranteed and you are also most likely to find some of the more rare blue moonstones. There will be more information about tools and gear you will need when the date gets closer. The purpose of this article is to help you plan for the trip if you wish to join us.

It is a fairly strenuous hike into Rabb Canyon – about 2.5 miles. The trail has ups and downs (I’ve heard it described as being “uphill in both directions”!). However, we will take it slow with rest breaks so anyone reasonably healthy should be okay. Also, you can choose how much weight you need to carry by choosing how long you want to stay at the collection site.

We will meet at a campground near Emory Pass and leave there for the short drive to the trailhead early Sunday morning. You can either

camp in the campground Saturday night or get a room in T or C or Silver City (Silver City is a shorter drive to the campground) and drive to the meeting place that morning. From that point you have other options.

Some of us will backpack with enough gear to spend Sunday night in Rabb Canyon. We plan to hike out around midday on Monday. The alternative is to hike back out Sunday afternoon. If you plan to camp in Rabb Canyon, you will need to pack in your gear and enough water for the trip (you need about a gallon of water per 24-hour period that time of the year). There may be water in the canyon if you have a filter system and it is recommended that you have extra water in your vehicle waiting for you at the end of the hike out. A trip in and out the same day requires much less weight to carry.

So you have the option of a one-day or two-day trip into the canyon. If you hike out the same day, you can spend a second night at the camp ground near Emory Pass, go to a nearby motel or drive back home.

To use Saturday for more than just driving to the area, we will probably offer a collecting stop on the way down. We are open for suggestions for the Saturday stop. Call or email Grant Kuck or Mike Potts with any ideas. Grant’s contact information is listed here in the News Nuggets. Mike’s is: MikePotts@swcp.com or 550-7880.

Sat. 8/14 Section 21 Mine, Zuni Mtns., Cibola Co., NM: fluorite

Sat. 9/4-Mon. 9/6 Rabb Canyon camp & collect; moonstone (sanidine), quartz, biotite, magnetite, ilmenite, and sphene (titanite)

Sat. 10/23 Small Fry Prospect near Abiquiu; fluorite, calcite, barite

Sat. 11/27 Blanchard Mine near Bingham, NM; fluorite, barite, galena, quartz, linarite, etc.

June ‘77 News Nuggets

By Mark Blazek

Did you know that New Mexico Indians considered turquoise to be a sacred rock for they thought it to be pieces of blue fallen sky? Are you aware of the fact that New Mexico has a more varied terrain than any other state in the country? And, of course, we all know that the Grants uranium region in the northwestern part of the state is the most productive uranium-producing district in the world. (And by the way, one pound of uranium 235 would provide as much energy as about 5,000,000 pounds of coal.)

In researching the history of gold mines in New Mexico I found that the production of gold from lodes and gravels in this state from 1880 to 1940 was about 2,520,990 troy ounces valued at over $315,000,000 on today’s gold market. Still, New Mexico is not commonly thought of as a gold-producing state.

Fossil collectors might be interested in knowing that, according to Stuart Northrop, “Few states can boast of more complete representation of the geologic column than New Mexico. Every period of the geologic time table is represented somewhere in the state by rocks containing fossils.” For statistics buffs, of the 121,666 square miles in New Mexico, Precambrian rocks form about 3 percent, Paleozoic form about 17%, Mesozoic about 19% and Cenozoic about 61%. More than 3,000 species of plants, invertebrates and vertebrates have been found in the state during the past century, and more than one hundred new genera and about 700 new species have been found in New Mexico type specimens.

Candy Merillat, editorial assistant at the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, was doing research for an article on mining law history in New Mexico and came up with the following interesting law from article 3507, section 64 of the coal mines legislation in 1912: “Any person who shall, by violence, abusive language or innuendo, injure, humiliate or embarrass any shot firer because of said shot firer having condemned any shot hole, shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not exceeding one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than one year.” Candy put many long hours of research into her two articles which will appear in the 1976-1977 annual report of the New Mexico Bureau of Mines to be published shortly. We can all look forward to that annual report which will prove of great interest as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Bureau. And, speaking of the Bureau of Mines, construction will be completed shortly (or so construction workers tell us) on a second floor addition to the present building. Those who have never visited the Bureau of Mines in Socorro should place it at the top of their travel plans for this summer.

Compiled and selected by Dave Moats,

AGMC Historian

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.

Wanted: Donations for the TotE Show Silent Auction for next year. Great sales this year left the cupboard bare. Call Bill Barr at 803-4888.

Note: Advertisers, contact editor if item sells.

Contin-Tail Rock & Gem Show

This is a great show with over 100 vendors. It is an outdoor show with FREE dry camping at the show grounds for venders as well as customers. Camping is allowed Monday Aug 9 through Monday Aug 16. Vendors will start setting up on Monday the 9th with buying and selling starting on that day and ramping up until the show officially starts on the 12th.

No reservations for camping are needed, but please 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.

While you're in the neighborhood try to visit the Mining Museum in Leadville, it is excellent and has lots of great mineral specimens on display as well. (Editor’s note: The Rock Hut at 706 Harrison Ave. is a very good mineral shop.)

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 17 is more direct). Take US 24 at Johnson Village for the last 2 miles to Buena Vista. Approx. 300 miles, ~ 6-7 hours driving.

For lodging between Leadville and Salida go to: www.buenavistacolorado.org/directory

Other events: www.buenavistacolorado.org

www.fourteenernet.com/buenavista

Jay Penn

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.

17-18--TULSA, OK: Show, "Treasures of the Earth"; Tulsa Rock & Mineral Society; Central Park Hall, Expo Square, Tulsa County Fairgrounds, 21st and Yale; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $6, children under 12 and Scouts in uniform free; special Scout and children's areas, club displays, special displays, silent auction, door prizes, classes, lectures, lapidary demonstrations; Wayne Mouser, 1514 S. Carson Ave., Tulsa, OK 74119, (918) 582-8700; e-mail: okyrocks@peoplepc.com; or Finis Riggs, (918) 587-4400; e-mail: Lriggs@cox.net; Web site: www.ttownrockhound.org

24-25--FLAGSTAFF, AZ: Show, "Flagstaff Jewelry, Gem, and Mineral Show"; Val Latham, Sharon Szymanski; Radisson Woodlands Hotel Flagstaff; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; contacts Sharon Szymanski, (480) 671-6191, or Val Latham, (602) 466-3060

30-AUG. 1--PRESCOTT, AZ: Show and sale; Prescott Gem & Mineral Club; Prescott Gem & Mineral Club; Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Activity Center, 3700 Willow Creek Rd., Bldg 84; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; adults $2, children under 12 free; hand-crafted jewelry, rough rock, slabs, cabochons, beads, fossils, crystals, equipment, raffle; contact Maggi Lieber, 4855 E. Diamond Dr., Prescott, AZ 86301, (520) 831-0017; e-mail: maggiscratch@msn.com; Web site: www.prescottgemmineral.org

14-15--Buena Vista, CO: Gold Rush Days

16-18—Buena Vista, CO: Symposium $75.00 Learn to Identify Petrified Wood

19-22--WOODLAND PARK, CO: Show, "Woodland Park Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show"; Rock Gypsies; Woodland Park Saddle Club, 111 N. Center St.; Thu. 9-6, Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-5; free admission; contact Kim or Bodie Packham, 87 Plum Creek Rd., Divide, CO 80814, (719) 360-9665; e-mail: runninboar@hotmail.com

20-21--TAHLEQUAH, OK: Show; Tahlequah Rock & Mineral Society; Tahlequah Community Bldg., 1st St. and College Ave.; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-6; free admission; vendors, rocks, minerals, children's activities, fluorescent display, snack bar, museum participation; contact Don Alberty, P.O. Box 932, Tahlequah, OK 74465, (918) 207-9733; e-mail: moody_tuner@yahoo.com

20-22--LAKE GEORGE, CO: Outdoor show; Lake George Gem & Mineral Club; U.S. Hwy. 24, next to post office; Fri. 8-5, Sat. 8-5, Sun. 8-5; free admission; 40 dealers, minerals, fossils, jewelry, lapidary, local amazonite, smoky quartz, topaz; contact Becky Blair, (719) 748-3030; e-mail: blairra@hotmail.com; or John Rakowski, (719) 748-3861; e-mail: rakgeologist@yahoo.com

28-29--JASPER, TX: 16th annual show; Pine Country Gem & Mineral Society; The Event Center, 6258 Hwy. 190 W, 5 miles west of Jasper; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-5; contact Jonetta Nash, Rte. 2 Box 248, Jasper, TX 75951, (409) 384-3974; e-mail: jonetta.nash@yahoo.com

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.

Ray DeMark brought to my attention that I erred in NM not having prime quartz specimens. The smoky’s from the Capitan Mountains surely rate well! (FYI – smokey with an “e” refers to Smokey the Bear or highway patrolmen and others that wear the campaign hat.)

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.

Board of Directors and Contacts

Treasurer: el.chivo.viejo@earthlink.net

robair1952@yahoo.com

Abqfoxbutt@aol.com

klawicki@gmail.com