july 11
[ Up ]

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.

by Grant Kuck

This month Grant Kuck will be talking about North America’s highest gemstone collecting area – the third highest in the world. In 1881 Nelson Wanamaker discovered aquamarine, beryl, fluorite, phenakite, and smoky quartz in granite pegmatite on Mt. Antero. And as the story goes people have been going there ever since.

Once upon a time though a small group from the Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Club received an invitation for a guided tour of this famous gem collecting locale and an opportunity to do some serious rockhounding there. Some of the clubs member that went include Jane Bardal, Bob Hall, Mike and Janey Johnson, Suzanne Seymour, Marcus Price and his wife. And then there was Grant Kuck with his first digital camera.

Not all of our club members made it up Mt. Antero, some turned back. But for those who stayed and went rockhounding this is the story of what it was like collecting at some 14,000 feet – the specimens we found and brought back with us and the experiences we shared.

(This talk has been rated PG and is suitable for friends and neighbors, dads and moms, kids of all ages and well behaved cats and dogs – although you should really leave them at home).

The Board of Directors only had one routine item of business to address this month so we decided to give ourselves a break and canceled the July board meeting. The routine item was dealt with via e-mail. Likewise I don't have much to report so here are a few appetizers of AGMC events this summer.

The club annual July picnic and field trip is once again to the San Pedro mine. Mr. and Mrs. Baca are allowing us access to their property near Golden, 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 a few years. So, please, respect Mr. and Mrs. Baca's stipulations as stated by the field trip leaders. See following articles for details.

August offers the AGMC field trip to Mt. Antero and the Contin-Tail Rock and Gem Show both near Buena Vista, Colorado in the beautiful Arkansas River Valley (see articles 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, and fossils. And with 14,000+ foot peaks all around the view is fantastic. Also available in the area is rock hounding, river rafting, hiking, camping, jeep tours, etc.

The State Fair is in September and the AGMC hosts a booth and display case(s) in the Creative Arts Building. If you want to display your minerals for judging contact John Reinert early so he can try to get space for you. We will need volunteers to set up the booth and club display(s) as well as staff the booth during the weekends of the Fair. Volunteers get free parking and admission to the Fair.

It has come to my attention that over the last several months several people have: 1) attempted to get on the News Nuggets mailing list but are unwilling to pay the $20 membership dues. 2) have filled out membership forms at field trip meeting places promising to send in the $20 later but never send in the money or respond to e-mails requesting the dues. 3) asked club members to take them on a field trip as a guest because they don't want to pay the $20. 4) taken relatives who live in a different household on field trips then demanded that those relatives emergency contact information be kept on file by the club.

Is $20 really too much to ask someone to pay for a guided field trip where they are shown examples of what to find and where to find it? Is $20 really too much to ask for a subscription to our news letter which includes all the other benefits of membership?

The policy is that a person must be a member (dues paid up) in order to attend a field trip or receive the News Nuggets. Memberships are household memberships; everyone living at that address are members for the $20/year dues. Personally, I think it is the best deal in town, but then ---------- I like rocks.

883-4195

el.chivo.viejo@earthlink.net

At the June meeting of the Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Club we were informed of the death of Orlando Garcia, Jr. For those of us who knew him, he will be missed and for those that didn’t know Orlando, they missed out on a wonderful opportunity to know a kind and gentle man. For those who didn’t read his obituary, I think it only appropriate that I write a few words on the passing of a rockhound I was happy to call friend.

Orlando was born 62 years ago in Albuquerque on the 23rd of May. He spent his childhood in Placitas, went on to attend the Albuquerque Academy and then to Occidental College in California. Returning to New Mexico he enrolled at UNM where he graduated with a Bachelor of University Studies in History. In 1976 he also received a JD from the UNM Law School. From there he went to work for Dunn and Bradstreet. Eventually he formed his own company – O. Garcia Real Estate.

In 1982 Orlando and Julie Bustamante began a relationship that would continue for the next 30 some years. They separated a little less than three years ago. Recently they started getting together and Orlando was delighted to renew their longtime friendship.

Both Orlando and Julie shared an interest in rocks and minerals and became members of the AGMC, which is where I met them. I got to know Orlando better when I started to attend the club’s board meetings. I learned that he was the current editor of the News Nuggets. (By the way Orlando is the only editor I’ve known that won an award for his work on the club’s news letter.) He also went on to serve as president for a total of three years (although not consecutively).

One year during the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show I ran into Orlando and Julie (what are the odds?) and we ended up taking a lunch break together. In the years since one of the things I learned about Orlando is that he really enjoys good company and good food. That one of the best ways to enjoy an afternoon or evening is with some friend(s), at some restaurant, engaging in some good conversation.

He was very proud of his mother, Adela Amador, who used to write a popular column in New Mexico Magazine called Southwest Flavor. Up until his death he and his mother continued to talk on a regular basis. Often at the hospital, or nursing home, or back in his apartment I would catch the two of them chatting and Orlando hanging up with an, ‘I love you, Mom.’

Orlando also cherished weekend road trips with Julie and Carlos (her son). The three of them would often go fishing for Rainbow or German Brown Trout. He was also very proud of Carlos, for his acting abilities and for being hired by the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.

Orlando’s other great loves in life were Fred and Clancy, two basset hounds that provided him with endless stories. He also enjoyed scenic and wildlife photography, bird watching, and downloading music on his computer and making his own play-lists. Besides rocks and minerals Orlando also enjoyed reading and when his eyesight failed he continued his love of reading with audio books. He also appreciated anyone who brought him food in rehab or anyone who took him out of rehab for a bite.

I miss spending time with Orlando, our lunches and dinners out, our discussions and all the stories he told. Yes, we talked about politics, and God. The one thing I hoped I communicated to him was that there is a God who loved him. In Ephesians it says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works that no one can boast." The gift is free but it is not cheap. It cost God his only Son who died for you and me to redeem us from sin. Because it is a gift, you can either accept it or reject it, your choice. I don’t know what Orlando ultimately decided. I really hope he took God up on his offer for then I won’t have to say "goodbye" to a good friend but simply "goodnight" for we will meet again.

As a rockhound we are always on the lookout for earthly treasure and it is awfully exciting when we find a great specimen. But sometimes we find treasure not so much in the rocks that we seek but in the people we seek them with. Orlando was one such treasure. And if you’d like to do something this week to remind yourself of him may I suggest making time to get together with a friend for lunch or dinner. Then have some good food and good conversation.

President Jay Penn called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. He announced that the Junior Club would be the featured speakers tonight.

Several first time guests and parents of Junior Club members were introduced to the audience.

Jay introduced two new board members to the audience. The incoming Membership Chairperson is Joyce Kaser and the new Club Secretary is Bill Hoban.

The Year End Party is now scheduled to be held in Rio Rancho at the Community of Joy Church.

Jay announced the passing of Mr. Orlando Garcia. He was a long-time AGMC member who held many positions in the AGMC including President.

Club Treasurer, Amy Penn, announced that new club rosters were available in the back of the room.

Club Membership Chairperson, Joyce Kaser, said she had several name tags on hand for pickup.

The June field trip had good weather, a very good time but with somewhat reduced fossil availability. The July field trip is the Club Picnic on July, 23rd at the San Pedro Mines. The September field trip may be postponed until September 29th.

Refreshment Co-Chairperson, Kathy Lawicki, announced that members had filled the refreshment provider slots for the rest of 2011.

There was no old business to be discussed. Regarding new business, it was announced that the Club will need a new President and Treasurer at the next election so interested people should start considering their candidacy now.

Jane Bardal, VP of Programs, turned the meeting over to the Junior Club Co-leaders, Earlene Shroyer and Jim Hill, for the feature presentation. They gave a brief history of the AGMC Rock Retrievers, described Club activities, and introduced several Junior Members who gave us a report on their projects. We learned that the Juniors are the largest, most

successful, and perhaps, the only junior rock club in New Mexico. In keeping with this great

program, Club members described the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS) Merit Badge program they utilize to enhance learning and participation in the study of gems and minerals.

After the Junior Club presentation, the meeting was adjourned for refreshments and the evening raffle.

Respectfully submitted,

Bill Hoban, AGMC Secretary

The June 25th Junior Club meeting was attended by 22 Jr. Club members, and was a dress rehearsal for the AGMC club program which would follow later that evening. For the first time, the parents and kids had a chance to see the PowerPoint show containing nearly 100 slides of Junior club events and activities through the years. In one hour, the kids that had volunteered to participate had to think of what they were going to say after seeing their slides for the first time, and in what order they would present. Siblings had to make decisions without fighting over the remote clicker. It was a great learning experience for all!

Parents brought yummy things to eat, there was punch to drink, and those not participating in the program got to sit back and watch the show. A special thanks to Renee and Abel, Joey and Maria, Max and Raily, Catherine and Skailar, Kendra and Rachel, and of course, Jim Hill, for taking a deep breath and volunteering to help present the program. It was scary, but we did it. Also a huge THANK YOU to all the parents and club members that support the Junior Club, and to the kids who make this all possible.

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. Absolutely no underground collecting.

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 8:00am. Waiver sheets will be filled out and collected at this time. At 8:30am we will promptly 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. 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 1:00pm 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.

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.

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 8 through Monday Aug 15. Vendors will start setting up on Monday the 8th with buying and selling starting on that day and ramping up until the show officially starts on the 11th.

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.

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 information on pay campgrounds, RV parks, cabins, motels, etc. between Leadville and Salida go to: www.buenavistacolorado.org/directory

For other events in the Buena Vista area: www.fourteenernet.com/buenavista

Our August field trip is in conjunction with the Contin-Tail Rock & Gem Show in Buena Vista, Colorado. Jeff Self and Donna Ware have invited our club to dig at Mt. Antero, an area noted for some of the best aquamarines found in the U.S., as well as smoky quartz, fluorite, phenakite and bertrandite. The collecting area is around the 13,500 foot level of the region and requires a high clearance 4-wheel drive to get there. If you don’t have a 4-wheel drive vehicle and you want to attend, make plans with others who might have room. Due to the high altitude this trip is recommended to only those who are in good physical condition.

We will rendezvous at the grandstand concession area at the Contin-Tail in Buena Vista on the morning of Friday, August 12 and depart promptly at 9:00 a.m. Please arrive accordingly. We will then travel the 8 or so miles to a base camp at 12,000 feet altitude. We will dig both Friday and Saturday at various claims at around 13,500 feet. The usual digging tools are needed, and a sieve is also useful. The specimens occur in pockets inside white granite and loose in the weathered gravel where the sieve is useful. For those who want to spend time at the Contin-tail, the show starts Thursday, August 11.

Coming up on the third of September is a planned trip to a spot just northeast of Grants. On this particular Labor Day weekend, the club will search for garnets and topaz crystals in rhyolite boulders in the Mt. Taylor area. There is also the possibility of finding apache tears which have weathered out of the rhyolite and can be found by sifting through the soil. Obviously hard rock hammers and chisels would be a good thing to bring along with safety glasses. Tools to sift through the soil would also be helpful.

If things work out we may also visit the New Mexico Mining Museum. The 1.1 million dollar facility houses the only uranium mining museum in the world. There are also exhibits which trace the history of mining in the Grants area since the 1950 discovery of uranium ore there. Hopefully we will be able to announce the status on this part of the trip at our next meeting and we’ll also publish more information on the trip in the August News Nuggets.

Rex Nelson has changed the location of the October field trip from the Desert Jewel Claim near Glenwood, NM to the Mayflower mine near Socorro. This location is situated near Socorro Peak on land managed by EMRTC and NM Tech. Permission to enter the mine site is tentative and the number of people allowed to the site will likely be "at least somewhat" limited.

The Mayflower Mine offers many "micro" collecting opportunities, but does involve some strenuous hiking on rough terrain. More details to come.

July 1976 News Nuggets

By Mark C. Blazek, excerpted from Earth Science March-April 1976

New Mexico is blessed with many important ore deposits and much mineral wealth. In addition, New Mexico has great potential in virtually untapped geothermal resources.

"Geothermal" refers to the natural heat of the earth. New Mexico ranks about fourth in geothermal energy production among the 50 states, falling behind California, Nevada, and possibly Oregon. Sixty-seven areas have been noted in New Mexico that discharge ground water with temperatures of at least 90oF. More than 100 other areas have been found that discharge ground water having temperatures higher than "normal" but less than 90oF. The majority of these thermal anomalies are located in the Rio Grande drainage basin, with quite a few occurring in the Gila River basin.

New Mexico’s most fascinating thermal anomaly is the "Hot Spot" in the Animas Valley, Hidalgo County. In 1948 a water-well driller, seeking an irrigation well in a sand-gravel-clay aquifer, hit a fractured rhyolite at 87 feet, and water was discharged as steam, with an initial temperature of 240oF. The wonder is that this hot spot went undetected for so long. Since its discovery it has been studied by many individuals and companies and has been the target for many tests of equipment designed to identify thermal prospects – especially infra-red imagery.

Generally, New Mexicans have made only limited use of the heat of the thermal water, despite the possibilities. Many of the thermal waters in this state would provide sufficient heat for domestic purposes, if the occurrence of these waters was closer to human habitations. The few that might be so used have not yet been developed.

New Mexico, along with several other states, has sponsored preliminary studies to investigate prospects for developing its own geothermal resources. In New Mexico, 2900 acres have been leased under the State’s geothermal-leasing act. Although the New Mexico geothermal resources are less spectacular than those of California or Nevada, the geologic-hydrologic conditions in New Mexico are not only "right’ but also similar to those in areas of established geothermal resources. It is quite possible that the first commercial development of natural steam in New Mexico will be operational within a very short time. Most certainly, the geothermal energy resources of New Mexico will play an important role in the geothermal energy program currently being developed in the United States.

For further, detailed information on the thermal waters of New Mexico, see Hydrologic Report 4, "Catalog of Thermal Waters in New Mexico," by W.K. Summers, recently published by the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources.

By Charles Lenhoff

Quartz may be either crystalline or cryptocrystalline, which means that the crystal structure is so fine that it cannot be seen with an ordinary microscope. Under an electron microscope, this form of quartz usually shows either a fibrous pattern or a granular pattern. The fibrous variety is called chalcedony while the granular forms are jasper, chert, and flint. These different varieties of quartz are a source

of frequent confusion for collectors, so we will try to distinguish among them.

Agate is a form of chalcedony in which the colors are distributed either haphazardly or in curved bands. There are many types of agate such as moss agate, picture agate, etc.

Onyx – The main difference between agate and onyx is that the colored bands in agate are curved and may be different thicknesses, while the bands in oxyx are nearly straight, parallel, and of uniform thickness. The bands in onyx are usually black and white. Mexican onyx is not onyx at all but a form of travertine.

Carnelian is a clear chalcedony whose color ranges from yellow to red.

Chrysoprase is a translucent apple green color.

Heliotrope or bloodstone is dark green chalcedony with spots of bright red jasper throughout it.

Petrified wood – Silicified wood usually consists of reddish or brown chalcedony, although many other colors may be present.

Tiger-eye is a quartz pseudomorph after asbestos and retains the fibrous structure of that mineral.

Jasper has a granular structure (unlike chalcedony) and is opaque. It may be almost any color and is quite common.

Chert like jasper is granular and usually contains many impurities. It has a dull luster and is very resistant to wear.

Flint is often considered to be a form of chert but is usually darker and may have a vitreous luster.

Unfortunately these terms are not used by everyone in the same way, there is considerable overlap among them, and there are many local names to confuse the issue more. But perhaps this listing will help some of our beginning collectors.

Compiled, selected and annotated by Dave Moats, AGMC Historian

For sale: 18" Diamond Pacific TR-18 Slab Saw with Powerglide Hydraulic feed, V-Guide rail and Multi-stage filter/recirculation systems. 220 volt model. Complete with diamond blade. Some rust on hood and rock vice has been modified. Very good condition. Current list price with blade, $8000. My price $1250.

6" diamond saw blade for lapidary, brand new, never used, Indian Jewelers Supply's Tomahawx, 1/2" arbor hole, 6" x .012 x 1/2", retails for $35, asking $20.

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

16-17—FLAGSTAFF, AZ: Show, "Flagstaff Jewelry, Gem, & Mineral Show"; Radisson Woodlands Hotel, 1175 W. Rte. 66; Sat.10-5, Sun.10-4; adults $3, children under 12 free with adult; contact Sharon Szymanski, (480) 215-9101, or Val Latham, (602) 466-3060

11-14—BUENA VISTA, CO: 28th annual show; Contin-Tail LLC; Rodeo Grounds, Greg Dr. and Rodeo Rd.; Thu. 9-5, Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-5; free admission; more than 100 dealers, rocks, minerals, fossils, gemstones, jewelry, tools, equipment, demonstrations, fluorescent mineral display Fri. and Sat., free rocks for kids; contact Carolyn Tunnicliff, 1130 Francis St. #7010, Longmont, CO 80501, (720) 938-4194;

e-mail: ctunnicliff@comcast.net; Web site: www.coloradorocks.org

18-21—WOODLAND PARK, CO: 2nd annual show; Rock Gypsies; Woodland Park Saddle Club, 19250 E. US Hwy. 24; Thu. 9-5, Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-5; free admission; outdoor show, more than 40 dealers and jewelers; contact Rock Gypsies, (719) 360-9665, or Kim or Bodie Packham, 87 Plum Creek Rd., Divide, CO 80814; e-mail: runninboar@hotmail.com

19-21—LAKE GEORGE, CO: Retail show; Lake George Gem & Mineral Club; US Hwy. 24, next to Post Office; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-5; free admission; contact John Rakowski, PO

Box 171, Lake George, CO 80827, (719) 748-3861; e-mail: President@LGGMClub.org; Web site: www.LGGMClub.org

27-28—JASPER, TX: 17th annual show; Pine Country Gem & Mineral Society; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-5; The Event Center, 6258 Hwy. 190W, 5 miles west of Jasper; adults $2, students and children free; rocks, gems, jewelry, minerals, door prizes, grand prize, spinning wheel, silent auction, lapidary demonstrations; contact Lonnie Stalsby, 258 CR 066, Jasper, TX 75951, (409) 382-5314

3-4—ARLINGTON, TX: Annual show; Arlington Gem & Mineral Club; Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $6, seniors and children $3, Scouts in uniform free; silent auctions, Gem ID, Kids’ Korner, door prizes, gem, lapidary and jewelry displays and demonstrations, Rock Food Table; contact Jack Spinks, 209 Overlook Dr., Midlothian, TX 76065, (214) 335-9452; e-mail: jlspinks@sbcglobal.net; Web site: www.agemclub.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

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

klawicki@gmail.com

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