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.

The meeting was called to order by President Suzanne Seymour at 7:40pm. She welcomed new guests and had them introduce themselves.

Kathy Lawicki then spoke and requested help with the refreshments. There are several months left to be filled with volunteers to feed members.

Suzanne introduced Rachel Shroyer next, who had brought her science fair exhibit, "Mineral Identification of a Septarian Nodule". Rachel has placed first in the regionals and first in the state competition. She is now preparing to compete in the National Science Fair in Washington, D.C. Best of luck, Rachel!

Suzanne asked for help with making cases for the displays for the Rock Shows. She needs 10 more cases and anyone interested in making these cases is to contact Suzanne.

Robert Lobato notified members of name badges he has available. Anyone interested in purchasing these badges is to contact him or Amy Penn.

Suzanne introduced Jane Bartal, an AGMC member, who is presenting a paper to the NM Mountain Club. She is speaking on "Hiking and History of the San Juan Mts.". This is to take place on May 21st at the NM Mountain Club. Anyone interested in attending is to contact Jane for directions to the meeting.

Mike Potts then discussed the upcoming trim party he is offering. He plans for this to be May 10th at 9:30 am. Members are to bring items they wish to trim to the parking lot of his office on Academy. He requested that those interested meet with him later for more information.

Grant Kuck discussed the upcoming field trip May 24^th to Puerto de Luna, south of Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Members are going to meet at 10:30am next to the graveyard near the town of Puerto de Luna. Directions to this site are in the April newsletter.

Jim Hill discussed the Juniors Club meeting. He said 16 juniors had toured the Fossil Prep Lab. They were able to see the preparations to identify the Bisti Beast, discovered by the Bisti Woodlands. This is being prepared to be set up soon in the Museum. Jim stated that this meeting was very informative for the juniors.

Anita Willard introduced our speaker for the evening, Nelia Dunbar. She gave a very informative talk about "Volcanoes of New Mexico". She focused on two volcanic fields, the Zuni Bandera (basaltic) and the Jemez Mts. (silica). Her discussion left members musing over the site of the next possible eruption in New Mexico.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:22pm for refreshments and door prizes.

Submitted by Mary Gibson, Temporary Secretary

The April meeting was attended by 16 junior members, and began with the awarding of the Fossils merit badge and Certificate of Achievement for the kids that attended the March meeting.

The meeting was a continuation of the March theme of Fossils, and was a chance for the kids (and parents, too!) to see the Paleontology prep lab at the Natural History museum.

A special thanks to Lanois Neely and the other paleontologist for letting us view the laboratory and telling us about what they do there, answering all of our questions, and even letting us touch several of the fossilized bones.

We even got to see some of the bones of the Bisti beast, an adult tyrannosaur that is a new genus and species of dinosaur found near Farmington. Everyone had a great time, and learned a lot about our New Mexico prehistoric life.

Earlene Shroyer

Because of Memorial Day, both the Junior Club and General meetings will be held on:

Anything you might read elsewhere in this news letter that states otherwise is WRONG.

The club is in need of 10 new display cases for our annual show. The cabinet maker we've used in the past has retired.

We will provide an existing cabinet to be used for providing a quote for 10 copies. Interested parties must be willing to provide evidence that they are capable of building cases at least as good as the sample.

Contact: Suzanne Seymour 877-3621

or Jay Penn 883-4195.

Puerto de Luna, NM

This month's field trip will be to Puerto de Luna, south of Santa Rosa, New Mexico. We are going to meet NLT 10:30 am on March 24th next at the graveyard parking area near the town of Puerto de Luna. The graveyard is located on the east side of state road 91 across the highway from the Catholic Church and is easily seen.

To reach Puerto de Luna, take I-40 east to Santa Rosa. Take exit 273 into Santa Rosa on old Rt. 66 and continue east for probably less than a mile. Find SR 91 on the right and follow this route south approximately 10 miles to Puerto de Luna. As you approach Puerto de Luna a church will be visible on the right. Just before this church you will see a gate on the left that leads to the graveyard. Please close this gate after you enter. The driving time to the destination is about 2 and half hours. After a short briefing we will depart for the collecting area.

Few tools are required as most of the collecting is surface material. A rock pick, wrapping material, and a tote bag or pack will be necessary. If you choose to dig for these specimens, a small garden digging tool would possibly work. However, the specimens buried in dirt are extremely delicate and scratch easily so tools of almost any kind tend to scratch the mineral surface. Possibly a small screwdriver and stiff brush might help. There are no public facilities in this area so bring water and toilet paper accordingly. If local residents are on the scene please be courteous.

Credits and thanks go to Ray DeMark for the following information. We can expect to collect fine crystals of Aragonite. They are found in a gypsiferous Permian formation. The Pseudohexagonal (cyclic twins) of aragonite occur in crystals up to 10" across which makes the locality noteworthy. Most of the crystals are found loose after they weather out of the enclosed formation. It is important to note that these crystals are not crystals of aragonite, but rather they have been replaced by dolomite and are thus a pseudomorph of dolomite after aragonite.

Questions, call 505-400-8239 or 505-323-1520. See you there. Rex and Grant

For more information on this location see "Puerto de Luna" article in the Miscellaneous section.

At the May Junior club meeting we will start a unit on Lapidary Arts.

Some of the subjects we will cover are: Workshop Safety (there will be a test because this is so important)

Lapidary Equipment (and what it does)

Lapidary Rocks

Choosing a Lapidary Project

This subject may take several meetings to complete so be sure to attend.

Questions? Contact Jim Hill or Earlene Shroyer

"Eminent New Mexico Fluorite and Collectors" by Ray DeMark and Mike Sanders

AGMC clubmembers Ray DeMark and Mike Sanders will give a power point presentation about New Mexico fluorite locations and noted collectors.

This is a program that was delivered at the New Mexico Mineral Symposium in November, 2007. Some history of fluorite mining in New Mexico, notable collectors and significant specimens from many locations will be covered.

Spectacular photographs by noted mineral photographers, Jeff Scovil and Dan Behnke and others will be featured.

Shortly after 8 o’clock Saturday morning about 10 members of the Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club gathered at Sophie’s restaurant in Socorro for breakfast. (Three of us had to send back our plates because our food wasn’t even marginally warm.) Anyway we were there in preparation for our April Field Trip to the Mayflower Mine situated on the mountain face of Socorro Peak. Following our warm and "warmed up" breakfasts we headed over to the Macey Center on the campus of New Mexico Tech where we were joined by about 20 other club members. At the appointed time we convoyed to the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center’s parking area. From there our tour guide, bus driver, (and the main reason we were able to go to the Mayflower Mine) Alan Perryman began to ferry us to the trail head. Alan would drop off one load and then go back for the next.

Those in good shape made it to the Mayflower Mine in about 45 minutes. The rest of us enjoyed about an hour or more of huffing and puffing. Eventually we all reached the Mine and began to collect. Rachel Shroyer came away with a beautiful crystal of reddish wulfenite. New comer Steve Bentrup came away with some outstanding pieces of yellow mimetite which I didn’t get to see but since I found some terrific specimens in his reject pile, I can only assume he kept the really good ones. I think everyone there found barite and monttramite. Jim Hill and Roy Greiner also found some nice pieces of mimetite while Rex Nelson found a vein of wulfenite and vanadeite. Paulina Inigo also came away with some nice wulfenite crystals.

It was such a beautiful location with an incredible view, not to mention the good collecting; it was really hard to leave. On the way back down the mountain Ivan Taylor and his wife Carmen found some beautifully colored rocks with veins of quartz and maybe some calcite. Okay I picked up a few on the way up and back as well, I admit it.

Once again Alan ferried us all back to our vehicles which we then drove over to Socorro Springs for a wonderful lunch and even more wonderful drinks with refills! Alan joined us for lunch or was it dinner? Anyway it was delicious and a great way to wrap a really good field trip. Many thanks to Alan’s generosity and taking as much time out of the day for our club. He is greatly appreciated.

By the way if I would give an award for being in the best shape it would have to be shared by Dave Moats, Rachel Shroyer, and Roy Greiner. These people are part mountain goat and have no respect for gravity whatsoever. The way they climbed up and down the mountain you would have thought there was an escalator.

Well that’s it for now, till the next field trip, don’t forget to keep looking down!

Grant & Rex

May 24, Puerto de Luna (South of Santa Rosa)

Jun 28, Hondo Canyon (South of Taos)

Jul 26, Section 21 Mine (AGMC picnic)

(South of Grants)

Editors note: I have heard that the field trip VPs are working on a location closer to Albuquerque for this trip, stay tuned.

Aug 7-10, Colorado (Buena Vista, Mt Antero)

(see article in Field Trips section of this issue)

Sep 27, Pueblo Park (Reserve)

Oct 25, Nacimiento Copper Mine (Cuba)

Nov 22, Blanchard Mine (East of Socorro)

Dec, Club Christmas Party

The Northwest, Rocky Mountain and California Federations of Mineralogical Societies are hosting a Tri-Federation Rock hound Rendezvous and Field Trip to Texas Springs, NV, over Memorial Day Weekend 2008 and all AFMS members are invited. The Texas Springs area is well known for spectacular pink agate limb casts, as well as, other agate and petrified wood.

Editors note: As AGMC members we are AFMS members and can attend this event. For directions, itinerary, camping info, contact persons, etc. go to:

www.rmfms.org

click on Field Trips

click on Tri-Federation Field Trip 2008

The June field trip will be under the guidance of our webmaster, collector and dealer, John Scully who has prepared the following article.

Field Trip to Hondo Canyon Staurolite Location

The field trip in June will be to Hondo Canyon just south of Taos. We will be collecting staurolites, also known as fairy crosses, or to the inhabitants of the region, Lagrimas de Cristo (Tears of Christ).

The road into the location is rugged and only a high clearance 4WD can make it. Because of this we will need to meet at the Rio Grand Visitor Center in Pilar 5 miles south of the canyon entrance and consolidate into 4WD vehicles. I wish to stress that we will need to cram into as few of these as possible since the road is narrow (causing difficulties if a vehicle is coming the other way) and there is limited parking at the end of the road.

The collecting area is in extremely rugged terrain, and it is very easy to get lost in the dense underbrush. I am very concerned about people getting lost in the wilderness. I have been myself twice. In exploring the area, I thought I would try to find my way back to the truck without the aid of my GPS. I failed totally and was reduced to turning on the GPS to find my way back. One time, I was two miles off the mark. I also know that, once on location, people will want to wander to find ever better outcrops of the staurolite-bearing schist which are all over the area. So, I urge those of you who have a GPS to bring it and lead small groups that stick together during the day. We will discuss this at a brief organizing session at the visitor center.

What to bring: GPS!!! This is high country so be prepared for the usual changeability of NM weather. Bring plenty of water and lunch and some warm removable clothing. Light collecting tools – a trowel is a must, a geology hammer, a sturdy screwdriver, plastic sandwich bags for your new treasures. For the sturdier of you, a chisel might be handy to chip out a matrix specimen. And, of course, a backpack to haul it all in and out.

Directions: Go to Espanola about 90 miles from Albuquerque. The road splits just as you get into town with 84/285 going off to the left toward Chama and 68 going straight on up towards Taos. Take 68. Go to Pilar, and just after mile maker #28 turn right into the Rio Grande Gorge visitor center parking lot. 10:00am seems like a good hour to meet. We will drive about two miles up the 4WD road in Hondo Canyon to the point beyond which vehicular traffic is not possible and proceed on foot about ½ mile to the beginning of the collecting area. If you get to the visitor center early, you can get a latte across the road.

Just after mile marker #17 (heading north) is a wonderful restaurant called Embudo Station with outdoor seating right on the Rio Grande river. Might be a nice place for dinner on the way home. It also has cabins for rent should you want to be closer to the meeting area. 505-852-4707

Special note from Rex and Grant: We will need to consolidate into as few 4 wheel drive vehicles as possible. This poses several problems which everyone must be willing to cooperate to solve. Be willing to abandon your vehicle at the parking lot and ride in a vehicle more suited for the area. Such as one capable of carrying more people safely. When we consolidate into as few vehicles as possible we are stuck with riding in and out with those passengers or driver. If you drive in with passengers, you need to drive out with them and look out for them somewhat. Last year we had a very large turnout for this trip which made navigating the canyon very difficult. We did meet vehicles coming out which posed a lot of problems. Several people who brought passengers in decided to leave early without consideration for the members that they took in. This caused a lot of grief and problems for all concerned. Please be considerate on this field trip or consider staying off this trip until another day. Grant Kuck and John Scully are the trip leaders for this outing so please respect their instructions.

Safety item: As usually advised, bring a whistle in case you get lost or hurt. It is a big area. Another consideration as you hike looking for specimens: When hiking it is easy to cross a ridge or saddle without paying much attention. Once over a hill you can become disoriented and or lost so always stay alert for where you are.

Questions, call 505-400-8239 or 505-323-1520.

See you there. Grant and Rex

Jeff Self and Donna Ware have invited our club to dig at Mt. Antero. They will meet us at the concession stand at Contin-tail (gem and mineral show) (Buena Vista, Co.) on Aug. 8 at 9am to take us to the place where they set up camp. It is approximately 8 miles from Buena Vista, so people can stay there, if they do not want to camp. There are spots for 15 tents, and the camping is primitive, so you must bring your food and water. Food must be kept in the cars because there are bears present. You should plan on rain. The road in is 4-wheel drive, high clearance vehicles only. We will dig the next day at 13,000 feet, and will probably not get much done the first day due to the altitude. We will probably go up the mountain early, so that we can dig before the thunder storms start. The road to the top is 3 miles, and the last ¼ mile is the worst. Donna tells me that we can park at a side road and walk the last ¼ mile. There is room at the digging area for 15 vehicles to park, and we will be blocked in. There are nine different claims that we will be digging in. While at Tucson at the TGMS, I saw a display case of aquamarine that has been dug since 2001, and some specimens were about 12 inches long. It was gorgeous stuff. For those who want to spend time at Contin-tail, the show starts August 7. We (the Johnsons) will travel to Buena Vista Aug. 6 to spend Aug. 7 at the show. If we have more than 15 vehicles to go up, we will have to coordinate rides so that all can park, or some will stop at the side road and walk the last ¼ mile. Suzanne did that last year and lived to tell about it!

Grant Kuck and Michael Johnson are coordinating the trip with our hosts. Contact them if you have any questions.

Michael Johnson, 821-1039

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

I might change my mind tomorrow.

The above white space accurately reflects the condition of my mind.

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.

Deadline for submission is the 2nd Monday of the month at noon. Submit to editor.

Hint: This is an excellent place to post a need for a ride to field trips and other club events. Or, to offer rides to help cover fuel expenses.

Raytech 6" rock saw with power feed, can be used for trimming or slabbing. Complete with motor, belt, blade, cover, etc., very good condition. $350 OBO or will trade toward 10" to 14" saw, Walter Morris 345-3245.

From the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce

Follow the lush, green valley along the Pecos River, ten miles south on Hwy 91, to the historic village of Puerto de Luna.

Although there is no historical documentation, a story is told about Francisco Vasquez de Coronado camping here in 1541 on his way east in search of Quivira. The story goes that he saw the moon rise through a mountain gap in the east and exclaimed "Puerto de luna!," which means "gateway of the moon" in Spanish, and thus, the town was named. Some traditions have Coronado building a bridge across the Pecos River in this area, making it the first bridge to be built in New Mexico.

These are fun stories, but actually the origin of the town's name is more predictable. The Luna family lived at the mouth of Puerto Creek in the 1860s and then later moved to the present location, where many of their descendants still live.

In the 1880s, Puerto de Luna was the Guadalupe County seat, with 1,500 residents, but the community later was overshadowed by Santa Rosa and the seat moved there. Now only 200 people reside in Puerto de Luna. Locals often call it by its initials, PDL.

For a special insight into Puerto de Luna, pick up a copy of writer Rudolfo Anaya's book, "Bless Me, Ultima." Anaya grew up in the area in the 1940s, and this book beautifully describes the people and land. Anaya is one of New Mexico's most loved and revered writers. He described the wide llano where "the grass was as high and as green as the waves of the ocean."

Visit the original Guadalupe County Courthouse in Puerto de Luna, built in the mid-1800s and a symbol of law and order for an 1,800 square mile area. Also visit the mid-1800s church, Nuestra Senora del Refugio. Puerto de Luna's plaza and old business district have many classic examples of adobe architecture.

The Grzelachowski House once resided in this area. It was originally built as a Territorial House in 1870 by Alexander Grzelachowski. On Christmas Eve in 1880, Billy the Kid, in the custody of Pat Garrett, was served his last Christmas dinner while being transported to trial.

For more information, please contact:

Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce

486 Parker Avenue

Santa Rosa, NM 88435

505-472-3763

Here are events located in NM, TX, OK, CO, UT, and AZ for as far ahead as there is space available. You can get more comprehensive lists at: www.rockngem.com/showdates.asp

www.lapidaryjournal.com/cal1.cfm

16-18--Grapevine (Dallas), TX: Show, "Bead Renaissance Show"; J&J Promotions LLC; Grapevine Convention Center, 1209 S. Main St.; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; contact J&J Promotions LLC, P.O. Box 420, Williamsburg, NM 87942, (575) 894-1293; e-mail: info@beadshow.com; Web site: www.beadshow.com

24-25--Fort Worth, TX: Show, "Let's Rock"; Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Club; Amon Carter Exhibit Bldg., Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 W. Lancaster; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-5; adults $4, seniors $3, children under 12 free; more than 25 dealers, kids' games, hourly door prizes, grand prize drawing, silent auction, educational exhibits; contact Steve Hilliard, P.O. Box 418, Decatur, TX 76234, (817) 925-5760; e-mail: fwgmc@embarqmail.com; Web site: www.fortworthgemandmineralclub.com

24-25--Lakeside, AZ: Show; White Mountain Gem & Mineral Club; Blue Ridge Junior High School, 1200 W. White Mountain Blvd.; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-4; adults $2, under 16 free; gems, minerals, fossils, rough, slabs, beads, jewelry, equipment, books, demonstrations, junior activities, silent auction, raffle, door prizes; contact Nanz Marshall, P.O. Box 3504, Show Low, AZ 85902, (928) 537-2524; e-mail: larrylegge@yahoo.com

30-1--Tulsa, OK: Show; Gem Faire; Expo Square/Exchange Center 1, 4145 E. 21st St.; Fri. 12-7, Sat. 10-7, Sun. 10-5; $5 weekend pass; contact Yooy Nelson, (503) 252-8300; e-mail: info@gemfaire.com; Web site: www.gemfaire.com

6-7--Price, UT: 2nd annual show; Castle Country Rock, Fossil & Mineral Club; J. Leavitt Student Center - C.E.U, 526 North 300 East; Fri. 12-7, Sat. 10-7; free admission; rocks, fossils, minerals, jewelry, metal detectors, equipment, displays, demonstrations, door prizes; contact Patrick Braun, P.O. Box 236, Ferron, UT 84523, (435) 384-2211; e-mail: pbraun@etv.net

7--Delta, CO: Show; Delta County Rock Wranglers; Heddles Recreation Center, 530 Gunnison River Dr.; Sat. 9-5; free admission; dealers, exhibits, door prizes, family activities; contact Harry W. Masinton, (970) 856-3861

7-10--Phoenix AZ: International Precious Metals Institute. 32nd Annual Conference of Precious Metals. JW Marriott Desert Ridge. No vendors. 850-476-1156, www.ipmi.org. Open to the public.

13-15--Oklahoma City, OK: Retail and wholesale show; Shows of Integrity; Oklahoma City Fairgrounds; contact Judi Tripp, Shows of Integrity, 504 N. College St., McKinney, TX 75069, (972) 542-7370

20-22--Houston, TX: Show; International Gem & Jewelry Show Inc.; Reliant Center at Reliant Park, 1 Reliant Park; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; adults $7; contact Laurie Reluzco, 120 Derwood Cir., Rockville, MD 20850, (301) 294-1640; e-mail: laurie@intergem.net; Web site: www.InterGem.com

20-22--Santa Fe, NM: Annual show; Palace of the Governors Museum; Museum Courtyard, Lincoln Ave., Blue Gate Entrance; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-5; free admission; children's hands-on workshop, presentations; contact Carlotta Boettcher, 120 Lincoln Ave., Santa Fe, NM 87501, (505) 476-5112; e-mail: carlotta.boettcher@state.nm.us; Web site: www.palaceofthegovernors.org

21-22--Colorado Springs, CO: 44th annual show; Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society; Phil Long Expo Center, 1515 Auto Mall Loop; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4; adults $5, children 6-15 $3, children under 6, uniformed Scouts and leaders, and active military with ID free; contact Ronald Yamiolkoski, (719) 683-2603; e-mail: info@csms.us; Web site: www.csms.us

27-29--Sandy (Salt Lake City), UT: Show; Gem Faire; South Towne Exposition Center/Exhibit Hall 5, 9575 S. State St.; Fri. 12-7, Sat. 10-7, Sun. 10-5; $5 weekend pass; contact Yooy Nelson, (503) 252-8300; e-mail: info@gemfaire.com; Web site: www.gemfaire.com

4-6--Farmington, NM: Show, "San Jaun Co. Rock & Gem Show"; San Jaun Gem & Mineral Club; Civic Center, 200 W. Arlington; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; silent auction, free kids' rocks, wheel of fortune, door prizes, raffle, vendors; contact Mickie Calvert, (505) 632-8288; e-mail: Mickie2@earthlink.net; or Ruth Rightmire, 301 S. Johnson, Bloomfield, NM 87413; ruthrightmire@msn.com.

11-13--Durango, CO: 55th annual show; Four Corners Gem & Mineral Club; La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.; Fri. 11-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; free admission; kids' activities, lapidary demonstrations; gold panning, jewelry, jewelry making tools and equipment, gems, minerals, fossils, beading, free door prizes, educational and fluorescent mineral displays, raffle, silent auction; contact Joanna Baker, Four Corners Gem & Mineral Club, P.O. Box 955, Durango, CO 81302, (970) 563-9908; e-mail: info@durangorocks.org; Web site: www.durangorocks.org

1-3--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 12 and under free with paid adult; dealers, fine jewelry, beading components, mineral specimens, tools, lapidary equipment and rough, door prizes; contact Larry Jackson, P.O. Box 3923, Chino Valley, AZ 86323, (928) 636-9188; e-mail: lpjack65@cableone.net; Web site: www.prescottgemmineral.org

7-10--Buena Vista, CO: 25th anniversary show, "Contin-tail"; Contin-tail LLC; Rodeo Grounds, Gregory Dr. and Rodeo Rd.; 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, demonstrations, fluorescent mineral display Fri. and Sat. evenings, close to mineral collecting locations, in conjunction with Buena Vista Gold Rush Days; contact Carolyn Tunnicliff, 1130 Francis #7010, Longmont, CO 80501, (303) 833-2939; e-mail: ctunnicliff@comcast.net; Web site: www. coloradorocks.org

15-16--Tahlequah, OK: Show and sale; Tahlequah Rock & Mineral Society; Tahlequah Community Bldg., First St. and College Ave.; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5; free admission; special exhibits, children's booths, lapidary demonstrations, live auction, contact Sara Brasel, 14236 Cross Timbers Rd., Tahlequah, OK 74464, (918) 458-0801; e-mail: crosstimbersrd@earthlink.net

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 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.

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 published in the News Nuggets. Good luck and have fun.

Last year I discussed minerals that are named for some physical property that they possess. This year I thought I’d concentrate on minerals that are used as gemstones. Hmm, I might even include a rock or two used as gems.

This month’s MM is not a mineral and it not even a rock. It has no cleavage and the fracture is conchoidal. It is velvety to brilliant (when polished), opaque, intense black, Sp. Gr. = 1.16 to 1.40, H = 2 to 4. It is warm to the touch and becomes static electrically charged when rubbed with a cloth. It will burn and give off the odor of burning coal.

What is the name of the material?

What is the origin of the name?

What metal(s) does it contain?

What non-metals does it contain?

What is/was it mined/used for?

What kind of treatment does this gem get?

Can you name some related materials?

Do you have some in your collection?

In NM –

In the USA –

In the World –

What is the name of the mineral? Lazurite

What is the origin of the name? From the Persian lazward - "blue.".

What is the name given to the rock rich in this mineral? Lapis lazuli (pronounced lazz-you-lee). BTW – Lazurite is the "rite" mineral in lapis lazuli; lazulite is a blue phosphate that doesn’t qualify.

What metal(s) does it contain? Sodium, calcium, aluminum, and silicon.

What non-metals besides oxygen does it contain? Sulfur, not as sulfate but as sulfide!

What is/was it mined/used for? Besides the obvious use as a jewel and ornamental stone, it has been used as the coloring agent in ultramarine blue paint.

What kind of treatment does this gem get? None

Can you name a few minerals that are related to this one? Yep. Oh, OK. The sodalite group - sodalite, nosean, hauyne, tugtupite, etc.

Do you have some in your collection? Yep, but I don’t have a great xl yet. I also have some tugtupite which is remarkable for its fluorescent and phosphorescent properties.

In NM – None

In the USA – CA. CO

In the World – Afghanistan, Chile, Burma, Russia, Italy

Paul Hlava May 8, 2008

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, May 27^th, 2008. The Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club meets on the 4^th Monday of the month. (Except this 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 P.M.

by Ray DeMark and Mike Sanders

AGMC clubmembers Ray DeMark and Mike Sanders will give a power point presentation about New Mexico fluorite locations and noted collectors.

This is a program that was delivered at the New Mexico Mineral Symposium in November, 2007. Some history of fluorite mining in New Mexico, notable collectors and significant specimens from many locations will be covered.

Spectacular photographs by noted mineral photographers, Jeff Scovil and Dan Behnke and others will be featured.

Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club

Jay Penn, Editor

PO Box 13718

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87192