may 11
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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 Richard Melzer

Social conditions in New Mexico's coal mining camps were often difficult. Miners faced dangerous work, while their families often suffered years of poverty, especially during the Great Depression.

Richard Melzer's presentation will describe conditions in Madrid, one of New Mexico's most famous camps, located south of Santa Fe on North 14. The presentation will also describe the good things about living in such a camp and explain the amazing statement, made by many former residents, that their years in Madrid were "the best years of their lives."

There’s no President’s Message this month – Jay couldn’t think of anything to say…

883-4195

el.chivo.viejo@earthlink.net

Our April 25th meeting was attended by 22 AGMC Jr. Club members, with 2 new families joining, one of which is this year’s recipient of AGMC’s Science Fair award. Welcome to the Davis and Moore families!

The subject of the meeting was Stone Age Tools & Art. The class will need to complete three activities to earn this merit badge. In the first activity, we learned that rocks have different properties and textures: obsidian is smooth and makes flakes with razor-sharp edges, while kaolin (clay) is soft and moist and easily shaped; granite and basalt are coarse and heavy and were used for grinding.

For the next activity, we made art from clay. Jim Hill brought 25 lbs. of clay(!), and each student was given ½ pound of sticky, red clay [and thank goodness it washed off with water]. Next, we rolled the clay into long ropes and coiled them to make pots. Jim will have the pots fired in a kiln, and the class will paint the finished pots using only what the ancient ones could have used (yucca hair, people hair, twigs, etc.) at a future meeting.

Finally, to complete the last activity, we will visit the Petroglyph National Monument on a field trip to interpret and sketch some of the petroglyphs, which the kids will then use to get ideas on how to paint their clay pots.

A special THANKS to all the parents for

having their kids to class on time (and early is great!) so we got started on time, cleaned up, and still made the meeting!

See you at the next meeting!

Jim and Earlene

An ever-growing group of AGMC members (53 signed in) arrived bright and early at the Sandia Ranger station south of Tijeras. After a brief introduction on the world-class fossil collecting at the Kinney Brick Quarry and a few safety notes by leader Jim Hill we drove the 7 or so miles south to the site located in the Manzanita Mountains. The quarry is noted for late Pennsylvanian era (275 to 300 million years ago) fossils imbedded in the gray shale and limestone.

After a short walk into the site the group quickly got to work finding an abundance on Dunbarella (scallop-like shells) in the shale beds and on the surface. As everyone perfected their fossil-finding techniques more shouts of rarer plant fossil remains and the occasional fish fossil were heard. The group slowly thinned out over the day until we received what Jim declared as "3 inches of rain" or more accurately "3 inches between rain drops."

Repeating Jim Hill's suggestions on how to stabilize your finds: The fossil-bearing shale must be carefully dried in a shady, cool location after arriving home. It takes about 2 to 4 weeks to dry out if the weather is not damp. Do not allow them to freeze! Preserved the material by soaking it in a mixture of 90% lacquer thinner and 10% flat lacquer. (You can also use a 90% shellac thinner and 10% shellac mixture, with a shiny surface resulting on drying.) Soak the fossils about two months in this solution, which seems to stabilize them. Martin Wormser, another club member, has had success in spraying his fossils with acrylic spray.

Thanks to Jim Hill for leading the club's return to Kinney Brick Quarry, it's been four years since our last AGMC outing there. And thanks to the fine folks at KBQ for having us back!

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. We will need to organize this trip a bit differently than usual to meet their 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 April meeting which will then be registered with UNM. However, 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.

This visit will expand upon the areas AGMC collected at during our 2009 visit as our leader Jesse Kline of Taos relates, "I encourage all AGMC members who are planning to take the May field trip to the Harding mine to read the UNM walking tour guide (available through Brian Anderson or Jim Hill). Expand your collecting to include the North Ridge - Epidote, Garnet (Andradite), Holmquistite, Beryl (Aquamarine), Tantalite, Apatite, Lepidolite, Spodumene, Bismutite, Schorlite, are among the many species to be found. Expand your thinking to the surrounding landscape, where Chrysoberyl, Muscovite, Gahnite, Piemontite, Zoisite, Scheelite, Andalusite and their associates can be found. Use the Buddy system when exploring, and always let someone know where you are going. I look forward to meeting each of you."

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. You can take the Santa Fe bypass route SR 599 or you can continue on I-25 and take the St. Frances exit which is US 84/285 and follow it north through Santa Fe. SR 599 connects with US 84/285 at the north end of Santa Fe. 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 place 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.

Take I-40 West to exit 39 (Refinery) and go back across I-40 to a large area on the left where the State has piles of gravel. We will meet there at 9 a.m. Allow approximately an hour and forty-five minutes travel from Albuquerque. When you first get off at exit 39, there is a Pilot gas station with a Subway and Denny’s restaurant for those who may need gas, food, toilet break.

The area is a part of the various layers of the Chinle Formation, which accounts for occasional colorful petrified wood. While the types of trees are undetermined, the roots are mostly red on the outside with the inside being agatized into any number of colors, such as red, pink, yellow, black, while, orange, and sometimes purple. There are several areas where petrified wood with crystals on it can be found. There is a wonderful example of a very large petrified tree that fell into a ravine and broke into several parts about 3 feet in diameter. Scattered about are other types of fossils, Apache Tears, and Carnelian stones. For those interested in marine fossils, there is another area off Rt 400 South, exit 33, that contains Brachiopods and other shell fossils. Some have been replaced by crystals and are very interesting.

Since this is on State forest land, there are no facilities and you will need to bring food and water. Collecting is mostly exposed rocks, but you can use a small shovel or hand rake to help expose other specimens. Per State regulations, 25 lbs of rocks per person can be taken. While I myself have never seen any dangerous animals, this is a wild area and bears and mountain lions do live here. There is some uphill climbing and hiking sticks are a great help.

There are also chunks of marine plants. The areas will be marked with colored ribbons and maps will be provided. I live at Fort Wingate and have a nice rock garden for anyone who would like to visit.

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.

More details to come, but we will rendezvous in Buena Vista on the morning of Friday, August 12, travel the 8 or so miles to a base camp at 12,000 feet altitude. We will dig the next day at 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.

May 1976 News Nuggets

Dr. Art Montgomery spoke to the group at the (Harding) mine. He pointed out that much of what collectors have been calling lepidolite is actually feldspar containing flakes of the mica. It may be recognized by the presence of shiny flakes of mica in pink rock that shows flat cleavage faces of feldspar...

It was also pointed out that Dr. Montgomery would like to see many of the interesting features of the mine preserved in their present state. Collectors are urged to try to find their specimens on the dumps; many good specimens may be found there, because different minerals were mined at different times.

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.

For sale: Rock collecting equipment (hard hats, scoop, picks, and collapsible shovel) and specimens. Four Hills community garage sale, May 21st, 9am till noon. 913 Brazos Pl.

Want to borrow: June 2010 issue of Rock and Gem magazine, there is an article I'd like to make a copy of. Jay Penn

Trade or sale: I have a brand new Indian Jewelers Supply Tomahawx diamond saw blade, 6" dia. x .012" thick x 1/2" arbor, I need one with a 5/8" arbor hole. I'll trade straight across plus give you $5.00 or sell you mine for $5.00 off. They go for $35. I can't just trade it in at IJS because I wrote on it with permanent marker.

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

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.

14-15—FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ: Retail show; Rick Obermiller; Fountain Hills Community Center, 13001 N. La Montana Dr.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; adults $2, children under 12 free; indoor show, mostly Arizona dealers, gems, minerals, jewelry, fossils, kids’ activities, drawings, raffles; contact Rick Obermiller, 1332 N. Jesse St., Chandler, AZ 85225-1598, (602)826-2218; e-mail: obrocks@gmail.com

28-29—FORT WORTH, TX: 60th annual show, "Marvelous Minerals"; Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Club; Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 W. Lancaster; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $5, seniors and students $4, ages 16 and under free; more than 25 dealers, exhibits, kids’ games, door prizes, grand prize, silent auction; contact Steve Hilliard, PO Box 418, Decatur, TX 76234, (817) 925-5760; e-mail: fwgmc@embarqmail.com; Web site: www.fortworthgemandmineralclub.org

3-4—PRICE, UT: 5th annual show "Castle Country Rock, Fossil & Mineral Show"; Patrick Braun; Price ELKS Lodge, 23 East 100 North; Fri. 10-7, Sat. 10-7; free admission; rocks, fossils, minerals, jewelry, metal detectors, books, equipment, flint knapping, door prizes; contact Patrick Braun, (435) 384-2211; e-mail: pbraunrocks@hotmail.com; Web site: www.braunlapidary.com

4—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 Masinton, (970) 856-3861

10-12—ALBUQUERQUE, NM: Show; Gem Faire Inc.; New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 300 San Pedro NE; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $7 weekend pass; contact Yooy Nelson, (503) 252-8300; e-mail: info@gemfaire.com; Web site: www.gemfaire.com

24-26—COLORADO SPRINGS, CO: 3rd annual rock fair; Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society, Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies; Western Museum of Mining & Industry, 225 N. Gate Blvd., I-25 exit 156A; Fri. 9-4, Sat. 9-4, Sun. 9-3; adults $5, children $2; dealers, gems, minerals, jewelry, fossils, talks, gold panning demonstration, rock identification, Kids’ Area, noncompetitive displays, silent auction, exhibitors, equipment demonstrations; contact Ronald Yamiolkoski, (719) 488-5526; e-mail: info@csms.us; Web site: www.csms.us

1-3—FARMINGTON, NM: Annual show; San Juan County Gem & Mineral Society; Farmington Civic Center, 200 W. Arrington St.; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; free admission; silent auctions, prize drawings, raffle Sun.; contact Mickie Calvert, 5986 Hwy. 64, Farmington, NM 87401, (505) 632-8288; e-mail: mickie2@earthlink.net

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

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.

The Game Plan – I will describe a mineral and you have to guess/decipher/research the name of the mineral and the answers to the other questions asked about uses, history, notable facts, etc. I expect the Top Guns in the club to be able to guess the name off the top of their heads. The learners will need a reference book or two. You will benefit most if you do not ask others for the answers but work it out for yourselves. When you have decided on the name you can compare notes with others or wait for the answers to be announced at the meetings or published in the News Nuggets. Good luck and have fun.

Last year I discussed minerals found in the Hansonburg District of NM. This year I’ll work on minerals from the Harding (pegmatite) Mine and area.

This month’s MM is an endmember of a common mineral series. This end member contains two metals and a semi -metal. The triclinic crystals are usually found as platy masses at the Harding mine but can occur as thicker to blocky, single crystals in other localities. This mineral has 2 cleavages, one perfect the other good that meet at almost 90 degrees. It is transparent to subtransparent with a vitreous luster. It can be colorless, white, greenish gray, bluish gray, or gray (at the Globe mine in Petaca, NM some of this mineral is colored salmon by radiation damage from the thorium in monazites there). At the Harding it is usually pure white. Sp. Gr. = 2.62, H = 7)

What is the name of the mineral?

What is the origin of the name?

What metals does it contain?

What non-metals does it contain?

What is the name of the other end of the series?

What rare metal does it contain?

What elements are more abundant in the black grains at the Harding?

What other minerals might occur with it?

What is it mined and used for?

Do you have some in your collection?

In NM –

In the USA –

In the World –

What is the name of the mineral? Microlite

What is the origin of the name? Named for the small size of the original crystals (small stone)

What metals does it contain? Tantalum (Ta), sodium (Na), and calcium (Ca), when pure endmenber

What non-metals does it contain? Oxygen (O), hydrogen (H), and fluorine (F)

What is the name of the other end of the series? Pyrochlore

What rare metal does that endmember contain? Niobium (Originally called columbium)

What other elements are more abundant in the black grains at the Harding? Uranium (U) and iron (Fe)

What other minerals might occur with it? Quartz, micocline perthite, muscovite, lepidolite, columbite-tantalite, beryl, spodumene, etc.

What is it mined and used for? Major ore of tantalum. Tantalum is used for high temperature alloys, resistors, surgical implants, etc.

Do you have some in your collection? Yes!

In NM – The Harding Pegmatite

In the USA – CA, CO, ME, VA

In the World – Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Italy, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Russia,

May 5, 2011

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

merlelin@q.com

klawicki@gmail.com

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