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.

What a great time I had this year at the Mineral Symposium! As club members we have the privilege of being one of the sponsors of, and thus participators, in this annual fall roundup of scientists, educators, collectors, dealers, students, and very miscellaneous sundry that gather in Socorro to talk rocks and shop. The short papers offer insights into current trends and historical perspectives in areas of mining, research, and collecting. Often the topics were a combination of any, and or all of these subjects. What unites them is that they offer more and better understanding of the stuff we love and lust after. The beautiful rocks!!! If there was a recurring theme over the weekend it was the one of the evolving state of access to collecting sites on federal lands and the ongoing closure and reclamation of abandoned mines. This complicated and thermally charged issue applies to all who care about managing our collective civic resources. Proposed legislation expected to pass in 2008 will substantially overhaul regulations regarding all aspects of access by everyone from scientists, mining concerns, and claim seekers, on down to rock hounds and families on vacation in our public lands. If we wish to preserve this rich mineral heritage in any way, certainly at least for scientific research, then we must say so to our federally elected officials. Do this in writing. Express your will that a way be found well short of annihilation to manage significant mineral occurrences for all of us.

This is the last newsletter of the year so I want to be sure you all know what fun I’ve had working with everyone this last year. So many of you have been generous with your time and donations to our many activities and I’ve met many new friends. I have something to thank each and every one of you for. And since we got all our projects done we get to have a big ole party as a reward!!! See you December 8^th.

The meeting was called to order by President Suzanne Seymour at 7:40 p.m. She welcomed guests.

Regarding elections, Suzanne Seymour introduced the candidates for the board members submitted by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Board of Directors on October 1, 2007. There were no more candidates submitted by the members at the meeting. Paul Hlava moved that nominations be closed, and George Schmick seconded the motion.

The holiday party and installation dinner will be held at the Mesa Community Center, which is south of the Cooperage restaurant near Louisiana and Lomas, on December 8^th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. There will be a silent auction and white elephant sale, the proceeds from which will be used for scholarships. The club needs people to help set up the kitchen and the silent auction.

The annual symposium in Socorro is November 10^th and 11^th. There are informative presentations by various people who have written papers on research. There is also a silent auction, the proceeds from which are donated to the mineral museum. Suzanne Seymour will be accepting donations for the silent auction. There are also tailgates on Friday and Saturday nights at the Comfort Inn at the north end of Socorro.

Suzanne Seymour indicated that the club is committed to do the arts and crafts fair on Saturday, October 27^th, at Mama’s Minerals. A signup sheet for members willing to staff the club’s booth was circulated.

Rex Nelson reported on the two field trips that had been taken since the last meeting. Last Saturday was the tour of the Turquoise Trail. The other trip was to the Molycorp Mine. Tentative field trips in January could include Kilbourne Hole and/or Hatchita. The November 24^th field trip is to the Blanchard Mine at Bingham. Details of the trip were provided by Ray DeMark, who is an owner of the mine.

Jim Hill reported that the Junior Club’s first field trip is coming up this Saturday, October 27^th.

Kathy Lawicki asked people to sign up to bring refreshments beginning next year.

Mike Sanders introduced Bob Eveleth, the speaker for tonight’s meeting. Mr. Eveleth presented a very interesting history of the Magdalena Mining District.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m. for refreshments and door prizes.

Submitted by Janey Johnson, Secretary

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At the October Jr. Club meeting, which was attended by 9 junior members, the topic of the meeting was sedimentary rocks, and the neat things that we can find in them. Jim Hill discussed how different types of sedimentary rocks are formed, from sandstone to shale, and what geological and hydrological processes had to occur for them to form. Also, Jim showed the junior members how to identify fossils in the sedimentary rocks, and used a diluted acidic solution on some of them to discern if they were really fossil remains or not. Earlene Shroyer

President - Suzanne Seymour

Co-VPs Programs - Marcus Price

Anita Willard

Co-VPs Field Trips - Rex Nelson

Grant Kuck

Secretary - Janey Johnson

Treasure - Amy Penn

Memberships - Robert Lobato

Editor - Jay Penn

This slate was presented to the membership at the October general meeting and no additional nominations were made from the floor.

Voting will be at the November general meeting.

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All dues expire Dec. 31. The board voted that dues are still $20.00 per household for this coming year. We'll have a table set up at the Jan. 28th meeting. The new membership form is on our web site if you'd like to fill it out ahead of time, or mail it to: AGMC, PO Box 13718, Albq., NM 87192-3718.

We need ALL THE INFO on the form filled in for insurance and/or club purposes.

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This is the last News Nuggets for 2007. We don't publish one in December, nor do we have a general meeting.

This editor is planning on being way too stuffed to even click a mouse let alone do heavy typing or get to a meeting. The club is going to help me out with our annual Christmas party pot luck dinner and more.

This big event is cleverly scheduled almost exactly half way between Thanksgiving and Christmas so there's no reason to do anything stupid like exercising; what with another big feed coming along in a couple of weeks to wipe out any benefit.

See below for details.

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One stop on the Turquoise Trail field trip was at an alabaster quarry in Cedar Crest along Rt. 14. This Quarry is now located on the property of a church. Our group of 11 cars pulled into the parking area, listened to Paul's talk on the location, and started collecting samples from the hillside. Shortly there after a lady from the church approached. We explained who we were and what we were doing. She informed us that collecting was not allowed. OK, we put down our samples loaded into our vehicles and moved on, no problem.

That night someone from the church (same lady?) called the AGMC president to report that later that evening someone had driven around back climbed up the hill and collected alabaster. OUCH!!

While we don't know for sure if it was someone from our group or not, it sure looks suspicious and makes us look bad. It will make it difficult for our field trip coordinators to get collecting permission if we, as a club, have a reputation of ignoring property owner's rights. This has happened in the past and we lost permission to collect at a prime location.

Jay Penn

Blanchard Mine, Bingham, NM

For the month of November we are heading south to the Blanchard Mine group near Bingham, New Mexico. We will assemble between 9:00 and 9:30 AM on the dirt road just east of the rock shop on U.S. 380.

In order to do some successful collecting you will need hard rock mining tools (hammers, chisels, pry bars, etc). You will also need safety glasses along with long sleeve shirts, full length pants, and gloves. Please wear boots, preferably steel toe! Those collecting anywhere near overhangs and ledges need hardhats.
There will not be any  collecting this year in the underground adits. Ray DeMark will take those who have never been underground on a tour of  sunshine #3. This tunnel requires some agility to enter and a hardhat and light will be required.
The Blanchard mines have produced world class specimens of fluorite and linarite along with a number of rare minerals including spangolite, brochantite, cyanotrichite just to name a few! This area is generally considered one of the finest collecting localities in the U.S.! It’s always a good idea to bring good wrapping materials such as papers and paper towels to protect your treasures. Flats are more desirable than buckets as the specimens won’t be stacked and possibly damaged. More delicate specimens require very careful wrapping and handling techniques. Some of these are available on our website. Please check it out!

To reach the mine, take I-25 south to U.S. 380 (8 miles south of Socorro), then east on U.S. 380 for approximately 30 miles to Bingham and mile marker 30. The drive time from Albuquerque is about 2 hours.

Hope to see you there!
Grant and Rex

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We will be discussing igneous and metamorphic rocks. Bring your journal and test kit.

Questions? Contact Jim Hill or Earlene Shroyer

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This month's talk is, "Cash and Treasures Re-visited" by Mike Potts.

Collecting Oregon sunstones and Nevada opals as seen on the Discovery Channel's "Cash and Treasures" program. The reality of where, how and what to expect.

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Installation of Officers

Scholarship Recognition

Pot Luck Dinner

White Elephant Silent Auction

** World Famous Magician**

Club Provides: by popular demand… Rudy’s Bar-b-que and Jalapeno glazed Ham, plus bread and dessert, plus punch and coffee. (It is permissible to bring your own gentle spirits).

Members Provide: Side dishes, salads, fruits, desserts, specialties, and table service.

Plus: white elephant/ mineral/ other item for the silent auction… (be creative).

The auction helps to defray costs and is fun.

It is always fun to be together and a great time to invite a new-comer. The food is excellent. Please plan to lend a hand somewhere.

Before Dec. 1^st: table decorations, telephone callers, silent auction set-up plan, name tags, door prizes

On Dec. 8^th: Set up at 5:pm.. need about 12 people… What it means: set-up tables for 80, cover them, add decorations, serving set-up & drink preparations, auction set-up, name tags, greeters, and…

Find your nitch and commit today.

Gwen: 247-1533

Rocks and Stuff Along the Turquoise Trail,

led by Paul Hlava on 20 October , 2007

32 club members met at the Einstein's Bagel Shop for this classic adventure. After a little shuffling of passengers we ended up with a total of 13 vehicles. Paul was still concerned with the size of the caravan due to lack of adequate parking at certain sites. After caution and other instructions were issued the long caravan started out.

Everyone really enjoyed this day as Paul was at his best and the weather was perfect. I can’t even start to tell you about the great geological information given out by Paul except to say that it means so much more to be on site looking at a feature as someone explains it. Thanks Paul for this wonderful opportunity.

I would like to note that the visit to Todd and Pat Brown’s shop and museum was the perfect addition to this tour. They hosted our visit with kindness and graciousness beyond normal expectations. It was especially nice of Todd to work with some of the younger members as he gave each a piece of Cerrilos turquoise and taught them how to make a cabochon. Thanks Todd.

At the last stop near Cero de la Cruz we became familiar with limbergite and a little history as well. Yes, everyone tried out the rocks for smell. After a farewell and thanks from Paul we split up and headed out on our own ways.
Along the way two vehicles dropped out of the caravan and field trip along with several members. Noteworthy was the fact that they checked out before leaving. Thank you. This is very important to people leading trips and should always be the rule.

I didn’t go into the geological technicalities of this trip as it has been previously written up by our historian Dave Moats. I could never replicate his efforts. The write up was taken from our website and a limited number of copies distributed at the start of the tour. For those who missed the tour or failed to get a copy please go our website and click on past newsletters, November 2004 issue. There you will find Dave’s very comprehensive write-up. Enjoy!
See you at the Blanchard Mine on the November 24th.

Rex

The first Jr. Club field trip was held on a beautiful Saturday morning this past October 27th. Four families gathered at the Walmart in Rio Rancho, and drove about 6 miles to an area east of the Rio Puerco where all kinds of interesting things can be found. Jim Hill gave a talk on safety, and with buckets and hammers in hand, the group traversed hills and ravines, returning with agates, jaspers, petrified wood, and many beautiful rocks. Jim found a large common opal, which he busted into a lot of pieces so each person had their own piece. The trip concluded with everyone sharing and identifying their treasures, and fun was had by all.

Earlene Shroyer

Nov 24, Blanchard Mine at Bingham

Dec 8, Potluck Christmas Party

Questions? Contact Grant Kuck or Rex Nelson

Although things are not official yet due to elections having not been held at this point, Grant and I feel that this is necessary for at least a little bit of advance warning and planning time. This is further necessitated by the lack of a New Nuggets in December. The following trips are tentatively planned and I stress tentative. The Ron Boyd tradition is being followed here. Since winter is almost upon us, we will start south and work north as the seasons progress. Further word will be published in the January Nuggets after Grant and I have had further time for planning, checking sites out and held our annual planning session. And of course the board will need to look our plans over and approve. The price of gas will make some of the trips a little more expensive but this is not going to improve in any foreseeable future.

January 26, 2008 Kilbourne Hole, SW of Las Cruces to collect peridot (olivine)
and to see this geological wonder. The 27th is open but may include Bishop's Cap barite prospects.

February 23, 2008 Hachita and "Old Hachita". This is still being planned but will include touring the ghost town site and collecting turquoise. Sundays choices are as scattered as they are diverse and under consideration.

For you agate lovers there are some possibilities.

Grant and Rex

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 12 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.

No one had anything to get rid of or buy this month.

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

I might change my mind tomorrow.

T'was the night of Thanksgiving

But I just couldn't sleep

I tried counting backwards,

I tried counting sheep.

The leftovers beckoned -

The dark meat and white

But I fought the temptation

With all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation

The thought of a snack became infatuation.

So, I raced to the kitchen,

Flung open the door

And gazed at the fridge,

Full of goodies galore.

Gobbled up the turkey and buttered potatoes,

Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.

I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,

Till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling,

Floating into the sky

With a mouthful of pudding

And a handful of pie.

But I managed to yell as I soared

Past the trees…

Happy eating to all - Pass the cranberries, please.

May your stuffing be tasty,

May your turkey be plump.

May your potatoes in gravy

Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious

May your pies take the prize.

May your Thanksgiving Dinner

Stay off of your thighs.

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The Palo Duro Senior Center, 5221 Palo Duro NE, 87110, east of San Mateo, behind the Erna Fergusson Library, 888-8102 has recently reopened after a major remodel. Memberships (must be age 50+) are $13.00/yr.

The lapidary shop is open Thursday 8 am - noon. There are some additional costs for lapidary supplies. They have saws, grinding wheels, polishing wheels and more.

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--Albuquerque, NM: Bead Renaissance Show; J&J Promotions LLC; New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 300 San Pedro; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; free admission; contact J&J Promotions LLC, P.O. Box 420, Williamsburg, NM 87942, (505) 894-1293; e-mail: info@beadshow.com; Web site: www.beadshow.com.

17-18--Mesquite, TX: Show; Dallas Gem & Mineral Society; Resistol Arena Exhibition Hall, 1818 Rodeo Dr., LBJ Expwy. Exit 4; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $8, children $3; Scout badge training, kids' mine, door prizes, silent auctions, grand prize drawing, educational displays; contact Mike Russell, Dallas Gem & Mineral Society, P.O. Box 742033, Dallas, TX 75374, (214) 906-8834; e-mail: twinman72@yahoo.com; Web site: www.dallasgemandmineralshow.com.

23-25--Scottsdale, AZ: Show; Gem Faire Inc.; WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Rd.; Fri. 12-7, Sat. 10-7, Sun. 10-5; weekend pass $5; contact (503) 252-8300; e-mail: info@gemfaire.com; Web site: www.gemfaire.com.

24-25--Wickenburg, AZ: Show, "Way Out Wickenburg Way Gem and Art Show"; Wickenburg Gem & Mineral Club; Wickenburg Community Center, 160 N. Valentine St.; Sat. 9-4, Sun. 9-4; adults $3; door prizes, grab bags, silent auction; contact Lucille Burroughs, 481 America St., Wickenburg, AZ 85390, (928) 684-0099; e-mail: gnlu@w3az.net.

30- Dec 2--Austin, TX: Show, "Gem Capers 2007"; Austin Gem & Mineral Society; Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd.; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $5, 3 days $9, seniors $4, 3 days $7, ages 13-18 $1, ages 6-12 50 cents, children under 5 free; more than 30 vendors, mineral specimens, lapidary equipment, fossils, beads, jewelry, spheres, demonstrations, exhibits, fossil cleaning, gold panning, kids' gem mine, wheel of fortune, fluorescent tunnel tour, jewelry fabrication, door prizes; contact Susan Postlethwait, 6719 Burnet Ln., Austin, TX 78757, (512) 458-9546; e-mail: gemcapers@austin.rr.com; Web site: www.austingemandmineral.org.

30- Dec 2--El Paso, TX: Show; El Paso Mineral & Gem Society; El Maida Auditorium, 6331 Alabama; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; contact Gem Center USA, (877) 533-7153 or (915) 533-7153; e-mail: gemcenter@aol.com.

7-9--Longmont, CO: Annual show; Flatirons Mineral Club; Boulder County Fairgrounds, Exhibit Bldg., 9595 Nelson Rd., at Hover; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-5:30, Sun. 10-4; adults $2.50 Fri., $5 Sat. or Sun., children 13 and under free with paid adult; 13 dealers, gems, rocks, minerals, jewelry, lapidary equipment, exhibits, demonstrations, speakers, classes, wire-wrap, bead-stringing, gem tree making, kids' gold panning, scavenger hunt, mineral identification game, dig site, in conjunction with Boulder Model Railroad Club annual show; contact John Hurst, 2863 Nebrina Pl., Boulder, CO 80301, (303) 443-7885; e-mail: john.hurst2@comcast.net; Web site: http://bcn.boulder.co.us/community/fmc/fmcshow.htm.

1--Big Springs, TX: Annual show; Big Spring Prospector Club; Howard County Fair Barn, behind the Rodeo Arena; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-5; free admission; displays, jewelry repair, stone setting, glass bead and cabbing demonstrations, spinning wheel, hourly door prizes, kids' rocks, dealers; contact Lola Lamb, 2200 Cecillic, Big Spring, TX 79720, (432) 263-3340; e-mail: rockhound11@yahoo.com.

4-6--Mesa, AZ: 36th annual show, "Flagg Gem & Mineral Show"; Arizona Mineral and Mining Museum Foundation; Mesa Community College, Dobson Rd. and U.S. Hwy. 60; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-5; free admission; kids' activities, free samples for children and teachers, more than 80 vendors, minerals, fossils, gem and lapidary materials, special exhibits, Peralta Stones; contact AMMMF, P.O. Box 41834, Mesa, AZ 85274, (480) 987-8958; e-mail: dminerals@yahoo.com.

18-20--Globe, AZ: 51st annual show; Gila County Gem & Mineral Society; Gila County Fairgrounds, U.S. Hwy. 60; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; adults $2, high school students with ID and children with parents free; dealers, demonstrators, lapidary equipment, jewelry, books, tools, minerals, slabs, fossils, glass blowing, wirecraft, jewelry making, bead making, door prizes; contact Bill Morrow, (928) 812-0561, or Andy Clark, (928) 473-3042.

19-20--Fredrickburg, TX: 39th annual show; The Fredericksburg Rockhounds; Pioneer Pavilion, Lady Bird Johnson Park; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; free admission; hourly door prizes, raffle prizes, gold panning, fossils, gems, jewelry, exhibits, lapidary demonstrations, tame geologists, Rolling Rockhounds meeting; contact Jeff Smith, 208 Castle Pines Dr., Kerrville, TX 78028, (830) 895-9630; e-mail: jeffbrenda@ktc.com; Web site: www.fredericksburgrockhounds.org.

23-27--Quartzsite, AZ: 42nd annual show, "QIA Pow Wow"; Quartzsite Improvement Association; 235 E. Ironwood Dr.; Wed. 9-5, Thu. 9-5, Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-5; free admission; more than 400 vendors, rocks, gems, minerals, beads, wire wrap supplies, jewelry, fossils, lapidary, field trips, displays, demonstrations; contact Diane Abbott, P.O. Box 881, Quartzsite, AZ 85346-0881, (928) 927-6325; e-mail: powwow@qiaaz.org; Web site: www.qiaaz.org.

26-27--Tyler, TX: Show, "Gem, Mineral, Jewelry Showcase"; East Texas Gem & Mineral Society; Rose Garden Center, 420 S. Rose Park Dr.; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $3, students and children $1; Wheel of Fortune, silent auction, fluorescent mineral display; contact Keith Harmon, 8316 Oxford Dr., Tyler, TX 75703, (903) 581-4068; e-mail: kharmon1219@sbcglobal.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. 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. 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 geographic localities. This year I thought I’d concentrate on minerals named for some physical property that they possess.

This month’s MM is a phosphate found in pegmatite veins. It is orthorhombic but it never forms crystals because it is a product of complex oxidation of pre-existing minerals so it is found as massive material. It has two perfect cleavages at 90 degrees. It is always purplish-red in color with a dull or earthy luster and a red streak, Sp. Gr. = 3.4, H = 4 to 5, subtranslucent to opaque.

What is the name of the mineral?

What is the origin of the name?

What is/was it mined/used for?

What mineral(s) is it derived from?

Do you have some in your collection?

In NM –

In the USA –

In the world –

What is the name of the mineral? Cryolite

What is the origin of the name? Greek for frost stone or snow stone because the white stuff looks a lot like wet snow. (Cryogenics has the same root.)

What is/was it mined/used for? Cryolite was mined for processing aluminum metal. Purified bauxite is mixed into molten cryolite and aluminum metal form at one of the electrodes in the pot. It is now synthesized for that use.

What happens when a clear piece is immersed in water? It disappears! Because the index of refraction (1.334 +/-) is essentially identical to water (1.333 +/-) so that is why it looks like snow.

Do you have some in your collection? I do but it is just a massive chunk. I understand that clear crystals really disappear!

Chemistry – Cryolite is Li₃AlF₆ so it is only found in Li-rich pegmatites and similar rocks.

In NM – Point of Rocks

In the USA – CO (8 or so), ME, NV, NH, TX, VA, UT

In the world – GREENLAND (Ivigtut is the type locality), Brazil, Canada, Germany & Czech Republic, Namibia, Spain, Ukraine, Norway, Russia

Paul Hlava

NEXT MEETING: Monday, Nov 26^th, 2007. The Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club meets on the 4^th Monday of the month. All meetings are held at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, 1801 Mountain Road NW in Old Town, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The entrance is on 18^th Street. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. There is a short business meeting prior to the evening’s presentation, which begins at approximately 8:00 P.M.

by Mike Potts

Collecting Oregon sunstones and Nevada opals as seen on the Discovery Channel's "Cash and Treasures" program.

The reality of where, how and what to expect.

Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club

Jay Penn, Editor

PO Box 13718

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87192