El Gambrisino 2011-02
Content
Gem Crafters & Explorer's Club Bulletin, Las Cruces, NM
Affiliated with the AFMS and the RMFMS
EL GAMBRISINO
February 2011 - Volume 53 - Issue 2
Meeting Minutes 1-21
Submitted by Brenda Gadberry, Secretary Don Saathoff – Membership dues are due. It is $10.00 for a single or $10.00 and $2.00 for each additional family member. The membership application needs to be completed and signed at the bottom to implement the “waver”. Raffle tickets went up in price to reduce the number of tickets sold to increase the odds of winning. Tickets are now three for $1.00. The raffle will be changed to July, so there will be a second raffle this year in July at the potluck/swim party at Eric and Kathy Fuller’s house. It is also a larger venue. The date has not been determined. Are there any objections? Brecken Uhl - Motion to carry! Dave Smith – This is not an official meeting, it is a raffle, so there can not be any voting. Lee Attaway - Does everybody know the “Forest Service” will hold an open house meeting on the 29th of January from 10:00am until 4:00pm at the “Hotel Encanto”; I just want to make sure everybody knows. Eric Fuller – I have emailed the information concerning the “Forest Service” saying they can no longer maintain the roads. There is an article in the “Las Cruces Bulletin”. There will be a Rincon Trip this Sunday. We will meet at Ashley’s at 8:00am. We will be looking for fossils called “Sedge Onions”, and limb cast. Also, there are petroglyphs and Spanish markings. Don Saathoff – There are red tickets and white tickets, so when I call a number which will be the last four numbers, I will specify red or white ticket. (Raffle took place, with Don Saathoff calling out the ticket numbers) Don Saathoff - We had $238.25 worth of fun tonight. There will be a mineral meeting this Wednesday at my house at 6:00pm
Reminders & Gen. Info
Our next meeting will be as usual on the third Friday of the month, Feb. 18th, Room 118, Gardiner Hall on the NMSU campus, 6:30 PM for socializing and 7 PM for the meeting. Refreshments will be hosted by Valerie Peebles and Dave Shogren. The program will be given by one of own this month. Dave Shogren will present a slide presentation on Peru and the Amano Museum in Lima. Another reminder that your dues were due Jan. 1st. If not paid by the March meeting (there are some 28 members not paid as of this writing) you will be dropped from the membership roll and no longer receive the newsletter. Please fill out the application in full and sign it as it is needed for our liability insurance. A new member joined last month. Her name is Geri Dee. Let’s be sure to introduce ourselves and make her welcome. The DAAS will meet at 7 PM Tues. Feb. 8th at the Good Sam Auditorium 3011 Buena Vida Circle, LC; the speaker will be Margaret Berrier, an advocational rock art researcher, who will give a presentation “The Rock Art of Scandinavia”. The meeting is free. Info 5249497.
I want to remind you that we have two good rock & mineral shows coming up next month. Of course the Deming Show (flyer attached) which most of us attend but there is also the Albuquerque Club Show which is th March 18-20 . This is a great show, not as large as the Deming but has many quality dealers. It is well worth the trip up there. There will be brochures available for you at our meeting. Eric has scheduled a Campout to Old Hatchita on Feb. 20-22. More information to follow so watch your emails.
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club
THE RAFFLE Notes & Photos by Dave Shrogen
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Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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A large crowd of around 41 people was on hand for our annual find raiser. Cookie Saathoff and Molly Wilkinson sold tickets at a feverish pace before hand. The tickets went for .50 each or three for a dollar and a bargain at that. Several tables were set up to hold all the treasures and the typical (not so treasures). President Kathy Fuller turned the meeting/raffle gavel over to Don Saathoff who presided over the raffle and insured everything moved along smoothly. It was discussed that the Raffle may be changed to July and held in conjunction with the annual Pool Party and meeting hosted by the Fullers. Our present meeting room is short on space and then there is the noise factor to be considered as classes are sometimes in session during our meetings. This will be brought up and voted on at the next meeting Kathy and Eric Fuller had the first ticket drawn and once started it was a rush by the winning ticket holders to grab the best of the best from the tables. Around 8 o’clock Don started consolidating what was left on the tables as winners were somewhat reluctant to take what was left (the not so treasures). Russ Franz had the last winning ticket hence the grumpy look in his picture. Cookie reported that a total of $238.25 worth of tickets were sold. And with that another fun Raffle came to a close. Wilma Hutson and decisions, decisions, decisions
Don Saathoff
. Cookie & Pat selling tickets before the meeting
Another treasure found
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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Russ (the Grump) Franz – looks like his # hasn’t come up yet.
A
HOW TO MAKE A CABOCHON By Jon Sams From Rockhound Rumblings, June 1994 (7th Place AFMS 1995 Adult Article)
I do not claim to know all that there is to know about making a cabochon but the following are some tips that work well for me. Select good material free of visible cracks and defects, as nothing is more discouraging than to get a stone ground and polished only to find a fine crack or pit in it. (This phenomenon seems to read its ugly head often enough anyhow.)
double template is not mandatory but will help locate cracks or imperfections that show up on the opposite side of your slab. This lets you locate your template to miss cracks on you cab. 2- Next go to the trim saw and cut the slab to the shape of the cabochon allowing approximately 1/16” clearance on all sides. (Note the order of cuts made, i.e. cut 1, etc.)
1- Take your selected slab of rock and using a double template slip the slab between the two templates. Move it around to get the best picture, scene, or size that can be made of the slab and that best suits you. Turn the template and slab over to see that there are no defects or cracks showing. If none are evident choose which side you want for the top. Turn it over and mark the back of the slab with a sharp aluminum or brass scribe being sure to mark as close to the template as possible.
Always cut in straight lines leaving about 1/16” clearance oversize on all sides. There are also cutters that resemble a glass cutter that may be used instead of a trim saw, but these will not work on all materials. 3- Going to the coarse grit (80-100) wheel on the grinder, grind the cab to the shape you have scribed. Grinding from the back and tapering smaller on the front at about 10 degrees, until you have a good fit on a single template 1/3 to ½ way down onto the cabochon.
Cont’d. on page 4
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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. I grind from the back to the front. Reasons: A- It is not as easy to grind too small and is easier to control bevel. B- If chipping on the edge occurs, chances are it will ground off when top is domed. If cab is ground from front to back and chipping occurs, it may chip bad enough so that it cannot be ground out and still make the same size of cab. Also, there is a natural tendency to back bevel which makes the cab nearly impossible to mount. C- Lay the cabochon bottom down on a smooth flat surface such as a piece of glass or Formica topped table. Take your scribe and mark around the cab approximately half way up from the bottom. When beginning you may also want to scribe the cab on the top lengthwise and crosswise. (This last step is optional but is quite helpful when beginning cab making.) Carefully grind from the center scribe line to top evenly all the way around the cab. On larger cabs you may want to make 3 or 4 grinds to achieve a proper dome. As you grind toward the center the top scribes should disappear evenly. Be careful to not grind the top with the rough grind. Next use a rocking motion to round off tapers to a smooth oval going evenly all the way around the cab starting at the halfway mark on the edge and working toward the center being careful not to go over the top.
6- Grind the sides of the cab with the fine stone (220) to take out all the rough grinding marks and to fit the single template but not quite go through. Now take the rough grinding marks off the dome and smooth up. Now is the time to take the sharp corner off the back of the cab (a light touch is sufficient). 7- Dop the cab on a suitable dop stick. 8- Proceed on successive sanding wheels (220-400600) smoothing first edges, then the dome until the cabochon is smooth using the same procedure as #5 and #6. 5- Grind the top to an oval being sure not to grind the top center with the rough wheel. (This last step is optional but is quite helpful when beginning cab making.) 9- Take the cab to the polisher and polish with a leather buff with cerium or tin oxide compound.
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club Trips & Such:
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Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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Field Trip to Rincon January 23, 2011
By Kathy Fuller
The club took a field trip to Rincon to look for fossils rd and petroglyphs on Sunday the 23 . A total of eight vehicles and 15 people met at Ashley’s for the departure. Later, two more vehicles and five more people joined the group. It was a good turnout! The weather was mild at Ashley’s, but was windy and cold at Rincon. The trip was led by Eric Fuller. Upon arrival the group went looking for a petroglyph of a rider (conquistador?) on a horse. No luck there. It should be noted that the Rincon site had lots of modern trash all over the place. Too bad some people just don’t respect our land. Next was a trip to the top of the mountain to look at some of the Spanish petroglyphs (ENTERO LOS INDS) and some of the older Indian petroglyphs. After that the group went down and located the fossil “onions”, which were apparently the root nodules for the plant. Some type of a “Sedge”. The onions were small ¼ - 3/8”. The stalks were 1/8 -5/16” in diameter and about 2½“ long. Doug Hall located some interesting weathering on a sand stone layer. Some of the group departed early to watch football games. Eric took four members to the lower petroglyphs and none of those members had been to the Rincon site before. They checked out the older Indian petroglyphs and the old Spanish, Mexican, Apache and early Anglo petroglyphs. The afternoon ended up sunny and mild.
photo by Dorian Rudin
Spanish Glyph maybe showing the way to a mine?
photo by Eric Fuller
Finally to the petroglyphs
Photo by Eric Fuller
One of the limbs founds photo by Dorian Rudin
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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I have recently been diagnosed with AAADD
Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. From Cyberspace. Anonymous of course.
This is how it goes... I decide to do work on the car, start to the garage and notice the mail on the table. OK, I’m going to work on the car... BUT FIRST I’m going to go through the mail. Lay car keys down on desk. After discarding the junk mail, I notice the trash can is full. OK, I’ll just put the bills on my desk.. .. BUT FIRST I’ll take the trash out, but since I’m going to be near the mail box., I’ll address a few bills.... Yes, now where is the checkbook? Apache glyph of an anglo photo by Eric Fuller Oops… there’s only one check left. Where did I put the extra checks? Oh, there is my empty plastic cup from last night on my desk. I’m going to look for those checks... BUT FIRST I need to put the cup back in the kitchen. 1 head for the kitchen, look out the window, notice the flowers need a drink of water, I put the cup on the counter and there’s my extra pair of glasses on the kitchen counter. What are they doing here? I’ll just put them away... BUT FIRST need to water those plants. I head for the door and... Aaaagh! Someone left the TV remote on the wrong spot. Okay, I’ll put the remote away and water the plants... A rather cold & overcast morning photo by Dorian Rudin BUT FIRST I need to find those checks. END OF DAY: Oil in car not changed, bills still unpaid, cup still in the sink, checkbook still has only one check left, lost my car keys, And, when I try to figure out how come nothing got done today, I’m baffled because.. . I KNOW I WAS BUSY ALL DAY! I realize this condition is serious.. .I’d get help.. .BUT FIRST.. I think I’ll check my e-mail. Via Gravel Gazette 9/01 & the internet
One of the marsh fossils photo by Dorian Rudin
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club THE MINERAL SODALITE
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 10, November 2010
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Chemistry: Na4Al3 (SiO4)3Cl, Sodium Aluminum Silicate Chloride. Class: Silicates Subclass: Tectosilicates Group: Sodalite and feldspathoid groups. Uses: mineral specimens and ornamental stone Sodalite is a scarce mineral that can be rock forming. Sodalite is named in reference to its sodium content. It is used for carvings and some jewelry pieces. Its light to dark pure blue color is well known in the semiprecious stone trade. Sodalite is a member of the feldspathoid group of minerals. Minerals whose chemistries are close to that of the alkali feldspars but are poor in silica (SiO2) content, are called feldspathoids. As a result or more correctly as a function of the fact, they are found in silica poor rocks containing other silica poor minerals and no quartz. If quartz were present when the melt was crystallizing, it would react with any feldspathoids and form feldspar. Localities that have feldspathoids are few but some produce large quantities of sodalite. Sodalite, when not blue, is hard to distinguish from other feldspathoids. It is the only feldspathoid that contains chlorine. Sodalite dissolved in a dilute solution of HNO3 gives a positive chlorine test obtained from some swimming pool test kits. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Color is blue, white, gray, or even green. Luster is vitreous or greasy. Transparency: Crystals are transparent to translucent, massive specimens are opaque. Crystal System: Isometric; bar 4 3/m. Crystal Habits: Dodecahedral crystals have been found, usually massive as a rock forming mineral. Cleavage is poor, in six directions, but rarely seen. Fracture is uneven. Streak is white. Hardness is 5.5 - 6.0 Specific Gravity is 2.1 - 2.3 Associated Minerals are calcite, nepheline, cancrinite and other feldspathoids. http://www.classicgranite.net/index.php Notable Occurrences include Bancroft, Ontario; Mt. Vesuvius, Italy; Brazil; Ice River area, British Columbia and Maine, USA. Best Field Indicators are color if blue, lack of pyrite association (as in lazurite), hardness and associations. Via The Cutting Edge 02/09
A foot is a device for finding a rock when you are looking the other way! OUCH
via Golden Spike News 8/01
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club
QUARTZSITE 2011 by Maxine Wyman
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 10, November 2010
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Quartzsite, after all my failed plans through the years to attend this event I finally made. No horrible weather, no flu, no unplanned visitors to take care of, just clear sailing this year so off I went planning to attend the SCRIBE annual nd meeting on Saturday the 22 and then take several days to scope out the rock shows. After an uneventful nine and a half hour drive I arrived at my motel, checked in and then took off to see what I could see of the town. Holy Moly……… talk about people and traffic. When it’s said the little town of Quartzsite, which has a population of some 3,900 permanent residents, swells up to one million in January and Feburary I was a skeptic but am a believer now. Never seen so many motor homes in one place. When on the only high spots in town, top of the overpasses, one could see the sun glinting off the motor homes out in the desert as far as the eye could see. After locating the Senior Center where my meeting was to take place I ventured into the Desert Gardens Rock Show area as there were a few parking spaces available but had only about a half hour before everyone started closing up. At least I now had the lay of the land and shows and was primed for the weekend. Arriving at the Senor Center a little early Saturday we had to wait a bit as no one had shown up to unlock the doors for us. SCRIBE/Special Congress Representing Involved Newsletter Editors is an organization I have belonged to for the last several years. They put out a newsletter with helpful hints for editors, articles and such. They also put out a DVD every year with newsletters from all over the country so one can see what other clubs are doing. It’s been a boon for me and I was anxious to meet some of the other editors. Also the speaker was slated to be Bob Jones, not only the senior editor of Rock & Gem magazine but a noted mineral collector and writer. After the business meeting our speaker Bob Jones was introduced. He is a good speaker and gave us a really interesting talk – a pep talk of sorts. He told us many interesting little stories about his involvement with the magagzine and collecting and mineral topics to write about. It was worth the trip just to hear him talk. Best part is I got to chat with him for awhile after the meeting. Several of the folks that I had wanted to meet didn’t make it this year and those that came disappeared pretty fast when it ended. As I was leaving a little bird told me that Bob just might be there again next year so I just might have to make that drive once again next year. Saturday was spent at the QIA Pow Wow and what a lot of fun. I was soon on overload mode what with all the rocks, slabs, lapidary equipment, beads, jewelry and – well, you get the idea. However there were few mineral dealers which was a disappointment. The QIA put on a teriffic buffet (came highly recommended) which I partook of; very good. When the shops started closing I headed back to the motel, still full from that late lunch and just vegetated the evening away. Sunday was spent going from one show to another, fighting traffic and crowds all the way, and I found myself looking at thousands of slabs even though there was that promise to
myself that I wouldn’t look at any as my slab box (boxes?) were already packed full. The Tiffany Stone slab couldn’t be resisted as were several others however. Then there were some antique vendors – fun but did not find anything that called to me. One huge tent was full of hides, skins, bones, feathers and such. It was like something you see at reenactments only ten times larger. It was pretty neat and no, I didn’t buy anything though I was tempted by a cowhide. Monday was motel checkout time and then headed for the Tyson Wells show but at nine o’clock am there wasn’t a place to park within a mile (?), traffic and people all over also looking for a parking spot so said I to myself “Self, who needs this” and headed the Cherokee for home. Ten hours later I drove into my yard. Those Organs sure are beautiful and it was sure good to be back home. It was an exciting and fun filled trip but one would need a lot more time than I allowed myself to see all there is to see. Can’t say I wasn’t warned.
Here I am with a little piece of Mookite from Australia. It was to big to put in my purse so had to leave it at the Pow Wow.
For all you gold lovers out there. What can I say other than you should have been there.
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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This is for us Tourquoise lovers. Chinese and very large.
I couldn’t resist this guy but again he was to large for my purse and besides he wasn’t for sale.
Here’s a bit of local history that I thought you might enjoy reading. Things were quite different back in those days. The descriptive language must have been quite convincing. How times have changed although many politicians still fit the description. Courtesy of Eric Fuller
Albert Fall's Closing Argument in defense of Oliver Lee at the Fountain Murder Trial
I ask for no white mantle of charity for these men. I desire no vindication. I ask simply stern justice. If the evidence in this case convinces you that these men murdered little Henry Fountain, you must convict. There is no alternative. If you are not so convinced, turn them loose. You are no doubt surprised to learn that such a state of affairs can exist as that in Dona Ana County. In many streams there is a point at a sharp bend where the water pauses in its flow and forms an eddy. Around the edges the slime gathers, and froth and logs and dead leaves, and all manner of floating filth. The moss and ferns grow dank, and the shadowy places are haunted by creeping things. Snakes come out of their hiding places and bask in the sun on the slimy logs, and if they are disturbed in their retreat, they sting in the heel the man who is so foolish as to venture there. Dona Ana County is just such a dead eddy. Under the territorial form of government the public officers do not hold office by choice of the people, but are appointed by the federal powers. There in Dona Ana County have gathered together, as does the slimy filth on the edges of the dead eddy, a lot of broken-down old political hacks. They bask in the sun of political preferment, like the serpents stretched out on the dead logs. They never got an honest dollar in their lives, and do not know how to earn one except by serving the people, forsooth, in public office. It was in just such a dead eddy as I have described that there arose this plot for the persecution of Oliver Lee…. Our defense is an alibi, clearly proved. You would not hang a yellow dog on the evidence that has bee presented here, much less two men.
We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to work its way through Congress. - Will Rogers
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club UP COMING SHOW Dates:
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Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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FEB 14-16--GLOBE, ARIZONA: 54th annual show; Gila Co. Gem & Mineral Society; Gila County Fair Grounds, 3 mi. north of US 60-70 Junction; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; live demonstrations, door prizes, displays, minerals, jewelry; contact Val Lathem, (602) 466-3060; e-mail: [email protected] FEB 10-13, 2011 TUCSON, AZ: 2011 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show™, "Minerals of California", Tucson Convention Center, Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Sunday; 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. contact [email protected] or see www.tgms.org FEB 15-16--FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS: 42nd annual show, "Hill Country Gem & Mineral Show"; Fredericksburg Rockhounds; Pioneer Pavilion, Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; free admission; contact Jeff Smith, 208 Castle Pines Dr., Kerrville, TX 78028, (830) 895-9630; e-mail: [email protected] ; Web site: www.fredericksburgrockhounds.org MAR 10-13--DEMING, NEW MEXICO, 46TH annual Rockhound Roundup, S>W> New Mexico Fairgrounds, Deming, NM. Thurs. thru Sun. 9-5 pm. Free Admission. Jewelry & Rock related items, Lapidary Equipment, Displays and Demonstrations, Guided Field Trips; contact Bud Daily 575-267-4399; web site www.dgms.bravehost.com MAR 18-20--ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO: 42nd annual show, “Treasures of the Earth"; Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club; Creative Arts Center Bldg., State Fair Grounds, EXPO NM (San Pedro entrance); Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $1 Fri., $3 Sat. and Sun., kids 12 and under free; more than 40 dealers, displays, door prizes, silent auctions, mineral and gem identification, juniors' booth, live wolf, geode cracking, faceting demonstration, gold panning and more; contact Paul Hlava, (505) 255-5478; e-mail: [email protected] MAR 26-27—ANGELS CAMP, CALIFORNIA: Show, “Jump for the Gold”; Calaveras Gem & Mineral Society; Calaveras County Fairground, 101 Frogtown Rd.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; adults $4, children 12 and under free with paying adult; exhibits, demonstrations, kids’ activities, silent auction, sales, raffle, door prizes, dealers, fossils, jewelry, meteorites, books, lapidary supplies, slabs, gems, beads; contact Tak Iwata, 18310 Coyote Meadow Rd., Sonora, CA 95370, (209) 928-5579; e-mail: [email protected] ; Web site: www.calaverasgemandmineral.org APR 9-10—ABILENE, TEXAS: Show and sale; Central Texas Gem & Mineral Society; Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. 6th; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $3, children $1.50; geode cracking, fossils, minerals, gems, jewelry, lapidary demonstrations, findings, beads, tools, supplies, rough; contact Betty Scarborough, 422 CR 606, Tuscola, TX 79562, (325) 668-2374; e-mail: [email protected] ; Web site: www.txol.net/rockclub APR 15-17—ALPINE, TEXAS: Show, “Alpine Agate Festival”; Chihuahuan Desert Gem & Mineral Club; Alpine Civic Center, Hwy. 90W and 13th St. N; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 11-5; free admission; South Central Federation convention, grand prize, door prizes, silent auctions, field trips, kids’ corner, demo dealers; contact Mary Brogan, P.O. Box 1111, Alpine, TX 79831, (432) 386-2340; e-mail: [email protected] ; Web site: www.cdgmc.org MAY 30-1—LUBBOCK, TEXAS: 53rd annual gem and mineral show; Lubbock Gem & Mineral Society; Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Ln.; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults (13+) $4, seniors (65+) $3, ages 6-12 $2, under 6 free with adult; wire-wrapped stones, precious stones, jewelry, minerals, fossils, rough rock, dealers, demonstrators, exhibits, hourly door prizes, silent auction, grand prizes; contact Archie Scott, 2709 Belvedere Rd., Levelland, TX 79336, (806) 894-1584; e-mail: [email protected]
For further information or shows please check: www.rockngem.com Who knows, there just might be a good rock show in the area of your travels.
Thought for the Day:
Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong. .
Please send me any of your favorites that you
Some Interesting Web Sites for you to Check Out
think others might be interested in and I will pass them along..
http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/clublist.shtml A list of all rock clubs in the USA
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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Gemcrafters & Explorers Club, P.O. Box 3091, Las Cruces, NM 88003
Member of: American Federation of Mineralogical Societies Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies Blue Ribbon Coalition www.amfed.org www.rmfms.org www.sharetrails.org
2011 OFFICERS & Volunteers:
President – Vice President – Treasurer – Secretary Refreshments Historian Program Director Newsletter EditorKathy Fuller Al Spencer Pat Grace Brenda Gadberry Pat Mauer Don Saathoff Eric Fuller Maxine Wyman 534-0204 405-1939 202-2862 202-0200 526-4939 382-3464 524-0204 649-4900 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
We meet on the third Friday of the month at Gardiner Hall, Room 118, NMSU campus, Las Cruces, NM at 6:30 pm for social and 7 pm for the meeting. There are no meetings in July and December. Dues are $10 per person per year and each additional family member is $2 per year. They are due Jan. 1st of each year. A membership form will be emailed or mailed to you in December to be filled out and returned with your check BY MAIL to the treasurer.
Our purpose shall be to gather knowledge and provide educational benefits to members on geological, archaeological, lapidary, and mineralogical topics of interest, to include assistance to members in all lapidary problems, the study and identification of minerals and gem stones in the rough, the field study of geological formations which produce minerals and gem stones, the collection of minerals and gemstones, and the exploration of any geological or archaeological topic or area which may be of interest to the membership.
NOTE: All articles and photographs are by the Editor Maxine Wyman unless otherwise noted. Any address or email changes must be sent to me at: [email protected]
Info for the Newsletter:
If you have information, articles, pictures or a website related to gem crafting, rock collecting or exploring and would like to share please give me a call at 649-4900 or email me at [email protected] If you have a good idea or story to tell I will be more than happy to help you write it up. Also if you have minerals, outdoor or camping equipment, etc. that you would like to sell please let me know for our FREE "Classifieds." Maxine Wyman, Editor
Affiliated with the AFMS and the RMFMS
EL GAMBRISINO
February 2011 - Volume 53 - Issue 2
Meeting Minutes 1-21
Submitted by Brenda Gadberry, Secretary Don Saathoff – Membership dues are due. It is $10.00 for a single or $10.00 and $2.00 for each additional family member. The membership application needs to be completed and signed at the bottom to implement the “waver”. Raffle tickets went up in price to reduce the number of tickets sold to increase the odds of winning. Tickets are now three for $1.00. The raffle will be changed to July, so there will be a second raffle this year in July at the potluck/swim party at Eric and Kathy Fuller’s house. It is also a larger venue. The date has not been determined. Are there any objections? Brecken Uhl - Motion to carry! Dave Smith – This is not an official meeting, it is a raffle, so there can not be any voting. Lee Attaway - Does everybody know the “Forest Service” will hold an open house meeting on the 29th of January from 10:00am until 4:00pm at the “Hotel Encanto”; I just want to make sure everybody knows. Eric Fuller – I have emailed the information concerning the “Forest Service” saying they can no longer maintain the roads. There is an article in the “Las Cruces Bulletin”. There will be a Rincon Trip this Sunday. We will meet at Ashley’s at 8:00am. We will be looking for fossils called “Sedge Onions”, and limb cast. Also, there are petroglyphs and Spanish markings. Don Saathoff – There are red tickets and white tickets, so when I call a number which will be the last four numbers, I will specify red or white ticket. (Raffle took place, with Don Saathoff calling out the ticket numbers) Don Saathoff - We had $238.25 worth of fun tonight. There will be a mineral meeting this Wednesday at my house at 6:00pm
Reminders & Gen. Info
Our next meeting will be as usual on the third Friday of the month, Feb. 18th, Room 118, Gardiner Hall on the NMSU campus, 6:30 PM for socializing and 7 PM for the meeting. Refreshments will be hosted by Valerie Peebles and Dave Shogren. The program will be given by one of own this month. Dave Shogren will present a slide presentation on Peru and the Amano Museum in Lima. Another reminder that your dues were due Jan. 1st. If not paid by the March meeting (there are some 28 members not paid as of this writing) you will be dropped from the membership roll and no longer receive the newsletter. Please fill out the application in full and sign it as it is needed for our liability insurance. A new member joined last month. Her name is Geri Dee. Let’s be sure to introduce ourselves and make her welcome. The DAAS will meet at 7 PM Tues. Feb. 8th at the Good Sam Auditorium 3011 Buena Vida Circle, LC; the speaker will be Margaret Berrier, an advocational rock art researcher, who will give a presentation “The Rock Art of Scandinavia”. The meeting is free. Info 5249497.
I want to remind you that we have two good rock & mineral shows coming up next month. Of course the Deming Show (flyer attached) which most of us attend but there is also the Albuquerque Club Show which is th March 18-20 . This is a great show, not as large as the Deming but has many quality dealers. It is well worth the trip up there. There will be brochures available for you at our meeting. Eric has scheduled a Campout to Old Hatchita on Feb. 20-22. More information to follow so watch your emails.
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club
THE RAFFLE Notes & Photos by Dave Shrogen
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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A large crowd of around 41 people was on hand for our annual find raiser. Cookie Saathoff and Molly Wilkinson sold tickets at a feverish pace before hand. The tickets went for .50 each or three for a dollar and a bargain at that. Several tables were set up to hold all the treasures and the typical (not so treasures). President Kathy Fuller turned the meeting/raffle gavel over to Don Saathoff who presided over the raffle and insured everything moved along smoothly. It was discussed that the Raffle may be changed to July and held in conjunction with the annual Pool Party and meeting hosted by the Fullers. Our present meeting room is short on space and then there is the noise factor to be considered as classes are sometimes in session during our meetings. This will be brought up and voted on at the next meeting Kathy and Eric Fuller had the first ticket drawn and once started it was a rush by the winning ticket holders to grab the best of the best from the tables. Around 8 o’clock Don started consolidating what was left on the tables as winners were somewhat reluctant to take what was left (the not so treasures). Russ Franz had the last winning ticket hence the grumpy look in his picture. Cookie reported that a total of $238.25 worth of tickets were sold. And with that another fun Raffle came to a close. Wilma Hutson and decisions, decisions, decisions
Don Saathoff
. Cookie & Pat selling tickets before the meeting
Another treasure found
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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Russ (the Grump) Franz – looks like his # hasn’t come up yet.
A
HOW TO MAKE A CABOCHON By Jon Sams From Rockhound Rumblings, June 1994 (7th Place AFMS 1995 Adult Article)
I do not claim to know all that there is to know about making a cabochon but the following are some tips that work well for me. Select good material free of visible cracks and defects, as nothing is more discouraging than to get a stone ground and polished only to find a fine crack or pit in it. (This phenomenon seems to read its ugly head often enough anyhow.)
double template is not mandatory but will help locate cracks or imperfections that show up on the opposite side of your slab. This lets you locate your template to miss cracks on you cab. 2- Next go to the trim saw and cut the slab to the shape of the cabochon allowing approximately 1/16” clearance on all sides. (Note the order of cuts made, i.e. cut 1, etc.)
1- Take your selected slab of rock and using a double template slip the slab between the two templates. Move it around to get the best picture, scene, or size that can be made of the slab and that best suits you. Turn the template and slab over to see that there are no defects or cracks showing. If none are evident choose which side you want for the top. Turn it over and mark the back of the slab with a sharp aluminum or brass scribe being sure to mark as close to the template as possible.
Always cut in straight lines leaving about 1/16” clearance oversize on all sides. There are also cutters that resemble a glass cutter that may be used instead of a trim saw, but these will not work on all materials. 3- Going to the coarse grit (80-100) wheel on the grinder, grind the cab to the shape you have scribed. Grinding from the back and tapering smaller on the front at about 10 degrees, until you have a good fit on a single template 1/3 to ½ way down onto the cabochon.
Cont’d. on page 4
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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. I grind from the back to the front. Reasons: A- It is not as easy to grind too small and is easier to control bevel. B- If chipping on the edge occurs, chances are it will ground off when top is domed. If cab is ground from front to back and chipping occurs, it may chip bad enough so that it cannot be ground out and still make the same size of cab. Also, there is a natural tendency to back bevel which makes the cab nearly impossible to mount. C- Lay the cabochon bottom down on a smooth flat surface such as a piece of glass or Formica topped table. Take your scribe and mark around the cab approximately half way up from the bottom. When beginning you may also want to scribe the cab on the top lengthwise and crosswise. (This last step is optional but is quite helpful when beginning cab making.) Carefully grind from the center scribe line to top evenly all the way around the cab. On larger cabs you may want to make 3 or 4 grinds to achieve a proper dome. As you grind toward the center the top scribes should disappear evenly. Be careful to not grind the top with the rough grind. Next use a rocking motion to round off tapers to a smooth oval going evenly all the way around the cab starting at the halfway mark on the edge and working toward the center being careful not to go over the top.
6- Grind the sides of the cab with the fine stone (220) to take out all the rough grinding marks and to fit the single template but not quite go through. Now take the rough grinding marks off the dome and smooth up. Now is the time to take the sharp corner off the back of the cab (a light touch is sufficient). 7- Dop the cab on a suitable dop stick. 8- Proceed on successive sanding wheels (220-400600) smoothing first edges, then the dome until the cabochon is smooth using the same procedure as #5 and #6. 5- Grind the top to an oval being sure not to grind the top center with the rough wheel. (This last step is optional but is quite helpful when beginning cab making.) 9- Take the cab to the polisher and polish with a leather buff with cerium or tin oxide compound.
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club Trips & Such:
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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Field Trip to Rincon January 23, 2011
By Kathy Fuller
The club took a field trip to Rincon to look for fossils rd and petroglyphs on Sunday the 23 . A total of eight vehicles and 15 people met at Ashley’s for the departure. Later, two more vehicles and five more people joined the group. It was a good turnout! The weather was mild at Ashley’s, but was windy and cold at Rincon. The trip was led by Eric Fuller. Upon arrival the group went looking for a petroglyph of a rider (conquistador?) on a horse. No luck there. It should be noted that the Rincon site had lots of modern trash all over the place. Too bad some people just don’t respect our land. Next was a trip to the top of the mountain to look at some of the Spanish petroglyphs (ENTERO LOS INDS) and some of the older Indian petroglyphs. After that the group went down and located the fossil “onions”, which were apparently the root nodules for the plant. Some type of a “Sedge”. The onions were small ¼ - 3/8”. The stalks were 1/8 -5/16” in diameter and about 2½“ long. Doug Hall located some interesting weathering on a sand stone layer. Some of the group departed early to watch football games. Eric took four members to the lower petroglyphs and none of those members had been to the Rincon site before. They checked out the older Indian petroglyphs and the old Spanish, Mexican, Apache and early Anglo petroglyphs. The afternoon ended up sunny and mild.
photo by Dorian Rudin
Spanish Glyph maybe showing the way to a mine?
photo by Eric Fuller
Finally to the petroglyphs
Photo by Eric Fuller
One of the limbs founds photo by Dorian Rudin
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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I have recently been diagnosed with AAADD
Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. From Cyberspace. Anonymous of course.
This is how it goes... I decide to do work on the car, start to the garage and notice the mail on the table. OK, I’m going to work on the car... BUT FIRST I’m going to go through the mail. Lay car keys down on desk. After discarding the junk mail, I notice the trash can is full. OK, I’ll just put the bills on my desk.. .. BUT FIRST I’ll take the trash out, but since I’m going to be near the mail box., I’ll address a few bills.... Yes, now where is the checkbook? Apache glyph of an anglo photo by Eric Fuller Oops… there’s only one check left. Where did I put the extra checks? Oh, there is my empty plastic cup from last night on my desk. I’m going to look for those checks... BUT FIRST I need to put the cup back in the kitchen. 1 head for the kitchen, look out the window, notice the flowers need a drink of water, I put the cup on the counter and there’s my extra pair of glasses on the kitchen counter. What are they doing here? I’ll just put them away... BUT FIRST need to water those plants. I head for the door and... Aaaagh! Someone left the TV remote on the wrong spot. Okay, I’ll put the remote away and water the plants... A rather cold & overcast morning photo by Dorian Rudin BUT FIRST I need to find those checks. END OF DAY: Oil in car not changed, bills still unpaid, cup still in the sink, checkbook still has only one check left, lost my car keys, And, when I try to figure out how come nothing got done today, I’m baffled because.. . I KNOW I WAS BUSY ALL DAY! I realize this condition is serious.. .I’d get help.. .BUT FIRST.. I think I’ll check my e-mail. Via Gravel Gazette 9/01 & the internet
One of the marsh fossils photo by Dorian Rudin
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club THE MINERAL SODALITE
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 10, November 2010
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Chemistry: Na4Al3 (SiO4)3Cl, Sodium Aluminum Silicate Chloride. Class: Silicates Subclass: Tectosilicates Group: Sodalite and feldspathoid groups. Uses: mineral specimens and ornamental stone Sodalite is a scarce mineral that can be rock forming. Sodalite is named in reference to its sodium content. It is used for carvings and some jewelry pieces. Its light to dark pure blue color is well known in the semiprecious stone trade. Sodalite is a member of the feldspathoid group of minerals. Minerals whose chemistries are close to that of the alkali feldspars but are poor in silica (SiO2) content, are called feldspathoids. As a result or more correctly as a function of the fact, they are found in silica poor rocks containing other silica poor minerals and no quartz. If quartz were present when the melt was crystallizing, it would react with any feldspathoids and form feldspar. Localities that have feldspathoids are few but some produce large quantities of sodalite. Sodalite, when not blue, is hard to distinguish from other feldspathoids. It is the only feldspathoid that contains chlorine. Sodalite dissolved in a dilute solution of HNO3 gives a positive chlorine test obtained from some swimming pool test kits. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Color is blue, white, gray, or even green. Luster is vitreous or greasy. Transparency: Crystals are transparent to translucent, massive specimens are opaque. Crystal System: Isometric; bar 4 3/m. Crystal Habits: Dodecahedral crystals have been found, usually massive as a rock forming mineral. Cleavage is poor, in six directions, but rarely seen. Fracture is uneven. Streak is white. Hardness is 5.5 - 6.0 Specific Gravity is 2.1 - 2.3 Associated Minerals are calcite, nepheline, cancrinite and other feldspathoids. http://www.classicgranite.net/index.php Notable Occurrences include Bancroft, Ontario; Mt. Vesuvius, Italy; Brazil; Ice River area, British Columbia and Maine, USA. Best Field Indicators are color if blue, lack of pyrite association (as in lazurite), hardness and associations. Via The Cutting Edge 02/09
A foot is a device for finding a rock when you are looking the other way! OUCH
via Golden Spike News 8/01
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club
QUARTZSITE 2011 by Maxine Wyman
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 10, November 2010
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Quartzsite, after all my failed plans through the years to attend this event I finally made. No horrible weather, no flu, no unplanned visitors to take care of, just clear sailing this year so off I went planning to attend the SCRIBE annual nd meeting on Saturday the 22 and then take several days to scope out the rock shows. After an uneventful nine and a half hour drive I arrived at my motel, checked in and then took off to see what I could see of the town. Holy Moly……… talk about people and traffic. When it’s said the little town of Quartzsite, which has a population of some 3,900 permanent residents, swells up to one million in January and Feburary I was a skeptic but am a believer now. Never seen so many motor homes in one place. When on the only high spots in town, top of the overpasses, one could see the sun glinting off the motor homes out in the desert as far as the eye could see. After locating the Senior Center where my meeting was to take place I ventured into the Desert Gardens Rock Show area as there were a few parking spaces available but had only about a half hour before everyone started closing up. At least I now had the lay of the land and shows and was primed for the weekend. Arriving at the Senor Center a little early Saturday we had to wait a bit as no one had shown up to unlock the doors for us. SCRIBE/Special Congress Representing Involved Newsletter Editors is an organization I have belonged to for the last several years. They put out a newsletter with helpful hints for editors, articles and such. They also put out a DVD every year with newsletters from all over the country so one can see what other clubs are doing. It’s been a boon for me and I was anxious to meet some of the other editors. Also the speaker was slated to be Bob Jones, not only the senior editor of Rock & Gem magazine but a noted mineral collector and writer. After the business meeting our speaker Bob Jones was introduced. He is a good speaker and gave us a really interesting talk – a pep talk of sorts. He told us many interesting little stories about his involvement with the magagzine and collecting and mineral topics to write about. It was worth the trip just to hear him talk. Best part is I got to chat with him for awhile after the meeting. Several of the folks that I had wanted to meet didn’t make it this year and those that came disappeared pretty fast when it ended. As I was leaving a little bird told me that Bob just might be there again next year so I just might have to make that drive once again next year. Saturday was spent at the QIA Pow Wow and what a lot of fun. I was soon on overload mode what with all the rocks, slabs, lapidary equipment, beads, jewelry and – well, you get the idea. However there were few mineral dealers which was a disappointment. The QIA put on a teriffic buffet (came highly recommended) which I partook of; very good. When the shops started closing I headed back to the motel, still full from that late lunch and just vegetated the evening away. Sunday was spent going from one show to another, fighting traffic and crowds all the way, and I found myself looking at thousands of slabs even though there was that promise to
myself that I wouldn’t look at any as my slab box (boxes?) were already packed full. The Tiffany Stone slab couldn’t be resisted as were several others however. Then there were some antique vendors – fun but did not find anything that called to me. One huge tent was full of hides, skins, bones, feathers and such. It was like something you see at reenactments only ten times larger. It was pretty neat and no, I didn’t buy anything though I was tempted by a cowhide. Monday was motel checkout time and then headed for the Tyson Wells show but at nine o’clock am there wasn’t a place to park within a mile (?), traffic and people all over also looking for a parking spot so said I to myself “Self, who needs this” and headed the Cherokee for home. Ten hours later I drove into my yard. Those Organs sure are beautiful and it was sure good to be back home. It was an exciting and fun filled trip but one would need a lot more time than I allowed myself to see all there is to see. Can’t say I wasn’t warned.
Here I am with a little piece of Mookite from Australia. It was to big to put in my purse so had to leave it at the Pow Wow.
For all you gold lovers out there. What can I say other than you should have been there.
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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This is for us Tourquoise lovers. Chinese and very large.
I couldn’t resist this guy but again he was to large for my purse and besides he wasn’t for sale.
Here’s a bit of local history that I thought you might enjoy reading. Things were quite different back in those days. The descriptive language must have been quite convincing. How times have changed although many politicians still fit the description. Courtesy of Eric Fuller
Albert Fall's Closing Argument in defense of Oliver Lee at the Fountain Murder Trial
I ask for no white mantle of charity for these men. I desire no vindication. I ask simply stern justice. If the evidence in this case convinces you that these men murdered little Henry Fountain, you must convict. There is no alternative. If you are not so convinced, turn them loose. You are no doubt surprised to learn that such a state of affairs can exist as that in Dona Ana County. In many streams there is a point at a sharp bend where the water pauses in its flow and forms an eddy. Around the edges the slime gathers, and froth and logs and dead leaves, and all manner of floating filth. The moss and ferns grow dank, and the shadowy places are haunted by creeping things. Snakes come out of their hiding places and bask in the sun on the slimy logs, and if they are disturbed in their retreat, they sting in the heel the man who is so foolish as to venture there. Dona Ana County is just such a dead eddy. Under the territorial form of government the public officers do not hold office by choice of the people, but are appointed by the federal powers. There in Dona Ana County have gathered together, as does the slimy filth on the edges of the dead eddy, a lot of broken-down old political hacks. They bask in the sun of political preferment, like the serpents stretched out on the dead logs. They never got an honest dollar in their lives, and do not know how to earn one except by serving the people, forsooth, in public office. It was in just such a dead eddy as I have described that there arose this plot for the persecution of Oliver Lee…. Our defense is an alibi, clearly proved. You would not hang a yellow dog on the evidence that has bee presented here, much less two men.
We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to work its way through Congress. - Will Rogers
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club UP COMING SHOW Dates:
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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FEB 14-16--GLOBE, ARIZONA: 54th annual show; Gila Co. Gem & Mineral Society; Gila County Fair Grounds, 3 mi. north of US 60-70 Junction; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; live demonstrations, door prizes, displays, minerals, jewelry; contact Val Lathem, (602) 466-3060; e-mail: [email protected] FEB 10-13, 2011 TUCSON, AZ: 2011 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show™, "Minerals of California", Tucson Convention Center, Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Sunday; 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. contact [email protected] or see www.tgms.org FEB 15-16--FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS: 42nd annual show, "Hill Country Gem & Mineral Show"; Fredericksburg Rockhounds; Pioneer Pavilion, Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; free admission; contact Jeff Smith, 208 Castle Pines Dr., Kerrville, TX 78028, (830) 895-9630; e-mail: [email protected] ; Web site: www.fredericksburgrockhounds.org MAR 10-13--DEMING, NEW MEXICO, 46TH annual Rockhound Roundup, S>W> New Mexico Fairgrounds, Deming, NM. Thurs. thru Sun. 9-5 pm. Free Admission. Jewelry & Rock related items, Lapidary Equipment, Displays and Demonstrations, Guided Field Trips; contact Bud Daily 575-267-4399; web site www.dgms.bravehost.com MAR 18-20--ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO: 42nd annual show, “Treasures of the Earth"; Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club; Creative Arts Center Bldg., State Fair Grounds, EXPO NM (San Pedro entrance); Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $1 Fri., $3 Sat. and Sun., kids 12 and under free; more than 40 dealers, displays, door prizes, silent auctions, mineral and gem identification, juniors' booth, live wolf, geode cracking, faceting demonstration, gold panning and more; contact Paul Hlava, (505) 255-5478; e-mail: [email protected] MAR 26-27—ANGELS CAMP, CALIFORNIA: Show, “Jump for the Gold”; Calaveras Gem & Mineral Society; Calaveras County Fairground, 101 Frogtown Rd.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; adults $4, children 12 and under free with paying adult; exhibits, demonstrations, kids’ activities, silent auction, sales, raffle, door prizes, dealers, fossils, jewelry, meteorites, books, lapidary supplies, slabs, gems, beads; contact Tak Iwata, 18310 Coyote Meadow Rd., Sonora, CA 95370, (209) 928-5579; e-mail: [email protected] ; Web site: www.calaverasgemandmineral.org APR 9-10—ABILENE, TEXAS: Show and sale; Central Texas Gem & Mineral Society; Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. 6th; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $3, children $1.50; geode cracking, fossils, minerals, gems, jewelry, lapidary demonstrations, findings, beads, tools, supplies, rough; contact Betty Scarborough, 422 CR 606, Tuscola, TX 79562, (325) 668-2374; e-mail: [email protected] ; Web site: www.txol.net/rockclub APR 15-17—ALPINE, TEXAS: Show, “Alpine Agate Festival”; Chihuahuan Desert Gem & Mineral Club; Alpine Civic Center, Hwy. 90W and 13th St. N; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 11-5; free admission; South Central Federation convention, grand prize, door prizes, silent auctions, field trips, kids’ corner, demo dealers; contact Mary Brogan, P.O. Box 1111, Alpine, TX 79831, (432) 386-2340; e-mail: [email protected] ; Web site: www.cdgmc.org MAY 30-1—LUBBOCK, TEXAS: 53rd annual gem and mineral show; Lubbock Gem & Mineral Society; Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Ln.; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults (13+) $4, seniors (65+) $3, ages 6-12 $2, under 6 free with adult; wire-wrapped stones, precious stones, jewelry, minerals, fossils, rough rock, dealers, demonstrators, exhibits, hourly door prizes, silent auction, grand prizes; contact Archie Scott, 2709 Belvedere Rd., Levelland, TX 79336, (806) 894-1584; e-mail: [email protected]
For further information or shows please check: www.rockngem.com Who knows, there just might be a good rock show in the area of your travels.
Thought for the Day:
Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong. .
Please send me any of your favorites that you
Some Interesting Web Sites for you to Check Out
think others might be interested in and I will pass them along..
http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/clublist.shtml A list of all rock clubs in the USA
Gemcrafters and Explorers Club
"EL Gambrisino"
Volume 52, Issue 2, February 2011
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Gemcrafters & Explorers Club, P.O. Box 3091, Las Cruces, NM 88003
Member of: American Federation of Mineralogical Societies Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies Blue Ribbon Coalition www.amfed.org www.rmfms.org www.sharetrails.org
2011 OFFICERS & Volunteers:
President – Vice President – Treasurer – Secretary Refreshments Historian Program Director Newsletter EditorKathy Fuller Al Spencer Pat Grace Brenda Gadberry Pat Mauer Don Saathoff Eric Fuller Maxine Wyman 534-0204 405-1939 202-2862 202-0200 526-4939 382-3464 524-0204 649-4900 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
We meet on the third Friday of the month at Gardiner Hall, Room 118, NMSU campus, Las Cruces, NM at 6:30 pm for social and 7 pm for the meeting. There are no meetings in July and December. Dues are $10 per person per year and each additional family member is $2 per year. They are due Jan. 1st of each year. A membership form will be emailed or mailed to you in December to be filled out and returned with your check BY MAIL to the treasurer.
Our purpose shall be to gather knowledge and provide educational benefits to members on geological, archaeological, lapidary, and mineralogical topics of interest, to include assistance to members in all lapidary problems, the study and identification of minerals and gem stones in the rough, the field study of geological formations which produce minerals and gem stones, the collection of minerals and gemstones, and the exploration of any geological or archaeological topic or area which may be of interest to the membership.
NOTE: All articles and photographs are by the Editor Maxine Wyman unless otherwise noted. Any address or email changes must be sent to me at: [email protected]
Info for the Newsletter:
If you have information, articles, pictures or a website related to gem crafting, rock collecting or exploring and would like to share please give me a call at 649-4900 or email me at [email protected] If you have a good idea or story to tell I will be more than happy to help you write it up. Also if you have minerals, outdoor or camping equipment, etc. that you would like to sell please let me know for our FREE "Classifieds." Maxine Wyman, Editor
