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Club Information
Meeting Place Lower level
Franklin Arts Center 1001 Kingwood St, Brainerd, MN 56401
Directions .4 mile east of Business Hwy. 371
& Hwy. 210 intersection. (Castle turret water tower.)
Date/Time the 2nd Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Club Dues $20/ family
Free /unaccompanied juniors Membership runs
from Jan. 1-Dec. 31st.
Cuyuna Rock, Gem and Mineral Society
The Agate ExplorerThe Agate ExplorerThe Agate ExplorerThe Agate Explorer
October 2016October 2016October 2016October 2016
Club Purpose
To foster an interest (& encourage young
& old) to study earth science,
enjoy the art of lapidary, hunting for
rocks, and semi-precious stones.
We also strive to use what we know and
acquire to further educate everyone
who has an interest in our hobby.
We are a not-for-profit organization.
Kids’ Program
Let’s learn about fossils today!
The program starts at 2:00 p.m.
& runs while the adults are at the
regular meeting.
Club Calendar
Oct. 8—Board Mtg. 12:30; General Mtg. 2:00; Kids’
Program 2:00; speaker to follow mtg. Speaker TBD, but hopefully a fossil presentation
Oct. 12—National Fossil Day
Nov. 12—Board Mtg. 12:30; General Mtg. with Elections 2:00; Kids’
Program 2:00; speaker to follow mtg. Speaker TBD
Dec. 10 - Christmas Party
Information subject to change.
Our New
Location
lower level of
Franklin Arts Center
1001 Kingwood St. (just north of Hwy. 210)
Brainerd
A contract was signed with the Brainerd School District for the
former kitchen. The rent is $50 per month, but the Club is responsi-
ble for any improvements (electrical, plumbing, carpentry), which is
estimated at $2,000. We have free use of the cafeteria for meeting
space. The rent also includes a mail box; in the past we have spent
$100 yearly to rent a P.O. box in Crosby.
Thanks to the following people who helped move on Sat., Sept. 24—
Lori DuBois, Wayne Davis, Sandi Hilsgen, Joanie Hanson, Lisa
Hughes, John Leek, Sharon Leek, Ed Opatz, Marcia Opatz, Gerry
Schuety, Linda Schuety, Tony Sibet, Sharon Smith, Cody Walton, &
Ed Walton. It’s not pretty (yet), but it’s done!
Thanks to Kevin Martini for the countless hours he spent work-ing on our new Club space! He
secured the permit, met with electrical and plumbing contractors, and did the carpentry work.
Also thanks to Gerry Schuety and Jim Reed for their carpentry assistance.
October Birthdays
David Opatz 10/5
Le Ann Austin 10/7
Ryan McGovern 10/7
Sherry Busse 10/7
Michelle Cleys 10/8
Erin Wegner 10/8
Luella Horsman 10/12
Jessica Foote 10/13
Wyatt Seidl 10/13
Sharon Leek 10/15
Ryan Fairbanks 10/15
Morgan Wiese 10/16
Evelyn Ely 10/16
Reid Spychalla 10/17
Kate Perkins 10/18
Brian Kringen 10/19
Ed Opatz 10/20
Bill Dehn 10/21
Melodie Quillin 10/21
Lois Olson 10/22
Marcia Opatz 10/23
Sage Villnow 10/23
Mark Kiel 10/25
Storm Wodan 10/26
Teresa Wickeham 10/27
Robert Carter 10/30
Al Duderstadt 10/30
October Anniversaries
Julie & Mark Smith 10/8
Mark & Lori Brown 10/24
Sunshine
Requests
If you know someone who could use a little sunshine—
birth, illness, surgery, family death—please contact
Christi Higgins at 320-224-6650.
We’re on
Facebook!
Cuyuna Rock, Gem
& Mineral Society
This is a closed group, so you
must ask to join. After being
approved you can follow the
members’ posts and add your
own information.
Electric Fossilization:
Fact or Fiction?
A fossil is typically an accident, a disaster, an anomaly. This precisely describes the process of electric fossilization. Little is known about fossilization, and less is real-ized. The waters of Lake Victoria (Africa) were once fossilizing animals quickly and well because of some unknown quality probably not now present.
New laboratory experiments are showing that fossilization is a rapid process under certain conditions. Furthermore new evi-dence is at hand that electric fossilization is the probably tool of fossilization and this has generally been ignored. High voltage electricity either from within the earth or from cosmogenic effects such as comets, coronal mass ejections, planets in disturbed motion or nebulae interactions from outside the universe may be the major cause of petrifaction and fossilization. What dies is thus quickly recycled biotically, unless some geological intervention occurs. And this intervention that fossilizes is almost always connected to the cause of death. Modern geology offers one explanation as to how living creatures came to be forever fixed in stone. In most cases the organism was suddenly and deeply buried, and under such anaerobic conditions the groundwater seeped in and replaced the harder body parts with silicates, pyrites and other miner-als over the course of millions of years. Wherever there are fossils, whether in books or our national parks or displayed in museums, we are constantly reminded of the geologic timescales required to preserve them. Such methods as carbon dating and stratigraphic layers also seem to bear witness to the slow and steady processes and deep time involved.
Yet despite all of the assurances by the experts that fossilization is a sedate, mole-cule-by-molecule transformation of dead flora and fauna which takes eons, interested bystanders, amateurs, hobbyists, children, and other more intuitive observers cannot help but notice the examples of living crea-tures caught in stone as they hatched, gave birth, were devouring other creatures, or are twisted and contorted as if in a moment of back-arching agony. But what force besides quick burial could have possibly been re-sponsible for changing things into stone suddenly, as they sometimes appear?
Eric Milton describes his examination of a petrified tree trunk (essentially water and carbon) in Alberta, Canada: “The piece was pure clear silica inside, it was coated with a rougher opaque crust of partially fused sand. The tree, whose stump was petrified, was alive five years ago! After the tree was cut down to accommodate the right of way for a new power transmission line, an accidental break allowed the live high-voltage wire to contact several tree stumps still in the ground. The power was cut off within hours of the break. All of the tree roots which contacted the broken wire were fossilized.”
Obviously, extremes of electricity can metamorphose matter quickly.
In researching this article the question that begs answering is, has this ever been done in the laboratory? Can it be replicated? Why isn’t there any more scientific data or research available on the subject?
From Ancient Destructions from an article posted in Geology and also Canadian Con-tent
Compiled by Harry A. Wagoner
State by State—
South Dakota
State Gemstone—
Fairburn Agate
Rarest Gems
#6 Grandidierite
This is a bluish green mineral found primarily in Madagascar. The first and so far only clean faceted speci-men, from Sri
Lanka, was originally mistaken for a ser-endibite and subsequently purchased in May 2000 by Prof. Gübelin from Murray Burford.
Grandidierite is trichroic, transmitting blue, green and white light. The mineral is named after French explorer and natu-ral historian Alfred Grandidier, who among other things unearthed bones from the extinct half-ton elephant bird in Ambolisatra, Madagascar.
Cuyuna Rock, Gem, & Mineral Society
General Meeting Minutes
Saturday September 10, 2016
43 people were in attendance including 4 kids for the kids’ program. Dave Moe spoke on workshop safety and geodes. There were some pretty big kids in attendance!
Most of the rocks that the club owns were put on sale at .50 cents/pound and many people purchased some.
The motion was approved by the general session to move our location to Franklin Arts Center.
We are not taking the orange chairs with us so offered them to whomever wanted them.
An update was given for the Michigan field trip.
The speaker for this meeting was Chad Daniels on lapidary arts.
Drawing winners were- Chad Daniels, Jerry Shields, Ed Walton, Werner Eggert, Kathy Kiel, Mark Kiel, and Vic Rinke.
Respectfully submitted, Joanie Hanson, Secretary
“Clarissasaurus”
Meet a young paleontolo-gist who has a fossil named in her honor. In 2013, on a dig in Montana, Clarissa Koos discovered a new dinosaur; it was then named "Clarissasaurus.” Clarissa's story is now told in a book titled, "Dinogirl: The story of a Girl and a Dinosaur" by Denise Porcello. Learn how this dinosaur was named in honor of Clarissa, who continues to work on the discovery, from excavation to the lab work, preparing the fossils for display at the Burke Museum in Seattle.
Denise Porcello has been a teacher for over
twenty years. She lives in Massachusetts with her hus-band, two daughters and a retired greyhound. Denise enjoys traveling, reading and science. Denise was inspired to write Dinogirl:
The story of a Girl and a
Dinosaur after meeting Clarissa Koos at the DIG school for teachers in Hell Creek, Montana in 2014.
She hopes this book inspires all young scientists, especially girls, to follow their hearts.
Learn more... https://sites.google.com/site/dinogirlbook
http://nature.nps.gov/geology/
nationalfossilday/kids_clarissa.cfm
http://www.fossils-facts-and-finds.com
1-—MACUNGIE, PA: PA Earth Science Assn, Macungie Memorial Park; Sat. 8:30-
3; $5, Under 12 free; Website: www.mineral fest.com
1-2—JEFFERSON, WI: Rock River Valley Geological Society, Jefferson County Fair Park; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; Free; Website: www.StevensRockShop.com
1-2—SPRINGFIELD, IL: Lincoln Orbit Earth Science Society, Illinois State Fair-grounds; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $2, Srs $1, Children free; Website: www.loess.org
1-2—MARYSVILLE, WA: Marysville Rock & Gem Club, Totem Middle School; daily, 10-5; Free; e-mail: gdhaage@ gmail.com
1-2—JACKSONVILLE, AR: Greater Little Rock Area Mineral, Fossil & Gem Show, Jacksonville Community Center; daily 9-5; Free; Website: centralarrockhound.org
1-2—OMAHA, NE: Nebraska Mineral and Gem Club, Westside Middle School; Sat. 9-
6, Sun. 10-5; $5, Srs/Students $3, Under 13 free; Website: Nerockgem.org
1-2—VISTA, CA: Vista Gem & Mineral Soc., Antique Gas Steam Engine Museum; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; Free; e-mail: [email protected] 1-2—BELLEVILLE, MI: Midwest Miner-alogical & Lapidary Society of Michigan, Wayne County Fairgrounds; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; Free; Website: www.mmls.us
7-8—MOUNT IDA, AR: Mount Ida Area Chamber of Commerce, Montgomery County Fairgrounds; daily 9-4; Admission $75/$100; Website: www.mountida- chamer.com
7-9—HUNTSVILLE, AL: Huntsville Gem & Mineral Society, Jaycee Community Cen-ter; Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 12-5; $3, Students $2, Under 5 free; Web site: www.huntsville gms.org
7-9—MOUNT IDA, ARKANSAS: Mount Ida Area Chamber of Commerce, Mont-gomery County Fairgrounds; Fri. & Sat. 9-
6, Sun. 10-5; Free; Web site: www.mtida chamber.com
7-9—HILLSBORO, OR: Portland Regional Gem & Mineral Show, Washington County Fair Complex; Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $5, Children free; Website: www.portland- regionalgemandmineral.com
7-9—MOAB , UT: Moab Points & Pebbles Club, Old Spanish Trail Arena; Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4; Free; e-mail: moabrock [email protected]
7-9—BUCKEYE, AZ: West Valley Rock & Mineral Club, Helzapoppin' Arena; daily 9-4; $3, Children free; Website: http://www.westvalleyrockandmineralclub.com/
7-9—SACRAMENTO , CA: Gem Faire Inc., Scottish Rite Center; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-
6, Sun. 10-5; $7 weekend pass, Under 12 free; Web site: http://www.gemfaire.com
7-9—SALT LAKE CITY, UT: Mineral Collectors of Utah, Trolley Square; Fri. 12-
9, Sat. 10-9, Sun. 10-5; Free; e-mail: [email protected]
7-9—ORLANDO, FL: Central Florida Min-eral & Gem Society, National Guard Ar-mory; Fri. 1-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $5, Elem. students $2; Website: www. cfmgs.org
8-9—TEMPLE, TX: Tri-City Gem & Min-eral Society, Mayborn Center; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-5; $5, Children $2; e-mail: burnette @
aceweb.com
8-9—GRASS VALLEY, CA: Nevada County Gem & Mineral Society, Nevada County Fairgrounds; Sat. & Sun. 10-5; Adults/Srs $2, Under 13 free; Website: ncgms.org
8-9—SIERRA VISTA, AZ: Huachuca Min-eral & Gem Club, Cochise College; Sat. 9-
5, Sun. 10-4; Free; e-mail: gmbailey@
msn.com
8-9—TRONA, CA: Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society, SLG&MS; Sat. 7:30-5, Sun. 7:30-4; Free; Website: www1.iwvisp. com/tronagemclub/ 8-9—TEMPLE, TX: Tri-City Gem & Min-eral Society, Mayborn Convention Center; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; $5, Children $2; e-mail: [email protected]
8-9—MORGANTGOWN, WV: Prehistoric Enterprises, Mylan Park; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-
5; $3; Web site: http://www.prehistoric store.com/item.php?item=1580
14-16—VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: Treas-ures of the Earth Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Shows, Virginia Beach Convention Center; Fri. 12-6, Sat. & Sun.10-5; $5, Under 17 free; Website: www.treasuresofthe earth.com
14-16—PAHRUMP, NV: Pahrump Valley Rock Hounds, Petrack Park; Fri. 11-9, Sat. 9-9, Sun. 9-4; Free; Web site: Pahrump ROCKS.com
14-16—FORT WAYNE, IN: Three Rivers Gem & Mineral Society, Allen County Fair-grounds; Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; $5, Srs $3, Students $1, Children free; Web site: bit.do/3rivers-show
14-16—FRANKLIN, NC: Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin, NC, Robert C. Carpen-ter Community Building; Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-4; Adults/Srs $2, Students $1, Un-der 12 free; Website: www.visitfranklin nc.com
14-16—KNOXVILLE, TN: Knoxville Gem & Mineral Society, Kerbela Temple; Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; $5, Website: www.knoxrocks.org
14-16—COSTA MESA, CA: Gem Faire Inc., OC Fair & Event Center; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $7 weekend pass, Un-der 12 free; Web site: http://www.gemfaire.com
14-16—WARREN, MI: Michigan Miner-alogical Society, Macomb Community Col-lege South College; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 10-7, Sun. 11-5; $8, Srs $5, ages 5-12 $4; Website: www.michmin.org
14-16—WESTWEGO, LA: Gem & Mineral Society of Louisiana, Inc., The Alario Cen-ter; Fri. & Sat., Sun. 10-4; $6 for 3 day pass, Students: $3 w/ID for 3 day pass, Under 12 free; e-mail: [email protected]
15—WEST HILLS, CA: Woodland Hills Rock Chippers, First United Methodist Church; 10-5; Free; e-mail: mb.mtcanvas @gmail.com
15-16—PLANT CITY, FL: Tampa Bay Mineral & Science Club, Plant City Straw-berry Festival Expo Hall; daily 10-5; $5, Students $4, Under 12 free; Web site: www.tampabayrockclub.com
15-16—CHARLESTON, WV: Kanawha Rock & Gem Club, So. Charleston, Com-munity Center; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $3.50, Under 12 free; contact Franko Franko, (304)-657-7089
15-16—COTTAGE GROVE, MN: Minne-sota Mineral Club, National Guard Training & Community Center; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; $2, Children $1; Web site: www.minnesotamineralclub.org
15-16—CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL: South Suburban Earth Science Club, Prairie State College; daily 10-5; Free; e-mail: ssescus @yahoo.com
15-16—TOPEKA, KS: Topeka Gem & Mineral Society, Inc., Agricultural Hall @ Kansas Expocentre; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $5, Ages 13-17 $1, Under 13 free; Website: topekagemandmineral.org
15-16—DES MOINES, IA: Des Moines Lapidary Society, Iowa State Fair Grounds; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4; $5, Under 12 free; con-tact Karen Liebold; e-mail: leibolddsm @mchsi.com
15-16—WHITTIER, CA: Whittier Gem & Mineral Society, Whittier Community Cen-ter; daily 10-5; Free; Website: wgmsca.com
15-16—LEWISTON, ID: Hells Canyon Gem Club, Nezperce County Fair Building; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $3, Under 13 free; e-mail: [email protected]
15-16—BRISTOL, CT: Bristol Gem & Mineral Club, Beals Community Center; Sat. 9:30-5, Sun. 10-4; $5, Srs $4, Under 12 free; Web site: www.bristolgem.org
15-16—SEDONA, AZ: Sedona Gem & Mineral Club, Sedona H.S.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; $3, Under 12 Free; Web site: www.sedonagemandmineral.org
October Rock Shows
Rox Box
A place to advertise rock items to sell and to inquire about items
to purchase.
The Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Society
accepts no responsibility for any dissatis-
faction that may occur by either party,
seller or buyer. The Society does not
profit in any way by sales transactions.
For Sale: Call Harry Wagoner regarding the follow-ing items. 218-927-9983.
4 lb. 5 oz. plastic tumbling pellets - new
$12.
16 Inch Covington Vibrating Lap
Removable top for cleaning, complete with polishing pad, cushions; like new. $350.
Inland Swap-top, 8 inch flat lap machine, complete with 4 dia-mond laps and polishing pad. Excellent
condition. $275.
Wanted: Mariposite specimen, either rough piece or slab. I would be interested in trad-ing or purchasing.
For Sale: L&R manufacturing crystal
grinder. We plugged it in and it runs. Not sure what its worth so would entertain offers. Call Roxanne Aulie at 218-820-
5062.
Wanted: Someone to
arrange volunteers for the spinning wheel at various
locations. Most events are in the summer.
Contact Ed Opatz at 320-250-1363 or
15-16—SPRINGFIELD, MO: Ozark Moun-tain Gem & Mineral Society, Springfield Expo Center; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-4:30; $6, Students $3, Children $1; Web site: https://www.facebook.com/SGFGemShow/ 21-23—HARRISONBURG, VA: Treasures Of The Earth Gem & Jewelry Shows, Rock-ingham County Fairgrounds; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; $4, Children Under 16 free; Website: www.toteshows.com
21-23—WEST JORDAN, UT: Rockhound-ers Outreach for Community Knowledge (R.O.C.K.), Viridian Library and Event Center; Fri. & Sat. 10-7, Sun. 10-5; $2, Un-der 12 free; Web site: http://www.rock- houndersock.com/ 21-23—SANTA ROSA, CA: Gem Faire Inc., Sonoma County Fairgrounds; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $7 weekend pass, Un-der 12 free; Web site: http://www.gem- faire.com
21-23—AUSTIN, TX: Austin Gem & Min-eral Society, Palmer Events Center; Fri. & Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; $8, Srs $7, Ages 13-18 $2, Under 13 free; Web site: www.gem-
capers.com
21-23—MASON, MI: Central Michigan Lapidary & Mineral Society, Ingham Coun-ty Fairgrounds; Fri. 6-9, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-
5; $3, Students $1, Under 12 free; Website: www.michrocks.org
22-22—ALBANY, NH: Saco Valley Gem & Mineral Club, Albany Town Hall; Sat. 9-
5; $2, Under 12 free; Website: sacovalleyge-mandmineralclub.org
22-23—CANBY, OR: Clackamette Mineral & Gem Club, Clackamas County Fair-grounds; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; Free; e-mail: [email protected] 22-23—BELLEVUE, WA: Bellevue Rock Club, Vasa Park; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; Free; e-mail: [email protected] 22-23—CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH: Sum-mit Lapidary Club & Akron Mineral Socie-ty, Emidio & Sons Expo Center; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $5, Students/Srs $4, Children $1; Web site: lapidaryclubofohio.org
22-23—LOS ALTOS, CA: Peninsula Gem & Geology Society, Los Altos Youth Cen-ter; daily 10-5; $5, Under 12 free; Website:
pggs.org
22-23—HONOLULU, HI: Rock & Mineral Society of Hawaii, Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort; daily 10-5; Free; Web site: http://pohakugalore.net/Hui_pohaku/Mineral-Show-in-Hawaii.asp
28-30—BOISE, ID: Gem Faire Inc., Expo Idaho; 5610 Glenwood; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $5 weekend pass, Under 12 free; Web site: http://www.gemfaire.com
29—BIGLERVILLE, PA: Central Penn & Franklin County Rock & Mineral Clubs, South Mountain Fairgrounds; 8-3; $1, Students/Children Free; e-mail: [email protected] 29-30—OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: Oklaho-ma Mineral & Gem Society, Modern Living Building; Oklahoma State Fairgrounds; dai-ly 10-6; $6, Under 12 free; Website: www.OMGS.Org
29-30—EVANSVILLE, IN: Evansville Lapidary Society, Washington Square Mall; Sat. 10-7, Sun. 12-5; Free; Web site: http://evansvillelapidarysociety.tumblr.com
For Sale: Jeweler's ring mandrel with
Removable stand. Solid tooled steel and marked with whole and half ring sizes from 1 to 16. Great for form-ing jewelry items, setting rings, etc. I have 5 availa-ble. $14 each. Call Butch Goldenstein at 320-252-3335.
Small Parts Containers
I'm always on the lookout for small containers to use for holding all those little parts and tools we deal with in making jewelry, especially since I'm always travel-ing to classes and workshops.
My latest find are some plastic vials about 15 mm in diameter and 75 mm long. Best part is they are free. The vials are used in the doctor's office to draw blood samples. They cannot be used after their expiration date, and are thrown out. On my last doctors visit, I asked the nurse if the had any expired vials. She replied "How many do you want?" and tried to give me 400 of them. (We settled on 200).
The ones I have are called "Vacutainers", but there are probably many other names. They are clear plastic with a rubber stopper and a paper label all ready to write on. I find them really handy for small parts like jump rings, prong settings, small drills, nuts & bolts, faceted stones, and precious metal filings.
Jewelry Making Tip
By Brad Smith
www.BradSmithJewelry.com
Mineral Encyclopedia
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is the greenish-blue to blue variety of beryl. It forms in beautiful crystals that can be quite large and totally transparent. Unlike emerald which usually is flawed or heavily included, aquamarine can form in stunning flawless crystals, creating some of the most beautiful mineral masterpieces.
Duller or greenish colored stones can be heated to very high temperatures in which they can attain a beautiful sky-blue color. In fact, much of the aquamarines used as gemstones are actually heat treated.
Uses
Aquamarine is the most popular light-blue gemstone, and is extensively used in jewelry. Rings, earrings, and bracelets are made from aquamarine, and it is especial-ly important as a pendant stone, with fairly large pendants being faceted from aquamarine. Very large display gems, that are too large for standard jewelry use, are occasionally faceted for exclusive collectors. Less transparent stones may be cut into cabochons. Quality aquamarine crystals are also highly valued by collec-tors in their natural form.
Noteworthy Localities
Despite the relatively abundant supply of fine aquamarine, good crystals still demand a premium. Numerous localities worldwide produce outstanding speci-mens; this list is by no means complete. Brazil is a major producer of aquamarine, especially in the Jequitinhonha valley in Minas Gerais, where it occurs in the areas
of Araçuaí, Coronel Murta, Palmital, and Pedra Azul. A deep blue aquamarine comes from Medina in Mi-nas Gerais. Other Brazilian occurrences are Guaratinga, in Bahia, where the aq-uamarine forms in gemmy tower-shaped crystals; and in Mimoso do Sul, in Espírito Santo.
Pakistan undoubtedly produces the most outstanding crystals of aquamarine, and some of these crystals can be gemmy giants. There are several important deposits in the northern mountains; particular noteworthy are the Shigar Valley, Skardu District, Baltistan; and Nagar, Hunza Valley, Gilgit District.
Beautiful aquamarine crystals have been coming out of China at Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu, in the Sichuan Province; and from Nepal at Taplejung. In Russia, fine specimens have come from Mursinka, Yekaterinburg, in the Ural Mountains; and at Adun-Cholon, in Nerchinsk.
Mogok, Burma (Myanmar) is also an important producer, as are the Jos Plateau, Nigeria; and Marijao and Sahatany, Madagascar. A locality of special note is Erongo, Namibia, where an intensely colored aquamarine is found that is especially treasured by collectors.
U.S. localities that produce gemmy aquamarine crystals are Mt. Antero, Chaffee Co., Colorado; the Saw tooth Mts, Boise Co., Idaho; Cahuilla Moun-tain, Riverside Co., California; and the
California Blue Mine, Yucca Valley, San Bernardino Co., California. Aquamarine was also found on the East Coast at Had-dam and Portland, Middlesex Co., Con-necticut; and at Royalston, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.
www.geology.com
.Physical Properties
of Aquamarine
Composition Beryllium aluminum
silicate
Color Greenish-blue, light blue, sky
blue, deep sky blue
Streak Colorless
Crystal System Often as perfect, six-
sided hexagons, and usually in individual prismatic crystals. Also in short, stubby crystals, and occasionally in tabular crys-tals and flattened hexagonal plates. The bases of beryl crystals are usually flat; pyramidal terminations are less com-mon. Also occurs in columnar aggregates, in distorted etched crystals, and in massive form. Occasionally in drusy or platy aggregates and as bun-dles of thin, long crystals. Crystals may be striated lengthwise.
Mohs Hardness 7.5-8
Specific Gravity 2.6-2.9
Transparency Transparent to
translucent
Luster Vitreous
Cleavage 3,1-basal
Fracture Uneven to conchoidal
Tenacity Brittle
Check out the Club’s
website at
www.cuyunarockclub.org
Cuyuna Rock, Gem, & Mineral Society
Board Meeting Minutes
Saturday September 10, 2016
President Ed Opatz brought the meeting to order and all board members were present.
After looking at the various localities for our new club location the board voted on Franklin Arts Center. The new meeting space is the old kitchen /cafeteria of the old school. It is located on the lower level of Franklin. The rent is $50.00 per month and will be paid yearly.
Ed will get the cafeteria scheduled for our meetings which is the second Saturday of the month. Since some repairs were needed to bring the room up to code the board voted on a budget of up to $3000.00.
Kevin Martini agreed to be in charge of getting the repairs done. He brought in an
electrician and a plumber to make the repairs. Once that is done we can begin to move in. Kevin is also working on a half wall to secure the room.
Moving day will be September 24th at 9am in Crosby at the old location to pack and load and haul everything to Brainerd.
Several of us stayed after the meeting and packed up most of the clubhouse.
A motion was set forward, seconded and approved to purchase liability insurance for the club and board members. $250.00/yr for a million dollar umbrella and $450.00/yr for board member liability. Ed is also looking into additional coverage by the school.
We decided to leave the fridge because it was already there and is pretty old. We will purchase a new(used) one that Ed knows of for $50.00 dollars.
A double sink will be installed in the new location.
Jim Reed is working on ways to update the website more often. He is working on a cal-endar within the site that some of us will have access to so we can keep it up to date.
We discussed options for the rock box at the Brainerd Welcome Center. It was decided to either keep the current rate or pull it. Ed will talk to the lady that runs the Center and let us know.
The treasurer's report was given and a copy will be posted at the clubhouse.
It was decided to purchase mineral posters for use and to sell at the shows.
Respectfully submitted, Joanie Hanson, Secretary
Large Tyrannosaurus Rex
Skull Found in Montana
Everyone has a big head when they're 15. But in the case of this Tyrannosaurus Rex, having a big head takes on new meaning. The recently-discovered skull of the teenage Tyrannosaurus Rex was 4 feet long when it died, around 66 million years ago.
The dinosaur was discovered on a University of Washing-ton dig in Montana. The fossil is nicknamed the “Tufts-Love” Tyrannosaurus Rex after the two volunteers who found the fossil, Jason Love and Luke Tufts. They were volunteering on the project, which is excavating the fossil-rich Hell Creek Formation. It is one of the largest and most complete T-
Rex specimens found to date, and the skull is one of only 15 T-Rex skulls in the world
in this kind of good condition.
“Having seen the ‘Tufts-Love Rex’ during its excavation I can attest to the fact that it is definitely one of the most significant specimens yet found, and because of its size, is sure to yield important information about the growth and possible eating habits
of these magnificent animals,” Jack Horner, a research associate at the Burke
Museum said.
The Burke Museum is affiliated with the University of Washington, and will be moving to a newly constructed facility in 2019. The Tufts-Love T-Rex will be on display there in 2019, but you don't have to wait that long to see it. The plaster-wrapped
skull is currently on display until October 2 at the Burke Museum, at which point researchers will begin the delicate process of removing the skull from its protective
wrappings.
The researchers also found other fragments of the dino-saur including ribs, parts of the jaw, pelvis, and vertebrae.
More excavations of the dinosaur are planned for next year.
http://www.popsci.com/large-tyrannosaurus
-rex-skull-found-in-montana
National Fossil Day is October 12
National Fossil Day is intended to promote public awareness and stewardship of fossils, as well as to foster a greater appreciation of their scientific and educational value.
It is sponsored by the National Park Service US Department of the Interior as part of Earth Science Week.
Q: Why did the T-Rex need a bandage?
A: He had a dino-sore.
Marcia Opatz, Editor Cuyuna Rock, Gem &
Mineral Society P.O. Box 151
Crosby, MN 56441
FIRST CLASS MAIL
Club Officers & Board of Directors
President: Ed Opatz
[email protected] 320-250-1363
Vice-President: Lisa Hughes [email protected]
218-821-2729
Secretary—Joanie Hanson
218-831-2665
Treasurer: Kevin Martini [email protected]
218-770-8917
Director: Joan Guer ra Director: Sharon Smith
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Newsletter Editor: Marcia Opatz [email protected]
320-250-8120
The Agate Explorer October 2016
Official Publication of the Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Mineral Society
Members of AFMS & MWF
Notes from the President
Well, it took one car, one van, six pickups, and three trailers (one enclosed) and fifteen people to get all the stuff moved from Crosby to Brainerd. We started at 9:00 a.m. and finished at 4:00 p.m. Thanks to the 14 people besides me who helped clean and move.
Since we did not finish setting up the new room in the Franklin Arts Center I am hoping to do that starting at 10 a.m. on Sat., Oct. 8 before the meeting. Please follow the signs to enter the room, as there will be another activity in the cafeteria next door. We do not want to interrupt them by walking through their space.
I have had people ask me if I would lead a road trip to the Tucson show. I’m not sure how that would work, but I would definitely lend some insight about where to go for what types of rock, and how to get there. I haven’t been to all the locations—about 40—
but I am getting pretty good at getting around town.
We are tentatively planning a summer trip for 2017 to Colorado. I have a few contacts, but if you know anyone to talk to, or anywhere to go, please let me know. It also would be good to tell me what dates would work best for you, if you are interested in going.
Ed Opatz
