Cuyuna Rock, Gem and Mineral Society The Agate Explorer

January 2019

Dues are overdue!!!!! You may pay your yearly dues of $20 (per household) at the meeting or mail it to Cuyuna Rock, Gem, and Mineral Society, 1001 Kingwood St., Ste. B -40, Brainerd, MN 56401. Checks can be made out to the Cuyuna Rock, Gem, and Mineral Society.

Kids’ Program Franklin Art Center

Join Lori to make some rock art Club Information at the January meeting. Website -www.cuyunarockclub.org Email [email protected]

Meeting Place January meeting Open Shop from 9 a.m. —noon Lower level Franklin Arts Center If you would like to learn how to use any of the lapidary machines 1001 Kingwood St, Brainerd, MN 56401 available (6, 10, or 16” saw, 6” genie (grinding/polishing) members will Directions be available to help. If you already know how to run the machinery you .4 mile east of Business Hwy. 371 can come and use it to work on your projects, or help others. You can & Hwy. 210 intersection. (Castle turret water tower.) purchase rocks in the rock room if you don’t have any. Date/Time the 2nd Saturday of each month Rock Wrappers at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Meets starting at 10 a.m. on meeting Saturdays. Club Dues $20/ family ,An open gathering for wire wrappers. Hang out with other wrappers, Free /unaccompanied juniors and work on your projects. (Bring all supplies needed.) Membership runs Learn tricks to make wrapping easier, a new design, from Jan. 1-Dec. 31st. or perhaps a new place to find supplies. All skill levels welcome! Club Purpose: To foster an interest (& encourage young & old) to study earth Club Calendar science, enjoy the art of lapidary, January 12 —Open Shop from 9-12; Board Mtg. at 12:00; - General Mtg. 2:00. Speaker Bucky Lindgren on making hunting for rocks, and semi cabochons from start to finish. precious stones. We also strive to February 9 —Meeting use what we know and acquire to March 9 —Meeting further educate everyone who has April 13 —Meeting an interest in our hobby. May 11 & 12 —Show July 5-7 (tentative) - field trip to Thunder Bay for amethyst We are a not -for -profit

Information subject to change. organization. Meet the Board of Directors

Back row, left to right:

Lilly Peterson, Director Vern Iverson, Director Joanie Hanson, Secretary Lori DuBois, Director

Front row, left to right:

Kevin Martini, Treasurer Ed Opatz, President Sharon Smith, Vice -President

Make a Texture Hammer the high points will have enough force to Jewelry Making Tip By Brad Smith emboss the pattern into your sheet metal. www.BradSmithJewelry.com An inexpensive hammer can be easily My preference is to use small ball peen or turned into a great texturing tool by grind- cross peen hammers. They are quite inex- ing a pattern of narrow lines into its face. pensive from tool dealers at swap meets and The tool I like to use to grind the pattern is rock & mineral shows. There is no reason to a thin cutoff disc in a Foredom or Dremel. buy an expensive hammer to experiment Be sure to hold the hammer and cutoff disc with creating your own textures. steady as you carve, and wear those safety glasses to protect your eyes. And by the way, if you don't like the first pattern you create, simply file or grind it off For the pattern to work well, a major part of and try again. the face needs to be ground away leaving only small areas of high points. That way

Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Mineral Society Ed is looking at the feasibility of doing Gem & Mineral Society) as new Key Exec- Board Meeting Minutes Saturday some kind of sluice box for the show next utive. It was seconded by Sharon Smith and December 8, 2019 year. voted on by all board members present. Signers on the account are Edward J. Opatz President Ed Opatz called the meeting to We are considering doing a special silent and Kevin Martini. All board members that order at 3:30 pm. Present were Vice - auction of Harry’s minerals the Friday of were present voted in favor; none were President Chuck Durnan, Secretary Joanie the show during the vendor dinner. We will opposed. Hanson, Treasurer Kevin Martini, Board - also sell some of his minerals at the silent Members -at -Large Sharon Smith and Vern auction during the show. Photos of the board members will be posted Iverson. in the newsletter. Treasurer’s report - Will be posted at the We thanked Chuck for his 2 years of service Clubhouse. The club will be taking part in Alex to the Club as vice -president. Sample’s Agate show Jan 5 at the Land- Kevin went and talked to Wells Fargo Bank scape Arboretum in Brainerd. We will have The Club made some purchases from the about changing the Key Executive on the the spinning wheel and an education table at Beaver Bay online auction. Ed will take a checking account from Harry Wagoner to the show. check for the purchase and get a check for Ed Opatz - They required a written motion. the sale. The Rock Box is now at the Landscape The motion is as follows: Arboretum. They will take 25% of whatever A motion was passed to buy John Leek’s A motion was given by Ed Opatz to remove is sold from it. Grinder for $500.00 for the Club and retire Harry Wagoner as Key Executive of the some of the older equipment the Club owns. Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Mineral Society Respectfully Submitted, Checking Account and replace him with Joanie Hanson, Secretary We will be looking at dates for Kid’s Camp Edward J. Opatz (President Cuyuna Rock, for next year. For Sale: Grinder/polisher with 8” saw. For Sale: 2 showcases, stained & Rox Box The Club is selling this piece of equipment. varnished. Slanted glass front with piano A place to advertise $300 to a Club member. Contact Treasurer, hinge opens wide for easy access from rock items to sell and Kevin Martini, at 218 -770 -8917 or behind. One is 51”x26”x12,” 2nd is to inquire about items [email protected]. 48”x26”x12”. Very nice condition. $65

to purchase. each/$100 for both. Can deliver to next Club meeting. Call Butch The Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Society accepts Golden- no responsibility for any dissatisfaction stein, 320 -

that may occur by either party, seller 252 -3335. or buyer. The Society does not profit in any way by sales transactions.

Sunshine Requests DON’T FORGET If you know someone who THAT YOUR could use a little sunshine — birth, illness, surgery, family death — 2019 DUES please contact Christi Higgins at 320 -224 -6650. ARE DUE!

Christmas Party 2018

Photos by Sharon Smith Cuyuna Rock, Gem, & Precious or Semi -Precious Gemstones —Apatite

Mineral Society on the Web Apatite is a phosphate mineral with the chemical formula Ca5(PO4)3 (F,Cl,OH). It's the same mineral that comprises human teeth. The gem- www.cuyunarockclub.org stone form of the mineral displays the hexagonal crystal system. Gems may be transparent or green or less commonly other colors. It has a Mohs hardness of 5.

https://www.thoughtco.com/alphabetical -list -of -precious -and -semiprecious -gemstones - 4134639 New Dinosaur Species With Long Neck And Tiny Head Scientists in Brazil discovered a new spe- cies of dinosaur, believed to be the oldest long necked animal of its kind in the world.

Three fossilized skeletons of the prehistoric creature, named Macrocollum itaquii, were excavated from 225 million year old Trias- sic rocks in Agudo, in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.

The discovery of the well preserved remains has international importance in relation to the degree of completeness of the species and is the first muzzle to tail dinosaur found in Brazil.

The new dinosaur, with its elongated neck and tiny head, measured about 11.5ft long and reveals important new information The fossils were excavated from Triassic becoming proportionally longer allowing about the evolutionary history of the sauro- rocks, 225 million years old. "The fossils them to reach higher vegetation that that of pods because it predates the time the mas- point to what the dinosaurs were like before other animals. sive herbivorous animals became dominant they developed into the dominant creatures throughout the planet. they became and also what characteristics The overall size of the prehistoric reptiles also increased by 230 percent as they led to the group's subsequent success for Scientifically, the findings help to bridge a millions of years.” evolved into a quadruped posture. gap in the fossil record of dinosaurs, as They lost their ability to run and instead there are several skeletons from earlier and Details of the new dinosaur's anatomy, developed thick, pillar like legs seen in the more recent periods, but those with approxi- which were bipeds, reveal that a small likes of Brachiosaurus and Apatosaurus. mately 225 million years are quite rare. evolutionary revolution was in progress when the species arose. The study also suggests the animals lived in And incredibly, the fossil find happened herds, making it the oldest evidence of this purely by accident as the uncle of Rodrigo The first clue lies in the cervical vertebrae; type of behavior in sauropodomorphs. Temp M ller, one of the authors of the they are longer in relation to the most primi- study, was working on a new build in the tive forms of the group, such as Buriolestes M ller said: "The discovery of the three region when he stumbled upon the remnants schultzi, also found in Brazil. creatures, side by side, indicates that they embedded in a rock. died together. If they died together, they Their neck is six times longer than their probably lived together in groups." Paleontologist M ller, of the Federal Uni- height; in the latter the length of the verte- versity of Santa Maria (UFSM) Paleontolo- brae is only 2.5 greater than the height. A paleontology team, formed by profession- als from the UFSM and the University of gy Research Centre, said: "The rise of sau- - ropodomorphs is still poorly understood due The skull is relatively small it is only half San Paulo (USP), began the fieldwork in - the size of the femur - and fragile, another 2012 to painstakingly remove the five ton to the scarcity of well preserved fossils in early Norian rocks. characteristic that would become typical of rock with the three skeletons preserved in it. later sauropodomorphs. Excavation took 20 days and after a plaster "The Macrocollum itaquii is a fabulous dis- cast sealed the boulder and remains in place, covery because it is a complete and excep- The teeth indicate it had an omnivore and the block was lifted out of its resting place tionally well -preserved dinosaur skeleton herbivore diet, with coarse tooth serrations, at the beginning of 2013. allowing it to probably complement its plant that helps fill the gap in our knowledge. "We went through comparative analysis diet with small animals. The ancient remains have been placed on display in Cappa. comparing these skeletons to other saurop- The researchers concluded that during an odomorphs in the world and found that it interval of eight million years, the herbivo- https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world -news/ was a new species, based on some (distinct) rous diet was improved and the saurop- scientists -discover -new -species -dinosaur - characteristics. odomorphs grew significantly with the neck 13646410 degree angles, and their cleavage faces often “spectrolite.” These specimens sell for pre- Mineral Encyclopedia display striations. These properties make mium prices. plagioclase feldspars relatively easy to

identify with a hand lens in coarse -grained Collector Gems igneous and metamorphic rocks. Plagioclase Plagioclase minerals are rarely found in transparent crystals of exceptional clarity. in granitic rocks is normally white, pink, or - red in color. In basaltic rocks it is normally Well formed crystals are prized by mineral gray to black. specimen collectors because of their beauty and rarity. They can sell for thousands of Uses of Plagioclase dollars. Transparent material of high quality Plagioclase minerals are important constitu- is also cut into faceted gemstones which are ents of some building stone and crushed often sold as “collector gems.” With a Mohs stone such as granite and trap rock. These hardness of 6 and perfect cleavage, these rocks are also cut and polished for use as stones are usually considered to be too frag- countertops, stair treads, wall panels, build- ile for use in jewelry. “Plagioclase” is the name of a group ing facing, monuments, and many other of feldspar minerals that form a solid solu- types of decorative and architectural stone. https://geology.com/minerals/ tion series ranging from pure albite, Na (AlSi3O8), to pure anorthite, Ca Some rare specimens of plagioclase exhibit Physical Properties of Plagioclase optical phenomena that make them highly (Al2Si2O8). Minerals in this series are a Chemical Classification Silicate desirable gem materials. Many people enjoy homogenous mixture of albite and anorthite. Color Usually white or gray. Also the adularescence of moonstone, the aven- The names of the minerals in the series are colorless, yellow, orange, pink, red, turescence of sunstone, and the labradores- arbitrarily given based upon their relative brown, black, blue, green. abundance of albite and anorthite. cence of labradorite. Streak White

The name “plagioclase” is frequently used Moonstone Luster Vitreous. Pearly on some cleavage instead of one of the more specific names. Moonstone is a name given to a gem materi- faces.

This is because the minerals of the plagio- al that consists of very thin, alternating lay- Diaphaneity Translucent to transparent clase series are very similar and difficult to ers of orthoclase(an alkali feldspar) and Cleavage Perfect in two directions that tell apart without laboratory testing. Thus albite (a plagioclase feldspar). When light intersect at approximately 90 degrees. the name “plagioclase” is commonly used in enters the stone, it interacts with these thin Mohs Hardness 6 to 6.5 many field and classroom situations. layers to produce a phenomenon known as Specific Gravity 2.6 to 2.8 "adularescence" (a white -to -bluish light that Diagnostic Properties Perfect cleavage, Geologic Occurrence of Plagioclase floats under the surface of the stone when it with cleavage faces intersecting at right Members of the plagioclase group are the is turned under a source of light). angles and striations often present on most common rock -forming minerals. They cleavage faces. Well -defined crystals are are important to dominant minerals in Sunstone extremely rare. most igneous rocks of the Earth’s crust. The name sunstone has traditionally been Chemical Composition NaAlSi3O8 -

They are major constituents in a wide range given to a transparent labradorite feldspar CaAl2Si2O8 - of intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks that contains plate shaped copper inclusions Crystal System Triclinic including granite, diorite, gabbro, rhyolite, which share a common alignment within the Uses Plagioclase feldspars are important andesite, and basalt. Plagioclase minerals mineral. When cabochons or faceted stones components of many building stones. are important constituents of many meta- cut from this material are moved under a Labradorite, spectrolite, sunstone, and morphic rocks, such as gneiss, where they source of incident light, bright flashes of moonstone are gem -quality plagioclase can be inherited from an igneous protolith reflected light are produced as the incident feldspars that are popular because of or formed during the regional metamor- rays strike platelets being moved to the an- their optical phenomena. Transparent phism of sedimentary rocks. gle at which they reflect the incident rays. plagioclase of high clarity is sometimes These flashes from reflective particles are faceted as a collector gem but lacks the Plagioclase is a common clast produced known as “aventurescence.” In Oregon, durability needed for use in jewelry. during the weathering of igneous and meta- transparent gem -quality labradorite with a morphic rocks. It can be the most abundant yellow, orange, red, blue, or green color is clast in sediments located close to their also called “sunstone” when it is mined source area and decreases in abundance from the same deposit as the aventurescent downstream. This decrease is partly be- material. cause quartz is more physically and chemi- cally durable than feldspar and persists in Labradorite greater relative quantities downstream in Some specimens of labradorite exhibit a eroded sediments. schiller effect, which is a strong play of iridescent blue, green, red, orange, and yel- Physical Properties of Plagioclase low colors when moved under a source of January birthdays

Minerals incident light. Labradorite is so well known Nona Iverson 1/6 All feldspar minerals have two directions of for these spectacular displays of color that Phil Gotsch 1/15 perfect cleavage. It is usually easy to distin- the phenomenon is known as Kevin Martini 1/18 guish plagioclase feldspars because their "labradorescence." Pieces of labradorite Cindy Goldenstein 1/21 - two planes of cleavage intersect at 90 with exceptional play -of -color are known as Jennifer Larson 1/31 January Rock Shows The World of Jaspers group) disseminated through which may be Plasma Chalcedony is a mineral with a varied by the presence of white or yellow- ish patches. Its green color - — hardness of 7 out of 10 on the 4 6 SANTA ROSA, CA: Gem Faire Inc; Mohs scale of mineral hard- caused by chlorite. The colors Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Fri. 12 -6, are not always constant. - - ness. These Trigonally struc- Sat. 10 6, Sun. 10 5; $7 weekend pass; tured gems are made of sili- Plasma is also called heliotrope Website: http://www.gemfaire.com (its old name) and bloodstone - — con dioxide, their full chemi- 11 13 GLOBE, AZ: Gila County Gem cal compound being SiO2. jasper. & Mineral Society; Gila County Fair - - Grounds; Fri.& Sat. 9 5, Sun. 10 4; $3; Plasma is a massive, semi- Brazil, Australia, India, Mada- Website: gilagem.org gascar, Egypt, South Africa, the - — transparent, leek to dark green 11 13 LARGO, FL: Pinellas Geological variety of Chalcedony (a microcrystalline northwestern states of the USA, have com- Society; Central Park Performing Arts mercial deposits of plasma. - - variety of the Quartz group), microgranular Center; Fri. & Sat.10 5, Sun. 12 5; $2 or microfibrous, consisting of speckles of donation; Website: www.PGS.Rocks - The names heliotrope, now hardly used, - — red or brownish red jasper, resembling 11 13 DEL MAR, CA: Gem Faire Inc; drops of blood. and bloodstone, still in common use, are Del Mar Fairgrounds; Fri. 12 -6, Sat. 10 -6, used for a type of chalcedony or plasma - Sun. 10 5; $7 weekend pass; Website: It is translucent to opaque, may be dark with spots of iron oxide or red jasper re- http://www.gemfaire.com - - sembling blood spots against a dark green - — green to bright green, apple green, or near- - 11 13 SARASOTA, FL: Frank Cox Pro- ly emerald -green, containing microfibrous background. Good quality material comes ductions; Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, from the Deccan trap -rocks, India, from - of actinolite, frequently flecked with white daily 10 5, daily; $5; Website: http:// or yellowish spots. Those with red spots are Brazil and many other countries. www.frankcoxproductions.com/ - — known as bloodstone. Particles of various - 11 20 LAUGHLIN, AZ: Tropicana silicate minerals (chiefly of the chlorite http://gem5.com/stone/89/plasma Laughlin Hotel & Casino; daily 10 -5; free; chalcedony/ Website: https://visitlaughlin.com/event/ gem -mineral -jewelry -and -bead - Most agates consist of interlaying quartz show/35660/ Wavehill Agates and white, gray, lavender, pink or red agate 18 -20 —SAN RAFAEL, CA: Gem Faire Wavehill Station, bands. The inclusions and quartz Inc; Marin Center, Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; Northwest Territory, Australia (sometimes geodes) nodules free; Website: http://www.gemfaire.com - — are more 18 20 ST. PETERSBURG, FL: Frank The Wavehill Station is - resistant to weathering. Cox Productions; The Coliseum: daily 10 very remote in Northwest 5, daily; $5; Website: www.frankcox Territory of Australia, For now the large and better productions.com making it harder to obtain specimens can be obtained 19 —NEWTON, MA: Annual Auction; the agates from there. only from older collection Boston Mineral Club; American Legion Most found there are heav- - despite few recent attempts at Sat. 11 5; free; Website: www.boston ily fractured with peeling mining the agates. mineralclub.org bands, as a result of weath- - — 19 20 DELAND, FL: Tomoka Gem & ering. Some good speci- Mineral Society; Volusia County Fair- mens have been found and http://www.sailorenergy.net/Agates/ grounds; Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $4, under those are usually expensive. AgatesAustraliaWavehillAgates01.html 13 free; Website: tomokagms.org 25 -27 —TYLER, TX: 23rd Annual East Texas Gem & Mineral Show; Tyler Rose DON’T EXPECT PERFECTION FROM GEOLOGISTS: Garden Center; Fri. 9 -5, Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 THEY ALL HAVE THEIR FAULTS. -5; $5, under 12 free; Website: etgms.com Brazilian Agates Rock Room Amethyst This Club is unique because it has its own Tee Pee Canyon Agate We’re on rock store. Here is an inventory of what is Hauser Bed Agate Thundereggs available for Club members to purchase. Slabs of all sizes and types Facebook! Stop in when you come to the Clubhouse. Condor Agate

Cuyuna Rock, Grit and Polish Septarian Nodules — Montana Moss & Blue Agate 79 Bed Geodes Oregon Gem & Mineral Montana Petrified Wood Moroccan White Agate Society Oregon Geodes Obsidian

Chalcedony Mineral specimens This is a closed group, so you must Desert Rose Dinosaur bone

ask to join. After being approved Plume Agate Whole Septarians

you can follow the members’ posts Yellow Jasper Mexican Luna Lace Agate

and add your own information. Bruno Jasper Starolites Owyhee Picture Jasper Gemstone Certificates Although a few gemologists and dealers I have some serious disagreements with raised the alarm and questioned the ande- the colored gemstone grading system the Are gemstone certificates sine, the vast majority didn’t. GIA uses. In my opinion, the system is worth anything? slanted to give the best interpretation to On a related note, I think the same scam is many of the “commercial” cut types of By Jeff R. Graham happening with the copper treatment of tour- gems. The GIA and other schools need com- www.internationalgemsociety.org maline to create paraíba -like color. I have mercial cutters and trade houses to stay in personally seen tourmaline treated with business. These commercial interests also The short answer is — sometimes, but often, copper to make it blue. A few gemologists hire the schools’ graduates. So, there’s a lot NO. Gemstone certificates aren’t worth the are warning of problems. However, the big of buried self -interest involved. paper they’re printed on. commercial sellers and the gem institutes remain quiet. Money flows from these trade groups and Quite a few things influence a gemstone commercial interests and often finds its way certificate. The most important thing to You want a seller and/or gemologist who’ll into the schools as “gifts” or “contribu - remember is a certificate is only as good, inform you of ALL the problems a particular tions.” Do a little research and you’ll find honest, and accurate as the person writing it. gemstone. Someone who’ll say: “I think many articles on scandals in many gemolog- When you choose a gemologist to certify a there’s a problem here, even though the ical institutions. You’ll also find out gem for you, ask questions. Find out about trades and institutes don’t admit it. I don’t about diamond overgrading. their experience and reputation. Learn what recommend buying this stone right now un- gem grading system they use. This is critical til further testing or evidence is available.” There are many gem grading systems, but no international standard gem grading for the quality of any certificate for a gem Find an expert or trade types with a fair you may buy. system exists. I use my own common sense amount of experience. I’ve seen dishonest grading system. I think it’s the easiest and Some certificates are done by gemologists (or at least, “judgment impaired”) people most honest. But keep in mind, since so with degrees from the Gemological Institute write gemstone certificates more than once. many systems exist, you need to know what of America (GIA) or another accredited Of course, mistakes in grading happen all system the grader used to write a gem certif- school, and there are many schools. In the time. icate. Furthermore, you need to understand theory, a certificate written by a GIA how the system works. For example, I’ve A friend, who is a graduate gemologist, got gemologist or a graduate of some other a job doing in -house gemstone certificates seen some sellers using a system with clarity well -known gemology school should be grades that favored the seller and could for a large retail commercial jewelry compa- reasonably acceptable. Just don’t depend ny. After working at the job for a few mislead consumers. on it. weeks, the boss started to “suggest” quality I’m not impressed by the GIA in particular The GIA and other similar institutes have a grades several grades higher than my friend and institutions in general that offer gem- sales pitch. That is, their gemstone certifi- thought the gems should receive. However, stone certificates or train gemologists to cates are all quality and consistent. These he ignored the “suggestions.” write certificates. I would still say that people promote the “party line,” so to speak: A week or two later, he reviewed some of having a gem certificate from an accredited their certificates are not only the industry his certificates and found the grades gemologist is better than nothing. They do standard but also honest and trustworthy. have standards, even if they’re low ones, in changed. They were higher, in many cases In reality, some of these certificates are several grades higher. He corrected them my opinion. In a few cases, you may get an good, some are not. Some gemologists who and went to his boss to point out the prob- accurate certificate by a good gemologist. lem. The boss told him another gemologist Just don’t count on it. write these certificates just barely pass their tests at these schools. They may also lack had looked at his certificates and graded the Some of the best and most honest gemstone real life experience. Furthermore, frankly, stones higher. (My friend knew this was a certificates I’ve seen were written by quality some have absolutely no business ethics or lie; he was the only gemologist at that faceters. Some of the worst and most common sense. Of course, you also have branch at the time). The boss then lectured dishonest certificates were from large gemologists who graduated top in their him about needing to change his standards. dealers trying to hustle a dollar. classes and have good ethics. So, at best, If a gemstone was on the border between certificates written by degreed gemologists grades, he should grade the stone up in What you should seek before buying an are a mixed bag. value, not down. My friend quit the job. expensive stone is a gem certificate from someone independent of the seller. This will When you start talking about gemstones and On some stones, just one grade difference likely be more accurate, at least as far as the business ethics, some gemologists as well as can mean thousands of dollars difference in basics. Beware of in -house gem certificates. sellers strive to disclose all available infor- profits. Personally, when in doubt, I grade a Do your homework. Make sure you know mation about a gem. They’ll actually look stone “down.” However, many commercial what gem grading system the certificate into and check questionable stones. sellers bend the grades “up” as far as they writer is using. This will give you a better

Take the andesine gemstone scams. Very, can to increase profits. idea of the quality of the stone in question. Also, learn about the business reputations of very few gemologists or gem dealers inves- My friend’s story brings me to another tigated undisclosed treatment issues, even the people involved, the certificate writer as factor that contributes to the quality of a well as the dealer. though many people had raised serious gem certificate, in addition to the ethics and doubts and questions about these stones. experience of the person writing the certifi- Gemstone certificates can serve as guide, This was years before the scandals actually cate. The system used to grade the stone also however, education is best. Educate broke and became public. plays an important role. yourself.

Marcia Opatz, Editor Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Mineral Society 1001 Kingwood Street Suite B-40 Brainerd, MN 56401

FIRST CLASS MAIL

The Agate Explorer Club Officers January 2019 & Board of Directors Official Publication of the Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Mineral Society [email protected]

Members of AFMS & MWF President: Ed Opatz [email protected] 320 -250 -1363

Notes from the President - I don’t know what it looks like around your house, but there is so little snow Vice President: Sharon Smith here I think we should go look for agates! Have any good fields to look? [email protected] 218 -829 -4992

With a new year do you have any New Year’s resolutions for the rock club? Secretary —Joanie Hanson Something you like to have changed? Speakers you’d like to hear? Places [email protected] you’d like to go? 218 -831 -2665

I’m working on my rock shopping list during our winter travels. Do you have anything that you want me to be looking for? Treasurer: Kevin Martini [email protected] Hopefully you can make the January open shop time before the meeting. If you are a [email protected] 218 -770 -8917 beginner in using the machines you can come and learn. If you are experienced you can come and teach others. I believe that we are the only Minnesota rock club that has their own machines, and a rock store. Aren’t we lucky! One of the main reasons we Director: Lori DuBois have these is due to the hard work of putting on a very successful rock show. Director: Vern Iverson Director: Lilly Peterson The Club is looking for someone to be the speaker coordinator. Maybe that’s you.

Happy New Year to all! Newsletter Editor: Marcia Opatz [email protected] Ed Opatz 320 -250 -8120