Cuyuna Rock, Gem and Mineral Society The Agate Explorer
October 2019
Elections Will Be Held on Saturday, November 2, along with a silent auction. Please bring any items you would like to sell to this meeting.
In regard to elections, a portion of the Bylaws of the Club read as follows: Article IV: Board of Directors Sec. 1 —The Board of Directors shall have seven (7) members. Four (4) of these are elected officers of the Society: President, Vice -President, Secretary, and Treasurer: and three (3) additional elected Directors. Sec. 2 —All Board members shall serve without pay and must be Regular or Senior members having at least one year of membership in the Society. Sec. 5 —The President and Secretary shall be elected in odd numbered years and the Vice -President and Treasurer shall be elected in even numbered years. Franklin Art Center Sec. 6 —The three additional board directors shall be elected annually. Sec. 7 —A Nominating Committee shall be responsible for nominating a slate of prospective board member. In addition, any voting member can nominate a candidate Club Information to the slate of nominees. Website -www.cuyunarockclub.org Sec. 8 —Election of Board members shall take place at the November annual meeting of Email [email protected] the Society. Board members will be elected by a simple majority of voting members present at the annual meeting. Meeting Place Sec. 9 —The term of office shall be two (2) years for officers, and one (1) year for the Lower level other board members. The term of office shall commence on January 1. Franklin Arts Center 1001 Kingwood St, Brainerd, MN 56401 This year’s nominating committee consists of Lisa Hughes (320 -240 -9876) and Kevin Directions Martini (218 -770 -8917). Contact either to put your name on the ballet. .4 mile east of Business Hwy. 371 & Hwy. 210 intersection. (Castle turret water tower.) Rock Wrappers Date/Time An open gathering for wire wrappers the 2nd Saturday of each month starting at 10 a.m. on meeting Saturdays. at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Club Dues Hang out with other wrappers, and work on your projects. (Bring all $20/ family supplies needed.) Learn tricks to make wrapping easier, a new design, Free /unaccompanied juniors or perhaps a new place to find supplies. All skill levels welcome! Membership runs from Jan. 1-Dec. 31st.
Club Calendar Club Purpose: To foster an interest (& encourage October 12 — Open shop and rock sorting from 9-12; Rock young & old) to study earth Wrappers at 10; Board Mtg. at noon; General Mtg. at 2. Ed science, enjoy the art of lapidary, and Marcia Opatz will speak on their trip to Morocco. hunting for rocks, and semi -
November 2—Meeting —NOTE CHANGE OF DATE, DUE TO FRANK- precious stones. We also strive to LIN ARTS CRAFT SALE & OPENING OF DEER HUNTING ON NOV. 9. use what we know and acquire to Includes elections and silent auction. further educate everyone who has
December 14 - Christmas Potluck Party an interest in our hobby.
We are a not -for -profit
Information subject to change. organization. October Rock Shows 11 -12 —MOUNT IDA, AR: Mount Ida Area 18 -20 —FORT WAYNE, IN: Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce; Montgomery Coun- Gem & Mineral Society; Allen County Fair- 2-6—JOSHUA TREE, CA: Sportsman’s ty Fairgrounds; Daily 7 -4; Website: grounds; Fri. & Sat. 10 -6; Sun. 10 -5; $5, Club of Joshua Tree, 6225 Sunburst Street; www.mtidachamber.com under 13 free; Website: http://3riversgem daily 9 -6; Free; Website: jtsports- 11 -13 —VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: Treasures _mineral.tripod.com/ mansclub.com of the Earth, Inc.; Virginia Beach Conven- 18 -20 —DEL MAR, CA: Gem Faire Inc.; 4-6—INDIANAPOLIS, IN: Treasures Of tion Center; Fri. 12 -6, Sat. & Sun. 10 -5; $5, Del Mar Fairgrounds; Fri. 12 -6, Sat. 10 -6, The Earth Gem & Jewelry Shows; Indiana under 17 free; Website: http:// Sun. 10 -5; $7, under 12 free; Website: State; Fri. & Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 11 -5; $5, under www.TreasuresOfTheEarth.com http://www.gemfaire.com 16 free; Website: www.toteshows.com 11 -13 —MOAB, UT: Moab Points & Peb- 18 -20 —MASON, MI: Central Michigan 4-6—ALBUQUERQUE, NM: Jay Penn; bles; Old Spanish Trails Arena; Fri. & Sat. Lapidary & Mineral Society; Ingham Coun- Expo NM State Fairgrounds; daily 9 -5; 10 -6, Sun. 10 -4; Free; contact Jerry Hansen; ty Fairgrounds; Fri. 6 -9, Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 11 - Free; Website: http://abqfallshow.wixsite. Email: [email protected] 5; $3, under 12 free; Website: Michrocks. com/abq -fall -show 11 -13 —COSTA MESA, CA: Gem Faire org 4-6—DALLAS, NC: Gaston Gem, Mineral Inc.; OC Fair & Event Center; Fri. 12 -6, 18 -20 —AUSTIN, TX: Austin Gem & Min- & Facetor's Club; Gaston County Park; Fri. Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $7; under 12 free; eral Society; Palmer Events Center; Fri. & & Sat. 9 -6, Sun. 9 -4; Free; Website: http:// Website: http://www.gemfaire.com Sat. 9 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $8, under 13 free; Web- gastongemclub.weebly.com/ 11 -13 —TRONA, CA: Searles Lake Gem & site: www.agms -tx.org 4-6—SACRAMENTO, CA: Gem Faire Mineral Society; SLG&MS Lapidary and 18 -20 —KNOXVILLE, TN: Knoxville Gem Inc.; Scottish Rite Center; Fri. 12 -6, Sat. 10 - Show building; Fri. 1:30 -6:30, Sat. 7:30 -5, & Mineral Society; Rothchild Conference 6, Sun. 10 -5; $7, under 12 free; Website: Sun. 7:30 -3; free; Website: www1.iwvisp. Center; Fri. 10 -7, Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 11 -5; $6, http://www.gemfaire.com com/tronagemclub/ under 12 free; Website: http://www. 4-6—ORLANDO, FL: Central Florida Min- 11 -13 —SALT LAKE CITY, UT: Mineral knoxrocks.org/ eral & Gem Society; Florida National Guard Collectors of Utah; Trolley Square; Fri. 12 - 19 —WEST HILLS, CA: Woodland Hills Armory; Fri. 1 -6, Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $5, 9, Sat. 10 -9, Sun. 10 -5; Free; Website: Rock Chippers; First United Methodist students $2; Website: www.cfmgs.org http://m -c-u.org/ Church; Sat. 10 -5; free; Website: www. 4-6—SARASOTA, FL: Frank Cox Produc- 11 -13 —PORTLAND, OR: Portland Re- rockchippers.org tions; Sarasota Municipal Auditorium; daily gional Gem & Mineral Association; Jackson 19 —ALBANY, NH: Saco Valley Gem & 10 -5; $5; Website: FrankCoxProduc- Army National Guard; Fri. & Sat. 10 -6, Sun. Mineral Club; Albany Town Hall; Sat. 9 -5; tions.com 10 -5; $5, under 13 free; Website: www. $2, under 12 free; Website: sacovalleyge- 5-IDAHO FALLS, ID: Idaho Falls Gem & PortlandRegionalGemandMineral.com mandmineralclub.org Mineral Society; Pinecrest Event Center; 11 -13 —HUNTSVILLE, AL: Huntsville 19 -20 —SPRINGFIELD, MO: Ozark Moun- Sat. 9 -5; $3, under 13 free; contact Bill Gem & Mineral Society; Jaycee Community tain Gem & Mineral Society; Springfield Thielbahr, (208) 524 -0139 Center; Fri. & Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 12 -5; $3, un- Expo Center; Sat. 10 -5, Sun. 10 -4:30; $6, 5-MACUNGIE, PA: Annual show; Pennsyl- der 5 free; Website: www.huntsville student $3, under 12 $1; Website: www. vania Earth Sciences Association; Macungie gms.org omgms.rocks Memorial Park; Sat. 8:30 -3; $2, under 12 12 -13 —TEMPLE, TX: Tri -City Gem & 19 -20 —SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV: free; Website: https://www.facebook.com/ Mineral Society; Frank W. Mayborn Civic Kanawha Rock & Gem Club; So. Charles- events/314092412814506 & Convention Center; Sat. 9 -6, Sat. 10 -5; ton Community Center; Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 - 5-6—JEFFERSON , WI: Rock River Valley $5, teens $2; Website: http://drarhie. 5; $3.50, under 12 free; Website: http:// Geological Society; Jefferson County Fair wixsite.com/tcgme kanawharockandgemclub.org Park; Sat. 10 -5, Sun. 10 -4; free will offer- 12 -13 —WALNUT CREEK, CA: Pacific 19 -20 —COTTAGE GROVE, MN: Minne- ing; Website: www.stevensrockshop.com. Crystal Guild; Civic Park Community Cen- sota Mineral Club; National Guard Training 5-6—OMAHA, NE: Nebraska Mineral & ter; Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -4; $12, under 12 free; & Community Center; Sat. 10 -5, Sun. 10 -4; Gem Club; Westside Middle School; Sat. 10 Website: http://www.crystalfair.com $2, children $1, $5 for family; Website: -6, Sun. 10 -4; $6, under 12 free; Website: 12 -13 —SIERRA VISTA, AZ: Huachuca https://mnmineral.org/ http://www.nerockgem.org Mineral & Gem Club; Cochise College; Sat. 19 -20 —DES MOINES, IA: Des Moines 5-6—MARYSVILLE, WA: Marysville 9-5, Sun. 10 -4; free; Website: huachucamin- Lapidary Society (DMLS); Iowa State Fair- Rock & Gem Club; Totem Middle School - [email protected] grounds; Sat. 9 -5, Sun. 10 -4; $5, under 12 Gymnasium; Daily 10 -5; Free; Website: 12 -13 —TOPEKA, KS: Topeka Gem & free; Website: www.DMLapidary.org/ https://www.marysvillerockclub.com/page/ Mineral Society, Inc.; KS Expocentre Agri- OurShow 5-6—GRASS VALLEY, CA: Nevada cultural Hall; Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $5, under 19 -20 —SEDONA, AZ: Sedona Gem & County Gem & Mineral Society; Nevada 13 free; Website: www.TopekaGMS.org Mineral Club; Sedona Red Rock High County Fairgrounds; Sat. 10 -5; $3, under 14 12 -13 —SEATTLE, WA: Crystallography School; Sat. 10 -5, Sun. 10 -4; $3, under 12 free; Website: www.ncgms.org Gem + Mineral Full Inventory Show: Seat- free; Website: sedonagemandmineral.org 5-6—SPRINGFIELD, IL: Lincoln Orbit tle; OmCulture (Wallingford); Sat. 12 -7, 19 -20 —LANCASTER, CA: Palmdale Gem Earth Science Society; Illinois State Fair- Sun. 10 -4; Free; Website: & Mineral Club; Antelope Valley Fair- grounds; Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -4; $2, under 12 www.crystallographygems.com grounds; daily 9 -5; free; Website: palmdale free; Website: http://www.loess.org 18 -20 —LEWISTON, ID: Northwest Feder- gemandmineral.org 5-6—ANDERSON, CA: Shasta Gem & ation Show & Hells Canyon Gem Club An- 19 -20 —CLIO, MI: Flint Rock & Gem Club; Mineral Society; Shasta District Fair- nual Show; Nez Perce County Fairgrounds; Carter Middle School; daily 10 -5; $3, under grounds; Sat. 9 -5, Sun. 10 -4; Free; Website: Fri. & Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; Website: http:// 6 free; Website: www.flintrockandgem.org www.shastagemandmineral.com www.hellscanyongemclub.com/ 19 -20 —HONOLULU, HI: Rock & Mineral Society of Hawaii (Hui Pohaku O Ha- Because there was no September meeting the August meeting minutes waii); Ohana Hale Marketplace; Sat. 10 - cannot be published until the November newsletter, - 8, Sun. 10 5; free; Website: https:// after approval at the October meeting. hawaiimineralsociety.pohakugalore.net/ 18th -annual -hawaii -rock -and -mineral - show -oct -19 -and -20 -2019 National Fossil Day 19 -20 —CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL: South Wednesday, October 16th Suburban Earth Science Club; Prairie - State College; daily 10 5; free; Website: During 2019 we celebrate the 10th http://www.prairestate. edu Anniversary of National Fossil - — 19 20 ORLANDO, FL: Florida Fossil Day! Join paleontologists, educators, Hunters; Central Florida Fairgrounds; Sat. and students in fossil -related events and - - 9 5, Sun. 10 4; $4, children $1; Website: activities across the country in parks, https://floridafossil hunters.com/ classrooms, and online during National - — 19 20 PLACERVILLE, CA: El Dorado Fossil Day. National Fossil Day is an annual celebration held to highlight the scientific County Mineral & Gem Society; El Doro- and educational value of paleontology and the importance of preserving fossils for future - ado County Fairgrounds; daily 10 5; $6, generations. under 12 free; Website: http:// www.eldoradorocks.org https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/index.htm 19 -20 —SANTA ROSA, CA: Santa Rosa Mineral & Gem Society; Santa Rosa Vet- Famous Pearls in History erans Memorial; Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $6, under 12 free; Website: www.srmgs.org Maharani Sita Devi Sahib of Baroda in western India (1917 -1989) 25 -27 —SANTA ROSA, CA: Gem Faire was dubbed the “Indian Wallis Simpson” after she legally dissolved Inc.; Sonoma County Fairgrounds; Fri. 12 her first marriage and married her second husband, Maharaja -6, Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $7, under 12 Pratapsingh Gaekwar, who at the time was reportedly the second free; Website: http://www.gemfaire.com richest Indian prince and the 8th richest man in the world. To 26 -27 —CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH: commemorate the couple’s wedding, the Maharaja gave Sita Devi Summit Lapidary Club & Akron Mineral - - several pieces of jewelry from the Baroda treasury, including a seven strand pearl Society; Emidio's Expo Center; Sat. 10 6, - - necklace. Sun. 10 5; $5, srs. $4, 7 14 $1, under 7 free; contact Evelyn Tryon, 330 -673 - The Baroda Necklace was re -fashioned into a two -strand necklace using the largest and 9664, 330 -673 -9664 most perfect pearls from the original seven -strand necklace. The necklace includes 68 26 -27 —CANBY, OR: Clackamette Min- graduated pearls, measuring 9.47mm to 16.04mm, and is joined by a cushion -cut eral & Gem Club; Clackamas County - - diamond Cartier clasp. The necklace sold at Christie’s in New York for an incredible Fairgrounds; Sat. 9 6, Sun. 10 5; Website: $7.1 million USD. http://www.clackamettegem.org 26 -27 —BELLEVUE, WA: Bellevue https://www.truefacet.com/guide/lustrous -luxurious -worlds -expensive -pearls/ Rock Club; Vasa Park; Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 - 5; free; Website: www.bellevuerock club.org 26 -27 —OKLAHOMA CITY, OK: Okla- homa Mineral & Gem Society; State Fair Park; Sat. 9 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $6, under 12 free; Website: omgs -minerals.org 26 -27 —EVANSVILLE, IN: Evansville Lapidary Society; C K Newsome Com- munity Center; Sat. 10 -5, Sun. 10 -4; $2, under 13 free; Website: https:// www.facebook.com/groups/Lapidary/ 26 -27 —PORT MOODY, BC: Port Moody Rock & Gem Club; Kyle Centre, daily 10 -5; donation; Website: http:// www.portmoody.rocks Sunshine Requests Here is part of the If you know someone crew that went on the who could use a little SD/MT trip, digging for sunshine — birth, illness, Teepee Canyon agate. — Note the box (lower left) surgery, family death please contact Christi Higgins at 320 -224 -6650. with some of the extracted nodules. Rock Room This Club is unique because it has its own rock store. Here is an inventory of what is available for Club members to purchase. Stop in when you come to the Clubhouse.
Grit and Polish Montana Moss & Blue Agate Montana Petrified Wood Oregon Geodes Chalcedony Desert Rose Plume Agate Yellow Jasper Bruno Jasper Owyhee Picture Jasper Brazilian Agates Amethyst Tee Pee Canyon Agate Hauser Bed Agate Thundereggs Slabs of all sizes and types Septarian Nodules —Utah 79 Bed Geodes —Oregon Moroccan White Agate Obsidian Mineral specimens Dinosaur bone Condor Agate Mexican Luna Lace Agate Starolites (Cross Rocks) Small Botswana Agate Rocks from the Moes’ collection New material will be available soon from a recent donation.
Museum analyzed the skeletal bones. The biologically similar dinosaurs: the low posi- New Dinosaur Unearthed A new kind of duck -billed dinosaur has been dinosaur found was most likely an adult, tion of the cranial bone notch, the short according to the research team's histological ascending process of the jaw bone and the discovered in Japan. The largest dinosaur skeleton ever found in the country was hid- study. anterior inclination of the neural spines of - - the sixth to twelfth dorsal vertebrae. ing underneath 72 million year old marine deposits in the town of Mukawa, according It was about 8 meters long and weighed ei- ther 4 or 5.3 tons, depending on if it walked Scientists are interested in what the to Hokkaido University. Kamuysaurus japonicus can tell us
First, part of the dinosaur's tail was about its clade, a taxonomic grouping of organisms with a common ancestor - discovered during a joint excava- - tion carried out by the Hobetsu its branch on the tree of life, so to speak. Museum and Hokkaido University Museum in 2013. The latest common ancestors of the
Subsequent excavations unearthed dinosaurs in the Edmontosaurini clade a nearly complete dinosaur skele- were spread across both Asia and North America. At the time, they were con- ton, described in a study published - in Scientific Reports. It belongs to nected by what is present day Alaska, a new genus and species of a her- which allowed them to travel back and forth between the two continents. bivorous hadrosaurid dinosaur, the university said in a news release. The group's research also suggests that
Scientists named the dinosaur "Kamuysaurus on two or four legs respectively. That's the dinosaur's ancestors preferred to inhabit japonicus." The name comes from "kamuy," around the weight of an Asian elephant. areas near the ocean. The coastline environ- The frontal bone of its skull had a long ment may have played an important role in the word for diety in Ainu, the language of the indigenous people of northern Japan; anterior platform for the nasofrontal sutural the diversification of hadrosaurids in its surface, meaning the dinosaur had what evolution. "saurus," meaning reptile in Latin; and "japonicus" for Japan. some might call a duck bill. https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/05/world/new - A group of researchers led by Yoshitsugu The team discovered this dinosaur has three duck -billed -dinosaur -scn -trnd/index.html Kobayashi from the Hokkaido University characteristics that aren't shared with other Mineral Encyclopedia Notable occurrences of lepidolite have been makes these stones even more desirable are found in Minas Gerais, Brazil; Manitoba, the bright flashes that occur when the mica Canada; Honshu, Japan; Madagascar; Ural cleavage surfaces reflect light. This material Mountains, Russia; Skuleboda, Sweden; is used to produce cabochons, beads, California, Maine, and New Mexico, United tumbled stones, and ornamental items. They States; and Coolgardie, Western Australia. are usually sold as “lepidolite” without giv- ing the quartz proper credit for its important Most specimens of lepidolite have pink, red job. or purple as their dominant hue. These are the expected colors of lepidolite. The miner- Lepidolite is also an important ingredient in al sometimes has a dark tone, which gives it the quartz gem known as “aventurine”. The a grayish appearance. Rare specimens of aventurescence and color of pink, red, and lepidolite are colorless or yellow. purple aventurine is often caused by the - presence of tiny flakes of lepidolite within Lepidolite is the name of a rare lithium rich mica mineral that is usually pink, red, or Many people assume that lithium produces the quartz. Just a few weight percent of purple in color. It is the most common lithi- the color of lepidolite; however, lithium lepidolite flakes can be enough to impart a - rarely serves as a chromophore in minerals. distinct color in aventurine. um bearing mineral and serves as a minor ore of lithium metal, with rubidium and Manganese is the cause of color in pink, red and purple lepidolites. https://geology.com/minerals/ cesium sometimes being byproducts. When impregnated with quartz, lepidolite is used as a minor gemstone. Flakes of lepidolite Lepidolite has a chemical composition that ranges in a solid solution series from that of Physical Properties of Lepidolite are sometimes responsible for the color of polylithionite KLi2Al(Si4O10)(F,OH)2 to Chemical Classification: pink and red aventurine. - that of trilithionite K(Li1.5Al1.5) Silicate Phyllosilicate (AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2. This compositional Color: Usually pink, red, or purple, often Lepidolite can only form in geochemical environments where high concentrations of range of lithium mica is known as the lepid- grayish. Rarely colorless or yellow. lithium are available for mineral formation. olite series. Streak: White to colorless. Often sheds tiny flakes upon hardness testing. Lepidolite is a rare mineral because these geochemical situations rarely occur. The properties of lepidolite make most Luster: Pearly to vitreous. specimens easy to identify. If you find a Diaphaneity: Transparent to translucent The lithium ion is very small, and it does not readily substitute in other minerals. As a pink to purple mica mineral, it is probably Cleavage: Perfect in one direction. result, it is usually one of the last ions to lepidolite. Mohs Hardness: 2.5 to 3.5 form minerals during the crystallization of a Specific Gravity: 2.8 to 3.0 The most important use of lepidolite has Diagnostic Properties: Cleavage, color, subsurface magma. As other ions are depleted, the residual fluids of magma crys- been as a minor ore of lithium metal. This transparency, pseudohexagonal crystals. use was more important in the first half of Chemical Composition: K(Li,Al3) tallization become progressively enriched with lithium. the 1900s than it is today. Today most lithi- (AlSi3)O10(OH,F)2 um is produced from brine and evaporite Crystal System : Monoclinic
During the final stages of crystallization, deposits in South America, where lithium Uses: Used as an ore of lithium. Crushed can be extracted more economically. for use as flake mica. Used to make glass there might finally be a high enough con- centration of lithium present to form dis- Small amounts of rubidium sometimes sub- and enamel. Used as a minor gemstone. crete lithium minerals such as spodumene, stitute for lithium in the lepidolite crystal lepidolite, and petalite. Elbaite tourmaline is lattice. When present, the rubidium can be another lithium -bearing mineral that forms recovered as a byproduct during the extrac- tion of lithium. Lepidolite and pollucite, We’re on Facebook! in association with lepidolite and other lithi- um minerals. Other associated minerals in- another lithium mineral that can contain Cuyuna Rock, clude: beryl, cassiterite, cleaveland- significant amounts of cesium, often occur Gem & Mineral Society ite, muscovite, quartz, topaz, and a variety together. These minerals can be mined for of feldspar minerals. lithium with cesium as a byproduct. is a closed group, so you must ask to join. After being approved you Pegmatites, greisens, and hydrothermal Lepidolite is sometimes used as a source of can follow the members’ posts and add quartz veins are rocks of late -stage magmat- flake mica. It is also used to make glass and your own information. ic crystallization. They are the rocks where as an ingredient in some enamels. Lepido- much of the world’s lithium minerals are lite can be used as an ornamental stone and found. In these rocks, lepidolite occurs as is an important constituent in some gem Cuyuna Rock, Gem, & disseminated particles, aggregates of fine materials. Mineral Society on the Web grains, “books” of flat sheets, and aggre- www.cuyunarockclub.org gates of curved sheets. Most deposits of Lepidolite as a mineral lacks the hardness lithium -bearing minerals formed by and tenacity to be a good gem material. igneous processes are small pod -shaped However, it is sometimes impregnated with deposits of a few hundred to a few thousand quartz, and that gives it durability. Lepido- tons where hand mining and hand separa- lite impregnated with quartz makes an at- tion are required. tractive pink to purple gemstone, but what Agates Precious or Semi -Precious From Around The World Gemstones
Brockway Mountains Agates Sapphire is any gem -quality specimen Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan of the aluminum oxide mineral corundum There are few places on both sides of which is not red. While Copper Harbor, Michigan where the agate - sapphires are often blue, bearing basalt beds are exposed and they're heavily weathered. The main source was at they can be colorless to any other color. the northern side of Brockway Mountains to the west of Copper Harbor and the same bed extends underwater off Keweenaw Peninsula where scuba divers chiseled the agates out Colors are due to trace amounts of iron, of. It's not easy to find the copper, titanium, chromium, or magnesi- basalt outcrops due to forest overgrowth. It can be easy to get lost if one doesn't mark the um. way. - The chemical formula of sapphire is (α Al 2O3). Its crystal system is trigonal. I visited the place and extracted a few agates out of the basalt bed. Many agates are heav- ily fractured as a result of being weathered for so many centuries since the last glacier Corundum is hard, around 9 on the Mohs period and some agates show healed fractures that make them seem more interesting. scale. Because of their weathered nature, many agates tend to crumble when cut or polish so it's not easy to find ones that are strong enough to withdraw the stress of being cut and grind- https://www.thoughtco.com/alphabetical - ed. The colors are mainly red to orange. There had been few finds of large agate nodules - - - - - list of precious and semiprecious there as well as amethyst pieces. - gemstones 4134639 http://www.sailorenergy.net/Agates/AgatesLakeSuperiorBrockwayMtns11lg.jpg Fluorescent Minerals Scapolite irreversibly converts to an entirely different Commonly found in short to substance called meta -autunite -I. After There are several minerals that emit light, or - glow under black lights (ultraviolet (UV) long crystals, scapolite, which many years, the meta autunite turns to - means “shaft” in Greek, emits powder, ruining the specimen. light). Non visible (to the human eye) black light reacts with the chemicals in minerals orange or yellow color and, on and causes the rock to fluorescence. If the rare occasions, red under black Hyalite glow remains after you remove the light light. As an attractive gemstone, One of many scapolite's colors vary from yellow or or- names for the source, you have a phosphorescence miner- al. Other minerals glow when struck or ange to pink or violet. common opal, hyalite is a color- crushed (triboluminescence) or when heated Willemite less to sky -blue (thermoluminescence). A UV light that Nearly all willemite ore emits both longwave and shortwave light transparent color that fluoresces green under (zinc silicate) glows UV light. helps identify fluorescent minerals as many bright green under black emit different color under varying wave- light and a few will Gypsum lengths; however use caution when using phosphorescence. This A common sedimentary shortwave light as it can cause blindness. rare mineral, a source of zinc ore, is one of mineral, gypsum,
Scheelite the finest specimens of fluorescent material. (hydrated calcium sulfate) glows blue under A popular, collectible Calcite ultraviolet light. As a natural insulator, mineral, scheelite Not all calcite min- (calcium tungstate), gypsum feels warm to the touch, and is erals are florescent, commonly used in drywall. glows blue under although some short wave ultraviolet specimens glow Eucryptite light. red, yellow, pink Some eucryptite
Fluorite or blue under UV light. Calcite (calcium (lithium aluminum Fluorite (calcium fluoride) carbonite) gets its name from the Greek silicate) minerals "chalix" (lime) and has many uses, such as fluoresce pink un- usually fluoresces blue, but many specimens emit vari- cement, mortars, or as an ornamental stone. der ultraviolet light. Eucryptite ous colors, including yellow, Autunite crystals, although red, white, green and red. A One of the most beautiful few specimens simultane- transparent to translucent, are rarely cut as radioactive minerals, the gemstones. ously produce different col- yellow -green color of the ors when viewed under long wave and short autunite mineral (hydrated - - - wave UV light, while a number of fluorite https://sciencing.com/rocks glow under calcium uranyl phosphate) black -light -5973965.html specimens’ phosphorescence (glow without fluoresces under ultraviolet a visible light source) in a third color. light. Strangely, when autunite loses water it Jewelry Making Tip larger drill to countersink the plastic for the Rox Box screw heads. A place to advertise No Scratch Vise Jaws Plastic can be obtained from the scrap bin rock items to sell and If your bench vise has replaceable jaws, at a local plastics store, can be purchased to inquire about items there is a simple modification to customize online, or can be repurposed from an old to purchase. it for bending sheet metal and holding jew- kitchen cutting board. elry pieces without worrying about the jaws leaving scratch marks. The Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Society accepts no responsibility for any dissatisfaction I make a duplicate set of jaws from high that may occur by either party, seller density plastic such as Nylon or Delrin. or buyer. The Society does not profit in Remove the jaws and use them as a tem- any way by sales transactions. plate. Cut two pieces from a 1/2 inch sheet of scrap plastic. Then clamp the steel jaw For Sale: over the plastic and drill through the steel Double barrel Lot -O side and into the plastic. Finally, use a Tumbler in good condition. On cement block for The World of Jaspers stability. $175. Spider Jasper
: Finish Spiderweb Jasper is found north of For Sale Carefree, Arizona. polish wheel with brand new leather. $110. It can be gray with black lines or red with black lines.
Buffer/ 2019 Show Card Winner Polisher in fair condi- tion. In- To the right is Club President, Ed Opatz, cludes awarding Nancy Kazlauokas with an wood stand. amethyst geode. The geode was this year’s $65. prize for the special drawing from the show for bringing back the show advertising All three can be seen business card. Congratulations! at the Clubhouse. Call Ed Opatz at 320 -250 -1363.
Green Gemstones For Sale: Rock
Durable Green Gemstones Zoisite Drilling System Jade Malachite Like new condi- Verdelite and Chrome Tourmaline Green Zircon tion. Includes 3 Green Garnets: Tsavorite and Demantoid Serpentine speed drill press, Bloodstone Prehnite coolant delivery Green Diamond Green Apatite system, 3 spare Maw Sit Sit Variscite nozzles, maple Green Chrysoberyl Kornerupine drilling block, 8 Chrysoprase Green Collector’s Gemstones oz. bottle diamond lube, stainless steel Prasiolite Chrome Sphene magnetic base coolant recovery/ splash - Green Sapphire Ekanite tray, adjustable mini vise, 6 piece diamond
Idocrase (Vesuvianite) Hiddenite drill bit assortment. $200. Call Bev - - Aventurine Gaspeite Williams at 218 821 5684. Fragile Green Gemstones Seraphinite (Clinochlore) Emerald Peridot https://www.gemsociety.org/article/green - For Sale: A variety of lapidary equip- Chrome Diopside gemstones/?utm_source=igs&utm_medium ment, including tumblers, flat laps, rock - Moldavite =email&utm_campaign=august_26_32_gr saws (10 20’ blades), automatic cabbing Turquoise een_gemstones machine, 4 wheel cabbing machine, saw - - Sunstone and Oregon Sunstone blades. Call Ed Opatz at 320 250 1363.
Marcia Opatz, Editor Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Mineral Society 1001 Kingwood Street
Suite B-40 Brainerd, MN 56401
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The Agate Explorer Club Officers October 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 Vice -President: Sharon Smith We are about to leave Montana from our South Dakota and Montana trip with boxes [email protected] of treasures. I even found a few elusive Fairburn agates! 218 -343 -7037
During the two week period we had as many as 30 people from the combination of Secretary —Joanie Hanson two Clubs, the Cuyuna Rock, Gem, and Mineral Society, and the Roving Rock- [email protected] hounds. New friends were definitely made. The Roving Rockhound club may 218 -831 -2665 invite the Cuyuna Club on another trip since we were so Minnesota nice.
The group found Fairburn, bubblegum, Indian eye, prairie, Montana moss, and Teepee Canyon Treasurer: Kevin Martini agates; fossils, petrified wood, and probably more. [email protected] [email protected] And before we even get home I am thinking about the 2020 trip. Does anyone have 218 -770 -8917 anywhere on their wish list? Please let me know. I think I may have a location for a fall Minnesota agate pick. Does anyone else have a possible picking place? Director: Lori DuBois We received a donation of a couple of pails of rocks that are now in the rock room. We have more Director: Vern Iverson sorting to do! Please come early to the October meeting if you would like to help. Director: Lilly Peterson
As you can see on page 1, elections will be held at the November meeting. If you have been a member for a year or more, PLEASE consider becoming a Board member. Newsletter Editor: Marcia Opatz [email protected] 320 -250 -8120 Ed Opatz