Cuyuna Rock, Gem and Mineral Society The Agate Explorer

March 2019

Summer Field Trip

Plans are being made for a long weekend trip to Thunder Bay to collect amethyst. The tentative dates are Friday -Sunday, July 5 -7.

A sign -up sheet will be available at upcoming meeting in order to plan this trip.

It is necessary to have a passport to travel to Canada. You may also check to see if an enhanced driver’s license is acceptable.

March meeting Open Shop from 9 a.m. —noon Franklin Art Center

Club member, Ray Strassberg, will be available for members to learn how Club Information to cut rocks using the 10” or 16” inch saws. Website -www.cuyunarockclub.org Email [email protected]

Bring rocks of your own or purchase something in the Rock Room. Meeting Place Lower level Franklin Arts Center Kids’ Program 1001 Kingwood St, Brainerd, MN 56401 Did you know that there are many Directions .4 mile east of Business Hwy. 371 different kinds of Lake Superior & Hwy. 210 intersection. agates? Lisa will tell you all about it (Castle turret water tower.) at the March meeting! 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, March 9 —Meeting: Board Mtg. at 12:30; General Mtg. at - 2:00; Mike Braun will demonstrate how to get a great hunting for rocks, and semi polish using the Cab King safely. precious stones. We also strive to April 13 —Meeting use what we know and acquire to May 4 —(note change of date) - Meeting further educate everyone who has May 11 & 12 —Show an interest in our hobby. July 5-7 (tentative) - field trip to Thunder Bay for amethyst - - Information subject to change. We are a not for profit organization.

Jewelry Making Tip Because these machines are only a Rock Room By Brad Smith www.BradSmithJewelry.com foot high, they're lim- ited as to the size of This Club is unique because it has its own workpieces that can fit rock store. Here is an inventory of what is Mini Drill Press into the machine and available for Club members to purchase. If you find yourself drilling a number of the size of the drill Stop in when you come to the Clubhouse. small holes for your work, you might want bits you can use. But Grit and Polish to look at the small, inexpensive drill I've had no problems Montana Moss & Blue Agate presses now available. They take up just with drill bits up to Montana Petrified Wood minimal space on your bench and are about 3/16" (4.5mm), even drilling steel. Oregon Geodes always ready to give you nice straight Chalcedony holes. Some models even have a variable The machines are sold by a number of Desert Rose speed control. I've been very pleased with a companies. If you do get one, be sure to Plume Agate - - low priced one that's been well used in my buy a spare belt because they are generally Yellow Jasper classes for over a year. not available at local hardware stores. Bruno Jasper Owyhee Picture Jasper

Joanie showed the membership her idea for Brazilian Agates Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Mineral Society a Mother’s Day project at the show that Amethyst General Meeting Minutes Saturday kids can make for their moms. She will be Tee Pee Canyon Agate February 9, 2019 asking for help to get these ready from any- Hauser Bed Agate Thundereggs

The meeting was called to order at 2:00 pm body in the club that knows how to wire - Slabs of all sizes and types by Vice -President Sharon Smith. bend. Prep will start on the next meeting Condor Agate — day at 10 am. Septarian Nodules Utah — 28 members and 2 guests were present. 79 Bed Geodes Oregon

Programs: Ed Walton and Ray Strassburg Moroccan White Agate

We will be updating all member infor- on Saws - How to use them, upkeep and Obsidian mation as well as require all members to cost. Mineral specimens sign a release form for shop equipment use Dinosaur bone and field trips. Marcia will be sending out a Kid’s program: Rock art - Lori DuBois Mexican Luna Lace Agate general email with this information on it Starolites once it is ready. Door Prize winners: Mason Williams, Mark Sharon reviewed shop safety rules. Jeppesen, Bryce Eggert, Kathee Stanwood. Coming Soon! Small Botswana Agate We remind all members that if you use a Respectfully submitted, machine in the shop you must also cleanup Joanie Hanson, Secretary after your self and know how to properly care for the equipment.

Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Mineral Society them ready and have them at the club for We will be asking all members to update Board Meeting Minutes Saturday distribution. Bev will distribute in the their addresses, phone numbers and email February 9, 2019 Aitkin areas but we will need help with addresses. other areas. The meeting was called to order at 12:00 Our current club brochures have the wrong pm by Vice -President Sharon Smith. The rock show volunteer list is ready to go date for the show but we have decided to and is available at meetings. Ed and Joanie use them anyway due to cost of changing Present at the meeting were Secretary have copies. All members are hopefully them. If you hand one out be sure to change Joanie Hanson and Board Members -at - going to help in some way at the show. The the date on it. Large Lilly Peterson, Vern Iverson, and club email address is: cuyunarockgem- Lori DuBois. President Ed Opatz was [email protected] if you want to email when A Motion was introduced to update and present via phone. you want to work. If you call Joanie please replace any worn out equipment parts for leave a message (218 -831 -2665). the shop saws and grinders. The Motion A Motion was introduced to set the 2019 was voted on and passed. rock show budget at $1500.00. The Motion Franklin Art Center was notified by the post was voted on and passed. office that they have to update mailboxes - The Board set the date for 2019 Kid’s Camp this does not affect our address. on Friday & Saturday June 7 & 8. Marcia We will be talking to the owners of any will add this to the school pack flyers for marquee signs in the Brainerd Lakes area The Board is working on Hold -Harmless the show. for advertising for the show. forms for members to sign that allows them to work on the equipment in the shop. Respectfully Submitted, Marcia is getting all the preliminary work There will also be sign up forms for field Joanie Hanson, Secretary done with the school packs. Joanie will get trips. Show Volunteer List Rock Saws/Geode Cracker: Security —back gate: Sat. ______Sat. 6 -9 ______Sign up sheets are now available for the ______Sat. 9 -noon ______show on May 11 & 12. ______Sat. noon -3 ______Please consider helping at our biggest Sun. Ray Strassberg Sat. 3 -6 ______fundraiser of the year. Marge Strassberg Sun. 9 -12 -:30 ______Sun. 12:30 -4 ______

Show /Silent Auction Set up (Friday): Wizard of Rocks: Kids’ Corner/Sluice Box: Gerry & Linda Shuety, Vern Iverson, Joanie - - Hanson, Mike Stanwood, Lilly Peterson Sat. 9 noon ______Sat. 9 1 Judy Frampton Sat. noon -3 ______Sat. 3 -5 ______Set up Display Cases (Friday): Sun. 10 -1 ______- - Sun. 1 4 ______Sat. 1 5 Sandi Hilsgen ______

______Door Admission: Silent Auction: ______Sat. 9 -noon Vern Iverson Sat. 9 -noon Don Trieglaff - Sun. 10 1 ______Diane Trieglaff ______Sat. noon -3 ______Sat. noon -3 ______Sat. 3 -5 ______- Sun. 1 4 Judy Frampton ______Sat. 1 -5 Judy Frampton Sun. 10 -1 ______Sun. 1 -4 ______Sun. 10 -1 Judy Frampton ______Spinning Wheel: ______Sat. 9 -noon ______

______Security: ______Sun. 1 -4 ______- Sat. noon 3 ______Sat. 9 noon Mike Stanwood (all day) ______Sat. 3 -5 ______Club Table: - Sat. 9 -1 Joanie Hanson Sat. noon -3 ______Sun. 10 1 ______- ______Sun. 1 4 ______- Sat. 1 -3 Gerry Schuety ______Sat. 1 5 Sherry Busse ______Sat. 2 -5 Linda Schuety - ______Sat. 3 5 ______Show Tear Down: Sun. 10 -1 Joanie Hanson ______Bev Williams, Erich Ess, Lilly Peterson, ______Joanie Hanson ______Sun. 10 -1 ______Sun. 1 -4 ______Monday AM Clean Up: ______Dolores & Tony Sibet ______Sun. 1 -4 ______To sign up, please Door Prizes/Vendor Survey: ______contact Joanie Hanson at 218 -831 -2665 Keith Lorensen ______(leave message); or email [email protected] or Ed Opatz at 320 -250 -1363.

Cuyuna Rock, Gem, & Sunshine We’re on Mineral Society on the Web Requests Facebook! www.cuyunarockclub.org If you know Cuyuna Rock, someone who could Gem & Mineral Society

use a little sun- is a closed group, so you must — shine birth, illness, surgery, family ask to join. After being approved you — death please contact Christi Higgins at can follow the members’ posts and add - - 320 224 6650. your own information.

Mineral Encyclopedia In these deposits, sphalerite is frequently Specimens that display this distinctive associated with galena, dolomite, calcite, cleavage are easy to identify. Unfortunately, Sphalerite chalcopyrite, pyrite, marcasite, and many specimens have such a fine grain size Sphalerite is a zinc pyrrhotite. When weathered, the zinc often that the cleavage is difficult to observe. sulfide mineral with a forms nearby occurrences of smithsonite or Because sphalerite often forms in veins and chemical composition of hemimorphite. cavities, excellent crystals are relatively (Zn,Fe)S. It is found in common. Sphalerite is a member of the metamorphic, igneous, and Chemical Composition isometric crystal system, and cubes, octahe- sedimentary rocks in many The chemical formula of sphalerite is drons, tetrahedrons, and dodecahedrons are parts of the world. Sphaler- (Zn,Fe)S. It is a zinc sulfide containing all encountered. ite is the most commonly encountered zinc variable amounts of iron that substitutes for mineral and the world's most important ore zinc in the mineral lattice. The iron content of zinc. is normally less than 25% by weight. The https://geology.com/minerals/ amount of iron substitution that occurs Dozens of countries have mines that depends upon iron availability and tempera- produce sphalerite. Recent top producers ture, with higher temperatures favoring higher iron content. include Australia, Bolivia, Canada, China, India, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Peru, Physical Properties of Sphalerite and the United States. In the United States, Sphalerite often contains trace to minor sphalerite is produced in Alaska, Idaho, amounts of cadmium, indium, germanium, Chemical Classification Sulfide

Missouri, and Tennessee. or gallium. These rare elements are valuable Color Yellow, brown, black, red, green, and when abundant enough can be recov- white, colorless

The name sphalerite is from the Greek word ered as profitable byproducts. Minor Streak White to yellowish brown, often

"sphaleros" which means deceiving or amounts of manganese and arsenic can also with an odor of sulfur treacherous. This name is in response to the be present in sphalerite. Luster Nonmetallic, submetallic, many different appearances of sphalerite resinous or adamantine and because it can be challenging to identify Physical Properties Diaphaneity Transparent to translucent in hand specimens. Names for sphalerite The appearance and properties of sphalerite Cleavage Perfect, dodecahedral, in six used in the past or by miners include "zinc are variable. It occurs in a variety of colors, directions! blende," "blackjack," "steel jack," and and its luster ranges from nonmetallic to Mohs Hardness 3.5 to 4

"rosin jack." submetallic and resinous to adamantine. Specific Gravity 3.9 to 4.1 Occasionally it will be transparent with a Diagnostic Properties Luster, cleavage,

Geologic Occurrence vitreous luster. Sphalerite's streak is white streak

Many minable deposits of sphalerite are to yellowish brown and sometimes is Chemical Composition Zinc sulfide with found where hydrothermal activity or con- accompanied by a distinct odor of sulfur. variable amounts of iron, (Zn,Fe)S tact metamorphism has brought hot, acidic, Occasionally it streaks reddish brown. Crystal System Isometric zinc -bearing fluids in contact with carbonate Uses The primary ore of zinc. Often rocks. There, sphalerite can be deposited in One of the most distinctive properties of mined for minor amounts of indium, veins, fractures, and cavities, or it can form sphalerite is its cleavage. It has six direc- cadmium, germanium, or gallium as as mineralizations or replacements of its tions of perfect cleavage with faces that profitable byproducts. Mineral host rocks. exhibit a resinous to adamantine luster. specimens. Faceted stones for collectors.

during the Minnesota's gravel pits, beaches and other Kids’ Corner Ordovician glacial features. As glaciers slowly crawled Period, south from Canada to cover almost the 440 mil- entire state, they picked up rock containing lion years fossils. As the glaciers retreated north, the ago. Trilo- rock and debris were left behind in Minne- Are there fossils in Minnesota? bites and sota. cephalo- Fossils may be found throughout the state of pods are Minnesota, but are more common in certain examples of these multi -celled animals. areas. The oldest fossils in the state are During the Devonian Period (380 million found in the Precambrian iron formations in years ago) southern Minnesota was once northeastern Minnesota. These primitive again covered by a sea, leaving fossils of algae fossils are over two billion years old! fish and corals scattered throughout the They were one -celled organisms that lived area. Fossil snails, clams, oysters and shark in the shallow seas that covered much of teeth can be found in north central Minneso- Minnesota. More advanced, multi -celled ta dating to 100 million years ago (the animal fossils can be found in southeastern Cretaceous Period). https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/education/ Minnesota, which was covered by a shallow geology/digging/fossils.html sea that reached up from the Gulf of Mexico Fossils of all ages can be found throughout s glacial drift. 8-10 —PLEASANTON, CA: Gem Faire 9-10 —SEATTLE, WA: North Seattle Lapi- - March Rock Shows Inc; Alameda County Fairgrounds, Fri. 12 dary & Mineral Club; Crown Hill Center; 6, Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $7; Website: http:// Daily 10 -5; free; Website: www.North www.gemfaire.com SeattleRockClub.org 8-10 —KANSAS CITY, MO: Greater Kan- 15 -17 —JACKSON, MI: Michigan Gem & 1-3—SHARONVILLE , OH: Gem Street sas City Association of Earth Science Mineral Society; Jackson County Fair- USA; Sharonville Convention Center, Fri. Clubs; KCI Expo Center, Fri. 10 -8, Sat. 10 - grounds; Fri. 10 -7, Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 11 -5; $4, & Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 11 -5; $7 (good for all 3 7, Sun. 10 -5; $6, ages 5 -12; $3, under 4 Srs $2, Students $1, under 6 free; Website: days), under 12 free; contact Jane; Email: free; Website: www.kcgemshow.org or http://www.mgmsrockclub.com [email protected] www.gemshowkc.org 15 -17 —ALBUQUERQUE, NM: Abq. Gem 1-3—LARGO, FL: Suncoast Gem & Miner- 8-10 —POMONA, CA: Pasadena Lapidary & Mineral Club; Expo NM State Fair- al Society (SGAMS); Minnreg Hall; Fri. & Society hosting California Federation of grounds; Fri. & Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $3, Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; donation $5, students Mineral Societies; Fri. & Sat. 10 -5, Sun. 10 - under 13 free; Email: jaypenn246@ $4, under 6 free; Website: www.sgams.com 4; $5, teens, srs. $4; under 12 free; Website: gmail.com 1-3—DEL MAR, CA: Gem Faire Inc; Del www.pasadenalapidary.org 15 -17 —RENO, NV: Gem Faire Inc; Reno - Mar Fairgrounds; Fri. 12 -6, Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 8-10 —VICTORVILLE, CA: Victor Valley Sparks Livestock Events Center, Fri. 12 -6, 10 -5; $7;Website: http://www.gemfaire.com Gem & Mineral Club; Stoddard Wells; daily Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $5 weekend pass; 1-3—RICHMOND, IN: Eastern Indiana 9-5; free; Website: vvgmc.org Website: http://www.gemfaire.com Gem & Geological Society; Wayne County 8-10 —FOREST GROVE, OR: Tualatin 15 -17 —SPANISH FORK, UT: Parade of Fairgrounds; Fri. & Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 11 -4; Valley Gem Club; Forest Grove National Gems Annual Rock, Gem and Mineral $5/ Srs $3/ 7 -18 $1/Under 7 Free; Website: Guard Amory; Daily 10 -5; $1, under 13 Show; Timpanogos Gem and Mineral Soci- EIGGS.weebly.com free; Website: www.tvrgc.org ety; Spanish Fork Fairground, 475 South 2-3—ISSAQUAH, WA: East King Co. 8-10 —COTTONWOOD, AZ: Karmic Main St; Fri. 10 -7, Sat. 10 -7, Sun. 10 -5; Rock Club; Pickering Barn; Sat. 10 -6, Sun. Beads & Gems; Verde Valley Fairgrounds; free; find examples of faceting, amethysts, 10 -5; free; Website: www.eastkingco.org Fri. & Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -4; free; Website: minerals, jewelry, wire wrapping, rough, 2-3—WILMINGTON, DE: Delaware Min- karmicbeadsandgems.rocks petrified wood, fossils, gems, lapidary eralogical Society, Inc.; DoubleTree by Hil- 9—SKOKIE, IL: Chicago Rocks & Miner- equipment and supplies, black light display, ton; Sat. 10 -5, Sun. 11 -5; $6, $5 for srs, 12 - als Society silent auction; St. Peter's United and activities for children; contact Keith 16 $4, under 12 free; Website: www.delmin Church of Christ; Sat. 6 -9; free; Website: Fackrell, (801) 592 -0410; Email: society.net www.chicagorocks.org [email protected]; Website: tim- 2-3—CALDWELL , ID: Owyhee Gem & 9-10 —FILER, ID: Magic Valley Gem Club; procks.weebly.com Mineral Society; O'Connor Field House, Twin Falls County Fairground; Sat. 9 -5, 15 -17 —ARDEN, NC: MAGMA Mountain Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $4, under 12 free; Sun. 10 -4; $2, under 12 free; Email: Area Gem & Mineral Assoc.; Camp Ste- Website: www. Oyheerocks.com [email protected] phens; Fri. & Sat. 9 -6, Sun. 10 -4; free; 2-3—VENTURA, CA: Ventura Gem & 9-10 —WEST BEND, WI: Kettle Moraine Website: www.americanrockhound.com Mineral Society; Ventura County Fair- Geological Society; Washington County 16 -17 —SAN JOSE, CA: Santa Clara Valley grounds; Sat. 10 -5, Sun. 10 -4; free; Fair Park & Convention Centre; Sat. 10 -5, Gem & Mineral Society; Santa Clara Coun- Website: www.vgms.org Sun. 10 -4; $3, under 12 free; Website: ty Fairgrounds; Daily 10 -5; $6, under 13 2-3—BIG SPRING, TX: Big Spring Pro- kmgsrocks.com free; Website: www.scvgms.org spectors Club; Howard County Fair 9-10 —TURLOCK, CA: Mother Lode Min- 16 -17 —MISSOULA, MT: Hellgate Mineral Grounds; Daily Sat. 9 -5, Sun. 10 -5; free; eral Society of CA; Stanislaus Fairgrounds; Society; Hilton Garden Inn; Sat. 9 -6, Sun. contact Lola Lamb, Email: lolabelle Daily 10 -5; $6, under 13 free; Website: 10 -5; $2; under 14 free; Email: attitoodz [email protected] http://turlockgemshow.com/ @yahoo.com 2-3—MESA, AZ: Apache Junction Rock & 9-10 —KLAMATH FALLS, OR: Rock & 16 -17 —DOTHAN, AL: Dothan Gem & Gem Clut; Skyline High School, Sat. 9 -5, Arrowhead Club of Klamath Falls; Klamath Mineral Club; Houston County Farm Cen- Sun. 10 -4; $3, students $1; under 12 free; County Fairgrounds; Sat. 9 -5, Sun. 10 -4; $2 ter; Sat. 9 -5, Sun. 10 -4; free; Email: arlam- Email: [email protected] donation; Email: kristinsayles@ [email protected] 2-3—ROBSTOWN, TX: Gulf Coast Gem hotmail.com 16 -17 —LEMOORE , CA: Lemoore Gem & & Mineral Society; Richard M Borchard 9-10 —SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Pacific Mineral Club; Trinity Hall; Sat. 10 -6, Sun. Fairgrounds; Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $6, under Crystal Guild; San Francisco County Fair 10 -4; free; Website: https:// 12 free; Website: www.gcgms.org Building; Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -4; $12, under lemooregemandmineralclub.wordpress.com 7-10 —DEMING, NM: Deming Gem & 12 free; Website: http://www.crystal 16 -17 —VANCOUVER, BC: Hastings Cen- Mineral Society, Inc.; SWNM State Fair- fair.com tre Rockhounds; Hastings Community Cen- grounds; Daily 9 -5; Free; Website: 9-10 —KALISPELL, MT: Gold, Gem & tre; Daily 10 -5; Donation; Website: http:// thedgmsclub.com Mineral Show; Northwest Montana Rock www.hastingscentrerockhounds.com 8-9—COLVILLE, WA: Panorama Gem & Chucks; Flathead County Fairgrounds; Sat. 16 -17 —ANTHEM , AZ: Daisy Mountain Mineral Club; Colville Fair Grounds, Fri. 9-6, Sun. 10 -5; $2, under 13 free; Email: Rock & Mineral Club; Boulder Creek High 8:30 -6, Sat. 9 -5; free; contact Johnie [email protected] School; Sat. 9 -5, Sun. 10 -4; $4, srs./students Pittman, (509) 684 -8887 9-10 —SAN ANTONIO, TX: Southwest $2, under 12 free; Website: Daisy Mountain 8-10 —BEREA, OH: GemStreet USA; Gem & Mineral Society; San Antonio Event Rock and Mineral Club Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, Fri. & Sat. Center; Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -4; $5, srs. $3, 22 -24 —SANDY, UT: Gem Faire Inc; 10 -6, Sun. 11 -5; $7, under 12 free, Website: students $2, under 12 $1; Website: Mountain America Expo Center; Fri. & Sat. GemstreetUSA.com swgms.org 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $7 weekend pass; Website: http://www.gemfaire.com Gem & Mineral Society; Calaveras County heelclub.org 22 -24 —HICKORY, NC: Catawba Valley Fairgrounds; Sat. 10 -5, Sun. 10 -4; $5, under 30 -31 —CANTON, OH: Stark County Gem Gem & Mineral Club, Inc.; Hickory Metro 12 free; Website: calaverasgemandminer- & Mineral Club; Stark County Fairgrounds; Convention Center; Fri. & Sat. 9 -6, Sun. 10 - al.org Sat. 9 -5, Sun. 10 -5; $5, srs. $4, ages 6 -14 5; $5, under 12 free; Website: 23 -24 —CEDAR RAPIDS, IA: Cedar Val- $1; under 6 free; Website: https:// www.cvgmc.com ley Rocks & Minerals Society; Hawkeye www.facebook.com/SCOGMC/ 22 -24 —LEXINGTON, KY: Blue Grass Downs Expo Center; Sat. 8:30 -6, Sun. 9:30 - 30 -31 —SWEET HOME, OR: Sweet Home Gem & Mineral Club; Clarion Hotel; Fri. 4 - 4; $3, students $1, under 12 free; Website: Rock & Mineral Society; Sweet Home High 8, Sat. 9 -6, Sun. 11 -5; $2, child $1; Web- Cedarvalleyrockclub.org School Gym; Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $0.50, site: www.bggamc.homestead.com 23 -24 —JANESVILLE, WI: Badger Lapi- under 13 free; Email: [email protected] 22 -24 —MARIETTA, GA: Bellpoint Gem dary & Geological Society; Rock County 30 -31 —BELLINGHAM, WA: Mt. Baker Show; Cobb Civic Center; Daily Fri. 10 -6; Fairgrounds /Craig Center; Sat. 9 -5, Sun. 9 - Rock & Gem Club; Bloedel -Donovan Park, $5, under 15 free; Website: www.bellpoint 4; free; Website: https://www.badgerrock Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; free; contact Dick promotions.com club.org/ Carr; Email: [email protected] 22 -24 —LOVELAND, CO: Fort Collins 23 -24 —WHEATON, IL: Earth Science 30 -31 —PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA: The Rockhounds, Inc.; Larimer County Fair- Club of Northern Illinois (ESCONI); Du- Philadelphia Mineralogical Society & The grounds; Fri. 4 -8, Sat. 9 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $4, page County Fairgrounds; Sat. 10 -5, Sun. Delaware Valley Paleontological Society; ages 12 -18 $1, under 12 free; Website: 10 -4; free; Website: www.esconi.org Lu Lu Temple; Sat. 10 -5, Sun. 10 -4; $5, www.fortcollinsrockhounds.org 29 -30 —ADA, OK: Ada Gem Mineral & under 12 free; Website: www.philamineral 23 -24 —ROSEVILLE, CA: Roseville Rock Fossil Club; Pontotoc County Agriplex, Fri. society.org Rollers Gem & Mineral Society; Placer 8-6, Sat. 9 -5; free; Email: bfreeman.1966 30 -31 —MIDLAND PARK, NJ: The North County Fairgrounds; Sat. 10 -5, Sun. 10 -4; @yahoo.com Jersey Mineralogical Society; Midland Park Website: www.rockrollers.com/show.html 29 -31 —SPOKANE, WA: Rock Rollers of High School; Sat. 10 -5, Sun. 10 -4; $5, srs. 23 -24 —WYSOX, PA: Che -Hanna Rock & Spokane, WA; Spokane County Fair & $4, under 12 free; Website: Mineral Club; Wysox Vol. Fire Co. Social Event Center; Fri. & Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -4; www.nojms.webs.com Hall; Sat. 9 -5, Sun. 10 -4; $3, students $1, $6, srs., under 13 free; Website: 30 -31 —POCATELLO, ID: Southeast Idaho under 8 free; Website: chehannarocks.com www.rockrollers.org Gem & Mineral; Bannock County Fair- 23 -24 —HADLEY, MA: Connecticut Val- 29 -31 —PUYALLUP, WA: Gem Faire Inc; grounds; Daily 10 -5; $2 adults, under 12 ley Mineral Club / Western Mass. Mineral, Washington State Fair Events Center; Fri. free; Email: [email protected] Jewelry & Fossil Show; Hadley Farms 12 -6, Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; $7 weekend 30 -31 —FORT DODGE, IA: River Valley Meeting House; Sat. 9:30 -5, Sun. 10 -4; $5, pass; Website: http://www.gemfaire.com Rockhounds, Inc.; Webster County Fair- under 13 free; Website: www.cvmineral 29 -31 —RALEIGH, NC: Tar Heel Gem & grounds; Sat. 9:30 -5, Sun. 11 -4; $1, under club.org Mineral Club; State Fairgrounds; Fri. 3 -8, 13 free; Website: http://www.amfed.org/ 23 -24 —ANGELS CAMP, CA: Calaveras Sat. 10 -6, Sun. 10 -5; free; Website: tar- mwf/states/Iowa/RiverValley.html

New Dino Found with Spines spines,” were likely used to A new dinosaur species, notable for a row “deter possible predators.” of two -foot spines protruding from its neck, Had it not been for the sharp has been discovered by scientists in Argen- spines, Gallina said, the dino- tina. saur’s structure “could have Scientists have dubbed the new dinosaur, been easily broken or frac- “Bajadasaurus,” an herbivore that lived 140 tured with a blow or when million years ago, according to the scientific being attacked by other ani- mals.” journal Nature, which first revealed the findings. Its name is an amalgam of Span- ish, Greek, and Latin, meaning “lizard from https://www.foxnews.com/ - science/new -dinosaur - Bajada with forward bending spines.” - - - - The dinosaur's unusual "spines" have fueled species with spiky backbone a paleontologist who first came across a set discovered -in -argentina -report a wave of speculation about what purpose of its teeth in 2010, said the “long and sharp they may have served. Pablo Gallina,

Rox Box For Sale: Grinder/polisher with 8” saw. For Sale: Grinder/polisher with 10” saw. A place to advertise The Club is selling this piece of equipment. Comes with stand. The Club is selling this rock items to sell and to $300 to a Club member. Contact Treasurer, piece of equipment. $350 to a Club mem- - - inquire about items to Kevin Martini, at 218 770 8917 ber. Contact Treasurer, Kevin Martini, at - - purchase. [email protected]. 218 770 8917 or [email protected].

The Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Society accepts no responsibility for any dissatisfaction that may occur by either party, seller or buyer. The Society does not profit in any way by sales transactions. found as far away as Colorado. - Polka Dot Agate Precious or Semi Precious Gemstones The Polka Dot beds Polka Dot agate is an orbicular variety. The of Oregon are a fee - agate is dotted with variously colored orbs, dig site owned by floating in a base of agate or jasper that West Coast Mining ranges from white to blue in color. Translu- that is usually open in cency varies from piece to piece and the dots can be black, brown, red and yellow, the summer, from - Memorial Day to Labor Day. You can dig although an orange brown seems to your own material or purchase pre -dug predominate in the orb department. The dots are sometimes hard edged, while some agates by the pound. At the mine, we met - Dale Hewitt, the owner of West Coast are kind of fuzzy edged, like little floating snowballs. Gems and proprietor of the Polka Dot agate mine. The mine is on a hill above a pictur- There is all kinds of crazy stuff going on in esque canyon —a really beautiful location this agate. When the agate gets to be a Emerald is the green gemstone form of for one of the more unusual and interesting deeper blue, it is known as “blue ice”. the mineral beryl. It has a chemical agates from the area. Some of the agate has opaque, reddish - formula of (Be3Al2(SiO3)6). Emerald The Polka Dot agate deposit has been pro- brown jasper running through the translu- displays a hexagonal crystal structure. It ducing fine agate for a long time and is still cent sections. Polka Dot agate has lots of is very hard, with a rating of 7.5 to 8 on going strong. For centuries, Native Ameri- variety in the patterns, and all the interest- the Mohs scale. cans mined the deposit, using the hard ing details are often found right alongside https://www.thoughtco.com/alphabetical - agate and jasper for tool making. Artifacts each other. list -of -precious -and -semiprecious - made from this distinctive agate have been - - http://www.rockngem.com/polka dot agate/ gemstones -4134639

can be crystal or opaque. opal that has the host rock forming naturally Types of Opals as part of the gem. Often just a thin vein of Some black/dark opals have a light crystal precious opal is present. It mainly occurs in Natural Opals color bar on dark opal potch (colorless Natural opals are those specific locations over a wide area of West- opal), giving the otherwise light opal a dark ern Queensland. Boulder opal occurs as which have not been treat- appearance. Even expensive black/dark - ed or added to in any way in fillings of cracks or voids usually in iron- opals may have only a very thin color bar stone boulders. Boulder opal can be black by mankind, other than by on black potch. cutting and polishing. Natural opals are or light depending on the appearance of the Most black/dark opal is found in the mines stone when viewed from the surface. usually described as light, dark/black, boul- der, and matrix. Although boulder opal has around Lightning Ridge, NSW. Because of The popularity of this type has soared since an ironstone backing, it is regarded as a its relative scarcity compared to light and the mid 1970s. Boulder opals are invariably solid natural opal because this backing oc- even boulder opal, it tends to be more ex- cut incorporating the host brown ironstone; curs naturally. The variety of natural opal is pensive, given equivalent colors, clarity and they are in high demand and can be ex- determined by the two characteristics of patterns. tremely valuable. A variety of boulder opal body tone and transparency. also occurs in Andamooka , South Austral- Black/dark opal exhibiting bright Body Tone - The base tones of light, dark flashes of red is extremely rare. ia , where the host rock is quartzite. These are called "painted ladies", but are normally and black opal range from colorless, white, Light/White Opal only suitable as specimens. through the various shades of grey, to black. Natural opals with a base tone Transparency - Opal of any body color will ranging from colorless to medium Matrix Opal be opaque, translucent or transparent. When grey are called light opal. Some people refer it is transparent or very translucent, and the The term matrix opal is com- to these as "white" although this expression monly used where the opal is color clarity is sharp, it is often should only be used where the body color is referred to as crystal opal. intimately diffused as infillings very milky. of pores or holes between grains of the host

Black/Dark Opal Light opal makes up the bulk of precious rock in which it was formed. Boulder opal. White Opal may be transparent matrix opal is found in Queensland and can Black Opal is the most valued of Opals and comes mainly through to nearly opaque, although it usual- be distinguished by the ironstone host rock. from Lightning Ridge. High quality stones ly has a "milky" appearance and has a light Andamooka matrix opal is a porous materi- are very rare. Easily distinguished by the body tone or white body color. al from Andamooka, South Australia, which is often treated to enhance the color by blackness of the background "body tone" or Mainly mined at Coober Pedy and Mint- body color. depositing black carbon by chemical abie, (South Australia) although the first treatment in the pore spaces in the stone. deposits were found at White Cliffs (NSW). Black/dark opal shows a play of color with- - in or on a dark body tone, while the play of https://www.nationalopal.com/opals/types - color of a black opal is within or on a black Boulder Opal of opal.html body tone, when viewed from the face up. It Boulder is a variety of precious The World of Jaspers Cave Creek Warning! Cave Creek Jasper is pretty dark red jasper from Cave Creek, Arizo- na. At one time this jasper was plentiful, scattered on top of the land Rock Pox and easy to pick up. Now many areas have been picked clean and Very contagious others are behind No Trespassing signs. But there is still material to be found if one is willing to look for it.

Symptoms —Continual https://www.oakrocks.net/cave -creek -jasper/ complaint as to need for fresh air, sunshine, and relaxation. Patient has Dangers of Rock Dust blank expression, some- https://www.gemcutters.org/LDA/RockDustDangers.htm times inattentive to rest of Many collectors use a other microbe at the quarry, or family. Hast no taste for mechanical rock saw to cut, just had accumulated too much work of any kind. Fre- trim, or abrade rocks and fos- dust in my lungs. An x -ray was quent checking of dealers’ sils in the field or lab. Dan- clear, but that is not unusual in catalogs, and lapidary and gers of this activity include such cases (it sometimes takes mineral shops longer than flying rock chips, wounds years for fibrosis, TB, cancer, and usual. Secret phone calls from the blade itself or broken other diseases to develop). Appar- to rock pals. Mumbles to blades, and rock dust, which ently the rock dust itself is the self. Lies to rival collec- is extremely dangerous to cause the current lung irritation,

tors. Only one cure. inhale. Always read and understand the and it may never get better.

proper operation of any mechanical tool Treatment —Medication before using it. Whenever cutting or grind- It turns out that not only do rock particles of is useless. Disease is not ing rock, wear any composition tend to stay and accumu- fatal. Victim should go protective eye goggles. Also wear a good late in the lungs, but FRESHLY CUT rock hunting as often as possible respirator, or use a dust collection system, is the worst, and extremely pernicious. at beach, mountain, or to avoid inhaling rock dust, which accumu- Even one or a few incidents of significant desert hunting grounds. lates in the lungs and can cause a variety of inhalation of such dust can cause lung irrita- serious illnesses. tion and a start process of increasingly seri- Note —If both father and ous lung damage. The microscopic particles mother both get it, they just For those not convinced that rock dust is a are like millions of razor -edged shards that as well sell the home and serious danger, or that they can get away damage lung tissue directly, as well as cre- buy a camper. with not wearing a respirator or working ate conditions promoting the development under a hood (if working indoors), I of TB, mycoplasmas, fibrosis, and cancer. 1940’s rockhound magazine encourage you to read the message below. Experiments with rats and other animals have shown that inhalation of fresh cut rock About a year ago our fossil club went to dust is far more damaging than worn rock Ontario to collect trilobites, and we took dust of any composition, and leads to far along a diamond rock saw. I only sawed out greater rates of several diseases, including a few trilobites for fellow members (without pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. (But wearing a mask; I forgot to bring one) and I even accumulations of worn rock dust in the tried to not inhale the dust. However, large lungs greatly increased chances of lung clouds of it were kicked up each time, and it diseases). was impossible to avoid inhaling quite a bit of it. My the next morning I had significant So PLEASE, whenever you are cutting or lung irritation, and have had it ever since -- grinding rock of any kind, ALWAYS wear some days worse than others. I have fre- a respirator (not just a cheap dust mask). If quent coughing and uncomfortable sensa- working indoors, use a dust collecting hood, March birthdays tion in my upper chest. After this went on a or don't do it. Your health is not worth any Sara Lucken 3/4 few weeks, I went to a doctor, not knowing rock or fossil. Joanie Hanson 3/17 if I had contracted a bacteria, fungus, or

Did You Know? blue Azurite, red Cinnabar, and green Malachite. Pseudochromatic minerals are "false colored" due to tricks in light diffraction. In these cases, Allochromatic minerals are "other colored" due Three main groups of minerals are identified on color is variable but a unique property of the to trace impurities in their composition or defects the basis of the Property of color: idiochromatic, mineral. Examples are the colors produced by in their structure. In this case, the color is a varia- allochromatic, and pseudochro -matic. precious opal and the shiller reflections of labra- ble and unpredictable property of the mineral. dorite. Idiochromatic minerals are "self colored" due to Examples are the blue in Amazonite (orthoclase), their composition. The color is a constant & pre- yellow in Heliodor (spodumene) and the rose in http://www.geologyin.com/2017/02/14 -facts -you - dictable component of the mineral. Examples are rose quartz. - - - should know about minerals.html

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 March 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 - The more I learn about rocks and minerals the more I realize I don’t know. I Vice President: Sharon Smith have looked for Lake Superior Agates since I was a little boy, but it wasn’t [email protected] 218 -343 -7037 until the last 10 years or so that I broadened my horizons to other kinds of agates and rocks. Agates are still my favorite, but I have learned a lot more — about jaspers and minerals, and geology in general. Secretary Joanie Hanson [email protected] What kinds of geology stuff do you want to know more about? Let us know 218 -831 -2665 and we will try to find a speaker on that topic.

Marcia and I have been collecting new rock treasures in the last week or so. We’ll Treasurer: Kevin Martini have some new, cool stuff to show you when we get back to Minnesota. [email protected] [email protected] Did you know that we will be having sluicing at our spring show? That should be a lot 218 -770 -8917 of fun for kids and adults. We think there will be a lot of interest, so that means we need more help for this new activity. Maybe you would like to sign up to help with that? Director: Lori DuBois Director: Vern Iverson I would think that members who have signed up to help with our show, for the most Director: Lilly Peterson part, think that it is fun. You don’t want to miss out on that, do you?

Does anyone happen to being going to/near Beaver Bay in the next month or so? Newsletter Editor: Marcia Opatz Please call me if you are going and can pick up some rocks for me. [email protected] 320 -250 -8120 Ed Opatz