Flatirons
Facets
Published by The Flatirons Mineral Club
Volume 45, No. 6 June
2003
Flatirons Facets
P. O. Box 3331
Boulder CO 80307-3331
Flatirons Facets is
published monthly by The Flatirons Mineral Club. The deadline for submission of
articles to Flatirons Facets is the 20th of each month. Permission is granted
for reprint if credit is given to the publication and author unless
specifically restricted.
The Flatirons Mineral
Club is a non-profit organization, established March 9, 1957, and dedicated to
developing and maintaining interest in all aspects of earth science and
associated hobbies. The club meets the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.
We meet at The
Senior Center, 9th and Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO. Guests and visitors
are welcome. Membership dues are $15.00 per year (beginning October of each
calendar year). People interested in membership can contact the club either by
writing to the above address or by attending one of the meetings.
Deadline for the July
Facets is June 20.
****************
President's Corner
Hello to you all. We had a good trip to Spruce Grove. I believe we
were seven people in total. Four of the adventurers actually did find some
topaz. It was a bust for me. The Hutchinson's were there too. They were having
some success also. Please remember; if you are out collecting, try to bring
back some material for the club grab bags.
Our club show committee is on top of things. They are doing a good
job of putting together the show for November. They deserve or thanks and
gratitude.
Hope to see you at the next meeting.
****************
June Meeting
(June 12)
Minerals in Australia.
Our speaker for the June 12 program will be Gary Lewis, who comes
to us all the way from Australia. His subject will be: "Minerals in
Australia--the Gold Rush That Never Ended." Gary is the Director of
Education and Outreach for the Geological Society of America. He lives with his
wife and two children in Canberra, the capital of Australia, from where he
commutes frequently to the United States and back. Gary is both a geologist and a schoolteacher. His mission in life is working to raise the
knowledge of the importance of geo-science in the minds of the populace. We are
looking forward to him raising the knowledge of mining in Australia in our
minds.
****************
From The
Field
Via cell-phone, from high atop the mountain in Spencer, Idaho,
where he is working to map the 50-year old tailings dump of the famous Spencer opal
mine, Paul reports finding "lots of great stuff". Though his primary concern at the moment is
mapping the dump, and estimating its volume (preparatory to an effort to
actually mine the dump later this year), Paul is carrying a pouch in which he
is collecting nice pieces that he is just picking up off the surface. Paul will have some of this material on
display at our June meeting. Paul will lead a field trip to this site over the
4th of July weekend-don't miss this "opalescent" opportunity!
****************
Field Trips
June 14-15: Crystal Peak, leader Paul Boni. We will join Colorado Mineralogical Society
members and will dig on Jeff Self's private claim. Crystal Peak is in Teller County, north of Florissant. The pegmatites of Crystal Peak are famous
for their museum-grade specimens of smoky quartz and amazonite.
June 21-22: Calumet Mine, Ruby Mountain, co-leaders Paul
Boni and Alex Cook. The Calumet Iron
mine tailings, north of Salida, are a rich source of Colorado epidote, and this
site is the only known source of sapphire (blue corundum, a few of gem quality)
in Colorado. After spending Saturday at
the Calumet mine, we will drive up the Arkansas valley to Ruby Mountain (near
Nathrop) where we will dig for garnets on Sunday. We will be exploring a new area on Ruby Mountain, since the
traditional collecting area has recently been closed.
July 4-7 (or 3-6?):
Spencer, Idaho, Opal Mine, leader, Paul Boni. We will make a 4-day weekend expedition to
this famous site where excellent material can be gleaned from the mine
dump. There are other collecting
opportunities along the way, including a cinder cone that has beautiful
lemon-yellow feldspar crystals. The
first night on the way up we will stay at the nicely developed and very
pleasant Lava Hot Springs resort. Paul
will tell us more about this trip at the June meeting.
Aug 9-10: Mt Antero, leader and details not yet set. This will probably be in conjunction with
the annual Contintail mineral show and swap meet in Buena Vista, which is
scheduled for Saturday, August 9.
As you can see, we have some great field trips lined up, so put
them on your calendar now, and don't miss out on these opportunities!
Paul Boni is seeking volunteers to lead trips. Trips may be
announced at the club meetings, or you can contact
Paul to find out about any upcoming trips, or to volunteer to lead one.
****************
Paul and
Martha Ralston: Rockhounds of the Year
Each year our club chooses one of its members to honor as the
Rockhound of the Year. Recipients of
this honor are chosen for their hard work and dedication towards making our
club a success. The American Federation
of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS), to which the club belongs, honors those
dedicated rockhounds with this honor.
It is with great pleasure that we choose Paul and Martha Ralston
as the Flatirons Mineral Club's Rockhounds of the Year. Paul and Martha have been described as
"fabulous members" by other club members. Joining the Flatirons Mineral Club in 1962, they have served the
club for over 40 years. Martha has been
club Secretary, Treasurer, and is currently the Sunshine leader. Paul continues to serve on the club board,
has been president twice, and chairs the Scholarship committee. Through Paul's work, the club has provided
scholarships to worthy Colorado School of Mines students for many years.
Both are a fixture at club shows, helping with set-up and
clean-up, plus spending countless hours manning the club table. Many of us have been on the petrified wood
trips to the Kiowa area that Paul has led in past years.
Paul and Martha will be honored as our Rockhounds of the Year in
an upcoming AFMS newsletter. Many
thanks to the Ralstons for the years they have spent promoting the earth
sciences to club members and the community.
****************
School of
Mines Museum
Paul Bartos, Curator,
CSM Geology Museum
The Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum wishes to formally
announce our new "Rhodochrosite for Display Cases" campaign. This
campaign is designed to generate funds for the new display cases necessary to
grace our beautiful new space. There are three donation points that will allow
one to place their name on the display cases: $5,000 - for cases to show off
individual star specimens, $10,000 - for museum size (10 by 6 feet) display
cases, and $25,000 - for displays (museum cases plus exhibit material or
multiple cases). In order to sweeten the pot, Bryan and Kathryn Lees, CSM alums
and owners of the famous Sweet Home Mine, have generously agreed to provide
spectacular rhodochrosite specimens in exchange for display case donations. For
those unaware, rhodochrosite was recently declared the Colorado state mineral,
and rhodochrosite specimens from the Sweet Home mine are among the best (if not
the best) in the entire world. This exceedingly generous offer by Bryan and
Kathyrn is available on a limited time basis and of course, everyone is
encouraged to act quickly.
****************
Utah's Sepatarian
Nodules
(RockBuster News 11/95 via Golden Spike News 4/03)
Utah's septarian nodules started in southern Utah 100 million
years ago in the Gulf of Mexico at the time.
Decomposing sea life attracted sediment, forming mud balls. These were
rolled around by tidal action, increasing their size. When the sea receded, the
balls dried and cracked. At the same time, the bentonite clay in them shrank.
Then the ocean returned, and dissolved calcite from sea life was carried into
the cracks where crystals formed. A thin wall of calcite transformed into
aragonite, dividing the clay exteriors from the calcite centers. This dividing
wall, septum in Latin, gave the name septarians. They occur in Tropic Shale in
Long Valley, near Mount Carmel and Oderville, Utah.
****************
Membership
News
New members are always welcome.
Annual dues are $15, payable in October. The newsletter is e-mailed, as an Acrobat PDF document to those members
with e-mail address, or by first class mail otherwise.
Don't forget, Charlotte Morrison has open house on Wednesday
evenings at 7. You can use the tools in her basement and maybe spare some time
to prepare minerals for our grab bags.
Please call Charlotte if you are planning to visit.
****************
Flatirons
Mineral Club Show---Nov. 14,15,16, 2003
Topic:
Volunteers, Volunteers, Volunteers!
We need your help! Please
VOLUNTEER for one or more of the following show committees: Show chair helper,
Working Demos, Club tables, Tickets & Hospitality, ThankYou's, Electrician,
Youth Activities (Children's Wheel, Sandbox Treasures, Fishing Pond, Grab Bags,
Scavenger Hunt, Rubbings, etc.) Door Prizes and Grand Prize, Intro. Classes,
Displays & Exhibits, Dealers, Floor set-up, Signs & Sound System, Colo.
Mineral Map, Security, Denver Show Cases, Field Trip, Advertising, Snacks,
Dealer Breakfast or Supper, and last but not least---the Oversight
Committee. Sign up with Andrea Elliott, at the next club meeting or
at the next Show Committee Mtg.
We need volunteers in two-hour blocks to host a variety of
activities at the show---ticket sales, kid's wheel, grab bags, sandbox
treasures, the fishing pond, the club/membership table, and working
demonstrations. When Trick ("Don't call me Patrick") Runions calls,
please be ready to volunteer for a couple of 2-hour time blocks to help our
show be a success. Keep in mind, volunteers
who work the show receive free admission to the show! As if that weren't enough, Ray Horton has pledged a free genuine
American Indian artifact for each volunteer doing one or more 2-hour time
blocks at our show.
DONATIONS OF ROCKS ARE NEEDED
Bring rocks for the Children's Wheel to Martha Ralston or the next
Show Committee meeting. We are virtually out and drastically need to restock
our supply for the "Wheel".
Bring rocks with label information to Charlotte Morrison for stuffing
our grab bags. We always need more, so
clean your garage, your basement and your yards!
We need young strong bodies and pickups to haul and set up Denver
Cases. Paul Ralston is working on
lining up exhibitors; he will be able to offer advice and guidance to our
"Strength Team". Gerry Naugle
reports we are already up to five dealers. If you have a favorite dealer or
two, please put them in touch with Gerry
Naugle or with John Hurst .
****************
Upcoming Events, Nearby & Elsewhere
June 5-8, Westminster Mall
Rocks, Mile High Rock and Mineral Society 27th Annual Gem & Mineral Show, Westminster
Mall, 88th & Sheridan, Westminster, CO. Contact Show Chair Jennie Baldwin 303-659-7630.
June 7, "Dinosaur Discovery Days" at Dinosaur Ridge will be June 7,
July 5, Aug. 2, Sep. 6, and Oct 4, all 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. And, June 21 will be the next tour at Fossil
Trace Golf Course, Golden. For all
these, see the Dino Ridge website.
June 14-15, Flatirons Mineral Club field trip (with Colorado
Mineralogical Society) to Crystal Peak/Lake George-see p. 1 for
details.
June 21-22, Flatirons Mineral Club field trip to Calumet Mine and
Ruby Mountain-see p. 1 for details.
July 4-7 (or 3-6?), Flatirons Mineral Club field trip to the
Spencer Opal Mine in Spencer, Idaho-a 4-day weekend expedition! See p. 1 for details.
July
11-13, Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineral Societies Show and
Convention, Casper, WY., "Treasures
of the Rockies", hosted by the Natrona County Rockhounds Club. Show
Location: Parkway Plaza Hotel and Convention Center (at I-25 and Center St.), Casper, WY. Contacts: Ed Mcknire 307-265-6202.
July 11-13, 50th Annual Four Corners Gem & Mineral Show, LaPlata Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, Durango,
CO. Contact Jean Wester
Aug. 9-10, possible Flatirons Mineral Club field trip to Mt.
Antero
(details not yet set), in conjunction with the Contintail Mineral Show in Buena
Vista.
Aug. 16, Flatirons Mineral Club Annual Picnic, North Boulder
Park pavilion, 3:30 PM to dark.
Sep. 10-14, Denver Gem and Mineral Show, (Denver Merchandise Mart, Sep. 12-14), and
the companion "Colorado Fossil Expo" (in part of the same building,
single admission for both shows) and the separate "Colorado Mineral and
Fossil Show", Sep. 10-14 (no admission charge) at the Holiday Inn Denver
North, 4849 Bannock St. (I-25 west side frontage road, just north of I-70)
****************
Cheyenne
Show Highlights
John Hurst
A blue heron and a handful of pronghorn antelope accentuated the
ninety-mile drive. The show unfolded May 17&18 at the Holiday Inn at I-80
and U.S. 85. Three Dollars per adult
paid for a door prize ticket and admission.
They had a fantastic U-V corner set up by Steve Riegel of Cheyenne--that
display alone was worth the price of admission. The local chapter of gold panners had visitors sloshing and
swirling for nuggets. We noticed one little girl walk away positively beaming
with an ear-to-ear grin. Nine to ten dealers offered an amazing array ranging
from top grade cabochons, geodes, tools & machinery, jewelry, books,
spheres, faceted stones, fossils, quartz items, etc. to the unique-gemstone
slab tables. They really had a full
variety of treasures!
The grand prize, a huge 15 lb. Quartz Crystal cluster, went to a
10 to 12 year old boy from Broomfield, Colorado. It changed his mother's pessimistic tune of, "I never win
anything" to a happy melody of, "This is the best day we've ever
had!" After her son's luck with the Grand Prize, she promptly bought a
carved turquoise necklace and went home happy too. And it sounded like this rock show was their first one.
Let's make our November FMC Show this much fun, too! (See p. 3 for what you can do to help!)
****************
Rock
Equipment For Sale (Used machines)
John Hurst
Lortone CCC6-Grinder/Polisher with one 6-inch diamond disc,
Variable speed with 1/5 hp motor, water drip system, $150.00.
Lortone N-S 8-Grinder polisher arbor with motor. One 8in.
expandable drum with three new belts, one 8in. silicon carbide wheel, $100.00.
Lortone 8 inch diamond saw with vise and cover.
Price w/o motor $150.00, with motor $175.00.
Faceting Machine with 8-inch laps, comes with a whole box of
discs, flat laps, etc. $175.00.
Metal Plating unit and supplies, $125.00.
Crystal Diamond Demon- two disc machine-a real workhorse, $300.00.
Contact John Hurst for
an appointment.
****************
Legislative
Report
Dick Rodenburg
Hawaiian Senator Daniel Akaka and several cosponsors have
introduced S. 546, a new bill titled "To provide for the protection of
Paleontological Resources on Federal Lands and for other purposes". S 546 was referred to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources, Sen. Pete Domenici, NM, is chairman; Senators Ben
Nighthorse Campbell, CO, Larry Craig, ID, Craig Thomas, WY, and other western
senators are on the committee. ALAA's Bob Cranston urges collectors and others
to read the entire bill before making up their mind about it. You can find it
by going to the web site and typing in S
546. Alternatively, Marion Zenker, Legislative Liaison for the Association of
Applied Paleontological Sciences has the bill on a PDF file; contact her for a copy. ALAA,
May 7, 2003.
Readers are aware that the Pew Charitable Trust in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania has financed significant amounts of environmental activity
throughout the country. The Trust has fallen on hard times. Pews' endowment has
declined from a 1999 year-end peak of $4.89 billion to a paltry $3.75 billion
at the end of 2002. Rebecca W. Rimel, Pew's CEO, laments "Every day I wake
up hoping that we hit the bottom, but I don't think we have". The Trust
plans to commit $140 million in new grants this year, down from the $238.5
million paid out in 2002.
Scranton Tribune, April 21,2003.
The winds of change are wafting across the land. In California,
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has moved to reverse a Clinton
administration plan that would have put about 50,000 acres of the Imperial Sand
Dunes Recreation Area off-limits to off-road vehicles. In Montana, the Forest
Service (USFS) has proposed a backcountry transportation plan for motorized
travel in the Lewis and Clark National Forest that some claim would disturb the
wildlife. Area wide, the Bush administration has made it somewhat easier for
local and state governments to claim rights-of ways over federal lands (the old
RS 2477 issue). One influencing factor is an increase in sales of off-road
vehicles to an aging, less ambulatory population of baby boomers (read: their
knees are starting to hurt). At the same time, makers of off road vehicles are
developing equipment that is quieter and pollutes less; and the industry agrees
that there are places were people should not go. There are also limited moves
among land managers, environmentalist and off-road organizations to coexist on
public lands. For example, Colorado environmental and off-road groups have been
working together on an advertising campaign to educate riders about the issues,
including which routes should be open, and which routes should be closed. USA
Today, April 25, 2003.
In response to a 6-year-old federal lawsuit filed by the State of
Utah, Interior Secretary Gale Norton made a decision against creating new
wilderness areas on BLM land. Ted Zukowski of Earthjustice, a Denver based
environmental law center, quickly filed on behalf of the Colorado Mountain Club
and several environmental groups to intervene against the Interior Department.
These groups claim Norton is paving the way for widespread oil and gas
development in the West. Interior spokesman John Wright explained Norton's move
is "not really the death of wilderness, but the end of labeling lands as
wilderness per se". As for the threat of yet another lawsuit, Wright is quoted
as saying "It's standard operating procedure for this Department to be
sued no matter what administration is in charge". Rocky
Mountain News, May 10, 2003.
Within days, an outraged US Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver,
reintroduced a bill to permanently protect 1.6 million acres of western
Colorado lands as wilderness areas. DeGette's action did not please western
slope Rep. Scott McInnis of Grand Junction. Spokesman Blair Jones suggested
that DeGette should worry more about her Denver congressional district instead
of meddling in western slope affairs. Jones said, "I don't have the new
congressional map in front of me, but I'm pretty sure the Western Slope isn't
in her district". Denver Post, May
13, 2003.
The Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse was listed as a threatened
species in 1998. That designation has cost Colorado's Douglas County alone more
than $663,000 in legal fees and costs. Now with a research grant of $61,000
from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, a study is underway by the Denver
Museum of Nature & Science to determine whether the Preble's Mouse really
is a threatened species, or is an ordinary rodent. Rob Roy Ramey, curator of
zoology for the Denver Museum, says the study will use DNA analyses and other
tests to make the determination. Denver
Post, May 12, 2003.
Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access Passports are now
honored at all USFS Entrance Fee sites, such as the road up to Mount Evans
(Colorado). The Golden Eagle is an annual card costing $65. The Golden Age is a
lifetime pass for US citizens over 62, and costs $10. The Golden Access is free
to permanently disabled US citizens. Persons carrying the last two cards are
also entitled to half price camping at federal campgrounds. Forests to Grassland, Spring, 2003.
Legislative Report no. 38, June 2003
Dick Rodenburg covers
land issues and items of interest to the gem and mineral community.
****************
Many Common
Minerals Put To Uncommon Purposes
(From Ghost Sheet, via
The Leaverite News, October 2001)
It is always interesting to learn about the strange ways in which
minerals have been used down through the centuries. Tin, for example has been
known for thousands of years. The Phoenicians and other ancient people mined
tin at the famous mines of Cornwall, England and from that time to this, tin
has been an important metal in the progress of civilization. But perhaps the
most unusual use for tin was as an additive to put the rustle in silk cloth.
The luxurious swish of a lady's skirts, in the elaborate clothes at the turn of
the century, was produced by silk that was 25% tin by weight.
One of the strangest uses of lead ever recorded is found in the
story of the hanging Gardens of Babylon. This wonder of the ancient world was
contained in a square 400 feet on each side and built up of several large
terraces, which attained the height of the city walls.
The whole pile was supported by arches, one above the other,
strengthened by a wall 22 feet thick surrounding it on all sides. On top were
first laid large flat stones, 16 feet long and four feet wide. Over these was
laid a layer of reeds mixed with a great quantity of bitumen, upon which were
set two rows of bricks cemented closely together. The whole was covered with
thick sheets of lead, upon which was laid the garden mold and soil deep enough
to take the roots of the largest trees.
Amyitis, wife of Nebuchadnezzar, longed for the hills and forests
of her native lands, and her husband built this magnificent structure to please
her.
We are all familiar with the fortuneteller's crystal ball cut from
flawless quartz. Another- more
practical use fur these spheres was discovered by oriental needle workers.
These women, skilled in the art of fine embroidery, used the balls to cool
their hands and prevent moisture from soiling the fine silk on which they
worked.
The long, slender crystals of selenite from the Cave of the Swords
in Chihuahua, Mexico are beautiful to look at. They have also been put to
practical use. Some of these crystals retain the water of crystallization in
the form of a bubble in which the water moves as it is tipped back and forth.
These crystals have been used by native miners as hand levels.
Obsidian is one of the favorite cutting materials of the amateur
lapidary and many interesting things can be done with it. One of the projects of the early Aztecs stone
workers was a mirror for his lady.
Pieces of obsidian were so perfectly polished and fitted together that
there was little distortion in the reflected image.
Mirrors of these ancient craftsmen the Greeks and Incas were made
of copper, silver, bits of pyrite or marcasite neatly tilted into wooden frames
and then smoothed and polished. The ancient Peruvians were so skilled they made
concave mirrors with which the concentrated rays of the Sun could be used for kindling
fires.
****************
Minutes of the Board Meeting, May 5, 2003
Emily Epstein, Secretary
Present: Paul Boni, Alex Cook, Evan Elliott, Emily Epstein, Ray
Horton, Charlotte Morrison, Gerry Naugle, Paul Ralston, Melinda Thompson, Mike
Trafton, Brad Wilkomm, Lew Yoder
The meeting came to order at 7:30.
Charlotte Morrison read a list of shows for which she had received
flyers.
Paul Boni showed the Board a device for holding rocks in a saw
that he had purchased for the CU Geology Department. It was inexpensive, and
the club ought to have one. The Board authorized him to check the club
equipment at Charlotte's house and purchase the device if we don't have
anything like it.
Paul Boni anounced the Don Cook of Boulder County Open Space is
putting together a reference collection of rocks at the Boulder Public Library
and would like us to donate specimens. The Board voted to put the request
before the membership at Thursday's meeting.
Paul Boni announced that he will lead a field trip to Idaho over
the Fourth of July. He will be contacting Idaho clubs to get guides, and wanted
to know if he could offer to let some of their members join us on our trips to
places like Calumet and Mt. Antero. The Board voted to let him offer reciprocal
field trips. The tris to Calumet and Ruby Mountain will be led by Alex Cook and
Paul Boni in June. We will have a combined field trip with CMS to Lake George
on June 14-15.
Mike Trafton announced that the Red Cloud Mine is for sale. He
came to discuss the possibility of making a video of our show next fall, and
distributed a document for discussion. It was decided that production of a
video is too expensive to undertake without a specific audience in mind.
Gerry Naugle gave the treasurer's report. The club is still
solvent. The grant request for a Tuff Shed has been submitted to the Denver
Council, which will consider it at the June 26th meeting. The Board approved
the Scholarship Committees awards selections. The checks will go out in July.
Paul Ralston thanked the Scholarship Committee for their services.
He suggested that we might want to consider changing the scholarship criteria
at some time in the future.
Ray Horton reported the CSU science fair results. The competition
went well. The Flatirons Club got a mention in the CMS newsletter's report of
the event. If we want to be listed as a prize supplier in CSU's newsletter, we
need to get the information to them by January. The Board voted thanks to Alex
Cook for supplying the prizes to the club at a deep discount.
Ray reminded the board that showcase applications for the Denver
Show are due by the end of June.
Ray took 19 flats of finished grab bag samples to the shed. The
Board voted thanks to Charlotte Morrison for hosting the work parties. Judy
made 10,000 bags for grab bags and
requested $20 reimbursement. The Board approved the expenditure with our
thanks.
Ray reported that the shed has sustained wind damage. We still
need to decide where to move the shed. Discussion ensued.
Evan Elliott conveyed a question for Trick Runions. He would like
to serve on the Board, but will be unable to attend half the meetings due to a
conflict. The general consensus was that this will not be a problem.
The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
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Updated 1/12/04