June 2016 agate explorer.pub - Cuyuna Rock, Gem and Mineral

Cuyuna Rock, Gem and Mineral Society
The Agate Explorer
June 2016
Building Committee
Anyone who has been in the basement of the building where meetings are held is
well aware that it is an old building in fair condition. The rent is very economical
and we are lucky to have such a spot designated for just our Club. That being said,
the Club has just signed a two year lease, but the long term future of the building is
questionable. How long will it be available before we are asked to leave, due to a
change in ownership, or that large and expensive repairs are needed that will
outweigh the justification of keeping the building?
Therefore the Board has determined that a building committee be formed to
explore all options for an alternative club location for when the needs arises. If you
are interested in being on this committee please contact any board member. Their
names, phone numbers, and email addresses are listed on the back page.
Club Calendar
June 4-12—Pickin’ Trip
June 25—Spinning wheel & Club info. at Fifty Lakes
July 9—Spinning wheel & Club info. at Holdingford
July 10—tentative cross rock picking near Royalton
July 16—Spinning wheel & Club info. at Emily
July 16 & 17 -Spinning wheel & Club info. at Moose Lake
July 23 —Summer Potluck Picnic at the Opatz Outpost near Outing.
Lunch at noon. Entertainment to follow.
August ? —private rock estate sale near Hackensack
August 2-6 - Crow Wing County Fair booth 10 am -10 pm each day
August 20—Spinning wheel & Club info. at Outing and/or Crosby
Sept. 2-5—Spinning wheel & Club info. At McGregor
Information subject to change.
In the Club calendar (above) you can see that
there are a number of towns listed to take the
spinning wheel and information about the Club,
however none of those will take place if no one
volunteers to help.
We are looking for someone who can organize the
volunteers for these events, and people who can
volunteer at the events to run the spinning wheel
and promote the Club. Event participation will be
cancelled if not enough people volunteer.
If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact Ed Opatz,
president, at [email protected] or 320-250-1363.
Thanks!
Club Information
Meeting Place
Cuyuna Range Community Center
Directions
2 blocks north of stop sign at
Hwys. 6 & 210 intersection in
Crosby. Meeting in basement on
the 2nd Saturday of each month
at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Club Dues
$20/ family
Free /unaccompanied juniors
Membership runs
from Jan. 1-Dec. 31st.
We will need to have
a commitment by
June 15 from people
to work at the Crow
Wing Co. Fair Aug.
2-6. Each day could
have three 4 hour
shifts. Call Ed Opatz
at 320-250-1363.
Club Purpose
To foster an interest (& encourage
young & old) to study earth science,
enjoy the art of lapidary, hunting for
rocks, and semi-precious stones. We
also strive to use what we know and
acquire to further educate everyone
who has an interest in our hobby.
We are a not-for-profit organization.
Rarest Gems
Youth Poster Contest
#10 Jeremejevite
Sponsor: The Summit Lapidary Club of Ohio
Theme: “Amazing Agates” - a poster illustrating any type of agate,
what it looks like, and where it can be found.
Eligibility: children in 1st through 8th grade
Contest Rules:
Pronounced ye-REM-ay-ev-ite, this is a
colorless, sky blue, or pale yellow stone,
the highest quality of which comes from
Namibia. In nature it occurs in small
obelisk-shaped crystals and has in the
past been mistaken for aquamarine. It
was named after Russian mineralogist
Pavel Jeremejev who discovered the
mineral in 1183. As of early 2015
Jeremejevite was selling for $2000 per
carat.
2016 Show
Below are a couple of photos from
the show. The total attendance for
the show was approximately 2900.
These photos don’t show a big
crowd because most of the people
attended Saturday (2100), and everyone was too busy to take photos!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
All entries must be presented on paper 12 inches by 18 inches.
Include name, address, age, and school grade of the participant on the back of the
entry.
No three-dimensional posters accepted.
The title may be on the front of back of the artwork.
List the name of the agate, a brief description of what it looks like, where it is
found, and why you chose it.
Artwork can be in pen, ink, crayon, magic marker, paint, or any other artist’s
medium.
All entries become property of MWF and the Summit Lapidary Club.
Scale of Points.
Originality and Art Work—30 points
Design—25 points
Title—25 points
Listing of Agate type, what it looks like, where it is found, and why you chose I—
20 points.
Awards: Each grade level will have winners. Ribbons will be awarded for 1st
through 4th place, and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will also receive a prize.
Deadline: entries accepted through June 2016
Send to: Poster Contest, 617 Wooster Road W., Barberton, OH 4203
Questions? If you need further information, please email Evelyn Tryon at
<[email protected]> with “Poster Contest” in the subject line.
SUNDAY JUNE 12TH 2016
1ST PIERZ AGATE SWAP AND SHOW.
We will be buying, selling and appraising Agates. Ask an expert what
your rock really is. Buy quality agates from vendors from Michigan to
Minnesota. If you have buckets of agates you inherited, found, or
purchased and you want to sell, we will have several vendors on site
willing to pay cash for your buckets or for single stones.
This is a family friendly event with a park and a swimming area, so grab
the kids and come have some fun. Door prizes given out every hour.
Show starts at 10am and goes until 4pm.
603 Park Ave S.E. Pierz MN [ PIERZ GOLF COURSE}
Watch for signs if you need help finding us.
We will be inside the municipal building
so come rain or shine it will be a swell time.
Gemstone Puzzle
ACROSS
DOWN
2.
6.
1.
3.
5.
6.
8.
9.
11.
12.
7.
10.
11.
13.
14.
Name for irregular shaped pearls4. A girl's best friend
Famous NY jewelry store featured in movie starring Audrey
Hepburn
Metal collar used to set a gemstone
Popular organic gemstone
Banded gemstone
Kate Middleton's engagement ring features this gemstone
The Chinese absolutely adore this gem
Moh's Scale rates gemstone by this
Most popular family of gemstones used in jewelry making
This company runs the diamond cartel
Watermelon colors of this gemstone are prized
The Navajos use this gemstone a lot
Cut flat side of gemstone
This gemstone is millions of years old
Mother of pearl from New Zealand abalones
http://www.beadinggem.com/2011/12/gemstone-crossword-puzzle-for-jewelry.html
Edible Geodes!
I have become aware of the fact that crystals and geodes are not just
something that rockhounds like, but are a popular trend in the general
population as well. So, I decided to do a little research and discovered
that you can buy geodes at Target (online and at the store), and that
crystals and geodes are an up and coming wedding decoration and for
guest favors. And, then I found a really fun site where you can make
geode pops (cake bites on a stick that look like geodes). The site is
http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2016/04/geode-cake-pops/
So, who is going to make some of these and bring them to the picnic?
June Rock Shows
3-4—PRICE, UT: Patrick Braun, Carbon
County Event Center; Daily 10-7; e-mail:
[email protected]
3-5—CLOVERDALE, CA: Cloverdale History Museum; 215 N.; Fri. & Sat. 9 am-5
pm, Sun. 9 am-4 pm; Free; e-mail: [email protected]
3-5—BONNEY LAKE, WA: Puyallup Valley Gem & Mineral Club, Swiss Park; Daily
10-5; Free; Website: puyallupgemclub.org
3-5—TULSA, OK: Gem Faire Inc, Expo
Square; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $7,
Under 11 free; Website: http://www.gem
faire.com
3-5—FLAGSTAFF, AZ: Coconino Lapidary Club, Outdoor Market at Silver Saddle;
Fri. & Sat. 9-7, Sun. 9-4; Free; e-mail:
[email protected]
3-5—BIG BEAR LAKE, CA: Gems of the
West, The Big Bear Lake Convention Centre; Fri. 9-5 & Sat., Sun. 9-4 ; $8/Weekend
pass $15, Srs Free, Students $4/ Weekend
pass $7, Under 5 free; Website: www.gems
ofthewest.com
3-5—WAUSEON, OH: State Line Gem &
Mineral Society, Fulton County Fair Jr Fair
Bldg; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-4; $4, Srs
& Students $3, Under 13 free; Web site:
www.statelinegms.com
3-5—COLORADO SPRINGS, CO: Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society, Mortgage Solutions Financial Expo Center; Fri.
& Sat. 10-5, Sun.10-4; $5, Under 13 free;
Web site: www.csms-web.org
3-5—LA HABRA, CA: North Orange
County Gem & Mineral Society, La Habra
Community Center; Fri. 5-8, Sat. 10-6, Sun.
10-5; Free; Web site: www.nocgms.com
4-4—DELTA, CO: Delta County Rock
Wranglers, Heddles Recreation Center; Sat.
9-5; Free; e-mail: [email protected]
4-5—COEUR D'ALENE, ID: North Idaho
Mineral Club, Kootenai County Fairgrounds; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4; $3, Under 12
free; contact Dean Hutchinson, (208)-6869156
4-5—MCCALLA, AL: Alabama Mineral &
Lapidary Society, Tannehille Ironworks
State Park; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-5; Free; Web
site: http://www.lapidaryclub.com/
4-5—SPRINGFIELD, MO: Ozark Mountain Gem & Mineral Society, Missouri Institute of Natural Science Grounds; Sat. 95:30, Sun. 10-4:30; Free; Website: https://
www.facebook.com/SGFGemFair
4-5—GLENDORA, CA: Glendora Gems,
Goddard Middle School; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 104; Free; e-mail: [email protected]
4-5—MONROE, NY: Orange County Mineral Society, OCMS New York; Sat. 10-4,
Sun. 10-4; $5, Srs/Children $3; www.or
angecountymineralsocietynewyork.com
4-5—MARION, KY: Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; Admission
with donations; Web site: www.clement
mineralmuseum.org
4-5—CANANDAIGUA, NY: Wayne
County Gem & Mineral Club, Greater
Canandaigua Civic Center; Sat. 10-5, Sun.
10-4; $5, Under 12 free; Web site: www.
wcgmc.org
4-5—MANSFIELD, OH: Richland Lithic &
Lapidary Society, Richland County Fairgrounds; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; Adults $5,
Srs $4, Ages 6-16 $3; e-mail: [email protected]
9-12—FAIRPLAY, CO: MiddleFork RV
Resort; Daily 9-6; Free; Website: http://
www.abqfallshow.wix.com/contin-tail
10-12—PARK HILLS , MO: Mineral Area
Gem & Mineral Society, Missouri Mines
Historic Site at St. Joe State Park; Fri. &
Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-4; Free; https://www.face
book.com/events/1639945622947249/
11—KENT, CT: Connecticut Museum of
Mining & Mineral Science, Sat. 9-4; Free;
Web site: www.ctamachinery.com
11—SKOKIE, IL: Chicago Rocks & Minerals Society, St. Peter's United Church of
Christ; Sat. 11-5; Free; Web site: www.
chicagorocks.org
11-12—SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Pacific
Crystal Guild, Fort Mason Center; Sat. 106, Sun. 10-4; $10, Under 13 free; Web site:
www.crystalfair.com
11-12—DURHAM, NC: Intergalactic Bead
Show, Durham Convention Center; Sat. 105, Sun.10-5; $4-$5; Website: www.bead
shows.com
11-12—BUTTE, MT: Butte Mineral &
Gem Club, Butte Civic Center Annex; Sat.
10-5, Sun. 10-5; $3, Under 12 free; contact
Pete Knudsen, (406)-496-4395
11-12—CARTERSVILLE, GA: Tellus Science Museum, Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-5; $14,
Srs $12, Students/Children $10; Website:
tellusmuseum.org
16-19—PRINEVILLE, OR: Prineville
Rockhound Association, Crook County
Fairgrounds; Daily 9-5; Free; Website:
prinevillerocks.com
17-18—QUARRYVILLE, PA: Lancaster
County Fossil & Mineral Club, Solanco
Fairgrounds; Fri. 12-8, Sat. 9-4; $3, Under
12 free; e-mail: admin@millersmineral
mine.com
17-19—BOONE, NC: Treasures Of The
Earth Gem & Jewelry Shows, Boone National Guard Armory; Fri. & Sat., Sun. 115; $3, Under 16 free; Web site: www.tote
shows.com
17-19—VICTOR, CO: Southern Teller
County Focus Group, Fri. & Sat. 9-5, Sun.
10-5; Free; Web site: http://victorcolora
do.com
17-19—SANDY, UT: Gem Faire Inc, South
Towne Expo Center; Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun.
10-5; $7, Under 11 free; Web site: http://
www.gemfaire.com
17-19—ELDON, MO: Osage Rock and
Mineral Club, The Eldon Community Center; Fri. 2-6, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-3; Free; Web
site: [email protected]
17-19—CARLSBAD, NM: Carlsbad Gem
& Mineral Society, The Living Desert Zoo
& Gardens State Park; Fri. & Sat. 9-5, Sun.
9-3; Free; Website: www.carlsbadgms.org
18—LA PLATA, MD: Southern Maryland
Rock & Mineral Club, Gilbert Run Recreational Park; Sat. 9-5; Free; Website:
SMRMC.org
18-19—FREDERIC, WI: Indianhead Rock
& Mineral Club, Frederic High School;
1437 Clam Falls Drive; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 104; Free Admission; contact Roy Wickman,
1127 7th Street, Almena, WI 54805-, (715)357-3223; e-mail: [email protected]
18-19—NASHVILLE, TN: Intergalactic
Bead Show, TN State Fairgrounds; Daily 10
-5; Admission $4-$5; Website: www.bead
shows.com
24-26—FISHERSVILLE, VA: Treasures
Of The Earth Gem & Jewelry Shows, Augusta Expo; Fri. & Sat. 10-6 , Sun. 11-5; $4
Under 16 free; Web site: www.tote
shows.com
24-26—SAN DIEGO, CA: Gem Faire Inc,
Scottish Rite Center; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-6,
Sun. 10-5; $7 Under 11 free; Website:
http://www.gemfaire.com
24-26—BEDFORD, IN: Lawrence County
Rock Club, Lawrence County Fairground;
Fri. 10-6:30, Sat. 9-6:30, Sun. 10-4; Free;
Web site: www.lawrencecountyrockclub.
org
24-26—KANSAS CITY, MO: Shows of
Integrity, KCI Expo Center; Fri. & Sat. 105, Sun. 10-4; Free; Web site: www.showsof
integrity.com
25-26—CULVER CITY, CA: Culver City
Rock & Mineral Club, Veterans Memorial
Auditorium; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; Free;
Website: http://www.culvercityrocks.org/
fiesta.htm
25-26—POMPANO BEACH , FL: Intergalactic Bead Show, Emma Lou Olson Civic
Center; Daily 10-5; Admission $4-$5; Web
site: www.beadshows.com
25-26—GILSUM, NH: Gilsum Recreational Committee, Gilsum Elementary School;
Sat. 8-6, Sun. 8-4; Free; Web site: http://
www.gilsum.org/rockswap
25-26—NEWPORT, OR: Oregon Coast
Agate Club, National Guard Armory; Sat.
10-6, Sun. 10-4; 2, Under 13 free; Web site:
www.coastagates.org
Cuyuna Rock, Gem and Mineral
Society Board Meeting Minutes
May 14, 2016 12:00 pm
Meeting was called to order at 12:00
pm. President Ed Opatz conducted the
meeting.
Lisa Hughes, Kevin Martini, Joanie
Hanson, Sharon Smith, Joan Guerra,
and Ed Walton were present.
that we will use only for the annual
show.
There were just under 3000 people in
attendance at the show this year.
The club table was very busy and so it
was difficult to keep an eye on items
that we are selling there.
Requirements for members to qualify
for the vending discount at the show are
as follows:
Next year we will use two display cases
- one for the items being sold and one
for the door prizes. Also we will work
on getting a PA system to use making
announcements etc.
Minutes for April approved as amended.
Discussed ways to control shopliftingAgenda approved as amended.
increased security, video surveillance,
making sure the vendors know they
Treasurer's report- Kevin Martini –
need to be vigilant and never leave their
posted on bulletin board in clubhouse
tables unattended.
Show reviewGary from the Fairgrounds
We discussed how the silent auction
went and things we could do to improve suggested getting the FFA kids init. The question came up as to whether volved.
it should be opened to the general pubJoanie Hanson will be in charge of
lic to put items for sale and it was decided that this was not an option. It will volunteers for next year. We encourage
remain open only to members and ven- members to sign up early and that
dors. For the auction next year the club includes member/vendors. The sign up
will have Saturday for our auction and sheet s will be posted regularly in the
newsletter so there will be plenty of
Sunday will be for the MW Fed.
opportunity to sign up.
There were issues with the new spinning wheel so we used the old one. We We are looking at ways to improve kid's
club. Lisa will order Rock and mineral
would like to have two going for next
posters.
Better signs need to signify the
year. It was decided that we should look
area.
into purchasing a better quality wheel
Cuyuna Rock, Gem
and Mineral Society
General Meeting
May 14, 2016 2:00 pm
1. You must attend at least 3
meetings per year.
2. You must volunteer in some
capacity before, during or after the
show.
3. No subleasing. Each seller must
have a tax ID.
Food- The Friday evening meal was
very successful and appreciated by the
workers and vendors.
Need to come up with better ways to
identify who the Wizard is when Harry
and Dave aren’t available.
Brochure for show to hand out that has
floor plan and other show information
for attendees.
PR- Ideas for 2017 show- contact radio
stations for interviews, plan something
to attract more Sunday business, better
signage for silent auction, color coded
balloons, etc.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanie Hanson
Club picnic and meeting is July 23rd at
11:00 am at Ed and Marcia Opatz’s cabin.
Any questions call Ed.
The agate pick for Sunday was cancelledEd did a pre-pick check and there weren't
any agates.
If you would like to man a booth for the
club at a local summer event let Ed know.
Club meeting door prize winners were:
Cody Walton, Vic Rinke, Jerry Shields,
Judy Frampton, Bryce Eggert,
Tami Peterson, and Kevin Martini.
Welcome to all new members present at the
meeting.
We would like to have a booth at the Crow
Wing County Fair August 2-6. Ed is looking
Midwest Federation report for the 2017
into the cost and location of the booth. We Respectfully submitted,
show- Marge
will need many volunteers to give at least a Joanie Hanson- secretary
couple of hours as the booth must be
1. Board meeting Saturday- at our clubmanned at all hours during the Fair.
house
2. Dinner at the Fairgrounds
Reviewed the June trip to Iowa and Arkan3. Silent auction Sunday
sas for new members.
4. Side trip to be determined
(Croft Mine?, Northern Monument?)
The winner of the "Show Agate" was Jan
Holt.
The June meeting will be later in the month
included with the agate pick being planned The winner of the Grand Prize Tumbler was
for then.
Jay Zapzalka.
Jewelry Making Tip
A WOW! Diamond
Discovered
By Brad Smith
www.BradSmithJewelry.com
Steel shot in a vibratory or rotary tumbler
works great to burnish and shine your
finished silver pieces. But a common
problem is how keep the shot clean. Carbon steel shot can get rusty if exposed to
the air, and even stainless steel shot can
sometimes develop a blackish coating
that's hard to remove.
My solution of choice to clean the shot is
Classic Coke. Just pour an ounce or two
over the shot and let the tumbler run for
an hour or so. A bad case might require a
second cleaning. Some folks like to let the
bubbles in the Coke dissipate before using
it so that gas pressure doesn't build up in
the tumbler barrel. I've
heard that it's the phosphoric acid in Coke that
does the trick.
While you're waiting for
the shot to clean up, just
settle back and enjoy the
rest of the Coke.
An astounding 404.2-carat
diamond, the largest diamond ever
discovered in Angola , was recently
unearthed. This diamond, at almost 3
inches wide is the width of a credit
card and virtually flawless. The
Australian diamond mining
company Lucama Diamond Company is the lucky owner of the now 27th largest
diamond in the world!
The large diamond is even more rare given its Type Ila rating, 2nd from the highest
rating possible for diamonds. Type IIa diamonds make up only 1 to 2% of the world’s
diamonds and contain very little to no nitrogen atoms. Pure diamonds are comprised of
rigid carbon lattices, however, most diamonds have imperfections including nitrogen
atoms. A typical Type IIa diamond will command a 5 to 15% premium and could be
more in rarer large diamonds.
Lucapa estimated that the 404-carat diamond could be worth upwards of $20 million.
However, they note that pricing on diamonds this large doesn’t necessarily follow the
same guidelines used for smaller diamonds. Lucapa now owns the honor of the largest
Angola diamond, previously held by the Angolan Star at 217.4-carats. Lucapa has noted
they plan to sell the diamond to fund further exploration and expansion at the Angola
diamond mine.
Lucapa Identifies Huge Kimberlitic Structure
Lucapa continues to explore Angola for kimberlitic structures known to be associated
with diamonds. They recently completed a gravity survey that identified a large kimberlitic structure that has “potential for a large diamond-bearing pipe (= high prize).” This
kimberlite is located near one of their current mining blocks, which has produced large
diamonds. Lucapa is not certain this new kimberlitic structure will contain diamonds but
they are hopeful and continuing to define their resource.
Mineral Encyclopedia—
Andalusite
Andalusite is a rockforming mineral
that is mined for use
in high-temperature
refractories. Gemquality specimens
are cut into faceted gems and cabochons.
Andalusite forms during the regional metamorphism of shale. It is found
in schist and gneiss at some present and
ancient convergent plate boundaries where
the rocks have been exposed to the temperatures and pressures needed for its formation.
In these rocks, andalusite is often associated
with kyanite andsillimanite.
with cordierite in hornfels, granite, andgranitic pegmatite.
Andalusite has a number of useful physical
properties. It has the ability to withstand
high temperatures without alteration. For
Chiastolite is a variety of andalusite that
that reason it is used to make highcontains black particles of graphite arranged temperature ceramics and refractories. The
in geometric patterns. The graphite is
white porcelain of many spark plugs is made
pushed aside by crystal growth within a rock using andalusite.
that is being metamorphosed. As growth
occurs, the particles become concentrated at Andalusite is one of a small number of mincrystal interfaces. The result can be a cross- erals that commonly forms prismatic crysshaped pattern within the mineral - similar
tals with a square cross-section. This can be
to the "cross-stone"
important information for identification in
shown in the photo at
the field.
right. People have
Chemical Classification: silicate
known about these
Color: reddish brown, olive green, white to
cross stones for centugray
ries and have valued
Streak:
white
them for their perLuster:
vitreous
ceived religious or
Diaphaneity:
transparent to nearly opaque
spiritual meaning.
Cleavage:
good
Attractive specimens are often cut and polished for use as amulets, charms, and novel- Mohs Hardness: 6.5 to 7.5
Specific Gravity: 3.17
ty gems.
Andalusite also forms during the contact
metamorphism of argillaceous rocks. In this
situation, it can form within the metamorphosed rock or in veins and cavities within Physical Properties and Uses of Andalusite
the igneous rock. It can be associated
www.geology.com
State by State
Oklahoma
State Rock
Rose Rock (Barite)
Rox Box
A place to advertise
rock items to sell and
to inquire about items
to purchase.
The Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Society
accepts no responsibility for any dissatisfaction that may occur by either party,
seller or buyer. The Society does not
profit in any way by sales transactions.
FOR SALE - Two
blocks of Vermont
marble for carving. One pink (5.8
lbs.), one white w/
grey streaks (9.3
lbs.). Own them both
for $10.
That’s One Big Ice Rock!
Submitted by Harry Wagoner
The largest hailstone ever collected,
found at Coffeyville, Kansas, weighed
1-2/3 lbs and was about 6 inches in
diameter. One fell near Gotebo, Oklahoma on May 23, 2011 and struck a car, it
was 6 inches in diameter but no weight
recorded.
Check out the photo below.
WANTED - Gear
motor (drives the
vice and carriage)
for a Magnum
Hydro slab
saw. Call Butch
Goldenstein at 320252-3335.
For Sale: Rough rock;
various size pieces: Amethyst Sage
Agate. $4/lb.
Blue Ice Polka
Dot Agate $6/
lb., Picasso
Stone $4/lb.,
Nebraska Blue
Agate $3/lb.. Nebraska Chalcedony $3/
lb. Call Ed Opatz 320-250-1363.
Rockhound Terminology
X, Y, & Z
Xenolith – Country rock enclosed in
magma.
Sunshine
Requests
If you know
someone who
could use a little sunshine—
birth, illness, surgery, family
death—please contact
Christi Higgins at 320-224-6650.
June Birthdays
Joanne Moe
Brad Hotchkiss
Deb Mork
Tal Lucken
Ron Fitch
Dave Moe
Chuck Hansen
06/03
06/09
06/14
06/17
06/19
06/30
06/30
June Anniversaries
Harry & Phyllis Wagoner
Chuck & Reva Hanson
Ron & Judi Dick
Deb & Ted Mork
Jim & Veda Knopp
John & Elaine Hawkinson
Rod & Joanie Hanson
06/07
06/08
06/14
06/17
06/17
06/23
06/28
We’re on
Facebook!
Cuyuna Rock, Gem
& Mineral Society
This is a closed group, so you must
ask to join. After being approved
you can follow the members’ posts
and add your own information.
rather than yellow, but the name comes
from the color and texture of the concentrates produced by early milling operations.
Zeolite – Zeolites are minerals that have a
micro-porous structure. Natural zeolites
form where volcanic rocks and ash layers
react with alkaline groundwater. Zeolites
also crystallized in post-depositional environments over periods ranging from thousands to millions of years in shallow marine basins. Naturally occurring zeolites
are rarely pure and are contaminated to
varying degrees by other minerals, metals,
quartz or other zeolites.
Yellowcake – The solid form of mixed uranium oxide, which is produced from uranium ore in the uranium recovery (milling)
process. The material is a mixture of uranium oxides, which can vary in proportion
and color from yellow to orange to dark
green (blackish) depending on the temperature at which the material is dried (which
affects the level of hydration and impurities), with higher drying temperatures prohttp://www.gatorgirlrocks.com/resources/
ducing a darker and less soluble materiglossary.html
al. The yellowcake produced by most
modern mills is actually brown or black,
Marcia Opatz, Editor
Cuyuna Rock, Gem &
Mineral Club
P.O. Box 151
Crosby, MN 56441
FIRST CLASS MAIL
The Agate Explorer
June 2016
Official Publication of the Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Mineral Society
Members of AFMS & MWF
Notes from the President
I would like to thank everyone that helped put together a great show, with just short of 3000 people
attending. Saturday was a record breaking 2100!! I would like to start organizing the show for next
year (May 6 & 7), when we are hosting the Midwest Federation meetings in conjunction with the
show. We need to add a few more volunteer positions for next year after analyzing how this year’s
show went. The first position is a “people coordinator” which Joanie Hanson has so graciously
agreed to do. Dick and Meredith have agreed to take the first and last shift of the show at the door.
Thanks! Sharon Smith will be show chair for another year. Thank you! We are really in need of a
shift of tear down people from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday.
The board has determined that for Club members to receive a reduced space price it will be necessary to volunteer at least 4 hours prior, during, or after the show.
I was saddened by the number of Club members I saw who attended the show, but did not volunteer to help. There are jobs that anyone and everyone can do.
We are hoping to do an agate pick after it rains. Watch your emails or (for those that do not have
email) wait for a phone call for the next pick.
The Iowa/Arkansas trip is pretty well organized, but there is still time to decide to join us. Other
events in the future are the picnic, July 23rd, an estate rock sale, possibly in August, looking for
cross rocks, and a trip to Michigan for copper hunting in late September.
Ed Opatz
Club Officers
& Board of Directors
President: Ed Opatz
[email protected]
320-250-1363
Vice-President: Lisa Hughes
[email protected]
218-821-2729
Secretary—Joanie Hanson
218-831-2665
[email protected]
Treasurer: Kevin Mar tini
[email protected]
218-770-8917
Director: J oan Guer r a
Director: Shar on Smith
Director: Ed Walton
Newsletter Editor: Marcia Opatz
[email protected]
320-250-8120