The Bitterroot Conglomerate
Newsletter of the Bitterroot Gem & Mineral Society
Vol. XXVI issue 8
Presidents Column
Nov 13, 2007. It was a dark and dreary night. The snow was falling in Darby. A club member phoned and said there was black ice in Hamilton. I thought to myself am I going to go to the meeting?--no one is going
to show up. But, then I answered myself, "your the president you have to show." So I stuck it out just like other club members did and low and behold we had a good turn out. We elected officers for the next
year, and, our round table discussion gave us some good ideas for next year. See the minutes.
The food was really good and when the meeting was over and I stepped outside, it wasn't so dreary!
Best wishes to you all this season and for the new year. See you all at the next meeting, Larry Jones
December 2007. In this last letter and it would be easy just to give a sincere THANK YOU, but, I simply can't do that. I had too much support this year from everyone. It's been fun being president. One of the main reasons, however, is like the country song says "Wind Beneath My Wings". I simply have to give special thanks to:
Ralph Luther- for our news letter and his stableness in business matters.
Wayne Farley - our secretary and his endless patience in identifying everyone’s rocks.
Harvey and Margaret Sharp for our Gem and Mineral Show.
Jo and Don Farley for phoning and their total commitment and to all the officers for a good job.
Last but not least to the club members.
Lets have a great year next year, Larry
Editors Notes
It was unfortunate that Ted Heiden was unable to put on his Amber Program last month but the program has been rescheduled for February.
Our newer members are unaware that the policy of the Club is not to have a gift exchange at our Christmas potluck but to bring non-perishable products to the potluck which are then taken to Haven House in Hamilton for their use. Also we would like you to bring items for the auction after our potluck. These items do not necessarily have to be rock related.
The Treasurer needs to have your dues before the end of December if you want to receive the newsletter from the Northwest Federation because those on the paid list on the 31st of December is what is mailed to the NW Federation and what they use for their newsletter mailing list.
Please remember that dues for 2008 should have been paid by Dec. 1st.
You may mail your dues to the Club at PO Box 942, Hamilton, MT 59840
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Minutes of the Bitterroot Gem and Mineral Society November 13, 2007
Wayne Farley Secretary-BGMS
The meeting of the Bitterroot Gem & Mineral Society (BGMS) began at 7:30 pm on Nov. 13, 2007 chaired by BGMS president Larry Jones with a pledge to the flag of the USA. There were 22 members present. The program for this meeting was a round table discussion by Larry Jones on where the members wanted the club to go. Subjects to be covered were posted in the previous newsletter Vol. XXVI issue 11, as follows: 1. Number of meetings per month, 2. Starting times for club meetings, 3. Refreshments for each meeting, 4. Dues, 5. Field Trips, 6. Club member responsibilities & office holdings, 7. Jewelry making, 8. Old mine … Blue Grouse, 9. New mine … thunder eggs, 10. Type of meeting programs.
The first order of business was a vote for BGMS officers for the coming year, 2008. Larry asked if there were any other candidates for office from the floor, other than those proposed at the last meeting. There were none. Larry then asked for a voice vote of acceptance for Steve Vieth as President, and received unanimous approval; a voice vote of acceptance for Christine (Kris) Ponder for Vice-President, and received unanimous approval; a voice vote of acceptance for Wayne Farley as Secretary, and received unanimous approval; and a voice vote of acceptance for Betty Hodge as Treasurer, and received unanimous approval. The above newly elected officers will be sworn-in at the Christmas Party on Dec. 15, 2007.
Next, Larry asked for volunteers to be voted on for Director and Delegate for the Northwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies (NFMS). They would be expected to go to the NFMS annual show at Ontario, Oregon June 20-22, 2008, and represent the BGMS in NFMS voting issues. The distance from Hamilton to Ontario is 370 mi, and takes about 7 hours 30 minutes of driving time. Ontario is 57 miles west of Boise, ID. Wayne Farley volunteered for Director of the NFMS. A voice vote of acceptance was requested by Larry, and was received. There were no volunteers for Delegate to the NFMS. Larry said he would contact someone from the club after the meeting. Larry then asked for volunteers to fill four delegated positions for the Montana Council of Rock & Mineral Clubs (MT Council). Wayne Farley said that since he was Vice President of the MT Council and would be attending all of the three annual meetings (spring, summer, & fall), he would volunteer. Other volunteers were Ralph Luther, and Don Contraman. Wayne, Ralph, and Don were approved by a voice vote. Larry said he would ask Steve Vieth to fill the last MT Council delegate position.
Larry then said that Committee Chairpersons for 2008 would be the same as this year, if there were no objections. There were none. The positions are: 1. Audit, Margaret Sharp & Don Farley, 2. Calling, Jo Farley, 3. Coffee Pot/Kit, Sharlene Farley, 4. Field Trips, Wayne Farley & Harvey Sharp, 5. Historian, Pat Tibbs, 6. Hospitality, Margaret Sharp, 7. Programs, Jo Farley, 8. Mining, Ralph Luther, Don Farley, Harvey Sharp, & Gayla Kaiser, 9. Newsletter, Ralph Luther, 10. Scholarship, Don Tibbs, 11. Sunshine, Sharlene Farley & Gladys Simonds, 12. Web-Site, Michael Wilder.
Larry Jones asked BGMS treasurer Betty Hodge if there was any changes to the last treasurer’s report, and Betty said there were no changes. Therefore no treasurer’s report was read.
Wayne Farley noted that there was no stated purpose for the BGMS in the BGMS By-Laws, and gave Larry a one page printout of “Proposed By-Law Statement for the Purpose of Montana Council Of Rock and Mineral Clubs” to hand out to members present. Copies were handed out by Larry.
The proposed purpose statement reads as follow:
- Provide a process for sharing with fellow Rock-Hounds and the Public; the identification, beauty, and intrigue of rocks, minerals, and fossils.
(The Rock-Hound interest includes geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, geophysics,
paleontology, archeology, and lapidary arts and skills.)
- Research government laws pertaining to the hobby of collection of rocks, mineral, and fossils on public lands; and lobby for the hobby.
- Provide a platform or programs for clubs or individuals to exchange information about the hobby, and to express opinions about the hobby.
- Support Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Shows to perpetuate interest in the hobby.
- Support a club sponsored annual state mineral/fossil hunt for comradeship, and to share collecting sites among member clubs.
- Publish a periodic newsletter to cover the above subjects.
BGMS club issues discussed and settled at this meeting.
- Number of meetings per month: To remain the same as now.
- Starting times for club meetings: Evening meetings to start at 7:00 pm in 2008, instead of 7:30 pm. The next meeting this year on Nov. 27th will also start at 7:00 pm, because it is a workshop and may run longer then usual.
- Refreshments for each meeting: About the same as now. Use sign up calendar for entire year.
- Dues: To remain the same, $5.00 single and $10.00 for families. This covers annual Dues of $3.50 per member paid to the NFMS, and $1.50 per member paid to the MT Council. Our income for other expenses (newsletter, kitchen expenses, etc.) comes from auctions, shows, and Apple Days. We also have a scholarship fund that is independent from the general fund.
- Field Trips: Try to plan more day trips. Review old Field Trip Notebooks that may still be possessed by Mildred Soll and Dianne Aries. Check out Avon, MT for blue agate. Avon is 135 miles from Hamilton on Hi-12 going to Helena, but is private property. Wayne Farley will check out more areas around Philipsburg for day trips. There are old manganese-zinc-silver dumps in the area. Publish 2008 Field Trip schedule by April, 2008. The schedule will be subject to changes throughout the season depended on weather. Our 2008 Field Trip season usually opens mid March with a charter bus trip to the Spokane Show, with the Missoula Club. The Spokane show runs from Fri., Mar. 14 to Sun., Mar. 16. The bus trip will be on Sat., March 15. The first Gem & Mineral show in Montana in 2008 will be the Bozeman Show on May 12 & 13.
- Club member responsibilities & office holdings: Discussed during voting for BGMS officers, NFMS and Montana-Council delegates, and Committee Chairpersons.
- Jewelry making: Try to find someone to teach Wire-Wrapping and Silversmithing. Review NFMS slide/film library for appropriate jewelry making programs.
- Old mine … Blue Grouse: Keep claim for two more years, then decide whether to renew. Plan the next Field-Trip to the Blue Grouse for June, 2008.
- New mine … thunder eggs: Thunder-egg site discovered by Stan/ Debe Kosteczko up West Fork not recommended to be claimed by BGMS because of future reclamation expenses, when dropped. Site is BLM land, and is presently open for rock collecting.
- Type of meeting programs: About the same as now; a mix of member programs, outside speakers, films, work-shops, and show-and-tell. Jo will try to get the speaker we had a few years ago to talk about earthquakes in our area. Wayne Farley has offered to give a program on Cryptocrystalline Quartz (chalcedony, opal, agate, jasper, chert, & flint). Find someone to give a program on using Precious-Metal-Clay (PMC) for making jewelry. PMC is soft clay like material that can be molded and worked just like natural clay, but it is a manufactured product that contains precious metal powders in an organic binder, and when fired at the appropriate temperature for the correct length of time, an object fashioned from PMC will emerge from the kiln as solid metal. Note 1.
Wayne Farley brought up the subject about the BGMS By-Laws not being posted on the BGMS Web-Site: http://www.bitterrootgms.org/. The club agreed that they should be posted, and Ralph Luther said he would see to it that our web master Michael Wilder would get the BGMS By-Laws for posting.
Refreshments for this meeting were provided by Sharlene Farley, Tina Reynolds, and Myra Peltier. They were given a big hand of appreciation. Refreshments for the next meeting will be provided by Tina Reynolds, Myra Peltier, and MaryAnn Scanland.
The meeting ended with a drawing for the door prize. The door prize was won by Angie Scanland, and provided by Wayne Farley, as he was the last winner. The Prize was a freeform cabochon and slab of brecciated Kona Dolomite from Michigan; designed and polished by his son, Daniel. By club rules, Angie will bring the door prize for the next meeting.
Kona Dolomite is named after the Kona Hills south of Marquette County, Michigan where it is found. Kona Dolomite is an ancient rock in which formations of fossil stromatolite (blue-green algae) occur. The stone is between 2.1 to 2.2 billion years old. These stromatolite formations are from some of the first life on earth. These fossil formations are found in the lower eras of the Middle Precambrian Period. Because of the great age, and due to the many trace minerals present, Kona Dolomite can be found in a wide variety of shades including pink, brown, yellow, cream, red and orange with shades of brown, cream, gray and black mottling, banding and lacing. http://www.bernardine.com/gemstones/kona-dolomite.htm
Note 1:
PMC was developed by Mitsubishi Materials Corp. of Japan and introduced into the United States in 1996 through an exclusive distributor, Rio Grande Gems and Findings in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In the U.S., PMC is currently available in either fine silver or fine gold, that is, unalloyed. PMC versions of 18-karat gold and platinum exist, but are only marketed in Japan. Alloyed metals such as 18-karat gold require expensive oxygen-free kilns, which is one reason why the alloys are not sold in America yet. |
The pure metals, which are available here, can be fired in any kiln that can reach and sustain the necessary temperatures of 900°C for silver and 1000°C for gold. Firing time runs about two hours. If the time is shortened, the metal won't fuse thoroughly and may be brittle. If a piece remains in the kiln longer, no harm is done -- unless the temperature goes too high, in which case the metal will melt. For this reason, an accurate pyrometer is crucial. Tim McCreight, who is a paid consultant for Mitsubishi as well as a PMC educator and enthusiast and author of such highly regarded metalsmithing books as The Complete Metalsmith, strongly recommends using a digital pyrometer for consistent results.
During the firing process, the material shrinks by 30 to 50 percent as the organic binder burns away. McCreight uses coins to explain to students what they should expect. If you make a piece the size of a quarter, it will emerge roughly the size of a dime. Thin PMC shrinks more than thick PMC, which can create difficulties when constructing complex structures. Flat objects can be placed directly in the kiln, but other shapes should rest on a bed of alumina hydrate for support.
Mitsubishi insists that both the material and the firing process are completely non-toxic. |
Minutes of the Bitterroot Gem and Mineral Society November 27, 2007
Wayne Farley Secretary-BGMS
The Bitterroot Gem & Mineral Society (BGMS) meeting began at 7:30 with 18 members present. The meeting was chaired by BGMS president Larry Jones, who started the meeting with a Pledge of Allegiance to the US Flag of America. Larry then said that our scheduled Amber Workshop program had been canceled, because Ted Heiden who was to give the workshop had to visit his 95 year old mother who was extremely ill. The substitute program was a 1 hour DVD “Gemstones of America” shown by Program Chairperson, Jo Farley. The DVD was narrated by Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.; and covered the mining, cutting, polishing, and setting of various types of gems, from argillite to tourmaline. There were also narrations from world famous mineralogist Robert Jones (editor of Gems & Rocks magazine), and the late John Sinkankas (author of many gemstone books). Sites covered included; the Tourmaline Mines near San Diego, the Tourmaline Mines in Maine, the Red Beryl Mines in central Utah, and the Sapphire deposits of Montana. The video also features a glimpse into the world-famous mineral exhibits at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum and more.
Larry said there would be a refreshment break after the video, and no business meeting. Refreshments were provided by Tina Reynolds, Myra Peltier, and MaryAnn Scanland.
Larry brought in mineral and fossil specimens for show-and-tell that he had purchased on his recent vacation trip to Branson, Missouri. The mineral specimens were a fist size golden-calcite, and a head size onyx-calcite. The calcites had been acid-polished. The fossil specimen was an eight inch long amber stalactite with about 50 termites in it. Note: The technique for acid polish is described in Rockhounds Digest, Vol 3, Issue 21. Ref.: http://lists.drizzle.com/pipermail/rockhounds/2004-August/008019.html I, Wayne Farley, brought in a cabochon of jasper with snail fossils for show-and-tell. The specimen was from a slab I purchased on eBay ; and was said to be from rock found near the Clark Reservoir, near Dillon, Montana. I will research the site for a possible BGMS field trip. Jo Farley brought in an unidentified pink pebble with sparkles for me (Wayne Farley) to identify. I said I would take it home and look at it under the microscope. I have done this and identified it as pink aventurine-quartz. A good description of aventurine can be found at the web-site, http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/ore_features/2000/aventurine.shtml , as follows:
ORE’S FEATURED GEMSTONE: Aventurine
By Stephanie Pflumm: “Aventurine is listed under two different categories in my geology reference books. In the feldspar group, Sunstone is also referred to as an Aventurine-Feldspar. The Aventurine this article will explore is in the Aventurine-Quartz class. This colorful quartz occurs in green, white, blue, brown & pink (almost raspberry). Not quite as translucent as most quartz formations, the Aventurine Quartz is very compact & fine-grained with a speckled sheen across the surface. Speckling is caused by tiny to microscopic enclosures that have formed inside the quartz. The majority of these enclosures contain Mica. In green Aventurine, the enclosures contain a green chrome-mica fuchsite. In a limited number of stones, the luster is caused by small cracks in the quartz filling with hydrated oxidized iron. In pink Aventurine, the enclosures are filled with Hematite.”
The final event for the meeting was a drawing for the door prize. The door prize (Montana agate slabs) was furnished by Angie Scanland, and won by Sharlene Farley. Per BGMS rules, Sharlene will have to bring in the door prize for the next regular BGMS meeting on Saturday, Jan. 12th, 2008.
Wayne Farley, Secretary
End of Minutes
QUARTZ
by
Wayne Farley, Bitterroot Gem & Mineral Society
(continued from last month)
- Cave Sites: Cave speleothemes, i.e., stalactites and stalagmites, are frequently found in caves with the speleothemes coated with Quartz Crystals growing at right angles around the structures. Quartz has been found in Kartcher Caverns, Arizona in three separate varieties, all located along fault zones: 1. stubby, prismatic Quartz Crystals on quartz boxwork, 2. prismatic Quartz Crystals replacing limestone bedrock and 3. Bird-nest like needle crystals on cave walls and ceilings (Ref. 13).
- Phantoms: An outline of the shape of a smaller crystal that is visible inside a crystal is called a ghost or a phantom (Ref. 8).
- Inclusions: There are basically two ways inclusions can "get into the crystal": 1. the minerals have formed before the Quartz. The growing Quartz Crystals engulf them and the original form of the included minerals is preserved. These inclusions are called protogenetical. Included fibers than run through the entire crystal at random orientations are typical examples, 2. Quartz Crystals and the included minerals grow simultaneously. These inclusions are called syngenetical. The shape of the included minerals often deviates from the typical forms and habits that develop during unhindered growth Ref. 8).
- Skeletals: In skeleton quartz the edges grew more quickly than the faces, so the edges stand out like the frames of a window. Crystals that grow very quickly often develop skeletal growth forms (Ref. 8).
- Enhydros: Also called Hydrolite or Water-Stone. Enhydro means "water within". These are crystals that contain pockets of liquid, trapped inside the crystal during its formation.
(Continued until next month)
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For Sale. An ore car from the Betty O’Neil Mine near Battle Mountain, Nevada. In good shape. $500.00. Contact Posey at 961-4116
Rocks: Petrified wood and other agate, jasper and other rocks I need help in identifying. Come and see. Most are for sale but I’m keeping some. Contact Steve at 961-4515
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Article VII. Code of Ethics
The code of ethics for the conduct of field trips presented by the American
Federation of Mineralogical Societies, as indicated below, shall be adopted by the BGMS;
with the addition proviso, that in the interest of safety, no person shall carry a
firearm on any field trip without the expressed consent of the field trip leader
AFMS Code of Ethics
* I will respect both private and public property and will do no collecting on privately owned land without the
owner’s permission.
* I will keep informed on all laws, regulations of rules governing collecting on public lands and observe them.
* I will to the best of my ability, ascertain the boundary lines of property on which I plan to collect.
* I will use no firearms or blasting materials in collecting areas.
* I will cause no willful damage to property of any kind - fences, signs, buildings.
* I will leave all gates as found.
* I will build fires in designated or safe places only and will be certain they are completely extinguished before
leaving the area.
* I will discard no burning material - matches, cigarettes, etc.
* I will fill all excavations holes which may be dangerous to livestock.
* I will not contaminate wells, creeks, or other water supply.
* I will cause no willful damage to collecting material and will take home only what I can reasonably use.
* I will practice conservation and undertake to utilize fully and well the materials I have collected and will
recycle my surplus for the pleasure and benefit of others.
* I will support the rockhound project H.E.L.P. (Help Eliminate Litter Please) and will leave all collecting areas
devoid of litter, regardless of how found.
* I will cooperate with field trip leaders and those in designated authority in all collecting areas.
* I will report to my Club or Federation officers, Bureau of Land Management or other authorities, any deposit
of petrified wood or other materials on public lands which should be protected for the enjoyment of future
generations for public education and scientific purposes.
* I will appreciate and protect our heritage of natural resources.
* I will observe the Golden Rule, will use Good Outdoor Manners and will at all times conduct myself in a manner
which will add to the stature and Public Image of rockhounds everywhere.
SAVE POSTAGE STAMPS FOR CANCER REASERCH!!!
GIVE A HOOT – DON’T POLLUTE! KEEP MONTANA GREEN
BGMS 2007 FIELD TRIPS & SPECIAL EVENTS |
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Dec. 15
Sat. |
Christmas Party: Potluck & Auction
Corvallis Community Church, 2nd and Church Streets
CE Build. behind church. 1:00 to 4:00 pm |
Jo Farley
406-961-0080 |
Anyone that would like to plan and lead a field trip on any of the open dates please call Wayne Farley to set it up and have it announced to the group and also put on the web-site for all to see.
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A fool and his money are soon elected.
Will Rogers
America is becoming so educated that ignorance will be a novelty. I will belong to the select few.
Will Rogers
BITTERROOT GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY is a member of the Montana State Council, Northwest Federation and American Federation. We support State and Federation projects and goals. We are guided by the AFMS code of ethics:
I will respect private property. No rockhounding without permission.
I will use no firearms or blasting material in rockhounding areas.
I will take all garbage home, or dispose of it in proper receptacles.
I will leave gates as found.
I will cause no willful damage to materials or take more than I can use.
I will build fires in designated or safe places only.
I will not contaminate wells, creeks or other water supplies.
I will appreciate and protect our heritage or natural resources and wildlife. I will always use good outdoor manners.
SAVE USED POSTAGE STAMPS FOR CANCER RESEARCH!
GIVE A HOOT - DON"T POLLUTE! KEEP MONTANA GREEN
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