The Bitterroot Conglomerate
Newsletter of the Bitterroot Gem & Mineral Society
Vol. XXVIi issue 5
Presidents Column
Hi members, well the show is not far away now. The programs are almost complete and ready to go to the print shop. The ponders have done a wonderful job in selling the adds for our program, a big well done to you guys. You have done a super job. Don tibbs is working on the signs that will be set out. Diane has done a great job with the potluck planning, don and joe farley have outdone theirselves with the inside signs and the floor plan that don has drawn out for us to go by. We have members signed up for helping set up and tear down of the show. I am still working on the raffle prizes, any members that have some speical item that they will donate to the club for a raffle prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Have talked to many of the dealers and they are excited about the show, the ones i turned away are not. The silent auction is starting to get the material they are going to need. All in all it is starting to look good. I have put ads in the republic, bitterroot star & clarkfork journel. The missoula paper was too costly for their ads, still trying to iron out the small details but will get there. Diane and don contraman please make sure you get to the reader boards in town so we can get our show put in flasing lights. So that is it for right now. Everyone think rock show and it will be a success Steve
Editors Notes
It was brought to my attention that some members are hoping to hold a State show here next year. I hope they are aware of the need for all of the help that will be required for such an undertaking. We should have enough speakers for two days at 45 minutes per speaker and a large enough room for 35 to 40 guests to listen to the speakers. We would need to provide a Motel room for each of the speakers plus travel expenses. This could cost 1000 or more dollars. Most speakers would be from the Helena or Butte area. We will need demonstrators for two days and a place for them to set up their equipment. We will need room for 15 or more display cases and someone to fill them. We will need field trips and leaders.
Having attended State Shows I know they have to be a first class affair to be able to draw attendees from around the State. At this time, with the cost of travel, I would question the wisdom of holding a State Show on one end of the State where most of those in the Eastern part of the State will probably not travel this far to attend.
Before a decision is made on something like this we need a vote by all the members and a definite commitment from 25 to 30 members to work on the preparations for, and during the Show. These are things to think about.
The MT Council Spring Meeting will be in conjunction with the Bozeman G & M Show on May 10th at 6 PM at the Country Kitchen Restaurant in Belgrade. Our delegates are Wayne Farley, Don Contraman, Ralph Luther and Steve Veith. -- Ralph
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BGMS Minutes 04/08/ & 22/2008
by: Secretary, Wayne Farley
The show committee meeting began at 6:30 pm, chaired by show committee chairman Steve Vieth. All members of the show committee were present. Steve said that sales of advertising in the show bulletin were going quite well, but they were all $25.00 business size ads. Apparently, the economy is affecting sales of half page ads for $75.00. The club will vote on whether to reduce the half page ads to $50.00, at the regular meeting at 7:00 pm. Steve will make a list of all ads sold so far, so businesses will not accidentally be approached a second time.
Jo Farley said that she will have room for eight 2x4 foot show cases in the display room. The cases will be coming from Missoula club members, plus the one case that the BGMS owns. The fluorescent rock show room will have the same two cases as last year, as presented by Wayne and Daniel Farley.
The entry for the show this year will be the double doors on the north side of the senior center building. The BGMS silent auction will be set up on the center stage in the senior center. Steve still needs more rocks and minerals for the silent auction. Take them to Steve’s house at 309 Bailey in Hamilton, or call Steve at 363-2632 to make arrangements for pick up. Steve also said that we need more volunteers to stay at the show overnight for security.
Don Tibbs said that signs for advertising the show are going quite well. He can make as many as needed. Harvey Sharp said that we cannot place a sign at the new Walgreen Store on 93, but we may be able to place one on the strip in front of Perkins.
Margaret Sharp said that she has two cash boxes for ticket sales. $50.00 in change will be placed in each box to start the show. Jo Farley has a roll of BGMS owned tickets for the show. Margaret said that the senior center will be available for set up at 2:00 pm on Friday, May 23rd.
Steve said that next year, if we want a bigger show, he can get the Bitterroot Inn for $800.00 per day. There would be room for about 25 dealers, plus extra rooms for programs and meetings. The Inn also has a restaurant. The fairground charges $1500.00 per day, plus $600.00/day extra for the kitchen
Wayne Farley said that with more room, we should make it the MT Council State Show; as we are supposed to be in the rotation for putting on that show. As a State Show, the MT Council would give $500.00 towards advertising. I told Steve I had the requirements for a state show at home, and I would get him a copy. Everyone thought that was a good idea, and Steve said he would present it to the total membership at the regular meeting after the show meeting.
BGMS Program and Business Meeting:
At 7:10 pm, the regular BGMS meeting was called to order by BGMS president Steve Vieth. The first item on the agenda was a Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. There were 22 members present, including all officers of the club. After the pledge, our program chairperson, Jo Farley, introduced BGMS junior member Logan Wilder, who was giving our program on common silicate minerals. Logan used information from the web to present an introduction to common silicate minerals. Logan talked about the chemistry of silicate minerals, and demonstrated how the tetrahedral structure is the basis of crystallization of silicate minerals. Logan stated that mineral silicate tetrahedrons can form as single units, double units, chains, sheets, rings and framework structures. He displayed several of the common silicate minerals, including: Olivine, Pyroxene, Amphibole, Biotite-Mica, Quartz, and Plagioclase and Potassium Feldspars. Everyone gave Logan a big hand of appreciation at the end of his program.
Notes from Wayne Farley:
A Web Site that covers Logan’s program material can be found at
www.geo.ua.edu/intro03/Min.html, and includes the following:
Silicate minerals are the most common rock-forming minerals. Their atomic structure is based on silica tetrahedron (SiO4-2), in which four oxygen atoms are bonded to each silicon (Si) atom. The mineral structures are built by polymerization or sharing of oxygen between Si atoms producing linkages of tetrahedra. This sharing of oxygen between Si tetrahedra produces chains and other 3D Si tetrahedra structures, which are themselves linked together through bonds between O and other atoms (e.g., Al, Mg and Fe). Chemically, silicate minerals can be separated into two major types:
- ferromagnesian (iron/magnesium) - olivine, pyroxenes, amphiboles, biotite
- felsic (silica/aluminum) - quartz, plagioclase, potassium feldspars
Silicate minerals, however, are typically classified on the basis of their silica tetrahedra polymerization. The simplest silicate mineral structures have isolated Si tetrahedra linked together through bonds between oxygen and cations other than silicon. More complicated structures involve tetrahedra linked together to form rings (beryl), single chains (pyroxenes), double chains (amphiboles), sheets (micas and clay minerals), and 3D frameworks or networks (quartz and feldspars).
Another web site source on silicate minerals, with a little more information, can be found at www.galleries.com/minerals/silicate, and includes the following:
The silicates are the largest, the most interesting and the most complicated class of minerals by far. Approximately 30% of all minerals are silicates and some geologists estimate that 90% of the Earth's crust is made up of silicates. With oxygen and silicon the two most abundant elements in the earth's crust, silicates abundance is no real surprise.
The basic chemical unit of silicates is the (SiO4) tetrahedron shaped anionic group with a negative four charge (-4). The central silicon ion has a charge of positive four while each oxygen has a charge of negative two (-2) and thus each silicon-oxygen bond is equal to one half (1/2) the total bond energy of oxygen. This condition leaves the oxygen with the option of bonding to another silicon ion and therefore linking one (SiO4) tetrahedron to another and another, etc..
The complicated structures that these silicate tetrahedrons form is truly amazing. They can form as single units, double units, chains, sheets, rings and framework structures. The different ways that the silicate tetrahedrons combine is what makes the Silicate Class the largest, the most interesting and the most complicated class of minerals.
- A good used book that covers silicate minerals is “MINERALOGY : CONCEPTS DESCRIPTIONS DETERMINATIONS” by Berry, L.G; Brian, Mason; R.G. Dietrich, 1983. A paper-back copy is presently for sale on Abe’s Books for $6.48 and on Amazon for $3.40.
- A modern book that has a good explanation of silicate minerals, and good pictures of silicate minerals, is the Smithsonian book “Rock and Gem” by Ronald Louis Bonewitz, 2005. A soft cover copy of this book can be purchased at http://us.dk.com/ for $19.95, plus postage. A hard cover copy from Barnes and Noble is $40.00.
- A CD-ROM on Silicate Minerals, produced by the Geological Society of America, can be purchased at http://rock.geosociety.org/bookstore/default.asp?oID=399732&pID=SILICD for $9.95.
BGMS Business Meeting
Don Tibbs told about a letter he received from Montana Tech about programs available from Montana Tech, the University of Montana, and Carroll College; if we paid the mileage for the professors giving the programs. The programs included archaeology, potential for extra terrestrial life, Yellowstone, Earthquakes, Geology, and Ground Water.
Steve Vieth said that he recently heard that Professor Richard (Dick) Berg, who gave our club a program on Montana Sapphires a couple of years ago, had recently died in CA. I found out on May 25, when talking to Tim Hoff from Butte, that this was not the Dick Berg from Montana Tech. Dick Berg from Butte is alive and well, and is still the curator of the Mineral Museum at Montana Tech.
Steve Vieth told the club about the discussion from the show committee about the potential for our club putting on a MT Council State Show at the Bitterroot Inn next year. Wayne Farley said that in a MT Council State Show, the Council would try to get all of the Council clubs to put in show cases. Also it would be desirable to have speaker programs at the show, and possibly rockhound field trips associated with the show. Steve said that there are extra rooms for programs at the Inn, and they would be included in the base price of $800.00 per day for the main room. We pay $600.00 per day for the Senior Center. The Inn has space for twice as many dealers as the Senior Center. Steve said that he turned down dealers this year, and he thinks he could fill the Inn, which would hold about 25 dealers. The Inn would also make reduced price rooms available for dealers staying at the Inn. Steve said that to reserve the Inn next year, we would have to get our reservation in now. Dianne Ayres made a motion for Steve to make the reservation for the Bitterroot Inn for Memorial Day week end in 2009, the same weekend as our show this year. Wayne Farley seconded the motion. The motion was discussed. Jo Farley said that we would need more participation then we have now for the 2008 show. Someone else asked if we had enough members. Wayne Farley said that we had over 100 members. A vote was taken and passed unanimously for Steve to make the reservation at the Bitterroot Inn for space for our show on Memorial Day weekend in 2009, May 23-24. Wayne Farley said that he would give Steve the paperwork requirements for a MT Council State Show. Steve will review the requirement and present them to the club at a later meeting to decide if the 2009 show should be a MT Council State Show.
The 50/50 Raffle for $13.00 was won by Dianne Ayres. The other $13.00 goes into the clubs general funds.
There was no Door Prize drawing as Larry Jones, who was to give the prize, was not at the meeting due to a recent knee operation.
The treats for this meeting were provided by the Ponders
Potluck & Auction 04-22-08
The potluck and auction went very well. There were 28 members and one guest present. Our auctioneer was Don Tibbs, who did an excellent job as usual. He was assisted by Harvey Sharp. Our bookkeeper for the auction was Margaret Sharp. The auction took in $205.00. The top selling item was a beautiful two-tone rectangular Sodalite cab designed and polished by BGMS member Daniel Farley. The cab sold for $26.00 to Harvey Sharp.
End of show report by Wayne Farley
BGMS 2008 FIELD TRIPS & SPECIAL EVENTS 05/01/08 |
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Bozeman Gem & Mineral Show, Gallatin Co. Fairgrounds, Black St., 10:00 to 6:00 Sat & !0:00 to 5:00. MT Council Spring Meeting
230 mi – about 3 hours 38 min.
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Dan Carter 588-4552
Doug Ellis 266-4452
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BGMS Gem & Mineral Show, Senior Center, Hamilton, MT
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Hellgate Club - hi-Way clean-up and look for quartz crystals
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June 14-15
Sat-Sun |
Butte Show – Civic Center – 1340 Harrison
145 mi – about 2 hours 31 min. |
Pete Knudsen
406-486-4395 |
June 21 Sat |
Hellgate Club - Black Pine Mine for minerals, rocks & crystals. |
Bob Riggs 543-3667 |
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NFMS annual show at Ontario, Oregon (57 mi west of Boise, ID).
370 mi – about 7 hours 32 min. |
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June 28 Sat |
Hellgate Club – Rattler Gulch for jasper and/or fossils |
Bob Riggs 543-3667 |
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110 mi to BGMS Blue Grouse Claim, Salmon Idaho
Collect blue common, fire-opal (if your very lucky), fluorescent agate & opal, and Jasper on Williams Creek Road.
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July 19-20
Sat-Sun |
Kalispell Show, NW MT Rock-Chucks, Red Lion Motel, Center Mall, 20 N. Main, 166 mi – about 3 hours 3 min. |
Sandy Dahl
dahlsl@centurytel.net |
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Lincoln with Missoula Club: Leaf Fossils and Pyrite
130 mi – about 2 hours 17 min.
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Wayne Farley 375-1341
Bob Riggs 543-3667
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70 mi to Snowbird Mine with Missoula Club:
Parasite-(Ce), Fluorite, Quartz, Scapolite, Rutile, Annabergite
Meet at Lolo Hot Springs 9:00 am, collect Sat 12 to 4 pm
Camp overnight at mine on Sat for fluorescent rocks.
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Hellgate Club – Calvert Hill – Variety of crystals and minerals
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Aug 17-21
Sun through Thursday
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All club Rendezvous sponsored by Butte Club at Anderson Ranch on Sweetwater Road 15 miles east of Dillon. Agate, Opal, Jasper, Wonder Stone, Talc, Marble, Garnets, Star Sapphires, Fossils.
150 mi – about 3 hours
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Wayne Farley 375-134
Tim Hoff 491-3587
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BGMS Annual picnic and auction at Don & Jo Farley=s place at 129 Martin Dr., Corvallis
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Don or Jo Farley
406-961-0080
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Hellgate Club Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show at Rubys Motel on Reserve St., Missoula
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Billings Gem & Mineral Show, Billings Hotel and Convention Center, 1223 Mullowney Lane, 368 mi – about 5 hours 33 min.
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Lewiston, Idaho Gem & Mineral Show: Nez Perce Co. Fairgrounds, 10:00 to 6:00 Sat & 10:00 to 5:00 Sun. 242 mi – about 5 hours 11 min.
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Jack L. Edwards
509-529-3673
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Christmas Party: Potluck & Auction, Corvallis Community Church,
CE Building behind church. 1:00 to 4:00 pm
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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
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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 2008 FIELD TRIPS & SPECIAL EVENTS |
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to be announced |
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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
