The Bitterroot Conglomerate
Newsletter of the Bitterroot Gem & Mineral Society
Vol. XXX issue 9
Presidents Column
August has come to an end, where has the summer gone! I think that it has flown by for everyone.
Jenet and I want to thank everyone that made it to the club picnic even though it was a warm day there was plenty of shade and lots of food. A special thanks to the Missoula club members that joined us and especially Bob Riggs. Bob was our auctioneer for both the pie auction and the rock auction and did a super job at both. Thanks Bob!
At the August meeting we spent most of the time working on rock critters and there are some very creative members in this club. Thanks to everyone that came and helped put critters together. Before too long it will be time for Apple Days in Hamilton and the club will have a booth there as well. We’ll have the spinning wheel there as well as the gem dig. If you have some extra polished stones or rocks that you could donate to the club function it would be greatly appreciated. I know that last year, at Apple Days, we went through all the rock critters and polished stones. I believe it was Daniel and Wayne that came through with more polished rocks to fill in and we went through most of those as well.
At each of these events we have had individuals and families that have joined the club. So our membership continues to grow. With that being said now is a good time to start thinking about club members to be officers for the 2012 year. I will have a nominating committee asked people to become officers. As has been told to me, a number of times, by individuals that have been involved in one of our shows or members for other clubs. They feel very welcome at our functions and find our members very friendly, in fact some attend our annual show just because of the way they are treated. That says a lot about our club!
We have a great organization and it’s because of you the members. It takes some extra work being an officer, but it’s also a lot of fun. Believe me the year will fly by.
Mike
Editors Notes
Who would like their Newsletter sent to them by e-mail instead of snail mail? The pictures will be in color in the e-mail.
I will need reports from the Chairperson of the various Committees during the last week of each month so they can be included in the newsletter.
The Editor is not responsible for the accuracy of articles accepted, items for sale, nor are the opinions expressed therein necessarily those of the Club Officers, members and/or the Club Editor.
Ralph
BGMS Minutes of August 23, 2011
The meeting was called to order by President, Mike McConnell. As this meeting was to be dedicated to the making of critters for the spinning wheel at Apple Days a short business meeting was undertaken. Treasurer Wayne Farley began the meeting with the Treasurer's Report. A motion to accept the report was seconded and passed. A request to include the show fund and the mine claim CD funds be included in the treasurers report was put up for discussion. It was pointed out that Wayne's report covers only the operating account. It appears that some members are uncomfortable with the way the show fund and the CD fund are handled. Further discussion of this matter will take place at future meetings.
Mike moved on to Old Business: a request for a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the July 26 meeting as presented in the newsletter. The motion was made, seconded and approved.
Mike asked Ralph to give a report on the Blue Grouse Claim: The bond CD is accepted by the BLM but Ralph has been unable to reach the excavator operator for digging the trenches. He's continuing his efforts to have the work completed and is hopeful it will ready for an outing soon.
A report from the committee exploring the feasibility of creating a club workshop was then presented: The property is owned by a local bank and preliminary indications are that the bank is willing to allow the workshop to be open. It has been suggested the bank be given a waiver of liability and that the club take on a liability insurance polity. Also, the club should be indemnified by participating members and guests in the event of injury or worse. It was further suggested that inexperienced users attend workshops (classes) to acquaint them with the equipment and it's safe operation. Wayne has volunteered to conduct such workshops. Thank you Wayne for your tireless support of this club and it's members. It has also been suggested that the club solicit donations of equipment and/or purchase necessary equipment. A motion was made, seconded and passed to explore the acquisition of needed equipment. At this point it was mentioned that Reuel Janson of the Missoula club has a grinder/polisher in need of some repair but available for sale. A motion to purchase said equipment for $50.00 was made seconded and passed.
It was mentioned that the current inventory report on club owned equipment is about two years old and it was time for a current report. A new inventory will be forth-coming. It was also noted that Harvey would like the Club equipment storage shed moved from his place to somewhere else.
Moving on to current business suggestion:
The question was asked if the club had granted a scholarship for this school year. Don Tibbs said as there was a request for an application but no actual application the scholarship fund made no grant this year.
With no other discussion or business a motion to adjourn was seconded and approved by the members.
These minutes are respectfully submitted by Pam Myers, BGMS Secretary.
Pictures taken at McConnell’s house at the August Club picnic.
Nice shade
Bob Riggs as auctioneer
Items for the auction
Field Trip Report
If we can go on the Blue Grouse Opal Claim trip soon, these are the directions. Take Hwy 93 to Salmon, ID. At the last light in Salmon Hwy 93 makes a 90 degree right turn, follow Hwy 93 about 5 miles South of Salmon to the Williams Creek (Lake) Road turn off to the right. Cross a one way bridge (across the Salmon River) continue West about 1 mile on the black top. When the black top makes a left turn go straight onto a gravel road which is the Perreau Creek Road, continue about a mile plus until you cross a cattle guard then travel about one tenth of a mile to where we camp on the left side of the road. Do not turn right off of this gravel road onto the Spring Creek road which is shortly after you leave the black top.
There is a steep 2 ½ mile dirt road to the Claim and only space to park 4 vehicles at the Claim so you need to have an ATV to make the trip or we need to car pool from the camping area or a parking area half way up. It is best to have 4 wheel drive.
There is also a FS fee Campground on Hwy 93 about 100 feet past the Williams Creek (Lake) turn off. It has about 10 camping spots and out-houses.
It is suggested that for this outing, you bring a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, lots of water, a rock pick, maybe a long steel bar or at least a crow bar, chisel and hammer, bucket for rocks, knee pads, shovel, eye protection and lunch.
Mining Committee Report
We now have the BLM approval to dig some trenches at the Opal Claim. We are still trying to get a back-hoe to the Claim to do the digging. Hopefully this will be soon.
I will have maps to the Claim at the next meeting for those that have never been there.
MT Council Report
MT Council Minutes 06/11/11
The summer dinner/business meeting of the Montana Council of Rock and Mineral Clubs (MT Council) took place at the Metals Bar & Grill in Butte, MT from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on 06/11/11, in conjunction with the June 11-12 Butte Gem & Mineral Show.
The MT Council is represented by the following rock clubs:
Billings Gem & Mineral Club, Inc; Billings, MT
Bitterroot Gem & Mineral Society; Hamilton, MT
Bozeman Gem & Mineral Club, Inc; Bozeman, MT
Butte Mineral & Gem Club; Butte, MT
Hellgate Mineral Society; Missoula, MT
Northwest Montana Rock Chucks; Kalispell, MT
The following Mt Council Members from the above clubs were present at the Butte summer meeting:
Wayne Farley, President as of 2010 --- Hamilton
Kimberly Lordeman, Treasurer --------– Missoula
Daniel Farley, Editor ---------------------- Hamilton
Bob Riggs, Director since 2010 -------- Missoula
Dick Wendel, Director as of 06/11/11-- Butte
Irene Wendel, Delegate ------------------ Butte
Ed Guillen, Delegate ---------------------- Butte
Maxine Guillen, Delegate ---------------- Butte
Kevin Guillen, Member ------------------- Butte
Jeff Conrad, Delegate --------------------Missoula
Pete Knudsen, Delegate ----------------- Butte
The meeting started with dinner for the above people listed, except Pete Knudsen, and was paid for by the MT Council. Pete showed up at 7:00 for the business meeting.
The business meeting started with a pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States.
Since there was no secretary, the minutes were recorded by Wayne Farley on his personal mini recorder.
The people listed above introduced themselves, and then the Summer Meeting Agenda and the Treasurer's report were passed out to those present. The following items were discussed at the meeting.
MT Council 2011 Spring Meeting: President, Wayne Farley, said that the minutes from the 2011 Bozeman spring meeting were not available, as only 4 people showed up for the spring meeting (Wayne & Daniel Farley, Bob Riggs, and John Usher), and an official business meeting did not take place. However, some business was discussed during the Bozeman dinner meeting about the condition of the Council trailer & show cases, and about the planned Dinosaur fossil hunt to again take place at Bynum with the Two Medicine Dinosaur Center. The info from the spring meeting was that some show cases needed repairs or replacement, and the fossil hunt would take place in the summer, rather than the fall as originally considered.
Treasurers Report: The treasurer's report was read by Kimberly,; and a motion made, seconded, and unanimously approved to accept the treasurer's report as read.
MT Council Meetings: Because of the high cost of auto fuel, a motion was made by Bob Riggs that the MT Council only have one meeting per year after this meeting, The meeting would be at Butte during the Butte Show, as it is central to the Council clubs. The motion was seconded, discussed, and unanimously approved. The meeting will be a concurrent lunch/business meeting from 12:00 to 1:00 pm to try and get better attendance, and people from out of town clubs will not have to stay overnight to attend the meeting. There will not be a fall election meeting at Missoula in Sept 2011 during the Missoula show. Election of new officers will take place at the annual Butte June meeting.
MT Tech Fossil Collection: Pete Knudsen, representing the Montana Tech Museum at Butte, gave a presentation on the need of a new display case at the museum, to display fossils from the Montana Bear Paw formation given to the Museum by the late J. C. “Gil” Gilpatrick. “Gil” was a past president of the Montana Council of Rock & Mineral Clubs in the 1990s, and gave $2000.00 to the MT Council in his will when he passed away in 2006. The Council felt it was only fair to give something back to “Gil”s memory. A motion was made to give $1000.00 to the Tech Museum towards the purchase of a display case for “Gil”s fossil collection. The motion was seconded, discussed, and unanimously approved. Kimberly wrote out a check at the meeting, and presented it to Pete.
Mt Council Show Cases: The show case conditions were discussed, and it was deemed that several were behond repair, and should be replaced by new cases. Dick Wendel had repaired show cases for the Council in the past, and still had carpetry facilities, so he was asked if he would be interested in building 5 new cases for the Council. Dick said he would be interested, and would research the cost of materials and give the council a proposal. Initial estimates were around $130 to $140 per case. The glass is the most expensive part, at $60 or $70. Dick will send the proposal to Wayne Farley by e-mail, when ready. Wayne will contact the Council directors for approval, when the proposal is received.
MT Council Business: With the MT Council only meeting once per year, most business will have to be carried out over e-mail and/or the telephone. On business items that will cost the MT Council significant money (>$200), or affect the structure of the Mt Council; the president of the MT Council will get approval from a majority of the group that will include the President, Treasurer, and the four Directors. That would be at lease four of the six indicated.
MT Council Trailer & Show Cases: The trailer had a fender destroyed by a blow-out last year when transporting it from Missoula to Billings. It was fixed at Bozeman during this past winter, before delivery to the Bozeman club for their show on May 7-8. It was discussed if the tires are adequate for the weight of the trailer and load. The present tires are two plies of nylon and two plies of steel. It was suggested that maybe we should have six plies or more. It was mentioned by Wayne Farley that some of the load was removed at Billings by removing excess heavy case cables, and giving them to the Billings club. It turned out that one too many was removed, and Butte had to make up a new cable to handle 220 volts, which is standard for the Civic Center.
Wayne & Daniel Farley towed the trailer to Hamilton on May 8, after the Bozeman show, for use by the Hamilton club from May 13-15 for their show. Wayne & Daniel then towed the trailer to Pete Knudsen's house in Butte on May 31 for Butte's show on June 11-12. After the Butte show, Wayne & Daniel towed the trailer to Mick Mee's house in Missoula for their show to take place on Sept. 17-18. Kalispell has their own show cases and will not need the MT Council cases. After the Missoula show, someone from Billings will pick up the Trailer & Show Cases for their Billings show on Oct 8-9.
MT Council State Show: It was discussed if the MT Council show continue to have a state show. The last state show was the Missoula show of 2010. It was decided that the state show should not be continued as: 1. there is no participation in the MT Council clubs putting in show cases in the state show, 2. the cost of fuel is too high to participate in state shows, 3. the clubs think the share of show revenue paid to the MT Council from the state show is too high, 4. no one is willing to arrange field trips in the local area during the state show, as part of the state show.
Annual MT Council Fossil Hunt: The hunt will be the same as last year, a dinosaur bone hunt for the Bynum “Two Medicine Dinosaur Center”. If we can get ten or more to participate, the cost will be $70 each. The Mt Council will contribute up to $1000 towards the fees. Thus if ten participate, the council will pay $700. If more participate, and the fees go over $1000, then the participants will have to make up the overrun above $1000. The hunt is scheduled for Sat. & Sun., June 25-26. If we we cannot get 10 people to participate, the hunt will be canceled. (post note: we could not get 10 people to participate, thus the hunt was canceled).
Rockhounding on BLM lands: This subject was discussed at the MT Council 2011 Summer Meeting. In recent NFMS newsletters, Doug True (NFMS Field Trip Chairman) indicates that the BLM has become more restrictive on rockhound activities on some BLM lands. I, Wayne Farley (a member of the BLM RAC), brought this subject up at the last BLM Reource Advisort Council (RAC) meeting at Butte on June 1, 2011. A copy of the BLM minutes on this subject is as follows:
“Wayne Farley represents Rock and Mineral Clubs and recreational rock hounding. Their group heard rumors of restrictions imposed by BLM for rock hounds – if more than 2 people went out on BLM land, they need to submit a plan to BLM and they need a $100 permit and there are more restrictions on digging; any holes in the ground need to be reclaimed and inspected by BLM. There is another category for recreational mining and he referenced a claim near Salmon Idaho to dig opals where they dig a trench 10 feet deep with an excavator and then fill it in after a few years. Wayne understands that situation is different and why they need to have a bond.”
The BLM response was as follows:
“Scott responded that for areas open to mining activity such as casual recreational use with hand tools or shovels, BLM has no permit requirements but you cannot cause undue degradation. There are requirements for special management areas such as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) or Wilderness Study Areas (WSA), National Monuments, and Wild and Scenic Rivers. Rick said BLM staff would verify rules and regulations and let the RAC know. A question was asked about picking up artifacts, fossils, or petrified wood on BLM land. Picking up artifacts and vertebrate fossils is not allowed. Collecting fossilized non-vertebrates or petrified wood for personal use is allowed, but not commercial use.”
It appears that each BLM office makes up their own rules. When collecting outside of your local area on BLM lands, it mights be wise to check with the BLM. According to Doug True in the NFMS 2011 June-July newsletter; he was told that for the Billings BLM area, a recreations permit is required for collecting on BLM lands.
End of MT Council Summer Meeting Minutes
N.W. Federation Report
BGMS Report of the Annual 2011 NFMS Meeting
The Northwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies (NFMS) annual 2911 meeting was held on July 29 at the Chehales, WA Fairgrounds in conjunction with the July 29-31 NFMS Gem & Mineral Show. The Bitterroot Gem & Mineral Society (BGMS) was represented at the show by BGMS Federation-Director Wayne Farley and Delegate Daniel Farley.
The BGMS paid milage for Wayne and Daniel from Hamilton to Chehales at $0.50 per mile, plus a Motel-Eight stop-over for one night at Ellensburg, WA. The milage to Chehales was 590 miles, which resulted in a reimbursement to Wayne of $295.00: and the Motel reimbursement amounted to $84.23; for a total of $379.23.
Wayne and Daniel voted on several minor changes to the NFMS bylaws at the meeting, which were all passed; but the one major change to the bylaws was not passed. This major change was to let the NFMS officers have the option of canceling the mid-year meetings and conducting the NFMS mid-year business over the internet. The internet link would be by Emails to the NFMS Directors. One reason stated for the refusial was that all Directors may not have computers and Email service.
Wayne and Daniel also voted for the new NFMS officers as follows:
President: Judi Allison
1st Vice-President Kathy Moedl
2nd Vice-President Don Innes
Secretary John Day
Treasurer Lyle Vogelpohl
The above were approved unanimously by those present at the meeting.
Dee Holland gave me, Wayne Farley, a green Dadolite cabochon from Michigan's Keweenaw Copper Country; that the Missoula Club won on the Endowment Auction, for delivery to the Missoula Club. I turned over the cabochon to Bob Rigg, president of the Missoula Club, on August 15.
The Gem & Mineral Show was of good quality, considering that Chehales did not have a Rock Club to support the effort. The show was sponsored by the Northwest Washington County Fairgrounds Association along with the NFMS. As a result of the interest generated by the show, a group of rockhounds from the area have applied to the NFMS fo establish a new NFMS Rock-Club. The request was approved. Tne facilities at the Fairgrounds were adequate. There were several dealers and 16 show cases. Since it was not a NFMS club sponcered show, there were no NFMS competitive cases. Pictures of the show are presented in the latest NFMS newsletter, Volume 51, No. 10. My favorite show case was a presentation on Butte, Montana minerals by Joe Slouber from the Butte Mineral & Gem Club.
Sunshine Committee
No report.
Programs
No report.
Show Report
No new report.
Some Lapidary tips
Listed are various assorted lapidary tips or suggestions working with stones.***If you have a tumbler with a rubber barrel that needs to be relined, or any other rubber coated item, send an e-mail to: sales@industrialscreen.com in Casper, WY *** A few more suggestions on tumbling are as follows: When getting started in the rough grit stage, check to see that no edges on a chip or slab taper off to almost nothing. Use a tile nipper, to chip off the thin edges because this stone will not tumble into a useable stone. The very thin edge will always stay the same and continue to break thin in the tumbler. ***When tumbling in a barrel tumbler, a mix of rough chips and broken slabs (flats) can be tumbled successfully together, although the final polish time in agates and jaspers took 4-5 days longer, the polish was great! The rounded stones were ready at two weeks of polishing, but the flats needed more time. All it took was an extra five days and no harm was done to the rounded stones with extra days of polishing. A schedule we like to follow for rotary or barrel tumbling for beautiful polished agates and jaspers is 6 weeks for the Course grit stage (60/90), 2 weeks for Medium grit (150/220), 2 weeks Fine grit (500F), and Polish at two weeks. (Plus an extra five days if flats are included with the small stones.) You'll notice while you are tumbling that the stones in the tumbler are filling less and less space due to the grinding process, and the ground rock, grit and water slurry is covering the stones more and more. Each week when adding more course grit (since the course grit breaks down quickly), we first drain the extra liquid (grit and water slurry) back down to a level of one to two inches below the stones, then add the fresh Course grit (one tablespoon per estimated weight of rock remaining in the tumbler). Too much water slows the grinding process. Recently on the start of the third week of Course grit tumbling, small dogtooth amethyst crystals were added in the tumbler to take advantage of the extra space in the tumbler, and we continued the usual process of four more weeks at course grit, etc. (Another addition was broken picture jasper slabs.) The amethyst and picture jasper did not need as much time tumbling in the course grit for nice smoothing and when the tumbling process had been completed, the added stones turned out quite nice. Remember, the tumbler should be from 1/2 to 3/4 full to achieve maximum grinding action and of course you want to tumble as many stones as possible in the least amount of time. The best way to tumble with the fastest completion time is to have all stones of the same hardness or type of gemstones. But keeping the tumbler full or maximum capacity for tumbling requires you have to have extra similar material for each grind sequence, course and medium to add to the tumbler when processing. (Little material is removed in the Fine grit stage and no additional stones are needed.) If you have no additional stones to add in the course or medium tumbling stage, remember, ceramic media is a nice filler option to use instead and they can be reused. The flats or tumbled polished flat gemstones are ready to be used in earrings, pendants and more by attaching a fold over bail, drilling, etc.
More Miscellanious Lapidary tips
Keeping Grit out of druzy, vugs, and pits. Get some bar soap and soak it for a few hours. Rub the bar soap firmly all over the vugs, pits, druzy, from all directions, making sure the soap is pushed into the voids, well. Grind, sand, or polish as normal. Soap washes out in between grits, and soap keeps grit from getting into tight places that are hard to clean. Works, give it a try. Be sure to wash soap off, and reapply in-between grits.
HOW TO PUT A FINAL POLISH ON AMBER
Sep00 News Nuggets
From Ruth Forest via The Polished Slab via Golden Spike and Pickhammer News 5/00. Put a final polish on amber with Brasso (a brass polish) or Zam on a soft buff such as unstitched muslin. A hard buff will produce heat and can melt the amber.
Handy Storage
For sorting smaller cleaned mineral and fossil specimens (e.g. less than 2-inch diameter/square), plastic fishing tackle boxes provide both adjustable-sized spaces and a stiff, flat surface for sorting. Equally useful in the field for those smaller items that you know often end up lost in the wadded newspaper or wrapped aluminum foil. I also box, stack and store specimens after they're identified and labeled. I know the national federation and show standards favor wood, but I find the translucent nature of the near-clear plastic tackle boxes an added benefit to inventoried storage. (You can always pull stored specimens for show submissions and displays.) Thanks Guy DiTorrice
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
SAVE USED POSTAGE STAMPS FOR CANCER RESEARCH!
GIVE A HOOT - DON"T POLLUTE! KEEP MONTANA GREEN
