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This is the Web version of the current issue of the Mountain
Mineral Monthly, S.A.M.S. newsletter. The newsletter may also be viewed
or downloaded as a pdf.
The version sent to members, either by post or e-mail includes complete field
trip details. For selected articles which have been published in past issues,
see Geolore.
Newsletter of the Southern Appalachian Mineral Society, Inc.
MOUNTAIN MINERAL MONTHLY
Volume 81 Jan/Feb 2012 Number 1/2
S.A.M.S. Monthly Meeting
Monday, February 6, 2012 7:00 PM
Tuton Hall Community Center
Deerfield Retirement Community
FEBRUARY PROGRAM
Wayne Steinmetz - Crystal Symmetry, A Short Introduction
I was a member of the chemistry faculty at Pomona College where I taught courses in general chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and environmental chemistry. My research focused on molecular structure and NMR spectroscopy. I was a Scoutmaster for 32 years and am a Woodbadge Course Director. I have been a volunteer for over 25 years with the USFS and NPS and have worked on the construction and repair of trails in California and North Carolina. My hobbies include choral singing, target shooting, mineral collecting, and cross-country skiing.
Wayne Steinmetz
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
First of all, let me congratulate Joe Enderle on a very successful tenure as President of our Southern Appalachian Mineral Society. I was continuously impressed with his engagement in activities and sincere commitment to the club. From field trips to Hey Day at the Nature Center to club events, he always kept the activities fun and light-hearted with his good-natured attitude, but also focused and well-organized. I am proud to call him my friend and a respected member of SAMS. We will certainly miss him as President, but the good news is he isn’t planning on going anywhere. We should see him plenty at upcoming events. So thank you Joe, for everything you did for the club, you did a fantastic job.
So who am I? My name is Rudy Olson, born and raised in Chicago, married to Lisa from Overland Park, KS, and we have twin 14 year old girls. Chicago is not quite the spot for rockhounding, of course, but I slowly got a taste for the subject through studies in ceramics, concrete, and nuclear waste. It was a new job in 1999 that brought us here to minerals Mecca, and then a fortuitous meeting with Hal Mahan at The Compleat Naturalist got us into the club.
After a few years now, I still consider myself quite the greenhorn, but have learned the subject is quite vast with something new around every corner, so the learning never seems to quit. Our club has seasoned experts who are always willing to lend a hand to us greenhorns, so the learning has come easy and the experience has been gratifying. I am honored that my good friends at SAMS at this time would entrust me with this position. I promise to do my best to keep our club inviting and rewarding
.
And so what does 2012 bring? Field trips! Interesting presentations! Refreshments! Good camaraderie! Silent auctions! Rocks for sale! Door prizes! Fossils! Engaging conversations on scientific subjects! Good-natured ribbing! A veritable plethora of fun things to do. I guess we will have to deal with the Mayan calendar thing to squeeze it all in, but hey, we have until December 21st. You won’t want to miss it. So get ready, get active, relieve that stress, breathe some fresh air on those field trips, enjoy the interesting collection of characters in our club, digest some science, and let’s have a good time. And when it comes to mineral collecting, I think I have picked up at least one good phrase that applies, “You work hard, you make your own good luck.” So good luck out there, people.
Rudy Olson
GSA MEETING IN ASHEVILLE
The Southeastern Section of The Geological Society of America will hold its 61st Annual Meeting in Asheville from 31 March to 2 April, 2012. Technical sessions and special events will be held at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel in downtown Asheville. Field trips will visit sites in Western North Carolina and Southeast Kentucky. Additional information may be obtained at http://www.geosociety.org/sections/se/2012mtg/
We have several geologists in our Club, both local and out of state, and other members who may find this interesting. If you plan to attend, and especially if you are unable to attend our monthly meetings, please let us know so that we might make contact. The deadline for early registration is 27 February, 2012.
NEWS OF MEMBERS
Linda Grow is continuing to have problems with her lungs in addition to her leukemia. She and George will stay in Nashville a while longer and hope to resume actual chemotherapy treatment in early February.
Meanwhile, some other members of the club are pursuing their status as ‘bionic’ people. Ann Enderle had hip replacement surgery on December 19 and is doing extremely well one month later. Another member had joint surgery last summer, and a third one is a candidate for hip replacement but will probably postpone it until later in the year.
SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MINERAL SOCIETY
Minutes for December 5, 2011
GENERAL
The Southern Appalachian Mineral Society held its December meeting and Christmas dinner at River Walk Cafe in Haden Hall at Deerfield. Present were 20 members and five guests. The evening festivities started at 6pm with socializing and previewing the specimens for the mineral contest, with dinner at 6:30pm. During this time Judy Presnell presented a DVD program of music and photos from the various SAMS outings. Also during this time Hal Mahan and Lowell Presnell were judging the various entries in the mineral contest. Plus, Suzanne Wild, with microscope, was displaying her collection of micro mounts
Joe Enderle called the business portion of the meeting to order for brief reports. The minutes of the November 7, 2011 meeting were approved. The Treasurer’s report was similar to the previous month report. Current membership numbers are 114 paid members and 8 honorary members.
FIELD TRIPS
Joe Enderle made mention of the November 19, 2011 SAMS field trip to Lake Douglas, Tennessee. This was well attended with 11 members present searching for quartz crystals (fondly referred to as “Douglas Diamonds” or “Herkimer Diamonds”. Refer to your newsletter for additional field trips.
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion was held off until the next monthly meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
New business discussions were limited to the installation of new officers and the awarding of prizes to the contest winners. The swearing in of new elected officers was conducted by Hal Mahan. The new officers are President, Rudy Olson III; 1st Vice President, Rudolph Olson II; 2nd Vice President, Tim Barton; Treasurer, Rhonda Ashley and Secretary, Seth Woodall. Additionally, two new board members, Doug Hauschild and Judy Presnell were sworn in.
The contest winners were; Eric Ashley, Cynthia Corley, Brenda Mead, Kathleen Munroe, Tim Barton, Laura Mahan, George Schissler, Keith Thompson, Wayne Steinmetz, with best in show going to Rhonda Ashley. Several specimens from the Bob O’Brian collection were given as prizes.
The business meeting was concluded and the group returned to socializing and tasting the last of the deserts for the remainder of the evening.
Seth Woodall, Secretary
DMC Program of the SFMS Field Trip Committee
An Official Field Trip of The Western South Carolina Gem and Mineral Society (Greenville, SC)(HOST)
An Official Field Trip of the Southern Appalachian Mineral Society
9:30 AM, Saturday, February 25, 2012
Burgin Quartz Mine
Norwood, NC
FEE AREA
Place: Burgin Quartz Mine in Norwood, NC
Time: Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Cost: $10.00 per person and you must sign a release.
What to find: Quartz crystals, often clear and sometimes huge up to 4 inches across and a few inches long. The crystals are found in vugs in a very large milky quartz outcropping, though some crystals can be found by digging through the spoil piles previously dug out by a backhoe. To get the big ones, you need to do some hard rock mining using sledge hammers, and chisels to break apart the massive quartz to expose new vugs. I picked this site, because it has only recently been opened up, its potential has not been fully explored, and the DMC has never been there.
Lodging: There are hotels a few miles north in Albemarle, NC.
What to bring: Sledge hammers, chisels, rock hammers, safety glasses, gloves, dirt sifting tools, buckets, newspaper to wrap specimens, drink and food.(Subway and Bojangles are only a couple of miles away if you prefer to eat out.)
Directions: For members only
For further information call Bill Wetzel at 864-306-6749. Brandt Wetzel's Cell 864-404-0001
UPCOMING SHOWS
January 13-15, 2012: Largo, FL. Pinellas Geological Society 36th Annual Show. Location: Largo Cultural Center, Parkside Room. Contact: Hugh Sheffield at 727-894 -2440 or 727-707-3236.
January 15-16, 2012: DeLand, FL. 39th annual show; Tomoka Gem & Mineral Society; Volusia County Fair Grounds, State Rte. 44; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $4, children 12 and under free. Contact Florence D. Nordquist (386) 226-4032; e-mail: fndesign@aol.com; Web site: www.tomokagms.org
January 28 & 29, 2012: Panama City, FL. Panama City Gem & Mineral Society 21st Annual Show. Location: Bay County Fairgrounds. Contact: Joseph Schings at 850-871-1846 or by email at mojo3002@comcast.net.
February 11-12, 2012: Merritt Island, FL.- The Central Brevard Rock & Gem Club. Symphony of Gemstones Festival, Kiwanis Island Park, 951 Kiwanis Island (on Hwy 520 west of Walmart). Hours: Sat & Sun 10-5. Adults $4/day. Demos, door prizes, & lapidary exhibits. Contact show chair Ray Huntington 321-799-8536.
February 25, 2012: Lakeland, FL. Imperial Bone Valley Gem, Mineral & Fossill Society, 8th Annual Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show & Sale; Sat: 10-4, First Presbyterian Church,175 Lake Hollingsworth, Lakeland. Show contact: Jim Reed, 863-644-6665
Email contact: rocks57@tampabay.rr.com http://www.bonevalley.net
February 29– March 1, 2012: Panama City , FL.
Panama City Gem & Mineral Society. Bay County Fairgrounds, 2230 E. 15th St. Contact: Joseph Schings, 850-871-1846 or e-mail: mojo3002@Comcast.net
March 2-4, 2012: St. Petersburg, FL - The Suncoast Gem & Mineral Society. 42nd Annual Gem, Jewelry & Mineral Show and Sale, Minnreg Building 6340 126th Ave. N., Largo, FL 33773. Hours: Fri & Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5. Free parking. Contact Bill Schmidt, Show Chair, 727 822-8279 or e-mail contact SGAMSgemshow@gmail.com. See
http://www.sgams.com/Shows/show.html
March 24-25, 2012: Tampa, FL. "Fossil Fest 2011"; Tampa Bay Fossil Club; Florida State Fairgrounds, US 301 and I-4; Sat. 9-6, Sun.10-4; fossils, artifacts, gems, minerals, shells, exhibits, "how to" seminars, kids' games, fossil mine, raffles, door prizes,silent auction; contact Barbara Fite, (813) 977-0892; e-mail: bfite@tampabay.rr.com; Web site: www.tampabayfossilclub.com
April 28-29, 2012: Memphis, TN - Memphis Archaeological and Geological Society. Memphis Mineral, Fossil, Jewelry Show “The Earth Wide Open” . Memphis International Agricenter, Expo Center, West Pavilion & A and B-wings 7777 Walnut Grove Rd. Memphis , TN. Hours: Sat 9-6 and Sun10-5. Adults $5.00, Children 12 and under $2.00. Scouts free. Portion of admission benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis. Contact W.C. McDaniel 901-274-7706 or email w.c.mcd@att.net
See EarthWideOpen.com .
February Birthdays
Frankie Pegg Feb. 8
Eric Ashley Feb. 10
Kempton Roll Feb. 24
Sandra Passmore Feb. 28
2012 SFMS WORKSHOP CLASS SCHEDULE
The Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. sponsors four Gem, Jewelry and Mineral workshops each year. Two are held at Wildacres Retreat, near Little Switzerland in North Carolina, and two at William Holland School of Lapidary Arts near the small town of Young Harris in northeast Georgia. Both facilities offer double accommodations with a private bath. A small number of private rooms with private baths are available. William Holland School of Lapidary Arts also has a few RV sites. In most instances your room and all meals are included in your tuition costs.
A broad range of courses related to the jewelry & lapidary arts are taught by qualified instructors from throughout the Federation. All instructors are volunteers who are not paid for the highly skilled and professional experience that they bring to the workshops.
The workshops are equipped for common lapidary activities such as cabochon cutting, faceting, and silversmithing. Additional equipment is brought in when new or special courses are taught.
SESSION ONE - WILLIAM HOLLAND
SUNDAY, June 10-16, 2012
SESSION TWO - WILDACRES
MONDAY, August 20 - 26, 2012
SESSION THREE - WILDACRES
MONDAY, September 10 - 16, 2012
SESSION FOUR - WILLIAM HOLLAND
SUNDAY, October 7-12, 2012
For more info please visit:
http://www.sfmsworkshops.com/
Geode from Brazil
Door Prize Won by Mike Forward at the Nov. 7, 2011 S.A.M.S. Meeting
Since I still consider myself a complete novice when it comes to mineral collecting, I thought I’d keep this article simple. One of the members identified the interior of the geode I won as being comprised of quarts crystals.
Geodes are somewhat of a mystery. Not only is it impossible for one to know exactly what’s on the inside but also the formation of geodes is still scientifically unconfirmed. There are many offered explanations that most accept as possibilities and are tailored to the type of geode found and its location. Due to the estimated amount of time it takes for geodes to form, the unpredictability of numerous geological variables and physical forces that nature has at its disposal, simulating the same conditions in order to produce a geode is seemingly impossible to accomplish in one lifetime. However, each geode offers a unique glimpse of the spontaneous beauty nature can generate with the earth’s minerals.
Some geodes are completely filled with crystal, being solid all the way through. A geode is a sphere shaped rock which contains a hollow cavity lined with crystals. A geode which is completely filled with small compact crystal formations such as agate, jasper or chalcedony is called a nodule. The only difference between a geode and a nodule is that a geode has a hollow cavity, and a nodule is solid.
Geodes, according to the most popularly accepted understanding at present, are geological rock formations which occur in sedimentary and certain volcanic rocks. Geodes are essentially rock cavities or vugs with internal crystal formations or concentric banding. The exterior of the most common geodes is generally limestone or a related rock, while the interior contains quartz crystals and/or chalcedony deposits. The proposed process of how geodes are created is divided into two categories depending on whether they lie in sediment or igneous rock beds.
Geodes that are found in sediment such as dolomite, calcite and limestone are assumed to form from either hollow’s made by roots, decomposed animals, abandoned animal burros and or concretions. Another suggestion involves cavities that are washed out by ground water later dry out and harden when the water table drops. These hollows remain full with mineral rich water or get filled again if the water table rises. This water then with the constant drying out then re-depositing of mineral water forms the crystalline structures over a very long period of time. Another way these crystals form is through a leaching process. As the mineral rich ground water permeates the hollow, it begins to form the chalcedony shell through silica deposits. After continual permeation the remaining deposits eventually form hexagons shaped crystals and entirely fill the hollow if allowed to grow. On occasion some geodes that are completely filled have an inner layer of agate surrounded by the hexagon crystals. This is thought caused by a silica gel that got through the chalcedony and later dried.
If the geodes are found in igneous rock beds the hollows are usually explained as being expanded gas bubbles, volcanic bombs or igneous mud that contained steam and shrank as it dried. Lithophysae or thunder eggs as they are commonly called are a type of geode found in igneous rock and have kind of star shaped mineral fillings when cut.
Geodes are found in specific areas throughout the continents of the Western Hemisphere and parts of Australia. It’s almost certain where one is found there is more to be discovered close by. This is because these specific types of environment geodes grow in produce multiple specimens. Those areas are called geode fields and though geodes differ in physical traits, depending on the fields’ underground mineral content similarities between neighboring geodes do occur. For instance one might collect a few that have small quartz crystals you can’t see through then walk twenty five yards and gather others that have larger, clearer crystals. Although the crystals are different in size and translucency they are still made of quartz.
In Brazil, geode fields are mined for their inner contents of agate while other mining locations contain large (expensive) geodes filled with some of the best specimens of amethyst.
A particularly famous location celebrated for its abundance and diverse geodes is Keokuk, Iowa. Keokuk boasts more than 300 rock formations in a 100-mile radius around the city where geodes can be found and around 21 different minerals that fill them. One of the largest geodes is located in Maine and named crystal cave. Geode fields are also located in Oregon, Iowa, New Mexico, Mississippi, and many other states.
Quartz is the second-most-abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust, after feldspar. Quartz is also the most varied of all minerals, occurring in all different forms, habits, and colors. There are more variety names given to Quartz than any other mineral. Although the Feldspars, as a group, are more prevalent then Quartz, as an individual mineral Quartz is the most common mineral.
I wish to close by expressing my appreciation for the efforts of the S.A.M.S. Board and Officers to make the monthly meetings such enjoyable experiences.
Mike Forward
Halite (Rock Salt) NaCl
I claimed my first raffle prize after almost losing my ticket. I selected the Rock Salt from the Himalayan Mountains in Pakistan. This specimen is salmon-colored, 1.5 to 2 inches on a side and 1 inch high.
Halite is an evaporite sedimentary mineral, which precipitates when a salt lake or inlet dries out. It can be associated with gypsum, dolomite, anhydrite, and sylvite. It is also formed by direct sublimation from volcano vents. It forms cube-shaped crystals, and rarely, octahedral crystals. Crystals with a concave face are called “hopper” crystals. It also appears as massive, granular and compact forms. The compact form is known as rock salt. Colors range from white, colorless, orange, yellow, reddish, blue, purple and black, depending on the impurities deposited with the halite. The streak is always white. It is transparent to translucent and has a vitreous luster. It has a hardness of 2 to 2.5; the specific gravity is 2.1-2.2 (caution: dissolves in water); the fracture is uneven to conchoidal and the cleavage is cubic.
Tests for halite include: it is readily soluble in cold water; feels greasy when handled; colors a flame yellow due to the sodium present. It has a characteristic salty taste, but taste tests are not recommended for an unknown mineral.
Salt is recovered by mining or by introducing water to dissolve the salt beds and pumping the brine
to the surface. In the US, there are huge underground salt deposits in New York State, Michigan, Ohio,
New Mexico and Kansas. There are salt domes along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas with sulfur deposits. Good crystals are found on the surface of the Great Salt Lake, Utah, and in Death Valley, Cal.
It is a vital mineral in the human and animal diet and an important food ingredient. It is used in the chemical industry to make soda, hydrochloric acid, and sodium. It is used on roads and sidewalks in the winter to melt ice. Himalayan Rock Salt is available on the internet as a nutritional supplement and in the form of salt lamps, which are reputed to release negative ions, which clear the air and re-energize the body.
S.A.M.S. was organized in 1931. Its objectives are: To promote popular interest and education in the various earth sciences, in particular, mineralogy; to foster exchange of knowledge of lapidary techniques; and to promote good fellowship.
S.A.M.S.’ regular monthly meetings are held the first Monday of each month, ten months of the year. There is no January meeting. September is the Annual Meeting and is a picnic held on a weekend.
Illustration with text from LIVING FOSSILS by Anne L. Parker.
Used by permission of Dr. James P. Parker.
Malachite image Copyright 