The Rock Bag June 2015 Volume 53. Issue 6 Page 1

O x n a r d G e m & M i n e r a l S o c i e t y

June 2015 Volume 53. Issue 6

In this Issue

Celebrating our 54th Year2014

Picture of the Month:Castle Butte

Photo taken by: Bob DriskellPage 8.

Reminder!Next General Meeting Will be June 3,

7:30PM Pebble Pups 6:00PM

-“Rockin’ the Castle”

! By: Bob Driskell

-CFMS Show Reminder

-Updated June Calendar

! (Cerro Gordo Trip Info)

The Rock Bag June 2015 Volume 53. Issue 6 Page 2

The Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society is a nonprofit organization formed to increase our knowledge in geology, mineralogy and other such related fields in the earth sciences. We classify, cut, grind and polish rocks and minerals for our personal collections and to display at club shows. We learn from each other through club speakers, programs and monthly field trips. We cooperate with other clubs to encourage others to participate in our activity. The Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society is an affiliate of the California Federation of Mineralogical Society and the American Federation of Mineralogical Society.

Our Mission...

Meeting Location:Oxnard Performing Arts Center

Thousand Oaks Room800 Hobson Way

Oxnard, California 93030

We welcome Guests Always! Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month, (except for holidays) at 7:30 PM. Our arrangement includes a short business talk, followed by refreshments, and then an Educational Presentation.

Membership:Adults - $15.00 per year (Jan - Dec)

Children 12 -18 years of age - $ 2.00 per year (Jan - Dec)

Children under 12 years of age FREE

Bonus - Join October through December, the following year's membership is included.

Badges: How much is a Badge, Do I need a Badge?

Badges are $10.00. We consider Badges more practical than handwritten name tags. We regularly have a badge drawing during our meetings. The Rule is the winner needs to be wearing their Badge to receive their prize.

Calling All Pebble Pups!

Do you have children that are into Rocks & Minerals? Well, this is the right place to learn all about Earth-Science. Meetings are Free, Fun, and best of all Educational. Children from 12-18 are welcome to attend. The American Federation of Mineralogical Societies Future Rockhounds of America program will be our main focus, accompanied by other activities, workshops and Field Trips. Meetings start at 6:00 to 6:45.

Classes:The Durley Park Arts Center

950 Hill StreetOxnard, CA 93033

OGMS is a non-profit organization, under 501 (c)(3), founded in 1961. The goals of the club are to enrich the lives of the community and the surrounding areas by promoting popular interest and knowledge in geology, mineralogy, lapidary and related fields. We teach Silversmithing, Lapidary, Opal Cutting, Wire Wrap, and Jr. Lapidary. Signup NOW! Go to Eventzilla to see if classes are available.

The OGMS Officers for 2015

President Adrian Ruiz 512-3383 pebpupdad@yahoo.com

1st Vice President (Programs)

Adrian Ruiz 512-3383 pebpupdad@gmail.com

2nd Vice President (Show)

Brett A. Johnson 822-3836 bj9709@yahoo.com

Co-3rd Vice President (Field Trips)

Bob DriskellJohn CookCarolyn HoweLarry Knapton

485-2983 digital.alchemy@verizon.net647-8517 johndianedaisy@yahoo.com486-1185 cswhowe50@yahoo.com407-3968 dknapton@hotmail.com

Recording Secretary Laura Driskell 485-2983 driskellmom@yahoo.com

Treasurer O P E N -----------------------------------------------

Appointed Standing Committee Chairs

Corresponding Secretary

Laura Driskell 485-2983 driskellmom@yahoo.com

Displays & Exhibits Brett A. Johnson 822-3836 bj9709@yahoo.com

Editor The Rock Bag Brian Miller 509-0815 oxnardgem@gmail.com

Education Director Donna Knapton 407-3968 dknapton@hotmail.com

Federation Director Louisa Carey (503) 309-6147 big_L76@yahoo.com

Historian Adrian Ruiz 512-3383 pebpupdad@yahoo.com

HospitalityLaura Driskell Candy Marshall

485-2983 driskellmom@yahoo.com701-8920 hugabuggee@aol.com

Librarian Lee Leighton 647-4594 ameritus@sbcglobal.net

Member-at-Large Anne Pierce 901-6606 slicedrock@gmail.com

Membership Carolyn Howe 486-1185 cswhowe50@yahoo.com

ParliamentarianLaura DriskellAnne Pierce

485-2983 driskellmom@yahoo.com901-6606 slicedrock@gmail.com

Pebble Pups Louisa Carey (503) 309-6147 big_L76@yahoo.com

Public Relationship Norb Tackman 647-2538 ntack@sbcglobal.net

Scholarship Chair Kay Hara 525-7634 kharaftdoc@aol.com

Sergeant-at-Arms Larry Knapton 407-3968 dknapton@hotmail.com

Ways & Means Larry Knapton 407-3968 dknapton@hotmail.com

Webmaster Stephanie Hagiwara 986-2006 purplehawk@hotmail.com

Find us on the Web! oxnardgem.comClub Email: oxnardgem@gmail.comFaceBook: Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society (Field Trips)Mail: P.O. Box 246 Oxnard, CA 93032

The Rock Bag June 2015 Volume 53. Issue 6 Page 3

Hello OGMS, Members are encouraged to submit

any articles or advertisements of your

interest.Remember it is your

newsletter too! Articles and Ads can be

submitted by email. The Deadline to submit will be the 20th of each

month.Brian Miller

-OGMS Editor

In This Months Issue.

J u n e 3 , P r o g r a m

Mineral of the Month By Brian Miller

Have you ever looked at the display exhibits cases at the Annual Fair and see all the pretty ribbons, decorated

amongst the cases? Have you ever thought about putting in that, “extra special” specimen you found at a recent field trip you want to show off?

Diane Cook, will have the best knowledge on how to show your items at the next fair. Diane Cook has been Superintendent in the Gem’s and Minerals department for 5+ years, and will have the complete run down on what to do to get started. Who know’s, you might walk out with a 1st place ribbon at the fair.

Thanks Diane for all your hard work!

Written By: Brian MillerInfo given, By: Adrian Ruiz

Moonstone has a neat phenomenon that displays a unique color, known as adularescence. This natural effect, is in the form of a floating light or sheen. Moonstone’s are actual cousin’s of the feldspar group, like Orthoclase and Oligoclase. Color’s come in White, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Pink, Purple, Gray, and even Colorless too. Deposit occurrences are located at Armenia, Australia, The Austrian Alps, Mexico, Madagascar, Myanmar, Norway, Poland, India, Sri Lanka, and the United States. California has a State beach in Redondo named, “Moonstone Beach” for its natural occurrence, and was a historical attraction dating back to the late 1880’s to 1920’s. Unfortunately, due to “over-harvesting” and dredging, Moonstone is no longer seen as much and fell into decline. Currently, Florida’s State gem is Moonstone, to honor the moon landings that took off at Florida’s Cape Canaveral.Image by Wikipedia

Hello OGMS, Members are encouraged to submit

any articles or advertisements of your

interest.Remember it is your

newsletter too! Articles and Ads can be

submitted by email. The Deadline to submit will be the 20th of each

month.Brian Miller

-OGMS Editor

VGMS Photo

Page 4: General & Board Meeting Minutes For May

Page 5: CFMS & AFMS News

Page 6: Calling All Pebble Pup’s & OGMS Book Corner

Page 7: Club News & Bench Tips

Page 8: Rockin’ the Castle!

Page 9: OGMS Calendar of Events

The Rock Bag June 2015 Volume 53. Issue 6 Page 4

T h e M i n u t e s o f M a y 1 3 , B o a r d M e e t i n g

The Minutes of May 6 , General Meet ingMinutes of the OGMS General Meeting May 6, 2015Call to order at 7:35 p.m., Adrian Ruiz, Presiding.Pledge of Allegiance led by Larry Knapton.

Motion to approve April Meeting Minutes, as printed in Rock Bag: Kay Hara. Motion seconded, passed.

1st VP Program: tonight, LuNeal Collection Silent Auction. June program, Diane Cook, “How to Stage an Effective Specimen Case for Shows and the VC Fair.”

2nd VP show: Show dates, November 6-8, 2015. Show meeting next week, 6:30 pm. Need education booth volunteers as usual. Need photo documentation. Need a Volunteer “wrangler”.

3rd VP Field Trips: Two trips in May, Himalaya and Ocean View Mine, tourmalines Acton trip, with VGMS.

Acting Treasurer: We are solvent.

Federation Director: June CFMS Show, Lodi, coming up fast!

Education Director: Print out the Diamond Dan publication, Minerals of Europe. Great guidebook for kids and adults.

Library: Not out this month due to auction, will be out in June. No overdue books.

Refreshments: next month: Walter Cahill, Jean pSmith. This month: Jamie and Janet, Laura. Thank you!

Corresponding Sec: Cards for Santa Barbara Gem Faire, and other newsletters out on table.

Classes: Signups are filling up well; next year’s calendar is getting put together and will be published in the Parks & Recreation guide.Discussion regarding wheels we need to replace at Durley Park. Need to get at least the worst wheels replaced before next session. Jean will get quotes.

Scholarship: Candidates from CSUCI and Oxnard College have been chosen. Both will be invited to a meeting, the show, and the Holiday Dinner. Scholarships are awarded by the schools at Commencement. Kay will attend CSUCI exercises on Saturday.

Old Business: Security Feed to Durley Park is installed, but with no consistent wi-fi available, we are not able to monitor from outside. We have a closed system, recording now. The recordings may be viewed at the shop at any time.

New Business: None.

Refreshment Break

Program: LuNeal Silent Auction, which raised $202 for the OGMS Scholarship Fund. Thanks to everyone who bid on the specimens.

Announcements: Next General Meeting, June 3, 2015. Pebble Pups meet at 6 p.m., Member meeting at 7:30 p.m.Meeting adjourned: 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Laura Driskell, Recording Secretary

Minutes of the OGMS Show Meeting May 13, 2015Call to order, 6:30pm. Brett Johnson, presiding.

1. Most chairs are filled, but need help with photography (Karen Kish volunteered)

2. Need a volunteer chair to get helpers to come from the community. (Candy Marshall, possibly?)

3. Need to have someone haul the trailer, Ron Wise cannot do it this year.4. How many raffle tickets left? Kay Hara thinks a couple hundred. Need to

order more.5. Meet again in June to complete more planning.6. Ways & Means, Larry Knapton got pyrite specimens for silent auction, and

peacock ore for kids booth. Question: Is it possible to do Gold panning at show?

7. Meeting Adjourned, 7:05 p.m.

Minutes of the OGMS Board Meeting May 13, 2015Call to order, 7:05 pm, Brett Johnson, presiding. (President, Adrian Ruiz, arrives later.)Motion to approve Board minutes for April, as printed in the Rock Bag, Bob Driskell, seconded, passed.

Treasurer’s Report: discussion of balance, bills to be paid, deposits made. Miriam wants to remove the check images from the statement, to save $36 per year. Motion to accept Treasurer’s Report: Donna Knapton, seconded, passed.

1st VP, Programs: June, Diane Cook, on putting together and entering a case in the Fair. She will speak earlier for Pebble Pups. July, Potluck meeting.

2nd VP, Show: Meeting just held. We have nice exhibitor gifts. Donations being collected for show raffle.

3rd VP, Field Trips: Saturday 5/16, Himalaya, (tourmaline). Sunday 5/17, Ocean View (kunzite, tourmaline, quartz, feldspar, aquamarine, morganite). Signups on Facebook page, you must pay at the gate. Trip on 5/23, Acton (jasper, agate) with VGMS. Sept 6, Rose quartz; stay at Panorama camp site.

Corresponding Secretary: cards for Santa Barbara Gem Faire, American Opal Society. Donna got a package from Diamond Dan.

Membership Secretary: We have 62 members, not counting juniors. Rosters for the members only. Discussion regarding whether information should be available in bulletin or roster form. Member application should be updated to include an opt-out for members to exclude personal information. Each new member applicant will be screened through “Megan’s Law” website before the Board reviews the application.

Federation: Lodi show coming up, June 12-14. Raffle tickets will be available at June OGMS meeting.

Displays & Exhibits: OGMS Show case will be at Lodi show.

Pebble Pups: Continuing communication badges, and badges for gold panning. We need more vests in junior sizes. Program next month: Diane Cook on Fair case entry. Pebble Pups are doing presentations, and want to participate in “mini” silent auctions.

Classes: Brett reports lapidary classes are doing well, full registration. Junior lapidary classes are small. Wire wrap class has started, divided into Beginners, Advanced, and Advanced workshop.

Discussion regarding grinding wheels that need to be replaced: Jean got quote from Diamond Pacific, $1430 for 11 Genie wheels, 6” only. Ron’s Rocks, $891 quote, with free shipping. Discussion regarding condition of the wheels, and the budget amounts each instructor is allowed per year. Motion to approve funds to purchase 11 wheels, by Adrian Ruiz, seconded, approved. Amended motion, by Anne Pierce, purchase not to exceed $1000, seconded, approved.

Brett stated that he will make himself available during the summer for members who need to work on display specimens for the Fair or the OGMS show. Brett asked if anyone knew if an angle grinder had been stolen or borrowed. It does NOT need to be replaced.

Scholarships: Kay will attend the Graduation ceremony at CSUCI this weekend, where the OGMS Scholarship will be awarded. Both scholarship recipients will be invited to our show and the Holiday Potluck.

Old Business: Security cameras at shop are in. Laura Driskell suggested signs which alert students to “Video Taping in Progress”. Adrian thinks he can get them at Home Depot.

Webmaster/Publicity: Stephanie Hagiwara got quotes for printing up new flyers and tri-fold brochures for the Club Case and Show Publicity. The Website mailboxes are getting full, so Stephanie will set them up for forwarding-only to the officer e-mail addresses, and revise settings to remove all extra mail every two months.

New Business: none.Announcements: Next Board Meeting, June 10th, 7:00 p.m. Show Meeting: 6:30 p.m.Adjournment: 8:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Laura Driskell, Recording Secretary

The Rock Bag June 2015 Volume 53. Issue 6 Page 5

C F M S N e w s

A F M S N e w s

~ Courtesy of AFMS Newsletter May 2015

WITH MUCH ANTICIPATION...2015 CFMS SHOW & CONVENTION

in Lodi, CA“Rocks & Vines” is here.

It is going to be a great show! Three days of special speakers, demonstrations, displays, vendors, and much much more. Don’t miss out!!

I have raffle tickets!! First Prize: 14k Gold Pendent with 60 carat Amethyst Second Prize: 6.5 oz Sugilite RoughThird Prize: 90 gram Turquoise Nugget

Get yours while they last!!! $5 each or 5 for $20You don’t have to be present to win, drawing at 3:00pm June 14th, 2015

Any help is appreciated. Donations for silent auction or kids booth prizes, volunteers for set up, break down, and during the show exhibitors and of course going to the show and enjoying rocks and minerals!!

For more information go to http://www.cfmsinc.org/, or email me big_L76@yahoo.com , or call direct 503-309-6147.

Keep Rocking, Louisa May Carey

COLLECTING SITES CLOSEDBy: Scott Peters from EFMLS News, March 2015

Ed. Note: Scott Peters is the Conservation & Legislation chair for the Eastern Federation and ALAA state representative for Pennsylvania. Scott and others are working “behind the scenes” to reopen the sites for organized, planned club trips, but this will take time. Unfortunately he reports that despite the closures, he’s learned that some clubs and individuals are still scheduling field trips to at least one of them further complicating the process of gaining legal access, even if on a limited basis.

Let this be a warning to all to follow the AFMS Code of Ethics, to always heed quarry and collecting site rules and to not trespass on closed or posted areas. As a rockhound community, we must do everything we can to ensure that private sites remain open.

Collecting Sites Closed

Spring collecting season is upon us here in the northeast and it is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of the closing of two well-known collecting sites in Pennsylvania. I have learned from Jeri Jones via the December issue of Rock Buster News, newsletter of the Central Pennsylvania Rock and Mineral Club of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, that the property owner has closed the Rossville malachite/azurite location in northern York County. The site is well known to collectors as it has been well advertised in books and articles since the early 1970’s. From what I understand, the location has become dangerous due to over collecting. If anyone is seen at the site, the owners will notify proper authorities.

The second site that is now closed to collecting is the St. Clair, Pennsylvania, fern fossil location. The fossils found at this location are very detailed white and sometimes yellow plant fossils on black shale. The plants were replaced by pyrite which was later believed to be replaced by pyrophyllite a whitish aluminum silicate. I spoke with a representative of the owners of the property and she informed me that overzealous collectors began bringing in power tools to collect, posting their trips and selling the fossils they collected via the internet. The representative indicated that the owners will prosecute any individuals they find collecting on their property. Currently, the owners will permit school trips to collect at the site. I am in the process of making further inquiries to see if members of mineral clubs can obtain permission to collect for their personal collections, for museum exhibits or for distribution to children at our shows. If I receive any additional information I will pass it along.

Please do not attempt to collect at these locations unless you receive express permission from the owners of the property. You will risk prosecution and may cause the loss of any possibility of reopening these sites.

If you know of any collecting sites that have closed or are in danger of closing, or any laws that may restrict our collecting activities please email me at <slipgapdms@aol.com>. I will pass that information on in future newsletter so that in that manner we can all be informed about the status of our collecting locations As always, please remember to collect responsibly.

The Rock Bag June 2015 Volume 53. Issue 6 Page 6

C a l l i n g A l l P e b b l e P u p s

O G M S B o o k C o r n e r

Mini Miners Monthly

This book (drawings and text) was created by Darryl Powell at Diamond Dan Publications www.diamonddanpublications.net ~ diamonddan@rochester.rr.com

©2015 Darryl Powell

We will have show and tell from fellow members and a presentation from Diane Cook! She is going to share her knowledge about everything needed to enter a

case or single item in the 2015 Ventura County Fair.

Also our first PP Silent Auction!! Newcomers always welcome and never go home

empty handed. The meeting will be held in the Thousand Oaks room of the Oxnard Performing Arts Convention Center (800 Hobson Way, Oxnard) the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00pm.

Rocks ROCK! Louisa

SILENTAUCTION!

Mini Miners Monthly, which will be emailed to all member’s, is an

added bonus geared for the younger crowd.

Very educational, parents and

children alike will quickly learn a

thing or two about earth science around the globe.

Thank you Diamond Dan for your great work!

N.W. Gem Fields and Ghost Town AtlasBy: Robert Neil Johnson, Published by: Cy Johnson You just cannot segregate the rock hound from the bottle and relic collector; the prospector from the treasure hunter; or history buff from the photographer. In this book they have combined all of these interests on modern highway maps. Even those who are pursuing on specific hobby will enjoy Bob Johnson’s historic anecdotes and local legends.

Treasures of countless varieties are awaiting your discovery in the Northwest. May this atlas help lead the way and make your trips more pleasurable!

Our library is a great source for information... Check out a book.

Lee Leighton, Librarian

The Rock Bag June 2015 Volume 53. Issue 6 Page 7

2015 VENTURA COUNTY FAIRAUGUST 5 – AUGUST 16, 2015

Fair theme: A Country Fair with Ocean Air

GEMS & MINERALS DEPARTMENT

Superintendent – Diane Cook(805) 889-1209 or (805) 648-3376 x 173 gemsandhobbies@venturacountyfair.org

Entry Guides are on the fair website: www.venturacountyfair.org Click 2015 Fair, then up on top drop down menu, click on Fair Entry Guides, then scrow down to Gems & Minerals Entry Guide – there you will find all the classes and

rules for your entries. Single specimens, cases, jewelry, beading, silver smithing, a Division and Class for everyone! Share with the public the great

treasures we all enjoy.

Fair cases and spaces for personal cases are limited. Please call for reservation of space or case between June 6 and June 20, 2015 to Diane

Cook at (805) 889-1209 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM. No one is guaranteed a space or case without confirmation from

Diane Cook, Superintendent.

C l u b N e w s

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

2015 VENTURA COUNTY FAIR

AUGUST 5 – AUGUST 16, 2015

Volunteers Needed – If you are interested in volunteering at the Ventura County Fair this

year, it’s a great opportunity to share our hobby with the community and have fun. We

need help with set up, check in and floor walking during the fair. Call Diane Cook to

sign up (805) 889-1209.

B e n c h T i p s F o r J e w e l r y M a k i n g B y : B r a d S m i t h

SMALL PARTS CONTAINERS

I'm always on the lookout for small containers to use for holding all those little parts and tools we deal with in making jewelry, especially since I'm always traveling to classes and workshops.

My latest find are some plastic vials about 15 mm in diameter and 75 mm long. Best part is they are free. The vials are used in the doctor's office to draw blood samples. They cannot be used after their expiration date, and

are thrown out. On my last doctors visit, I asked the nurse if the had any expired vials. She replied "How many do you want?" and tried to give me 400 of them. (We settled on 200).

The ones I have are called "Vacutainers,” but there are probably many other names. They are clear plastic with a rubber stopper and a paper label all ready to write on. I find them really handy for small parts like jump rings, prong settings, small drills, nuts & bolts, faceted stones, and precious metal filings.

TRY A TOOTHPICK

The round, stronger toothpicks have a multitude of uses on the jewelry bench. I use them for mixing epoxy resin, for applying paste solder, and with Zam for polishing in tight spots. Toothpicks are also handy for holding the stone while stone setting. Just break off the sharp tip, mold a little beeswax over it, and press it onto the table of your stone.

Get all 101 of Brad's bench tips in "Bench Tips for Jewelry Making"

on Amazon

The Rock Bag June 2015 Volume 53. Issue 6 Page 8

Rockin’ the Castle!4/25/2015, Mojave Ca - Our hopes were as high as the winds when we met at the Shell gas station in Mojave, on April 25th! We had a good turn out with members from Conejo, Ventura and Oxnard clubs were in attendance, totaling 12 Rockers!

At 9:00 am we headed out with 6 vehicles in the caravan. Our destination: Castle Butte, with hopes of collecting the much sought after Chapinite. Chapinite is a brecciated jasp-agate identified by angular pieces of jasper interspersed in the agate. Very colorful material, good for polishing. Colors range from white, red, yellow and green. Chapinite was

named for Dr. Roy Chapin who discovered the first deposit of the material at nearby Camp Irwin. We hit our first stop at approximately 9:50, with everyone arriving without mishap.

As soon as we hit the ground, people started chirping about the material they were picking up an arm’s reach from the car! We were picking up Jasper very reminiscent of Lavic siding, a lot of muddy-looking moss agate, and a good amount of Chapinite. There were some vehicles that looked nearly full to the brim (yes, you Grizzards looked pretty packed), and I can say with confidence that nobody left empty-handed, not even close!

We hit three locations, the first of which is the primary site mentioned in Gem Trails. This site was very productive. The second site was a bust; the goal was to find Petrified Palm root, but we were skunked. The third location was new, a place discovered by I believe it was Eric and Adam Stokes. The material collected out of this location was similar to the first stop, but larger and a bit more color distinction.

Most of the attendees had intended this as a Saturday day-trip so many vehicles were packed and driving home before 4:30 PM. 2 carloads of us stayed in Mojave overnight, and I was the only one with intentions to hit Kramer Junction on Sunday. However, I did not make it!

The duration of this outing was conducted in a very strong wind, and a good amount of flying sand. It made for some sore knees and ankles (trying to maintain balance). Due to subsequent sore legs and back, I did not continue on the second day. We all had collected an abundance of material and I felt the trip was a strong success. Side note, this is a good, easy trip for anyone in the family; try to make our next outing for this location if at all possible.

Image albums can be found on our FIELD TRIP FACEBOOK PAGE

Thanks for reading!

Bob Driskell3rd VP and Field Trip Chair, OGMS

The Rock Bag June 2015 Volume 53. Issue 6 Page 9

O x n a r d G e m & M i n e r a l S o c i e t y C a l e n d a r o f E v e n t s

~ June 2015 ~~ June 2015 ~~ June 2015 ~~ June 2015 ~~ June 2015 ~~ June 2015 ~~ June 2015 ~Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3General Meeting

7:30-9:00 P.MPebble Pups

6:00 PM

4 5 6

7 8 9 10Board

Meeting7:30-9:00 P.M

11 12

CFMS Show, Lodi

CA

13

CFMS Show, Lodi

CA

14

CFMS Show, Lodi

CA

15 16 17Member’s Night at

Durley Park7:00-9:00 P.M

18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 (Field Trip)Rainbow

Ridge

28 (Field Trip)

Cerro Gordo Mine

29 30 Notes:Notes:Notes:Notes:Click on links for

more info!X XAnnual field trip hosted by Lone Pine Gem & Mineral Society. We will head up Saturday the 27th and may take a side trip to Rainbow Ridge (time and weather permitting). If you are only coming up for the day trip, see notes below.

Cerro Gordo Mine

This month we will be joining the Lone Pine Gem & Mineral Society on a trip to the Cerro

Gordo Mine! This is a “5-5-5" fee adventure. Each person is asked to bring $5.00 cash, 5 gallons of drinking water and 5 pieces of firewood for the site caretaker. Mineral collecting is not normally permitted for the general public at Cerro Gordo, but as guests of the Lone Pine club we will have this opportunity to look for specimens. Whether or not your interest is in mineral specimens bring your camera. The opportunity to visit an old mining town and the views of the Owens Valley from over a mile high is an experience few will ever have in their lives.

WHEN: Sunday, June 28. Day trip.

MEET: 7:30am for coffee and staging. Lee's Frontier Chevron, 1900 S Main St, Lone Pine, CA. South end of Lone Pine. Check-in is at 8:00am for briefing and to pay the fee. We will head out PROMPTLY at 8:30 am.

VEHICLES: Graded mountain dirt road, 9 miles. 8000+' elevation. While the use of a four wheel drive vehicle is recommended, nearly any two-wheel-drive car or truck with moderately adequate ground clearance, good brakes and a sound drive train should suffice. Be sure to fill your coolant reservoir...and bring rags to clean dust off of your windshield.

WHAT TO BRING: Rock collecting bags/buckets, rock hammer, small hand rake, walking stick, spray bottle and camera. Also layered clothing, hat, gloves, long pants, sturdy walking/hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, bandanna, whistle, personal medications

and first aid kit. Bring lunch and more drinking water than you think you can use - about 16 ounces per hour of field time. This widespread field trip offers no shade, and the temperature can vary from over 100 to a chilly 60 at 8000+ feet. Gas and food available in Lone Pine - come with a full tank.

MATERIAL: A number of minerals can be collected at this site, including anglesite, anhydrite, argentite, atacamite, aurichalcite, azurite, barite, bindheimite, bouronite, calcite, and caledonite, cermrgyrite, cerussite, ceruantite, chrysocolla, dufrenoysite, dufrenoysite, fluorite, galena, eothite, greenockite, hemimorphite, hollosite, hydrozincite, jamesonite, leadhillite, limonite, linerite, liroconite, malachite, mimetite, plumbgumite, pyrite, quartz, silver, spharlerite, tetrahedrite, willemite and wulfenite. Of special interest to rockhounders is the smithsonite, which is world class!

ABOUT CERRO GORDO: http://www.cerrogordo.us/ orhttp://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ca/cerrogordo.html

CAMPING AND LODGING: An internet search of “motels Lone Pine CA” will give a number of options. One of our members has stayed at the Mt. Whitney Motel and can recommend it. There is camping available at the intersection of CA-136 and Cerro Gordo Road near Keeler. If you are planning to camp and attend the field trip - the field trip leader will be at this intersection at 8:45am. DO NOT go to the mine without the field trip leader of the Lone Pine club in the lead! Doing so will damage our relations with the mine caretaker and ban you from future field trips! As usual, please confirm with your field trip coordinator if you are planning to attend so that he or she can keep you updated on the trip or notify you if it changes in any way.

*Note from Bob: I will be staying in Ridgecrest at a Motel 6, leaving @ 6:30 am for Lone Pine on the morning of the 28th.

Contact:Bob Driskell, digital.alchemy@verizon.net Mobile: 805-320-0602

TheCALIFORNIA FEDERATION OFMINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES

(CFMS)proudly presents its

76th AnnualSHOW &

CONVENTIONFriday, Saturday & Sunday

JUNE 12 - 14, 2015HOURS:

Friday & Saturday: 10:00 - 5:00Sunday: 10:00 - 4:00

Discover unique Gems, Minerals, Jewelry, Beads, Fossils, Petrified Wood, Gold, Opal,

Amber, Meteorites, Carvings, Rough & Finished Gem Stones, Slabs, Other Lapidary Material,

Supplies, Kits, Tools, and Equipment.

This Statewide Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show is open to the Public and will be held at the

LODI GRAPE FESTIVAL & HARVEST GROUNDS

413 East Lockeford Street Lodi, California

Located approximately 35 miles south of Sacramento,

with easy access off Highway 99.