Page Rocky Mountain Federation News—September 2012 Rocky...

Rocky Mountain Federation News—September 2012 Page Rocky Mountain Federation News—September 2012 Page

W ow! Would you just look at all of the colors on the tree leaves? Our foliageseemed to change almost overnight, and I was afraid that our hot and dry sum-

mer weather would not produce colors. Boy, was I wrong. The foliage is absolutelybeautiful. Isn’t Mother Nature wonderful?

I have two great announcements for this month: a 2013 convention site and anothernew club!

The Wasatch Gem Society of Sandy, Utah, has graciously volunteered to host the 2013 RMFMSconvention May 17-19. The Show dates are firm, but they are still tying down final plans for the RMFconvention, such as host hotel, banquet menu, etc. There will be more information as soon as it isavailable. For now, be sure to put this on your calendar for next year. We expect to have a greatconvention.

We offer a big WELCOME to the Leaverites Rock and Gem Society of Phoenix, Arizona. StevePegler is their president. We are delighted to have you as fellow RMFMS members. I look forward tomeeting some of the members at our convention next year.

Time is fast approaching to have all clubs gather information to enter into our Rocky Mountain Fed-eration contests for 2012. Award presentations are made at the convention in May, so entries andjudging commence right after the first of the year. Time is NOW to get the paperwork ready for thoseentries.

With the nearing of the year end, it is also time for all clubs to renew their membership. Informationhas been sent from Gene Maggard, the RMFMS Treasurer, about the process and paperwork. That samepaperwork will be furnished to Kay Waterman who will be putting next year’s Membership Directory togetherand to Bill Cain for the newsletter mailing lists. The information also goes to the American Federation for theirrecords. Therefore, it is very important to get all paperwork turned in as soon as possible in order to have allrecords updated.

Lots of information, and I haven’t even mentioned that the change of weather means better rock-hunting op-portunities and chances to go to gem & mineral shows and swaps. I wish you good luck on both.

DeLane Cox

Inside this Issue:

Treasurer’s Report 3

Denver 2012: Green, Blue, andCopper 3

ACROY—Gerry Brown 6

Vote—Let Your Voice Be Heard 6

Topaz 7

Not a Spectator Sport! 8

Brown Widow Spider 9

Cool Science Quartz Crystal 10

Rock & Gem Features CSMS Jr 10

AZ Group Field Trip 11

Bench Tips 14

Public Land News 15

S,C,R,I.B.E. Meeting 16

Shows & More 16

Officers & Committees 17

Silver Jewelry Making Tips 14

Imagining Iguanodons 12

Quick Notes on Brackiopods 12

USPS Bulk Mailing Changes 13

The official publication of the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. The RMFMS is a regional member of the American Fed-eration of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. and is issued monthly (except June and July). It is a privilege of membership of the RMFMS and cannot beexchanged by the editor for individual club newsletters from other regional federations. www.rmfms.org

NNOTESOTES FROMFROM THETHE P PRESIDENTRESIDENT BY DELANE COX

The 2013 SHOW

● Hosted by the Wa-satch Gem Society

● May 17-19, 2013

● Sandy (Salt LakeCity), UT

● Kim Blanton, Pres.

● More details to come

KKLICKSLICKS & K & KLACKSLACKS F FROMROM THETHE E EDITORDITOR BY BETTY CAIN

A re you entering any or all of the great RMFMS contests at the 2013 Show & Convention? Maybe you haven’t con-sidered an entry in the past because you didn’t like the judge’s constructive comments, maybe it was because you

didn’t think you’d win, or maybe it was because you just didn’t know about the contests other than a display box and howeasy it is to enter. A little history, if you please. The contests were all established to highlight our wonderful clubs andmembers. The rules have always been available in the Operating Procedures (OPs) on the RMFMS web site, and I’ll briefly hit the high-lights of each.

Let’s start with the Junior contests. There is a Junior Cash Award Program (OP, pg 40); two awards are made, one for Juniors 12 &under and one for Juniors 13 & up. Entries may be in Minerals, Lapidary & Petrified Wood, Fossils, Jewelry. Diane Weir is the JuniorProgram Committee Chair (see back of this newsletter for contact info). Next for the Juniors, we have the Bulletin Contest (OPs, pg21) categories for Juniors authors, artists, and photographers. I am the Committee Chair for the Publications Contest and will be provid-

Rocky Mountain Federation News—September 2012 Rocky Mountain Federation News—September 2012 Page 2

PublicationsPublicationsEditor:Betty Cain2702 E. Pikes Peak Ave.Colo. Springs, CO [email protected]

Circulation Manager:Bill Cain(see above)[email protected]

Subscriptions:Gene Maggard8318 SE Highway 77Leon, KS [email protected]

Rates—$3.50 a year forthe Rocky Mountain Federa-tion News only. $7.75 ayear for both the RockyMountain Federation Newsand the RMFMS Directory.Directory only—$5.00.Order from Supplies Chair,Kim Blanton728 E. Sandy Dunes Dr.Sandy, UT [email protected]

DeadlineBulletin submissions deadlineis the second week of themonth prior to publicationdate; i.e., the deadline forthe December bulletin is thethird week of November.Unless otherwise marked,materials from this publica-tion may be reprinted bymembers, giving credit tothe author and the RockyMountain Federation News.

I was able to attend the recent 45th Annual Denver Gem and Mineral Show and found the exhibited specimensquite beautiful. The Show theme this year was “Copper and Copper Minerals” and varieties of copper-bearing

minerals, as well as large hunks of native copper, were displayed in a spectacular manner. As usual, thecolorful blue azurite and green malachite glowed from inside their cases. I spent a large amount of timesort of staring at the displays wondering why I could never find such specimens! I also made the rounds ofseveral dealers and was able to visit with one of my heroes, Bob Jones, the Senior Editor of Rock and GemMagazine.

Copper (Cu) occurs either as native copper, or is combined with other elements to form a “copper mineral”. The former is perhapsbest known from the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan (the Yooper Region, check out Da Yoopers web site atwww.dayoopers.com; known otherwise as the UP). There is evidence that Pre-Columbian Native Americans in the area mined(shallow pits) and gathered the loose copper chunks. Archaeological evidence points to the mineral’s use as weapons (projectilepoints), tools, cookware, and personal ornaments. It is interesting to note that Pleistocene glaciers moved pieces of this nativecopper (known as drift copper) to large areas of the Midwest and native peoples gathered and use the metal as described above.

DDENVERENVER 2012: G 2012: GREENREEN, B, BLUELUE,, ANDAND C COPPEROPPER DR. MIKE NELSON

I f you were the treasurer for your organization but are no longer, please forward this newsletter to the new treas-urer and ask them to contact me with updated treasurer contact information.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Do - Dew - Dues are due!Dues are due! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Yes, it is that time, again. Dues from each club/society are due by December 15. December 15 is the magic date because we needto get your club report that accompanies the dues payment by that date in order to include your club information in the RMFMS 2012-13 Directory. If you are having officer elections in January, as some clubs do, please call or email me; we will see what can be doneto get your new officer information in the directory.

Dues notices and forms were sent to each club by email in mid-October if an email address was available. Notices to other clubs wasby US mail. If you received the dues notice but are no longer the treasurer or other officer, please forward it to your treasurer as re-quested in the notice. As explained on the form, we are requesting that you send in the annual reports using email and MSWord i fpossible. Otherwise, use USPS. Just follow the directions on the form.

If your club did not receive the dues notice either by email or snail mail, please contact me ASAP at 316-742-3746 or [email protected] so that we can arrange to get your club information to me by the December 15 deadline. You can also access thedues form on the RMFMS website (www.rmfms.org).

Dues from each club are determined by multiplying $1.50 times each dues paying member age 12 or older in your club as of Octo-ber 31, 2012. Clubs having family memberships should count each family member age 12 or older.

Clubs wishing to be covered by the RMFMS-arranged liability insurance should include payment as directed on the report form. Thisinsurance is for club general liability coverage. Show, meeting place, and field trip activities are covered. If you have a landlord that iswanting an “additional named insurance certificate,” one can be provided at no additional charge. A few clubs still have some remain-ing insurance credit from the overpayment in 2008-9. The clubs still having credit will be individually notified.Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

TTREASURERREASURER’’SS R REPORTEPORT BY GENE MAGGARD

[email protected],www.csmsgeologypost.b

logspot.com

ing the rules and entry forms for the 2013 contest to our Webmaster, Jennifer Biddle, for postingvery soon. Last but not least, we have the Jr. ACROY Contest (OPs, pg 52) which only requiresa nomination paragraph or two as to why you junior should be honored. Bill Cain is the ACROYCommittee Chair. With the exception of the Junior Cash Award, all junior entry winners qualifyand are submitted by the committee chairs to the comparable AFMS contests.

All American Club Contest (OPs, pg 42) wherein a club submits a journal, essay, scrape book,photo album, or other entry depicting the history of their club. It can be a history of the last year orthe last 75 years; you decide complexity and format. The purpose is to let our federation mem-bers know about your club and the great community activities and/or educational projects youperform. The guideline and entry forms are defined by the AFMS contest and can be found atwww.amfed.org/AACA.htm. Three categories compete for 1st—3rd place trophies: Large (<100members), Small (>100 members), and Pebble Pups & Junior clubs. Dan Alfrey is the Commit-tee Chair for this contest.

AFMS Scholarship Foundation Award (OPs, pg 25) — RMFMS selects our own recipient fromnominations of persons prominent in the Earth Science field that are received from individualclubs in the federation. This Honorary Award Winner selects two graduate school students, eachreceiving a $4,000 scholarship from AFMS. Sandy Cannedy chairs the Scholarship Committeewhich consists of the President, Vice President, and Past President.

AFMS Programs Competition — As set forth by guidelines established by AFMS; the purpose isto encourage the product of earth science programs related to the rockhound hobby by the indi-vidual members and member clubs of the Federation through the conduct of visual arts programcompetitions. Copies of the winning selections is entered in the AFMS contest (a federations willreceive copies of the winning programs). Guidelines and entry sheets are available from theAFMS web site; Jennifer Biddle is the RMFMS Program Librarian.Public Relations Contest (OP, pg 47) — A contest to determine the member society with thebest public relations effort. We have not had a Public Relations Committee for some time; I alsocould not find any info on the AFMS web site about this contest. If you’re interested, we couldsearch it out; let me know.

Exhibit Competition—Cases and exhibits at the Annual Show are governed by the UniformRules Committee and their selected qualified judges. A copy of the Uniform Rules is availablefrom the RMFMS and AFMS websites. Lee Whitebay is the committee chair.

Webmasters Contest—There is nothing on this contest in the RMFMS OPs at this time, butthe contest is fashioned from the AFMS guidelines and entry sheet available at http://www.amfed.org/web/website_contest.htm. There is also information available from AFMSabout free web hosting sites and how to set up a site. I’m sure the Webmaster would be happyto work with you if your club does not have a web site.

Bulletin Contest (OP, pg 21)—Our contest is patterned after the AFMS Bulletin Contest with afew exceptions; Juniors (Under 12) are not required to wait three years before enter again aftera First Place win; and we have a Photo Story category. The basic requirements to enter are: 1)your article must have been published in your club newsletter during the previous year; 2) youmay enter every category for which your article is qualified; 3) you entry is submitted by yourclub’s editor with duplicate copies. The top three winners in each category becomes theRMFMS entries in the AFMS Contest. Besides Mini, Small, and Large Bulletins (specificallydesigned for editor entry), individuals may have one entry in Adult, Adult Advanced, Junior(Under 12), Junior (12-17), Poetry, Junior Poetry, Written Features, Drawn Features, PhotoStory Features, and Special Publications categories. Rules, guidelines, and entry forms for the2013 contest will be on the RMFMS web site shortly. I am the Committee Chair.

I’ve listed the many ways you can be more involved with the Annual Show to bring home theprizes for yourself and your club. Entries in most of the National AFMS contests are determinedby the top three places in the regional contests. What a great way to let people know about thegreat work your club does and it’s valuable place in the community. If you’re a shrinking violetand avoid the spotlight, think about those who could learn about your club from your contestentry!

It’s YOUR federation and prospers when you participate.

The colorful copper minerals of Arizona. New Mexico has produced numerous copper minerals.


PublicationsPublicationsEditor:Betty Cain2702 E. Pikes Peak Ave.Colo. Springs, CO [email protected]

Circulation Manager:Bill Cain(see above)[email protected]

Subscriptions:Gene Maggard8318 SE Highway 77Leon, KS [email protected]

Rates—$3.50 a year forthe Rocky Mountain Federa-tion News only. $7.75 ayear for both the RockyMountain Federation Newsand the RMFMS Directory.Directory only—$5.00.Order from Supplies Chair,Kim Blanton728 E. Sandy Dunes Dr.Sandy, UT [email protected]

DeadlineBulletin submissions deadlineis the second week of themonth prior to publicationdate; i.e., the deadline forthe December bulletin is thethird week of November.Unless otherwise marked,materials from this publica-tion may be reprinted bymembers, giving credit tothe author and the RockyMountain Federation News.

I was able to attend the recent 45th Annual Denver Gem and Mineral Show and found the exhibited specimensquite beautiful. The Show theme this year was “Copper and Copper Minerals” and varieties of copper-bearing

minerals, as well as large hunks of native copper, were displayed in a spectacular manner. As usual, thecolorful blue azurite and green malachite glowed from inside their cases. I spent a large amount of timesort of staring at the displays wondering why I could never find such specimens! I also made the rounds ofseveral dealers and was able to visit with one of my heroes, Bob Jones, the Senior Editor of Rock and GemMagazine.

Copper (Cu) occurs either as native copper, or is combined with other elements to form a “copper mineral”. The former is perhapsbest known from the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan (the Yooper Region, check out Da Yoopers web site atwww.dayoopers.com; known otherwise as the UP). There is evidence that Pre-Columbian Native Americans in the area mined(shallow pits) and gathered the loose copper chunks. Archaeological evidence points to the mineral’s use as weapons (projectilepoints), tools, cookware, and personal ornaments. It is interesting to note that Pleistocene glaciers moved pieces of this nativecopper (known as drift copper) to large areas of the Midwest and native peoples gathered and use the metal as described above.

DDENVERENVER 2012: G 2012: GREENREEN, B, BLUELUE,, ANDAND C COPPEROPPER DR. MIKE NELSON

I f you were the treasurer for your organization but are no longer, please forward this newsletter to the new treas-urer and ask them to contact me with updated treasurer contact information.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Do - Dew - Dues are due!Dues are due! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Yes, it is that time, again. Dues from each club/society are due by December 15. December 15 is the magic date because we needto get your club report that accompanies the dues payment by that date in order to include your club information in the RMFMS 2012-13 Directory. If you are having officer elections in January, as some clubs do, please call or email me; we will see what can be doneto get your new officer information in the directory.

Dues notices and forms were sent to each club by email in mid-October if an email address was available. Notices to other clubs wasby US mail. If you received the dues notice but are no longer the treasurer or other officer, please forward it to your treasurer as re-quested in the notice. As explained on the form, we are requesting that you send in the annual reports using email and MSWord i fpossible. Otherwise, use USPS. Just follow the directions on the form.

If your club did not receive the dues notice either by email or snail mail, please contact me ASAP at 316-742-3746 or [email protected] so that we can arrange to get your club information to me by the December 15 deadline. You can also access thedues form on the RMFMS website (www.rmfms.org).

Dues from each club are determined by multiplying $1.50 times each dues paying member age 12 or older in your club as of Octo-ber 31, 2012. Clubs having family memberships should count each family member age 12 or older.

Clubs wishing to be covered by the RMFMS-arranged liability insurance should include payment as directed on the report form. Thisinsurance is for club general liability coverage. Show, meeting place, and field trip activities are covered. If you have a landlord that iswanting an “additional named insurance certificate,” one can be provided at no additional charge. A few clubs still have some remain-ing insurance credit from the overpayment in 2008-9. The clubs still having credit will be individually notified.Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

TTREASURERREASURER’’SS R REPORTEPORT BY GENE MAGGARD

[email protected],www.csmsgeologypost.b

logspot.com

ing the rules and entry forms for the 2013 contest to our Webmaster, Jennifer Biddle, for postingvery soon. Last but not least, we have the Jr. ACROY Contest (OPs, pg 52) which only requiresa nomination paragraph or two as to why you junior should be honored. Bill Cain is the ACROYCommittee Chair. With the exception of the Junior Cash Award, all junior entry winners qualifyand are submitted by the committee chairs to the comparable AFMS contests.

All American Club Contest (OPs, pg 42) wherein a club submits a journal, essay, scrape book,photo album, or other entry depicting the history of their club. It can be a history of the last year orthe last 75 years; you decide complexity and format. The purpose is to let our federation mem-bers know about your club and the great community activities and/or educational projects youperform. The guideline and entry forms are defined by the AFMS contest and can be found atwww.amfed.org/AACA.htm. Three categories compete for 1st—3rd place trophies: Large (<100members), Small (>100 members), and Pebble Pups & Junior clubs. Dan Alfrey is the Commit-tee Chair for this contest.

AFMS Scholarship Foundation Award (OPs, pg 25) — RMFMS selects our own recipient fromnominations of persons prominent in the Earth Science field that are received from individualclubs in the federation. This Honorary Award Winner selects two graduate school students, eachreceiving a $4,000 scholarship from AFMS. Sandy Cannedy chairs the Scholarship Committeewhich consists of the President, Vice President, and Past President.

AFMS Programs Competition — As set forth by guidelines established by AFMS; the purpose isto encourage the product of earth science programs related to the rockhound hobby by the indi-vidual members and member clubs of the Federation through the conduct of visual arts programcompetitions. Copies of the winning selections is entered in the AFMS contest (a federations willreceive copies of the winning programs). Guidelines and entry sheets are available from theAFMS web site; Jennifer Biddle is the RMFMS Program Librarian.Public Relations Contest (OP, pg 47) — A contest to determine the member society with thebest public relations effort. We have not had a Public Relations Committee for some time; I alsocould not find any info on the AFMS web site about this contest. If you’re interested, we couldsearch it out; let me know.

Exhibit Competition—Cases and exhibits at the Annual Show are governed by the UniformRules Committee and their selected qualified judges. A copy of the Uniform Rules is availablefrom the RMFMS and AFMS websites. Lee Whitebay is the committee chair.

Webmasters Contest—There is nothing on this contest in the RMFMS OPs at this time, butthe contest is fashioned from the AFMS guidelines and entry sheet available at http://www.amfed.org/web/website_contest.htm. There is also information available from AFMSabout free web hosting sites and how to set up a site. I’m sure the Webmaster would be happyto work with you if your club does not have a web site.

Bulletin Contest (OP, pg 21)—Our contest is patterned after the AFMS Bulletin Contest with afew exceptions; Juniors (Under 12) are not required to wait three years before enter again aftera First Place win; and we have a Photo Story category. The basic requirements to enter are: 1)your article must have been published in your club newsletter during the previous year; 2) youmay enter every category for which your article is qualified; 3) you entry is submitted by yourclub’s editor with duplicate copies. The top three winners in each category becomes theRMFMS entries in the AFMS Contest. Besides Mini, Small, and Large Bulletins (specificallydesigned for editor entry), individuals may have one entry in Adult, Adult Advanced, Junior(Under 12), Junior (12-17), Poetry, Junior Poetry, Written Features, Drawn Features, PhotoStory Features, and Special Publications categories. Rules, guidelines, and entry forms for the2013 contest will be on the RMFMS web site shortly. I am the Committee Chair.

I’ve listed the many ways you can be more involved with the Annual Show to bring home theprizes for yourself and your club. Entries in most of the National AFMS contests are determinedby the top three places in the regional contests. What a great way to let people know about thegreat work your club does and it’s valuable place in the community. If you’re a shrinking violetand avoid the spotlight, think about those who could learn about your club from your contestentry!

It’s YOUR federation and prospers when you participate.

The colorful copper minerals of Arizona. New Mexico has produced numerous copper minerals.


The UP copper is found in rocks associated with the Midcontinent Rift System (MRS), one of the more interesting geological struc-tures created in the Proterozoic (Precambrian ~1.1 Ga). The MRS (splitting apart) was probably composed of three arms, the result ofwhat geologists term a “triple junction” with the center (the junction of the three arms) positioned approximately at the location of mod-ern Lake Superior. To fix this image in your mind, just imagine the top crust of a pie and how triple cracks develop during bak ing (butmagnify it by zillions!). One arm extended southeast through Lower Michigan while a second arm trended west along the Minnesota-Ontario border. The best known arm, and the longest/largest, extended southwest from the junction for ~ 1200 miles into easternKansas. As the rift opened, intrusive rocks such gabbro formed (Duluth Complex) while extrusive basalt flowed from surficial vents(the rocks are lumped together into the Keweenawan Supergroup). In addition, erosion of the adjacent highlands dumped (streamsand fans) clastic sediments (now sedimentary rocks) into the trough. The extensional rift is similar to the current East African Rift Sys-tem.

Somewhere in the Proterozoic (after ~15-20 million years of rifting) the continent splitting “stopped” and the rift started to close (afailed rift in geological terms). Perhaps the compression stopping the rifting was the result of orogenic activity (mountain building) onwhat we now know as the east coast of North America. The trench/rift then acquired a variety of sediments and ultimately becameburied beneath the Paleozoic rocks of the craton (stable part of interior North America). Today the MRS rocks generally are bur iedfrom Kansas to near (just north) of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, but are especially well-exposed around Lake Superior and theUpper Peninsula of Michigan. However, geologists are aware of the well-defined subsurface rift rocks in the south since geophysicalmagnetic surveys produce a gravity high (dense, iron-magnesium basalt surrounded by low density sedimentary rocks), and in placedeep wells (looking for oil) have bored into MRS rocks.

Scientists at Michigan State University have described the (www.geo.msu.edu/geogmich/copper.html ) formation of UP copper asfollows: most of the native copper occurs at the top of the MRS basalt in a unit known as the Portage Lake Volcanics/Lavas. How-ever, this series actually contains over 200 individual lava flows (now basalts and some rhyolite), and 20 discreet conglomerate beds,that collectively have produced over 11 billion pounds of copper. Over one billion pounds of copper have been extracted from coppersulfides (mostly chalcocite, CuS) in the overlying Nonesuck Shale. The original source of the copper was from secondary deepseated hydrothermal solutions percolating toward the surface with native copper crystallizing in the open vugs and pore spaces.

Whereas the native copper produced in the UP is almost 100% copper (or mixed with other metals such as silver), the copper contentof porphyry copper deposits is much less, often less than 1%! However, it is these types of deposits that currently are producing mostof the world’s copper from giant open pit mines observable at famous localities such as Bingham, Utah, and the Lavender Pit at Bis-bee, Arizona. Here, hydrothermal fluids associated with a cooling magma plume have deposited copper, and other metals, in both theigneous rocks and the surrounding country rocks such as limestones. At such low percentages of metal, the mining companies havedeveloped extremely efficient methods of extraction and smelting. Native copper is sometimes found at these pits and their dumps;however, the nuggets are quite small (compared to the UP.

Besides the copper exhibits at the Show, several cases displayed a wide variety of other beautiful minerals. I was especially im-pressed with: a specimen of dioptase crystals [CuSiO2(OH)2] from Namibia (Denver Museum of Nature and Science); chalcoalumite[CuAl4(SO4)(OH)12-3H2O] from Bisbee (University of Arizona Mineral Museum); aquamarine [Be3Al2Si6O18] and quartz [SiO2] fromPakistan; and of course Gold (Au) from California (both from Mineralogical Association of Dallas—I think).

However, my biggest thrill at the Show was to see, touch, and photograph a mineral from Kansas that is extremely rare and where allspecimens (only a few) were collected from a single small locality currently not accessible. This site is now located under several tensof feet of water in a Corps of Engineers reservoir. That mineral isjelinite the “Holy Grail of Kansas Minerals”!

Jelinite, first described as kansasnite, is actually a type of amberand is a local name honoring the initial collector, George Jelinek,who found the first specimens in 1937-38 along the Smoky HillRiver in Ellsworth County, Kansas (Buddhue, 1939a; 1939b). Theamber came from a “layer of soft sulfur-colored clay bounded bytwo thin lignite layers” (Langenheim and others, 1965). There wassome debate about the exact geological formation that producedthe amber and originally specimens were ascribed to the Creta-ceous Dakota Formation since this unit contains many more lignitebeds than the underlying Kiowa Formation. However, detailedmapping of the stratigraphy near Kanopolis Reservoir led Bayneand others (1971) to state “the fossil amber (jelinite) found in theNW SW sec. 18, T. 17 S., R. 6 W. …probably came from such asequence [carbonaceous clay] in the lower parts of the Kiowa For-mation.” This was a confirmation of previous statements by Lan-genheim and others (1965).

So, the amber did originate in the Kiowa Formation. However, with the construction and filling of Kanopolis Reservoir in 1948-1951covering the collecting locality, any refinement of stratigraphy is destined for the far future.

Native copper chunk from the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Exquisive crystals of green dioptase Chalcoalumnite on azurite.

Large crystals of aquamarine and quartz. Native gold.

Jelinite, Lower Cretaceous amber from central Kansas


Schowe (1942) examined specimens of jelinite and described them as "light butterscotch in color or some other shade of brown. It iswaxy, shines as if polished, is cloudy to translucent, and is made up of more or less concentric bands somewhat like agate. The am-ber has a hardness of about 3... It is brittle and breaks with a conchoidal or shell-like fracture.”Although macrofossils seem absent from the jelinite, Waggoner (1996) reported the presence of sheathed bacteria, amoebae andother microfossils. The presence of succinic acid (C4H6O4) in jelinite led Buddhue (1938) to suggest a conifer origin for the am-ber. Langenheim (1969) noted that almost all Cretaceous ambers from North America came from members of the Araucariaceae (aconifer).I want to thank Glenn Rockers of Paleosearch Inc., Hays, Kansas, for showing me his specimen, letting me hold the Holy Grail, andfor allowing photographs. Glenn informed me the specimen in his possession was purchased by an unnamed person at an estateauction and was part of the original Jelinek collection. He also stated there is a much larger specimen floating around in a privatecollection. Now, if I could only find an estate auction like that!“I'm interested in locating the holy grail of the minimum means to express the most complex ideas.” Ben NicholsonREFERENCES CITED:Bayne, C. K., P. C. Franks, and W. Ives, Jr., 1971, Geology and Ground Water Resources of Ellsworth County, Central Kansas: Kan-

sas Geological Survey Bulletin 201.Buddhue, J. D., 1938a, Some New Carbon Minerals—Kansasite Described: The Mineralogist, v. 6, no. 1.Buddhue, J. D., 1938b, Jelinite and Associated Minerals: The Mineralogist, v. 6, no. 9.Langenheim, J. H. 1969, Amber-a Botanical Inquiry: Science v. 16, no 3.Langenheim, Jr., R. L., J. D. Buddhue, and G. Jelinek, 1965, Age and Occurrence of the Fossil Resins Bacalite, Kansasite, and Je lin-

ite: Journal of Paleontology v. 39, no. 2.Schoewe, W. H. 1942. Kansas Amber: Kansas State Academy of Science, Transactions no. 45.Waggoner, B. M. 1996, Bacteria and Protists from Middle Cretaceous Amber of Ellsworth County, Kansas: PaleoBios v. 17, no.1

Facet Cut Topaz Gemstones in various colors

TTOPAZOPAZ VIA THE PAYSON RIMSTONE ROCK CLUB, RIMSTONE VIEW, 11/12

Topaz is a silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine with the chemical formula Al2SiO4(F,OH)2. Topaz crystallizes in the ortho-rhombic system, and its crystals are mostly prismatic terminated by pyramidal and other faces.

Color and VaritiesPure topaz is colorless and transparent but is usually tinted by impurities; typical topaz is wine, yellow, pale gray, reddishorange, orblue brown. It can also be made white, pale green, blue, gold, pink (rare), reddish-yellow or opaque to transparent/translucent.Orange topaz, also known as precious topaz, is the traditional November birthstone, the symbol of friendship, and the state gem-stone of the US state of Utah.Imperial topaz is yellow, pink (rare, if natural) or pink-orange. Brazilian Imperial Topaz can often have a bright yellow to deepgolden brown hue, sometimes even violet. Many brown or pale topazes are treated to make them bright yellow, gold, pink or violetcolored. Some imperial topaz stones can fade on exposure to sunlight for an extended period of time.Blue topaz is the state gemstone of the US state of Texas. Naturally occurring blue topaz is quite rare. Typically, colorless, gray orpale yellow and blue material is heat treated and irradiated to produce a more desired darker blue.Mystic topaz is colorless topaz which has been artificially coated giving it the desired rainbow effect.Localities and OccurrenceTopaz is commonly associated with silicic igneous rocks of the granite and rhyolite type. It typically crystallizes in granitic pegma-tites or in vapor cavities in rhyolite lava flows like those at Topaz Mountain in western Utah. It can be found with fluorite and cas-siterite in various areas including the Ural and Ilmen mountains of Russia, in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Czech Republic, Germany,Norway, Pakistan, Italy, Sweden, Japan, Brazil, Mexico; Flinders Island, Australia; Nigeria and the United States. Some clear to-paz crystals from Brazilian pegmatites can reach boulder size and weigh hundreds of pounds. Crystals of this size may be seen inmuseum collections. The Topaz of Aurungzebe, observed by Jean Baptiste Tavernier measured 157.75 carats. The AmericanGolden Topaz, a more recent gem, measured a massive 22,892.5 carats.Colorless and light-blue varieties of topaz are found in Precambrian granite in Mason County, Texas within the Llano Uplift. Thereis no commercial mining of topaz in that area.Etymology and historical and mythical usage EtymologyThe name "topaz" is derived (via Old French: Topace and Latin: Topazus) from the Greek Τοπάζιος (Τοpáziοs) or Τοπάζιον(Τοpáziοn), the ancient name of St. John's Island in the Red Sea which was difficult to find and from which a yellow stone (nowbelieved to be chrysolite: yellowish olivine) was mined in ancient times; topaz itself (rather than topazios) wasn not really knownabout before the classical era. Pliny says that Topazos is a legendary island in the Red Sea and the mineral "topaz" was firstmined there. The word topaz might be related to the Sanskrit word "tapas" meaning "heat" or "fire".HystoryNicols, the author of one of the first systematic treatises on minerals and gemstones, dedicated two chapters to the topic in 1652.In the Middle Ages, the name topaz was used to refer to any yellow gemstone, but in modern times it denotes only the silicate de-scribed above.Biblical background, etymology, and analysisMany modern English translations of the Bible, including the King James Version mention topaz in Exodus 28:17 in reference to astone in the Hoshen: "And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz,and a carbuncle (garnet): this shall be the first row." However, because these translations as topaz all derive from the Septuaginttranslation topazi[os], which as mentioned above referred to a yellow stone that was not topaz, but probably chrysolite (chrysoberylor peridot), it should be borne in mind that topaz is likely not meant here.The masoretic text (the Hebrew on which most modernProtestant Bible translations of the Old Testament are based) has pitdah as the gem the stone is made from; some scholars think itis related to an Assyrian word meaning "flashed". More likely, pitdah is derived from Sanskrit words pit = yellow, dah = burn, mean-ing "yellow burn" or, metaphorically, "fiery". From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

ACROYACROY -- P PAYSONAYSON R RIMSTONEIMSTONE R ROCKOCK C CLUBLUB BY BILL CAIN, ACROY CHAIR

Gerry Brown has been the club’s top #1 “Question Man”. He has always been one of the club’s most inquisitive and curiousmembers, and excelled at also being one of our most gracious. Gerry appeared at one of our meetings over four years ago and

when we met, he asked a couple questions: Where were we from (Northern CA) and what did I do? (professional snowmobiler, atleast 1/3 of the time), etc. Well, I found out he was also a professional snowmobiler who tested them for a living. Unfortunately, Gerryjust sold his house and is moving on back to the fatalistic snowmobiling and rockhunting area of Pendleton, Oregon. He has lived inthat area before and will be enjoying the company of relatives and friends.

Gerry has been collecting for over 60 year and was a member of the Eugene Rock Club in the 1960’s where hecollected Oregon Thunder Eggs. He has enjoyed collecting Geodes in the Payson area. As a kid, a trip to ZionNational Park and a nearby rock shop got him hooked on rock collecting.

We hate to see him go since he not only kept us on our toes with his questions but has led field trips, been an im-portant part of the Gem and Mineral Show, and has been a Hospitality Chairman for our meetings. Gerry is knownas our hard-working “agate man” and is a valued member of our club. He walked the Beeline Highway to pass outRock Show flyers, on both sides of the highway. He also did the same on Main Street. He contributed to the showby working Security and set up/take down. He will be greatly missed, and we will require 3 or 4 volunteers to takeGerry’s place! We send our friendship and wish him happy rocking.

Nominated by Barry Jones, Pres, & Mary Jo Foote, VP

VOTEVOTE——LLETET Y YOUROUR V VOICEOICE B BEE H HEARDEARD!!

That advise is true whether it’s a local club election or national presidential election; you can’t complain ifyou didn’t vote! Voting is a right that was bought and paid for with blood—don’t waste it.

First, make sure you are registered. Voter registration deadlines vary by state from as early as October 6 toas late as November 3. Visit http://www.canivote.org/ to find your state’s voter information website and registration deadlines.

Second, look up your local polling site’s hours. Many polls are open early or late to accommodate voters who are unable to casttheir ballot during business hours. If you will still be unable to vote during these hours on November 6, early voting or absenteeballots are options in many states.

Finally, get smart and be informed. To learn more about the candidates and issues on the 2012 ballot, visit http://votesmart.org.Thanks for voting in the 2012 elections. You’ll be glad you did, and besides…..it’s a whole lot easier than exercising five times aweek! Vote! Nov 6 Veterans Day Nov 11


PPARTICIPATIONARTICIPATION ININ AA M MINERALINERAL C CLUBLUB ISIS NOTNOT AA S SPECTATORPECTATOR S SPORTPORT!!BY SHERYL E. SIMS, THE SHAWNEE SLATE, 9/12

Membership in a mineral club is like being a member of any sporting organization. The similari-ties abound! A good team is made up of a number of people interested in a common objec-

tive. The same holds true for our mineral clubs. As with any team, participants may come from differ-ent backgrounds, but they contribute in many different ways to the success of that team. Each clubmember should support their club, even if it’s only in a small way. It’s important to remember thatsupport leads to participation. Participation leads to increased membership and club activities.

Teams have mangers. Mineral clubs call them officers/directors. They takethe lead in planning and ensuring that the club operations are successfullycarried out. If you notice in sports, while managers are actively involved inthe game, the success of the game does not rest solely on their shoulders.Everyone has a part to play, and it’s the team who, in fact, contributes to itssuccess.

Every team has its “starters”. The starters in our clubs are that core group ofmembers who regularly show up to meetings. How we count on them! There’snothing worse than arranging for a speaker only to be met with poor attendance.Starters volunteer to help club officers find speakers, organize field trips, andeven bring refreshments. If there is a will, there is a way, with starters! Their “can do” spirit is to becommended, and they frequently agree to serve as officers. They are ready to serve on nominatingcommittees when you need them as well. Starters are those committed members who refuse towatch their club fade away due to lack of interest. Their warm smiles and friendly personalities cre-ate the inviting atmosphere that we all enjoy. Maybe you feel that you can’t do the types of thingsthat starters do. If you don’t have time to fully take on such a role, why not agree to assist them witha particular task? It’s a great way to learn and to connect with other members. This is especiallytrue for new members. Jump right in and let someone know that you’d like to help!

Pinch-hitters are valuable. We all know the pinch-hitters in our clubs. These individuals are great inemergencies, aren’t they? They step in and give presentations when speakers can’t be found. Theygive “so-and-so” a ride to the meeting when their car breaks down and are pros at multi-tasking. You’ll find them setting up at mineral shows and breaking displays down whenothers are long gone. Pinch-hitters, are quick to volunteer to take the club’s minuteswhen the secretary is out. They put their heads together and get the audio visual equip-ment working when gremlins strike. Pinch-hitters arrive to meetings early with an extrabottle of soda or plate of cookies just in case”. Pinch-hitters must have been scouts at one time oranother, because they are always prepared. They are also quick to share club information with visi-tors when club officers are otherwise engaged.

When it comes to veteran members, just like in sports, no one can do without them. If your club hassuch seasoned members, then your club is indeed fortunate. Their knowledge andexperience allows them to share their expertise regarding that to which we might nototherwise have access. They seem to always have a bit of time for you. Veterans pa-tiently explain things we don’t understand about minerals, love to share their knowl-edge, and are able to answer historical questions. Veterans are great with young or

new rock hounds, too! They are never too tired to answer just one more question or identify onemore mineral.

Do you think that you can’t do anything for your club? Do you like to write or havesuggestions to share? Can you provide presentation ideas or refreshments? Howabout providing minerals for discussion, study, or door prizes? Are you willing toserve as or help a club officer! Perhaps you have organizational skills and are willing to organizeyour club’s historical documents. Maybe you can take club pictures or create a club scrapbook! Asyou can see, there are countless ways to be a team player and a good club member. Don’t just sitback and watch! Volunteer and help your club hit a home run!

BBROWNROWN W WIDOWIDOW S SPIDERPIDER——CCOMINGOMING T TOO A R A ROCKHOUNDOCKHOUND N NEAREAR Y YOUOUBY MARK NELSON, EMT, THE PASADENA LAPIDARY SOCIETY, 9/12

Senior collector Sylvia Cliffe first introduced me to this new insect threat.Then another club member, Dave Kelty, said that he had found their

distinctive eggs all over his yard. Within a day another member, CarolynDuncan, called to say that she had found four eggs under her plastic patiochairs! I thought: “What are they?” and “NIMBY!” (Not in my back yard!).

The species is a relatively recent resident comer to California. The firstone identified in our region was in Torrance in 2003. Now a new survey conducted by California ento-mologists shows that the spider is becoming much more prevalent in Southern California communi-ties. According to Richard Vetter of University of California Riverside, brown widows are being found at a rate 20 times greaterthan the rate at which they find black widows around people’s homes.

Unlike black widows, who like to crawl into cracks and under debris for shelter, brown widows like to hide out in areas frequentedby humans (ie: Rockhounds), such as garden racks, patio chairs, flower pots and into those downward-facing recessed handles onplastic garbage cans – “They like a solid top” according to Vetter. They did not find brown widows in houses, and only rarely foundthem in garages, sheds, wilderness or agricultural areas. I found several in a plastic garden hose box and in the cracks of the rein-

forcing bands of my plastic rock sorting buckets - right where I would grip to empty the rocks out of thebucket! They are most likely to bite when disturbed when we grab the item they are hiding in.

DistributionThe Brown Widow is an introduced species in the United States, and was once only found in central andsouthern Florida. It has since rapidly expanded it's territory and is now found in every southern state inthe United States. Outside of the United States, it is believed to live in tropical areas.

IdentificationBrown Widow spiders are fairly small – only brown in color, but can also appear lighter or a much darkerbrown, almost black. The top of Brown Widow's abdomen can vary greatly in the way it is marked. Typically ithas red or white spots running down the middle of its back - with black and white markings patterned downthe sides of the abdomen. The hourglass marking on the underside of their abdomen generally appear asorange or yellow. The legs of the Brown Widow are typically banded with yellow/brown and black, as can beseen in the photo – although this banding is very hard to see unless the spider is in bright lighting. When notin bright lighting, the legs appear dark brown or black. The best way to know if you have these poisonouscreatures is by their egg sac, which is very unique - protruding hooks. When you spot the egg sac you know they are there. Askyour hardware store for a good quality spider spray and spray the spider, eggs, nests and adjacent areas to discourage re-infestation.

SymptomsBrown widow spiders are of the same family as the black widow spider. The brown widow's venomous bite is gen-erally not as serious as the black widow. As such, the symptoms are often much more tolerable. Still, they can in-clude pain and rigidity in the muscles of the abdomen and legs. Anaphylactic reactions including swelling, nausea,vomiting, and a sharp rise in blood pressure are also present in severe cases. Fortunately, in most bites, the symp-toms of the brown widow tend to stay localized to the bite site, whereas the black widow's symptoms are morewidespread.


CCOOLOOL S SCIENCECIENCE F FESTIVALESTIVAL P PROVIDESROVIDES AA N NICEICE C CLEARLEAR Q QUARTZUARTZ C CRYSTALRYSTAL FORFOR M MYYCCOLLECTIONOLLECTION BY REED NOLLER, CSMS PEBBLE PUP

This article is on a quartz crystal I received at the Cool Science Festival held at the University of Colo-rado at Colorado Springs on October 20, 2012. It is a very popular event that lots of young peopleattend in order to learn about science.

Quartz is a compound that is made up of silicon and oxygen. Quartz crystals grow with six sides. I think thatquartz crystals are pleasing to the eye. Quartz crystals come in different shapes, sizes, and colors.

My quartz crystal looks like a castle to me. I took a photograph of it with a digital microscope that shows twosmaller crystals that grew on a larger one. The quartz crystal in my photograph is about 2.25 long in centi-meters. The crystal is about 1.5 centimeters wide and weighs about 3 grams.

In conclusion, I received the quartz crystal at the Cool Science Festival, learned that quartzcrystals come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Quartz crystals are eye catching andthey are an important part of mineral collections, including my own.

Author bio: Reed Noller is 11 years old and in 5th grade. His favorite subject in school isArt, and he attends his school art club. Outside of school, Reed loves to play hockey andlearn about rocks in the Colorado Springs Pebble Pups. Reed has helped on several Pebble Pup outreach projects.He spent the day at Colorado City Founder’s Day and another day at the Cool Science Festival.

Image of clear quartz crystal.Reed Noller collection. Photo-micrograph by Reed Noller.

RROCKOCK & G & GEMEM M MAGAZINEAGAZINE A ARTICLERTICLE, O, OCTOBERCTOBER, 2012,, 2012, PGPG 39 39

AZ CAZ CLUBSLUBS E ENJOYNJOY J JOINTOINT F FIELDIELD T TRIPRIP BY PRES. BARRY JONES, PAYSON RMSTONES

F ifty-six eager participants from eight Arizona rock clubs met at the Shell Station in Camp Verde for a 26-mile drive down SaltMine Road and associated Prescott National Forest roads to near Brown Springs Ranch, off the Verde River. The goal was to

find and collect onyx at the LOST ONYX MINE. Unfortunately, we had one vehicle break down on the way into the site, and oneother car problem on rough but passable roads. The hunting season for Elk was on so we passed many hunter camps and vehi-cles. They probably wonder what was going on as the dust from 22 vehicles passed them. Once we found parking for all the vehi-cles, we proceeded on a half-mile moderate hike to the mine. The hike back out became strenuous due to hauling packs andbuckets of rock. The site is just two outcroppings of rock that have been exposed probably by a bulldozer. There are no activeclaims filed on the site.

Geologically it appears the site was formed by hydrothermal action much like what is occurring at Yellowstone National Park to-day. I have yet to find other outcroppings in the area; they were buried by lava, or it was a rare, warm-water spring like the hotsprings along the Verde River today.

The pickings were good, with many finding more than they could haul. Everything from onyx to sulfur crystals, Druze quartz, andcalcite were retrieved, with some collectors finding real desktop display pieces. Most everyone was happy with the collecting allthough a few rockhounds could not traverse the hike into the site and looked in some dry washes close by for other material.

I wish to thank those who drove long distances from the Leaverites, Sedona, Prescott, Apache Junction, Rockhounds West,Mineralogical Society, Payson Rimstones, and the URR. Margaret Jones from the Rimstones club provided cookies and dis-count tickets to our Nov 17 & 18 Mineral and Gem Show at the Mazatzal Casino in Payson as the rockhounds returned to their ve-hicles. Everyone made it out safely, and I guess many had sore backs from hauling their loot.

(Editor’s Note: What a great way to foster and strengthen ties to clubs in your state! A fruitful field trip creates good memorieseven though the back and legs may be sore.)

Photos by author


IIMAGININGMAGINING I IGUANODONSGUANODONSBY BLAKE REHER, CSMS JUNIOR

Giraffe heightElephant weightSchool bus lengthSocializing in herds

Herbivore fareProminent snoutBeak-like jawPointy thumb

Running and rummaging with two feetdown

Balancing tail, anchored to reach high intotree canopies

Front toes used like spikes and hooks torip and tear plant food

Back legs for stability and defense

Lived long ago—found just recently:Thirty-one Iguanodons discovered fossil-

ized in 1877Buried plant matter evolving into coal

seamsFossil study, visions emerging

Author bio: Colorado Springs has beenhome to Blake Reher all of his life. Blakeis a 7th grader at Cheyenne MountainJunior High School. Blake is active in BoyScouts, and karate but his real passionlies in paleontology and geology. Blake isa Junior Member of the Colorado SpringsMineralogical Society. Blake has helpedpromote the Colorado Springs PebblePup program at many outreach programs,most recently at the Cool Science Festivalat the University of Colorado at ColoradoSprings.

Figure 2. Diagram of a brachiopod specimen

QQUICKUICK N NOTESOTES ONON B BRACHIOPODSRACHIOPODSBY BLAKE REHER, CSMS JUNIOR

The brachiopods lived in shallow marine water, and its fossil looks like a sym-metrical shell. The frontal view of the brachiopod looks like a butterfly with

outstretched wings. The wingspan measures 2.5 cm. When looking at a brachio-pod sideways, it looks like two shells that were somewhat symmetric and have ahinge separating the two sides. The depth measures 1 cm. It has a groove in itcalled a sulcus that separates the right and left sides (wings). The many ridgesor lines are labeled growth lines similar to tree rings.

The opposite side of the shell has aprotruding ridge on it. The shell is notsymmetrical because one side pro-trudes in and the other side protrudesout.

Information is scarce on young brachiopods still in the larval stage. It may havebeen because their shell was not hard and did not calcify and become a fossil.

An adult brachiopod was considered a filter feeder, similar to many types ofwhales that open their mouths and feed on krills from the seawater they swallow.The whale is mobile while the brachiopod was not. A brachiopod has a pediclethat attaches to the pedicle valve and on the other side attaches to a surface.This would allow the brachiopod to get off the muddy bottom of the oceans floorto gain a better leverage to open its two brachial valves and ingest water. Theinside of the shell consists of a spiral like organ called a lophophore. The lopho-phore was like a pump that allowed the water to pump through the body cavity torecover food particles. It also aided in respiration. Several muscles were also inthe cavity of the brachiopod, to open and close its mouth, and to aid in digestingfood and also attaching to objects.

The brachiopods were most plentiful in the Devonian Period. During the greatdying event of the Permian Period, most of marine life died. The great dying pe-riod was thought to be because of volcanic eruptions, and the earth being smoth-ered by ash and filled with dangerous hot gases being present on earth. Thisdestroyed many life forms including most orders of brachiopods.

The specimen studies was found in Arkona, Ontario, Canada. This is near theGreat Lake Huron. Similar fossils found in China are called Shih-yen or StoneSwallows. In the European Alps, similar fossils are called Little Doves.

Taxonomic Classification:Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: BrachiopodaClass: ArticulataOrder: SpiriferidaGenus: MucrospiriferSpecies: Thedfordensis

Sources:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachiopodhttp://www.kgs.ku.edu/Extension/fossils/brachiopod.htmlhttp://www.fossils-facts-and-finds.com/mucrospirifer.html

Original artwork by Blake Reher

Figure 1. Brachiopod specimen. Genus: Mucrospirifer;Species: Thedfordensis. Collection of Blaker Reher.Photo © by Blake Reher

Figure 3. The articulate brachiopod.The various parts of the organismare identified in this diagram.

USPS NUSPS NONPROFITONPROFIT B BULKULK M MAILINGAILING C CHANGESHANGES BY BETTY CAIN, EDITOR

The editor of one of our member clubs sent me an email asking about the 2013 Post Office changes for mailing out newsletters.I haven’t dealt with the requirements since RMFMS went to almost exclusive electronic publication of The Rocky Mountain

Federation News a couple of years ago. We do still mail out a few hardcopies of the newsletter, but the number is so low that wedo not qualify for bulk mailings and must pay first class for each piece. I understand, however, that some clubs still prefer to pub-lish and mail hardcopies of their bulletins.

I thought, “Shoot, this can’t be hard because I knew all the requirements when I was the editor for a local club; things can’t havechanged that much.” Well, I was surprised at just how much the rules have and will be changing! I started my search atwww.usps.com but couldn’t find a definitive answer in having to “cut the number of pages in each newsletter by about two-thirds(down to six sheets) or have it put into envelopes of no more than about 1/4 to 3/8 inch thickness.” Of course, I was searching onthe weekend with only automated phones and computers attempting to answer my inquiries.

I called the local Colorado Springs Bulk Mailing Facility this morning and found what I hope answers the query. Bob, the local em-ployee I spoke with, was very helpful and gave me a synopsis of the new rules (minus any information on the rate increase). Hedisclaimed his statements with the fact that each mailing depends on the type and size of material being mailed.

I explained that most newsletter mailings were a number of sheets of 8½” x 11” printer paper (we used to call it typing paper), usu-ally folded in half, and stapled on a corner. Bob exclaimed, “No staples!” unless you want to pay 20¢ extra per piece and have tosort and bundle the mailing by zip codes. I played that game back when and ended up with 7 to 9 USPS trays each month; I alsohad to correctly label the trays with USPS codes and always felt like I was doing the postal clerk’s job; but it did save us money.He next explained that the piece had to be folded at the bottom. I recently changed this newsletter’s address page to fold at thebottom (see page 18). Bob also said that the pages are held together by two (2) tabs or wafers on the top, 1” from each side;more could be added if needed to hold the newsletter together. Transparent tape could also be used.

I continued to ask questions, and Bob finally said that I should come to the facility and pick up the information sheet. I told him Iwas writing an article to our editors and needed the information now. He gave up the secret web site that contained the info, http://pe.usps.gov. If you visit that site, look for Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) Advisory section.

There are many explanations in thatsection that do not apply to our typeof mailings, and the paragraphsyou’re looking for is “machinable,standard mailing” requirements.

As far as my original question of howmany pages could be mailed, I foundno reference to the number of pagesbut did see the following onthickness:3.3 Dimensions and ShapeEach machinable or automationletter-sized piece must be rectangular and must meet the following standards:

a. For height, nor more than 6-1/8 or less than 3-12 inches high.b. For length, no more than 11-1/2 or less than 5 inches long.c. For thickness, no more than 0.25 or less 0.009 inch thick.

Our newsletter are usually 5-1/4” high by 8-1/2”. Of course, each piece of the bulk mailing must weigh the same as a sampledpiece, and you deposited bulk funds are reduced by the weight-per-piece X number of pieces mailed. The rates will increase by 1¢in 2013 (found at www.usps.com).

I hope I have provided the answers you sought, Scott. I would strongly urge you to take a sample of your typical newsletter to thepost office and ask them for specific guidance before making a decision regardnig your mailing permit. Bob did say, “all US PostOffices will following these regulations.”


PPUBLICUBLIC L LANDAND N NEWSEWS BY JAN BAUMEISTER, RMFMS SD REP./ PUBLIC LAND ADVISORY COMMITTEE

P lease check the website for Northern Plains Conversation Network, www.npcn.net, a huge organization of twenty huge organiza-tions including a couple of the biggest Wilderness organizations with their “dream” is to restore the North America’s grasslands

and working for these areas to become “show pieces of grassland wildlife”, with their goal to restore the buffalo back onto the grass-lands from Canada to Nebraska and Wyoming. It is all explained by clicking on the websites below the picture. At the left side of theirpage, “Who We Are” will show the map of the thousands of acres they want included from Canada to Nebraska of grasslands andprivate lands they are working at put totally into their control! I’m sorry that I can’t copy the big maps in the articles for those withoutcomputers. It’s worth your time to use a library computer and check out this land grab take-over!

As for designation of control of the grasslands, the map listed above shows all ofthe land in the Northwest Glacial Plains of Canada and Northern and Eastern Mon-tana, all lands west of the Missouri River in North Dakota, the northeastern part ofWyoming and the whole western half of South Dakota and all of Nebraska Sandhills country for Wilderness in the Northern Plains Conservation Network who willcontrol the land and the rivers! Click on “VISIONS” on the same line under thepicture at the top of the page of this article. Their vision is a nightmare.

The Slim Buttes: Acres: Federal BLM: 53,000; US Forest Service land: 71,000acres, State: 334,000 acres, Private land: 1,881,000, Total: 2,5127,000 acres.

Badlands-Conata Basin: “Anchored by Badlands National Park, Buffalo Gap Nat’lGrasslands, and Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, including the Black Hills Forest, itcovers about 2.8 MILLION acres of land. Acres: Federal: 3,000, Tribal: 898,000,USFS: 368,000, National Parks: 148,000, State: 28,000, Private: 1,386,000 ; Pri-vate reserve: 600, Other Federal: 112. Total: 2,831,000. The article tells aboutwildlife with free-ranging bison in Badlands, and “further west: the “Black Hills”area is a favorite tourist destination, including Wind Cave and Custer National Parks.

Thunder Basin and Oglala Grasslands: The Conservation Alliance of the Great Plains proposed this region: Thunder Basinstretches from the pine-covered slopes of southwest Black Hills across vast grasslands to Douglas, WY. The grasslands extendingeast across into Nebraska, includes the Sand Hills area. Acres: Federal: 139,000, Tribal: 142,000, Thunder Basin (WY):570,00,Oglala National Grasslands (NE):95,000, State: 177,000, Private land: 2,829, 000, Department of Defense: 1,000, Other federal:1,000. Total: 3,954,000.

Montana (northern) Glaciated Plains: Acres: Federal BLM, 1,280,000, Tribal 287,000, Part of CM Russell Wildlife Refuge,State,194,000, Private 1,271,000, local government: 800 and private preserves: 31,000 Total: 3,573,00

Hole In the Wall, WY: Acres: total: BLM 2,699,00 acres, including 1,540.000 acres of private owned lands.

In the Northern Plains states, government owned grasslands and control of river is focused for take-over by these twenty organiza-tions. The ranchers in the “Terry Badlands Wilderness” that joined agreement to have their private land included in this Wildernessplan, thinking they could be freely use this grassland-badlands to graze their cattle forever. The problem is stipulations/laws can bechanged mighty fast--all it takes is one Senator to sponsor a bill in Congress to slowly eliminate cattle grazing in a set time until all thebeef is off the land and get replaced by buffalo, a goal of this organization. We have seen SD Senator Johnson’s Senate bill tryingto put the Cheyenne River grasslands into Wilderness, backed by many of these organizations! Cattlemen need to be alerted asthere was a bill that a congressman sponsored about 12 years ago. It had a decree to get all cattle removed off all mountain rangesdeclared “Wilderness” in three years in the West. It didn’t pass. They will wait a few years then repeat such actions once large areasof government land become “Wilderness.”

PASS A WORD TO THE PUBLIC!

Editors: Please copy this for your bulletins. If they can get millions of acres of public and private land of Northern Plains into theirplans, YOUR STATE AND SURROUNDING STATES WILL BE NEXT! They won’t be happy with just the mountains and special sce-nic areas of your state that’s already put into Wilderness, THEY WILL WANT ALL THE PUBLIC LANDS FROM CANADA TO MEXICOput into their control! No longer will we have multiple use land to enjoy. On one focus page, it was stated that they were under thenon-profit status!

All Club Members: We need every citizen to spread the word to friends and to your reliable congressmen with objection ahead oftime. If you enjoy your freedoms of rock hunting or visiting on the BLM and Government Grasslands and help private land owners,please take time to write. You can send a copy of this article along with your letter protesting the NCPN’s focus plans, or go on line,copy from the website- www.ncpn.com - and send it in with your letter of objection.

The Northern Plains states have two senators and one or two House of Representatives in Washington, DC. It is easier to get lawspassed in other states, where they have more congressmen representing them. There’s plenty that love that PAC money to sponsorWilderness bills for each of these “focus areas” as most of the congressmen that don’t know anything about our grassland. We thepeople, the ranchers, the farmers, outdoors men, and the public who use the grasslands for recreation, hunting, and hob-bies, etc. We must fight hard to stop the wilderness advocators with mighty coffers!! We have to let the public know! (I’msending a four page letter of information to five state governors, cattlemen, game hunters, and other multiple use organizations, plusnewspapers in major towns.)

SSILVERILVER J JEWELRYEWELRY M MAKINGAKING T TIPSIPS ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY RICHARD SLYKER

FROM ROCKHOUND RAMBLINGS, 7/12; VIA STRATA GEM, 10/12

Jewelry making can be fun and a nice way to use some of the rocks we keep picking up and winning at the monthly raffles. I havebeen playing with jewelry making at my work bench and would like to share some tried and untried tips. The following ideas are

not mine but were found in old magazine articles and viewing images on the Internet.

Neat way to melt Dop wax and heat the CabochonsAn interesting idea for melting dop wax and more importantly heating your stones was found in the lapidary tips of an old Gem andMinerals magazine. I have found that if the cabochon stone is not close to the temperature of the melted was, the stone will notstay attached to the copping stick during grinding and polishing. The tip was to find an old clothes iron and mount it upside down ina handmade wooden frame. A tuna or Vienna sausage container can be used to hold the dop wax. It is then placed on the ironsurface with your cabochons to be heated. The temperature can be set to melt the wax, and your stones will be nicely heated andready for the dopping sticks. I have not tried this yet, but it sounds a lot better than my current propane torch and aluminum blockprocess. All I need to do is find an old iron. Sue said she threw one out a few months ago. Isn’t that always the case? (Note fromEditor: Shop you local thrift store for an iron!)

Simple rings for the Granddaughters and (Oh my!) their Moms.Dave, a vendor at our gem and mineral show, was selling simple sterling silver wire rings. He braided the wire,wrapped it around a mandrel, cut it to size, soldered the wires back together, sized it on a ring mandrel, andpolished it; it produced a nice little ring. I made a number of these with a three 18 gage wire braid, and theywere well received. You need to braid at least three or four rings worth of braid each time. While looking at

images one day on the Internet, I noticed that if you flatten them, they are not as thick and produce a better looking ring. Simplyhammering the finished ring on a steel ring mandrel before sanding with 600 grit and polish did the trick. A loosely braided two wirering is very easy to make; the kids enjoy wearing them on multiple fingers. These are very inexpensive and fun gifts for the kids.They only take about 20 minutes to make when the jewelry equipment is ready.

A Bail that does not need to be solderedI have been making pendant bails from scrap sheet metal, bezel wire, and old ster-ling silver knife handles. A strip is cut, looped with pliers, soldered, and finished.The bail is attached to the pendant with a soldered split ring. A non-soldered bailwas found in some online jewelry images. The bail simply has two loops, one forthe necklace, and one for the split ring attachment to the pendant (Fig. 1). Fromthe front, it looks like a soldered loop bail (Fig. 2). These save a lot of time duringfabrication and won’t flip with the narrow end up when worn. Some of the sol-dered ones seem to want to flip.Fig. 1

Fig. 2

BBENCHENCH T TIPSIPS——CCLEANINGLEANING F FLUIDLUID D DISPENSERISPENSER BY BRAD SMITH, GROUPS.YAHOO.COM/GROUP/BENCHTIPS/

Cleaning Fluid DispenserFrequently we need to use a solvent in our work or fill a small bottle with alcohol. Often I can’t find the rightfunnel and end up spilling almost as much liquid as I get into the bottle. Not only is this wasteful, but thefumes are probably not too good for you either.

A neat and inexpensive solution is to use a lab dispensing bottle to store you solvents. It has a wide mouthfor filling and a fine tip for dispensing either a drop or a small stream. With this tip I can even add a littlealcohol to the nail polish bottle I us for the yellow ochre anti-flux without spilling a drop.

There must be many suppliers, but one is Carolina Biological Supply Company at www.carolina.com. Thebottle is Catalog # 716580 Unitary Wash Bottle, Low-Density Polyethylene, 125 mL US $4.35.

Protecting Finished SurfacesI figure that any accidental scratch I make on a piece means about 15 minutes of extra sanding and polishing. So after finishingmajor surfaces, I typically cover them with some masking tape to avoid any scratches when doing final work like clean-ups andsetting of stones. The blue masking painters tape works particularly well because it doesn’t leave sticky residue.


PresidentDeLane Cox8152 Spanker Ridge Dr.Bentonville, AR [email protected]

Vice PresidentDebbie LeschnerHC60 Box 512Quemado, NM [email protected]

SecretaryPeggy Maggard8418 SE Hwy 77Leon, KS [email protected]

TreasurerGene MaggardSee Peggy Maggard

HistorianCinda Kunkler210 NE35th StTopeka, KS [email protected]

Bill SmithPO. Box 311Hardtner, KS [email protected] Nowak2805 Sage DrEnid, OK [email protected]

ArizonaVacantColoradoBeth Simmons1420 S. ReedLakewood, CO [email protected] Koerper1644 Valleyview CourtWichita, KS [email protected] Mexico/TexasRobert L. Carlson1585 Los PueblosLos Alamos, NM [email protected] DakotaRay Oliger516 N 20th StBismarck, ND [email protected]/ArkansasVirgil Richards26815 51st St

Broken Arrow, OK [email protected] Dakota/NebraskaSony HemscherPO Box 376Piedmont, SD [email protected] Burchard875 E. 4500 S.S. Ogden, UT [email protected] McGarveyPO Box 116Kinnear, WY [email protected]

CirculationBill CainAddress on page 2Convention AdvisoryVacantEditor/PublicationsBetty CainAddress on page 2FinanceRobert Haines, Chair104 S. Brookside St.Wichita, KS 67218316.683.9021Wayne Cox8152 Spanker Ridge Dr.Bentonville, AR [email protected] TechMike Snively8495 W. Starr CircleLittleton, CO [email protected] TechJim Hurlbut2240 S AdamsDenver, CO [email protected] Beck, Chair3021 E Country Club RdSaline, KS [email protected] Jaeger3515 E 88th StTulsa, OK [email protected] NowakSee Past PresidentsProgram LibraryJennifer Biddle1620 Kingsway StSapulpa, OK [email protected] RelationsVacantSafetyVacant

WebmasterJennifer BiddleSee Program [email protected] ContestBrian Paterson203 Saddle Mountain RdColorado Springs, CO [email protected]

BoundariesRobert L CarsonSee NM/TX State Director

CredentialsVacantDirectoryKay Waterman1334 N. McFarland PlaceClaremore, OK [email protected] Club Rockhound ofthe Year Award (ACROY)Bill CainAddress on page 2All American ClubDan AlfreyPO Box 4164Woodland Park, CO [email protected] TechnicalPete Modreski3555 Mill StWheat Ridge, CO [email protected] TechnicalRoger Burkhalter16560 E. Maguire RdNoble, OK [email protected] Burkhalter1267 Kingbird LaneChoctaw, OK [email protected] RelationsMike Nelson645 Popes Valley DrColo. Springs, CO [email protected] ProgramDiane C Weir2300 S Union AveRoswell, NM [email protected] PlanningJudy Beck, ChairSee NominationsRichard JaegerSee NominationsRobert L. CarlsonSee NX/TX DirectorName BadgesRichard JaegerSee NominationsParliamentarianGene MaggardSee Treasurer

Permanent AddressRobert CarlsonSee NM/TX State Director

Program CompetitionJennifer BiddleSee Program LibraryRibbonsVacantScholarshipSandy Cannedy15071 County Rd 1170Binger, Okla. [email protected] Blanton728 E. Sand Dunes Dr.Sandy, UT [email protected] L. CarlsonSee NM/TX State Director

ArizonaBill Jaeger3441 E Astro StHereford, AZ [email protected] Kilb3411 Tomahawk DrLake Havasu City, AZ [email protected] Austin2918 Plymouth RdGrand Junction, CO [email protected] NelsonSee Int’l RelationsKansasMike NelsonSee Int’l RelationsNebraskaLeroy Meininger50029 Sunflower RoadMitchell, NE [email protected]

N Mexico/TexasYonis Lone EaglePO Box 1975Bloomfield, NM [email protected] DakotaRodney Hickle1631 28th Ave SWCentral, ND 58530701.794.3342Oklahoma/ArkansasBill Lyon112 N. Hillcrest StAda, OK [email protected] Perkins405 SE Ave G IIdabel, OK 74745 [email protected]

S DakotaJan Baumeister19702 E Hwy 18 Sp 56Welton, AZ [email protected] Alexander360 5th StOgden, UT [email protected] McGarveySee WY State Director

Lee Whitebay, Chair4669 N Prentice RdPonca City, OK [email protected]. Jay Bowman191 Bowman RdPonca City, OK [email protected] BurkhalterSee Fossil TechnicalRobert CarlsonSee NM/TX State DirectorJack Thompson1830 Mesita Ct.Colo. Springs, CO 80906719.636.2978

Updated 9/21/12

STANDING COMMITTEES

PAST PRESIDENTS

RMFMS Officers, Executive Committee, and Committee Chairpersons 2012/2013OFFICERS

STATE DIRECTORS

SPECIAL COMMITTEES

PUBLIC LAND ADVISORY

UNIFORM RULESCOMMITTEE

Committees areappointed by the Presi-

dent.

Ofcrs & State Directorsare elected by the Dele-

gates.

Executive Committeeconsists of Officers,

State Directors, and 2immediate Past Presi-

dents

S.C.R.I.B.E. MS.C.R.I.B.E. MEETINGEETING D DATEATE S SETET BY DOUG ARNOLD, S.C.R.I.B.E. PRESIDENT

I f you are making plans to attend the annual S.C.R.I.B.E. meeting in January on the Saturday during the week ofthe 46th Annual Q.I.A. Gem and Mineral Pow Wow in Quartzsite, Arizona please be advised that the meeting datehas changed.

The dates of the Pow Wow have shifted by one week and are now January 23-27. The S.C.R.I.B.E. meeting whichwas scheduled for January 19th will now be held January 26th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (MST) at the Senior Citizen Cen-ter on Moon Mountain Road just north of Main Street. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Editors are asked to bring copies oftheir bulletins to share.

S.C.R.I.B.E. (Special Congress Representing Involved Bulletin Editors) is an international group of current and former amateur lapi-dary, gem, mineral and earth sciences club editors, writers, webmasters and others. The purpose of S.C.R.I.B.E. is to improvecommunication and public relations among these clubs, their federations, and other related organizations through involved bulletineditors. It serves as a resource to advise and assist new editors with old ideas and old editors with new ideas for publishing betterbulletins.

To have an item placed on the agenda, for more information on S.C.R.I.B.E. or the meeting - send me an email at [email protected].

To have your RMFMS member club sponsored events listedhere, email [email protected]. You may include otherinfo about your show if you wish but will only be printed as spacepermits.All RMFMS clubs are also encouraged to register their eventlistings on the RMFMS web site at: www.rmfms.org. Email yoursubmissions to the Webmaster at [email protected].

November 3, 2012 Golden, CO9 a.m. - 4 p.m., "Garage and Book Sale" at the Colo-rado School of Mines Geology Museum, 1310 MapleSt.; Hundreds of specimens, books, journals... pricesindividually marked. Most prices will be cut through-out the day; information: 303-273-3815.November 3, 2012 Tucson, AZ11th annual silent auction; Old Pueblo Lapidary Club; club-house; 3118 N. Dale; Sat. 9-2; free admission; contact DannyHamsen, (520) 721-8452; email: [email protected]; Website: www.lapidaryclub.orgNovember 10-11, 2012 Lake Havasu City, AZ(May change to February 2013) Lake Havasu City Gem &Mineral Soceity, Lake Havasu Aquatic CenterNovember 10-11, 2012 Socorro, NM33rd annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium, held at NewMexico Tech; a longtime favorite event for area mineral col-lectors. See http://geoinfo.nmt.edu/museum/minsymp/home.cfm for details and registration information.November 17-18, 2012 Littleton, COLittleton Gem & Mineral Club; contact Keith Sheel, 303-750-0763, [email protected] 17-18, 2012 Payson, AZPayson Rimstones Rock Club, Mazatzal Casino, Payson, AZ;contact Margaret Jones, 928-476-3513, [email protected] 24-25, 2012 Wickenburg, AZWickenburg Gem & Mineral Society, Wickenburg CommunityCity, contact Beth Myerson, 928-68-0380, [email protected]

December 2-4, 2012 El Paso, TXEl Paso Mineral & Gem Society, El Maida Shrine, 6331 Ala-bama St; contact Jarry Bruntz.December 7-9, 2012 Boulder, COFlatirons Mineral Club, Boulder County Fairgrounds, mainexhibits hall, Longmont, CO; contact Ray Gilbert, 303-774-8468, [email protected]

January, 2013 Miami, AZGila County Gem & Mineral Society annual show.January 23-27, 2013 Quartzsite, AZ46th Annual Q.I.A. Gem & Mineral POW.January 26, 2013 Quartzsite, AZS.C.R.I.B.E. annual meeting, 9a-12n, Senior Ceitizen Cen-

ter, contact Doug Arnold, [email protected], 2013 Tucson, AZTucson Gem & Mineral Society annual show.February, 2013 Denver, CODenver Gem & Mineral Guild annual show.March, 2013 Albuquerque, NMAlbuquerque Gem & Mineral Club annual show.March, 2013 Fort Collins, COFort Collins Rockhounds annual show.March, 2013 Ada, OKAda Gem, Mineral & Fossil Club Guild annual show.April, 2013 Arvada, CONorth Jeffco Gem & Mineral Club annual show.May 3-5, 2013 McPherson, KSMcPherson Gem & Mineral Club 21st Annual Sale & Swap,4-H Fairgrounds, 710 W. Woodside; [email protected], Kim Vasper 620-241-7732 or Brett White-nack 620-241-7600May 17-19, 2013 Sandy, UTRMFMS Convention & Show hosted by the Wasatch GemSociety, UT State Fairpark 155 N. 1000W., Salt Lake City,contact Kim Blanton, 801-604-1265, [email protected]

Shows

andMore

Rocky Mountain Federation News—September 2012 Rocky Mountain Federation News—September 2012 Page 18RMFMS Distribution2702 E. Pikes Peak Ave.Colorado Springs, CO 80909

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