THE

Official Publication of the Midwest Mineralogical and Lapidary Society AFFILIATED WITH • MIDWEST FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL AND GEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES• AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES

December, 2019

Midwest Mineralogical & Lapidary Society

2019 OFFICERS President: Diane Kuzara (734) 675-5237 Vice President: Pat Rutkowski (313) 291-5861 Recording Secretary: Julie Knechtges (734) 444-9151 Treasurer: Doris Snyder (313) 291-2133 Corresponding Secretary: Julie Knechtges (734) 444-9151 Liaison Officer: Peter Kuzara (734) 675-5237

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS Club Services: Ana Ferguson Door Prizes: Mike Bomba AFMS Scholarship: Pat Rutkowski Local Field Trips - Mike Bomba/Gary Slominski Summer Field Trips - Bill Barr Education: Dave Hendershot Insurance: Historian: Tom Morris Michigan Material: Tom Morris Club Publicity: Membership: Ana Ferguson MMLS Scholarship: Velma Bradley Program Coordinator: Mike Bomba Property - Storage: Sunshine Reporter: Velma Bradley Refreshments: Gary Slominski Web Site: Stacey Harper

ACTIVITIES 2019 Banquet: Dan Gumina 2019 Swap: Lou and Cindy Talley 2019 Super Swap: Bill Barr I Tom Morris 2019 Auction: Dwayne Ferguson

The Rockpile Staff : Editor Peter Kuzara, email: Kuzara1126@gmail.com 734-675-5237

MMLS website - www.mmls.us Email - rockhounds@mmls.us

General Club meetings are held at 7 :30 p.m. on every third Tuesday of the month (except July and August) at the Democratic Club of Taylor, 23400 Wick Rd., Taylor, MI 48180 GUESTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

STUDY GROUPS Advanced Lapidary: Basic Lapidary: Bead Study: Diane Kuzara Faceting: Mineralogy: Bill Barr Paleontology: Wire Study: John Lindsay Silversmithing:

PAST PRESIDENTS Robert Ellison (interim) 1956 Louis Cox 1957 Robert Heldenbrand 1958-59 Ralph Gamble 1959-60 Fred Miller 1960-61 Bert Smart 1961-62 Leo Nieman 1963 Nicholas Rothenthaler 1964-65 Robert Fedoruk 1966-67 John Good 1968-69 Cecilia Duluk 1970 Stanley Franczak 1971-72 E. Donald Stinnett 1973-74 Ralph Goniea 1975-76 Norman Hanschu 1977-78 Thomas Gibbs 1979-80 Harry Nagy 1981-82 Elspeth Gibbs 1983-84 Loretta Franczak 1985-86 Roland Snyder 1987-88 Jay Ross 1989-90 Tom Morris Jr. 1991-92 Diane Kuzara 1993-94 Bill Orban 1995-96 Glenn Swain 1997-98 Bill Peach 1999-2000 Diane Kuzara 2001-02 Cecilia Duluk 2003-04 Russ Ranker 2005-06 Dick DePodesta 2007-08 Rich Williams 2009-10 Leonard Swisher 2011-12 Mike Bomba 2013 - 14 Diane Kuzara 2015 - 16 Dan Gumina 2017 - 18

December 2019 THE ROCKPILE Volume LXIII Issue 10

From The President's Desk: Our 2019 Annual Auction is now over and there are many people we have to thank for their help beginning with Dwayne Ferguson, our chairman and Ana Ferguson, who typed up the item list and was a runner with Dwayne. To our sales table help-Lori Ackerman

and Teresa Hartley (jewelry sales), Gary Slominski (lapidary sales), Pat Rutkowski and Tom Morris (fossil and mineral sales). Thanks to Gary also for the refreshments (and Don Venier, and everyone else who brought additional goodies) and for bringing the items from storage and returning the unsold items back to storage. Thanks to Doris and her daughter Cary for taking care of the money and our auctioneer, Mark. To all the people who came to set up and those who stayed after to tear down. Thanks also to the folks who donated items for the auction and for the sales tables. Thanks to the beaders who made new items to sell at the jewelry sales table this year. Thanks to you all for making our auction a success. See you all next year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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"Thank you to a Member" Segment: This month's special thank you goes out to Bill Barr who joined MMLS back in March, 1991. Bill has worked for the club in many different ways over the years. He worked at our Show, was our summer field trip chairman, is the SuperSwap co-chairman with Tom Morris since we started it four years ago after we had to give up our show. Bill also gave a great program at our general meeting recently and is always willing to lend a hand whenever he can (he is also the President of the Huron Hills Club in Ann Arbor). He is also our Mineralogy Chairman! Thanks from all of us, Bill. Diane

A sad note from the Central Michigan Club: Grit Turner passed away last month, our condolences to his wife Alice and their family.

NOTICE MMLS MEMBERS:THERE IS A DUES INCREASE COMING! DUES FOR 2020 WILL BE $20 FOR ADULTS AND $2 FOR JUNIORS.

December 17th Program: Will be our Christmas Party. Bring a wrapped Rocky Gift and some goodies to share.

WIRE WRAP CLASS Anyone interested in a class for wire wrap please contact John Lindsay for dates, time and more information.

NOTICE TO STUDY GROUPS IF THERE IS A CHANGE IN YOUR MEETING TIME OR PLACE, PLEASE LET THE EDITOR KNOW!!!!!

Our Club Activities

Dec. 2nd, 16th & 18th Lapidary Work Shop 2009 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, Mi., 7pm to 1 Opm. Fee is $2.50 for each evening. Frank Konieczki 734-323-2218 PLEASE CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM TIME AND DATE.

Dec. 5th & 19th Bead study group will meet at the Kuzara's, 20281 Thomas, Brownstown at 7pm. Diane Kuzara, 734-675-5237.

Dec. 13th Board Meeting at Stacey Harper's Home at 7:30pm. Rockpile Deadline.

Dec. 17th General meeting will be held at the DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF TAYLOR, 23400 WICK RD., TAYLOR at 7:30pm.

Dec. 19th Mineral Study group will meet at Dave Esch's house, 227 Barton Shore Dr., Ann Arbor Mi. At 7:30pm. David Esch, 734-665-5574.

Jan. 2nd & 16th 2020 Bead study group will meet at the Kuzara's, 20281 Thomas, Brownstown at 7pm. Diane Kuzara, 734-675-5237.

December 2019 THE ROCKPILE Volume LXIII Issue 10

Jan. 6th 20th & 22°d 2020 Lapidary Work Shop 2009 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, Mi., 7pm to 1 Opm. Fee is $2.50 for each evening. Frank Konieczki 734-323-2218 PLEASE CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM TIME AND DATE.

non-definite crystal structure caused it to be de-listed as an official mineral by the IlVIA; thus it is properly ref erred to as a rock.

Hardness: 3 on the mohs scale Color: Brown

Jan. 16th 2020 Mineral Study group will meet at Occurrences: Houghton and Keweenaw Counties Dave Esch's house, 227 Barton Shore Dr., Ann Arbor , From the Internet: Mineral Data, Wikipedia and Mi. At 7:30pm. David Esch, 734-665-5574. ! The Mineralogy of Michigan by E. Wm. Heinrich

Jan. 17th Board Meeting TBA. Rockpile Deadline

Jan. 21st 2020 General meeting will be held at the DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF TAYLOR, 23400 WICK RD., TAYLORat7:30pm.

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NOTICE MMLS MEMBERS:THERE IS A DUES INCREASE COMING! DUES FOR 2020 WILL BE $20 FOR ADULTS AND $2 FOR JUNIORS.

Michigan Mineral Beginning with the Letter I: Iddingsite Mg0.Fe203.3Si02·4(H20)

Iddingsite is a microcrystalline rock that is derived from alteration of olivine. It is usually studied as a mineral, and consists of a mixture of remnant olivine, clay minerals, iron oxides and ferrlhydrites. Debates over iddingsite's

New Hampshire State Gemstone: Smoky Quartz

New Hampshire designated smoky quartz as the official state gem in 1985 (also known as caimgormas). Quartz is a common mineral found in many types of rocks, including granite .

' From the Internet

LARIMAR

@exoticcrystafs

Larimar, also called "Stefilia's Stone", is a rare blue variety of the silicate mineral pectolite found

' only in the Dominican Republic, in the Caribbean. Its coloration varies from white, light-blue, green-blue to deep blue. Pectolite is usually a soft and very delicate mineral composed of dense radiating fibers, but sometimes

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December 2019 THE ROCKPILE Volume LXIII Issue 10

the fibers are tough and interlocking and make it very solid. The Larimar variety is of the tough type, hence its ability to withstand carving and faceting.

There is a legend that Larimar was originally discovered in 1916 and its locality subsequently forgotten. In 1974, Norman Rilling, a visiting member of the US Peace Corps, found the locality together with Miguel Mendez, a Dominican native. Together they named this stone "Larimar" which is a combination of "Larrisa" (Mendez's daughter's name) and "mar" (sea in Spanish). Due to its scarcity and limited source, Larimar is difficult to obtain outside of the Caribbean.

The color of Larimar is caused by copper inclusions. Its color is rarely solid; it is almost always blue with interconnecting white lines and rough circles. A radiating pattern of crystal needles can often be observed within the Larimar. The blue color can vary in intensity from very light to greenish-blue to deep sky blue. Deeper blue colors and less white are more desirable.

Although Larimar has a very attractive color, it is a soft gemstone and is easily scratched. Its color may also fade upon prolonged exposure to strong sunlight. This, combined with is scarcity, limit its popularity as a mainstream gemstone. http://www.geologyin.com/ 2017 / 07 /larimar-blue-stones-of-atlantis.ht ml, via The Pterodactyl 9/18 From the Living Stone 9/19

New Way to Date Rocks A new way to date a common mineral could

help pinpoint ore deposits and improve mineral exploration globally, according to University of Queensland scientists.

The researchers have identified a new reference material and used a state-of-the-art instrnment to better date rock formations in central Asia.

UQ's Professor Jian-xin Zhao said the team started by analyzing a silicate mineral known as garnet, which then helped understand the accumulation of precious minerals such as gold, copper, lead zinc, silver and uranium.

"Gamet, which looks a little like the seeds of a pomegranate, is a challenging mineral to date but very common in volcanic mineral systems," Professor Zhao said.

"It forms when hot magma enters the subsurface of the Earth's crnst and it gives us clues about other magmatic formations in the same area.

"Magmatic activity is a key earth process and leads to mineralization -- many of the world's major mineral districts including Australia's Mt. Isa and Olympic Dam were formed during a long history of magmatic activities.

"So by better understanding when, where and why this magma activity occurred, we'll be able to find these mineral-rich hotspots."

Key to the investigation was a laser system, which sampled tiny garnet grain particles that were only several hundred micrometres in length.

The laser-sampled material was then measured with a mass spectrometer -- a tool that separates sample components by their mass and electrical charge -- which helped calculate age.

UQ researcher Dr. Renjie Zhou said the team hoped this new method would better establish the relationship between historical episodes of magma activity and mineral accumulation.

"The world's many important mineral deposits are formed in geological settings like the Pacific Ocean's Ring of Fire, where hot magma is constantly intrnded into the crnst," Dr. Zhou said.

"By understanding exactly when certain formations have occurred, it's much easier to pin down mineral-rich deposits."

The researchers believe this discovery comes at a critical time for the mining industry and for the planet.

"Developing and maintaining a sustainable world will rely on the discovery and the high-efficient recovery of mineral deposits," Dr. Zhou said.

"With the emerging of green energy, there's an even greater need for the supply of minerals like copper, silver, nickel, and many more."

The above story is based on Materials provided by University of Queensland. Read more at http://www.geologyin.com/2019/11/new-way-to-date -rocks.html#rAbwuXgXY 4S2X 1 cM. 99 From internet Geologyin 11/5/19

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THE ROCKPILE December 2019 Volume LXIII Issue 10

TRILOBITES FOSSILS SHOW CONGA same direction, maintaining contact via their spines. LINE FROZEN FOR 480 MILLION The authors suggest that, given the scale of YEARS the patterns seen, this consistent linearity and

directionality is unlikely to be the result of passive transportation or accumulation by currents. Instead, it is more likely that Ampyx was killed suddenly while travelling, for example by being buried rapidly by sediment during a storm.

The authors suggest that Ampyx probably migrated in groups and used their long projecting spines to maintain a single-row formation by physical contact, as they moved along the sea floor. This may have been a stress response to disturbance of their

1 environment by storms, detected by motion and touch sensors, which motivated Ampyx to migrate to quieter and deeper waters.

A comparable behavior is seen in present-day spiny lobsters. Alternatively, the pattern may have been the result of a seasonal reproductive behaviour involving the migration of sexually mature

1 individuals to spawning grounds. Knowing that Ampyx was blind, the authors hypothesize that the trilobites may have coordinated using sensory stimulation via spines and chemicals.

The discovery shows that a 480-million-year-old arthropod may have used its neural complexity to develop a temporary collective behavior. Read more at http://www.geologyin.com/2019/10/trilobite-fossils-s how-conga-line.html#pISlrgTLrECe WUXI.99 From the internet Geology In 10/19

Ampyx priscus in linear formation (Moroccan Lower Ordovician Fezouata Shale). Credit: Jean Vannier, Laboratoire de Geologie de Lyon: Terre, Planetes, Environnement (CNRS I ENS de Lyon I Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1)

• Arthropod fossils dating back 500 million years show the creatures died in an orderly line 'while migrating'.

Fossils of ancient arthropods discovered in linear formation may indicate a collective behaviour either in response to environmental cues or as part of seasonal reproductive migration. The findings, which are being published in Scientific Reports this week, suggest that group behaviors comparable to those of modem animals existed as early as 480 million years ago.

Collective and social behaviour is known to have evolved through natural selection over millions of years and modem arthropods provide numerous examples, such as the migratory chains of caterpillars, ants or spiny lobsters. Yet, the origins and early history of collective behaviour has remained largely unknown.

Jean Vannier and colleagues described several linear clusters of Ampyx priscus, a trilobite arthropod from the lower Ordovician period ( ca 480 Million years ago) of Morocco. The trilobites, which were between 16 and 22 millimeters long, had a stout spine at the front of their bodies and a pair of very long spines at the back. In each cluster of trilobite fossils examined by the authors, individuals were arranged in a line, with the front of their bodies facing in the

Something to try!! If you want to try carving and do not have a suitable soft stone on hand, try this recipe: Mix in a disposable plastic container one part plaster of paris, 11/2 parts vermiculite, and one part water. Pour into a clean half-gallon milk carton. Allow to harden for five days. Peel off carton. Carve the "stone" with kitchen or workshop tools. This mixture, although having a granite-like appearance, is similar in consistency to gypsum. If you don't want to work on a gray-white stone, add a litttle liquid fabric dye to the water before mixing it with the other ingredients. - Hy Grader, 1987 From The Rockpile How to Book

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December 2019 THE ROCKPILE Volume LXIII Issue 10

FAIRY STONES (NATURAL CROSSES) By idoubt March 7, 2017

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Almost all minerals, gemstones and rock types are associated with some superstitious or supernatural motifs. A common twinning habit of the mineral staurolite guarantees it will be perceived as magical. It is prevalently found twinned at a 90- or 60-degree angle forming a stunning cruciform shape. "Stamos" is the Greek word for "cross". Because of this shape, it was historically considered a protective charm, especially by Christians. Fine-shaped crystals are made into jewelry and "good luck" charms.

One supernatural legend of the creation of these crosses is found in association with a deposit in Patrick County Virginia that later became Fairy Stone State Park. Hundreds of years before Pocahontas father, Chief Powhatan, reined over the land that is now Virginia, fairies dance and played around springs of water with naiads and wood nymphs. One day an elfin messenger arrived from a city far away and brought news of the death of Christ.

Continued on page 6

NOTICE DUES FOR 2020 ARE DUE Dear MMLS member: It 's that time again when you are asked to renew your membership for the year (2020) in the Midwest Mineralogical and Lapidary Society. (Membership runs from January through December each year.)

May we ask your cooperation by renewing now. Doing so will ease our Treasurer's job, save the cost of an extra mailing and assure your receipt of The Rockpile without interruption.

Just use the handy Membership Renewal Form. Complete the form, enclose your check made payable to MMLS and mail to our treasurer:

Doris Snyder 9728 Pardee Taylor, Mi 48180

It's that easy! If you would like your membership card mailed to you, please include a SASE.

Midwest Mineralogical And Lapidary Society Adult Dues: $20.00

Juniors (under age 18) $2.00 Yes I wish to renew my/our membership in MMLS for 2020 and continue to receive The Rockpile

Name(s)============ Address City State Zip _

Email address ----------

Dues paid after December 3pt is subject to a $3.00 reinstatement fee. Add to your check.

Enclosed is my check payable MMLS for $ _

Would you like your Rockpile sent to you by email? Yes No _ DO IT TODAY BEFORE YOU FORGET!!!!!

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December 2019 THE ROCKPILE Volume LXIII Issue 10

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When the fairies heard the story of the crucifixion, they wept and as their tears fell upon the ground, they crystallized to form beautiful crosses.

Historic superstitions held that possessing one of these rare stones would protect its owner from illness, accidents, and even warding off a witch's curse.

Another legend tells of Richard the Lionhearted using staurolite as a healing stone to cure malaria and the wounded during the Crusades. I can find no solid reference for this, however it's a handy story used by crystal dealers to sell their product.

"Fairy stones" are promoted by mystical crystal healers as helpful in grounding the individual to the earth, providing a calming effect against stress and fear. Their magic is claimed to even help you stop smoking boldly pronounces "they embody an energy that will help you to make contact with beings from the natural world". I guess that means other rock hounds!

Because of their visual, spiritual, and mythical appeal, "fairy stones" or natural crosses are widely sold. Many of these are not actual staurolite but manufactured from ground stone and clay. notes that "if you see a selection of staurolite crosses offered for sale that are all the same size, same shape, and have air bubbles on close examination, they might be manufactured." Genuine staurolite has a rough surface and is opaque and brown. Smooth and uniform samples have likely been ground or cut from another material. From the internet Spooky Geology

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Merry Christmas From The Rockpile Staff

·· THE MIDWEST MINERALOGICAL AND LAPIDARY SOCIETY (MMLS) is an educational non-profit organization founded in 1956. The Society now has more than 100 members and is affiliated with the Midwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies. Significantly, MMLS has been recognized numerous times by the Midwest and American Federations with first place (gold level) awards in the annual All American Club Awards Program. PURPOSE: The purpose of The MMLS shall be (I) to promote interest in and increase knowledge in the fields of mineralogy, geology, and paleontology, including lapidary and related arts; (2) to publish articles and information pertaining to these fields; (3) to encourage collections and to display specimens in these fields; and ( 4) to arrange field trips in support of the interests and activities specified.

GENERAL MEETINGS: the third Tuesday of each month, September through June, 7:30 p.m. at the Democratic Club of Taylor, 23400 Wick Rd., Taylor, MI 48180 GUESTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.

MEMBERSHIP: Applications for membership can be obtained at any general meeting or from any MMLS member. DUES: Entrance fee - $3.00; annual dues - $20.00 (adult), $2.00 (junior) on a year basis. Membership expires each Dec. 31.

ANNUAL EVENTS: March - Spring Rock Swap and Sale, Banquet Yearly Picnic

Fall- 2 Day SuperSwap and Sale November Annual Auction

STUDY GROUPS: Special-interest study groups meet monthly, September though June. Currently the following groups are active: Bead Study, Mineralogy, Wire Study is conducted on individual basis.

FIELD TRIPS: Several one day field trips and one longer (one to two weeks) field trips are conducted each year. Mostly, these field trips focus on the collecting of mineral and fossil specimens at quarries, mines, and other known collecting sites in the United States and Canada. Field trips are restricted to MMLS members.

SCHOLARSHIP FUND: MMLS has established a scholarship Endowment Fund which provides scholarships to qualified students enrolled in an accredited college or university in southeastern Michigan who have completed at least their junior year and have a major in geology, mineralogy, paleontology or lapidary and related arts.

SEAMAN MINERAL MUSEUM: MMLS has designated the A.E. SEAMAN Mineral Museum, Houghton, Michigan, as it's "adoptive" museum, pledging to support it with gifts to the museum's endowment fund and the donation of mineral specimens and services.

INTERNET WEB SITES OF INTEREST: Midwest Federation: www .amfed.org/mw 1 lindex.html American Lands Access Association: http: //amlands.org

American Federation: www.amfed.org

The Rockhound's 10 Commandments: Thou shall not touch thy neighbor's minerals unless he places them in thy hands. Thou shall not test the strength of crystals by pushing, squeezing or biting. Thou shall not drop thy neighbor's fossils, for many do not bounce properly. Thou shall not place thy neighbor's specimens in thine own pocket. Thou shall not collect at a neighbor's land unless unless thy neighbor knowst he's there. Thou shall not argue names of minerals too violently; for sometimes thou couldst be wrong. Thou shall not climb above thy neighbor's head when on a field trip, lest thou art willing to spend the rest of the day

digging him out. Thou shall protect thine eyes, hands & feet, so that they mayst enjoy many future field trips. Thou shall not encroach upon thy neighbor's diggin's, lest thy neighbor's hammer be dropped upon thee. Thou shall not break uncollectable specimens.

Midwest Mineralogical and Lapidary Society of Michigan

EDITOR 20281 THOMAS BROWNSTOWN, Ml

48183

ated Material

~ FEDERATION

The ROCKPILE

Bulletin Editor Contest Awards

• 1993-1st Place (Large Bulletin) AFMS 1991 -1st Place (Large Bulletin) MWF 1990 -1st Place (New Editor) AFMS 1990-1st Place (New Editor) MWF