Happy BirthdaySOCIETY be selected for the group and that it be made a state organization. Dr. Crickmay drew up the constitution and by-laws. Dr. Frank Daniels, a dentist interested

The Georgia Mineral Society *Atlanta, Georgia* Volume XXXIX/Two February 2010

Happy Birthday GEORGIA MINERAL

SOCIETY

February is Our 75th Anniversary

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

GMS Beginnings

An organizational meeting was held on February 11, 1935, at the Atlanta Central YMCA. The meeting was attended by the three state geologists, Dr. Daniels, Dr. Poole Maynard, Joe Porterfield, Dr. J.C. McCrary and H.P. Nelson.

Dr. Maynard moved that the name GEORGIA MINERAL SOCIETY be selected for the group and that it be made a state organization. Dr. Crickmay drew up the constitution and by-laws. Dr. Frank Daniels, a dentist interested in gem cutting, fossils, arrowhead, minerals, etc., was elected President. Annual dues were set at $1.00 The first program was presented by Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Crickmay on the Staurolites at Blue Ridge, GA. The first field trip was to Graves Mountain on June 29th, 1935. It was reported that the Rutile was scarce and the Lazulite was hard to get. The first annual dinner was held on October 7, 1935 in the dining room of the Peachtree Church. The food was prepared by the ladies of the church at a cost of $0.75 per plate. Other business of the year was to adjust cost of field trips, the following was to be strictly adhered to: Cost of gasoline plus l 1/2 cents per mile should be divided equally by all occupants of the car, including car owner. Among the programs presented was as especially interesting one by Lane Mitchell, "Fossil Remains Excavated Near Savannah. " A crew of WPA workers was deepening an old drainage canal and one found a strange tooth "bigger'n any cow's tooth." He took it to the papers hoping to get his picture taken. Instead, only a small notice was printed; however, it was picked up by a knowledgeable person who notified the state geologist. Mr. Mitchell was sent to explore the matter and with an inexperienced crew, they unearthed teeth of at least two mastodons and many other bones. (Article appeared in Atlanta Journal, 1/12/36).

Committee Chairs Adopt-A-Highway Ginger Peterson 404.403.4855

Assets/Equipment Jay Gorday 770.986.0822

Awards Carl Ziglin 770.241.7800

Building Curator/Gem Box

John Trimble Kim Cochran

770.425.5075 770.979.8331

Facilities Open to Volunteers

Historian Roxanne Lopez 678.491.0489

Hospitality Margaret Ronan 404.636.0720

Librarian Julian C. Gray 770.973.3632

Parliamentarian Frank Decaminada

770-992-8309

Refreshments Kim Prakash & Nancy Marden

770.879.0476 770.447.8542

Special Events Kim Cochran 770.979.8331

Sunshine

Telephone George Libby 770.978.2117

SFMS Rep. Frank Decaminada

770-992-8309

Linda Batcha 678.407.4224

Announcements for educational publications, continuing education classes, and shows or exhibits are provided in Tips and Trips as a service to GMS members. Appearance of the above in Tips and Trips does not constitute an endorsement by GMS.

President Bill Waggener

1909 Moores Mill Road Atlanta, Georgia 30318

404.355.7377 [email protected]

Executive Vice President Lizabeth McClain

4000 Lindley Circle Powder Springs, GA 30127


Vice President Carl Ziglin

995 Laurel Mill Dr. Roswell, GA 30076


Secretary Mary Porter

196 High Creek Drive Roswell, GA 30076

770.998.1018

Treasurer Richard Graveline

2223 Chaparral Drive Snellville, GA 30078


Gem Section Chair Carl Ziglin

995 Laurel Mill Dr. Roswell, GA 30076


Mineral Section Chair Anita Westlake

1253 Spencer Drive East Point, GA 30344

404.761.7849

Fossil Section Chair Martha Brown

4837 Greenway Road Norcross, GA 30071


Junior Section Chair Roxanne Lopez

2550 Cumberland Blvd #504 Smyrna, GA 30080


Micromount Section Chair Dave Babulski

2677 Colony Circle Snellville, GA 30078


Immediate Past President Bill Waggener


404.355.7377

Trustee to 2010 Marcella Wood

3764 Briarcliff Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30345

404-636-6102

Trustee to 2011 Anita Westlake

1253 Spencer Drive East Point, GA 30344

404.761.7849

Trustee to 2012 Eva Ostrofsky

1402 Arbor Lake Court Hoschton, GA 30548

678-425-2573

Tips & Trips Editor Tom Batcha

2300 Oakland Chase ct Lawrenceville,GA 30044

678-407-4224 [email protected]

Field Trip Chair

[email protected]

May Show Chair Kim Cochran

2695 Van Court Snellville, GA 30278

770.979.8331

Webmaster Jim Flora

P.O. Box 605 Hiawassee, GA 30546


Education Chair Bill Waggener



The Georgia Mineral Society on the Internet: http://www.gamineral.org

E-mail Early Notification Program: A field trip and club news update service. To join, members are requested to send in their current e-mail address to:

[email protected].

GENERAL MEETINGS General meetings are held on the first Monday of each month. In the event that the first Monday is a holiday and/or the facilities are not available, the meeting will be held on the third Monday of the month. General meetings are currently held at the Chamblee Branch of the DeKalb County Library System. Any deviations from the above schedule will be announced in Tips and Trips.

The article submittal due date for the March 2010 newsletter is

February 10, 2009. May Show Committee Chairs

Show Chair Kim Cochran 770.979.8331

Dealer Chair Anita Westlake 404.761.7849

Exhibits Tom Batcha 678.407.4224

Demonstrations John Trimble 770.425.5075 Hospitality Richard Graveline 770.972.8714

Treasurer John Trimble 770.425.5075

Advertising Jay Gorday 770.986.0822

Dealer Dinner Ginger Peterson 404.403.4855

Database Mary Porter 770.998.1018 Auction Kim Cochran 770.979.8331

Set Up/Take Down

Jay Gorday 770.986.0822

Page 2 Tips and Trips

The Georgia Mineral Society February 2010

The Georgia Mineral Society, Inc. A Non-Profit Educational Organization

Seventy Years of Tradition Objective and Purpose

To Educate the Youth of the State and the Members of this Society

In the Field of Earth Science

AFMS Education - All American Club 2003

George Libby 1730 Rhett Butler Dr.

Lilburn, GA 30047 770.978.2117

Tips and Trips Page 3

February 2010 The Georgia Mineral Society

General Meeting

7:30 PM Monday, February 1, 2010 Chamblee Library

4115 Clairmont Road Atlanta, GA 30341

770-936-1380

The February Meeting:

Dr. Robert Lauf will talk to us about radioactive minerals.

Collectors have long admired uranium and thorium minerals for their brilliant colors, frequently intense ultraviolet fluorescence, and rich variety of habits and associates. Radioactive minerals are also critically important to modern society as our source of nuclear energy, and understanding them is crucial to the safe disposal of radioactive waste. The talk will provide an overview of the mineralogy of uranium and thorium, intended to help the mineral collector better understand how the minerals are related to one another and what they can tell us about geological processes. Color photos and electron micrographs of representative specimens from Dr. Lauf's extensive research collection vividly illustrate the beauty and diversity of these fascinating minerals.

Autunite – Luzy, France

Dr. Lauf holds a Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Illinois. His scientific career included over twenty years at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he conducted research on topics ranging from nuclear fuel, coal by-products, materials synthesis, microwave processing, sensors, optical materials, and biomineralization. He has been granted over forty U.S. Patents for his inventions, many of which have become successful industrial products. He is now a Registered Patent Agent and technology consultant.

See Dr. Lauf after the meeting to arrange for purchase of signed copies of all his books. Other Books by the Author: Collector’s Guide to the Mica Group Collector’s Guide to the Axinite Group Collector’s Guide to the Epidote Group Collector’s Guide to the Vesuvianite Group Collector’s Guide to the Three Phases of Titania: Rutile, Anatase, and Brookite Collector’s Guide to the Pyroxene Group Coming soon.... Collector’s Guide to the Tourmaline Group Collector’s Guide to the Beryl Group Collector’s Guide to the Amphibole Group Collector’s Guide to Silicate Structures Please join us for our February meeting! Carl Ziglin, VP of Programs



December 7, 2009 GMS General Meeting/Holiday Party Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 7:19 PM by President Bill Waggener at the Clubhouse at the Orchards of Sugarloaf. Approximately 29 people were present. With it being the holiday party, a very short business meeting took place. ANNOUNCEMENTS Bill Waggener – Education – we have two tables at the Mammoth Rock Show this weekend; please volunteer to operate the booth. Volunteers are also needed for the GSTA conference in Savannah, GA in February. Carl Ziglin – VP Programs – the next general meeting will be January 4th; George Libby will talk about his travels in Western US. With no other announcements, the meeting was adjourned at 7:23. Kim Cochran gave the blessing and we all ate. At 8:40, Bill Waggener announced that there is a $200.00 deposit that we will get back depending on the condition that we leave the facility; please help clean up tonight. The gift exchange commenced and afterward the party dwindled down and everyone pitched in cleaning up.

Graciously submitted, Mary Porter, Secretary



January 4, 2010 GMS General Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 7:37 PM by President Bill Waggener at the Chamblee Library. Approximately 33 people were present; there were no new members or visitors. SPEAKER Carl Ziglin introduced George Libby as the speaker of the evening. George showed a presentation of his month-long rockhounding travels in Western United States this past summer. In appreciation of George’s talk, Carl presented him with a Youngite specimen from Wyoming. COMMITTEE REPORTS (8:43) Lizabeth McClain – VP Membership – we currently have 549 members. She will take renewals if you have them; please be sure to update your information with renewals. Carl Ziglin – VP Programs – tentative speaker for February is Dr. Dave Babulski. Carl Ziglin – Gem Section – next meeting is January 25th at George Libby’s home. The sisters/proprietors of Ann Alden Designs will be talking about the unique jewelry they make. Mary Porter - Secretary – minutes from the December meeting available. Dylan Porter motioned to dispense with reading of minutes, seconded by Roxanne Lopez; the motion was passed. Richard Graveline – Treasurer – provided year end balances. Anita Westlake – Mineral Section – next meeting is January 20th at Anita’s house; with enough attendees, Anita will be officially voted in as section chair. They will talk about collecting, equipment and mineral identification. Please RSVP for dinner, Anita is making chili. Martha Brown – Fossil Section – next meeting is February 15th at Martha’s house. They will talk about the new year’s programs. Bring your favorite fossil for discussion or identification. Roxanne Lopez – Junior Section – the next field trip is this Saturday at the Tellus Museum. Roxanne will be participating in the county Science Olympiad; she mentioned the need of surplus specimens for this event as well as the GSTA conference in Savannah (February 11 -13). Micro-Mount Section – Tom Batcha reported that Dr. Dave is on a winter break. Tom Batcha – Tips & Trips – SFMS moved the newsletter

contest deadline; Tom was able to get all of the documentation completed without missing the deadline. George Libby – Field Trips – the next field trip will be on February 13th at one of two local Vulcan mines. Kim Cochran – Special Events – will begin making arrangements next week for the June picnic. Kim Cochran – Show – will be signing the contract with the facility soon. Anita is receiving dealer contracts. Kim is expecting some rocks to be delivered soon, but will still need donations for grab bags. There are several hundred bags sewn so far; we will need close to 1000. We need a volunteer to pull the trailer and also others to load/unload. April 25th is the tentative date to stuff grab bags at Kim’s house. Bill Waggener – Education – anyone who has spoken to groups recently, please let Bill know. We currently have no new requests for speakers, but please volunteer for future requests when needed. Anita Westlake – Building Committee – John Trimble is not present due to hand surgery. John is working with a new broker and is seeking available property in the same locale as before. Bill encouraged all to keep your eyes open for property available anywhere that may be within our budget. Nancy Marden – Refreshments – provided by Eva Ostrofsky. Linda Batcha –Sunshine – please keep Linda updated on any news. Frank Decaminada – SFMS – the next quarterly meeting will be held on January 15th in Deland, FL in conjunction with their show. Frank and Bill both will be attending. ANNOUNCEMENTS Anita Westlake – the Meteorite Association of GA will be meeting this Sunday; Dr. Jack Schrader will be speaking. Mickey McClain – while at the Tellus Museum, noticed that they have a picnic pavilion outside and suggested having the June picnic there if possible. Kim Cochran said he will look into it. Anita Westlake – is taking stamps for the SFMS stamp program. Bill Waggener – there will be an executive board meeting on March 21st at John Trimble’s house. Lunch will be at noon; the meeting will start at 1:00. Lizabeth McClain – renewed the PO box for one year. Eva Ostrofsky – commented on how wonderful the Christmas party was and extended thanks to Pam Martin for access to the facility. DOOR PRIZES – Margaret Ronan –door prize numbers were called. A motion was made to adjourn meeting at 9:15 PM. It was seconded, and unanimously approved. Graciously submitted, Mary Porter, Secretary



President’s Message

Greetings to all for the New Year: I attended an Executive Board meeting of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies in Deland Florida this past weekend. Beginning with an eight hour drive, a morning in a hotel, a four hour meeting plus two hours at the local show, ending with an eight hour drive back to Atlanta; I need to sleep for two days to recover from this one! The meeting was productive. We had a quorum and conducted the business of the Federation. No frills, little wasted time, some old business, some new business, several votes, several awards presented, and future meetings were announced. Does all this really affect GMS? In my humble opinion, the answer is yes. We have the support of many rockhounds and clubs all over the southeast USA. We share collecting sites and Ranger problems. We have access to education and program materials. We may attend reserved weeks of lapidary classes at William Holland and Wildacres. We are a part of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies. We have access to liability insurance for collecting trips and shows. And we may recommend students in Earth Sciences for scholarships to undergraduate college and post-graduate degrees. Our cost is less than $3.00 per member for all programs. In return, SFMS asks for participation: share field trips, volunteer for Committee posts, volunteer to lead programs, volunteer to nomination those deserving students, volunteer to serve as elected officials, volunteer to host SFMS meetings, volunteer to help everyone get the most out of our rockhounding hobby (obsession?). Is it worth the effort? Well, I drove many hours this past weekend because I feel that it is worth the effort! Enjoy the coming year and please volunteer to help whenever you are asked. Respectfully submitted, Bill Waggener

The Mineral Heritage Project Dave Babulski is at it again. A special ‘electronic only’ publication of the Tips and Trips will be released as part of Dr. Dave’s Mineral Heritage Project. The topic of the paper will be “A Unique Zeolite, Quartz, Tourmaline Occurrence in the Western San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles County, California”. This special publication is slated to be released in the February time period.

Tom Batcha Tips and Trips

Fossil Section News

DATE: February 15, 2009 TIME: 7:30 PM LOCATION: LeRoy & Martha Brown’s Home 4837Greenway Road, Norcross GA 30071 PHONE: 770/448-0876 For directions & RSVP

FAVORITE FOSSILS

We are going to show our favorite fossils (one or two, please) and discuss new programs for the year. If you have

any specimens to discuss, please bring them.

Gail also discovered that oxalic acid was not available locally. We found out you can find it on the internet.

The Fossil Section decided to re-elect Martha S. Brown

chairman due to lack of interest.

Thank You to Dylan & Mary Porter for the fossils they gave me for door prizes.

Thank You, Martha S. Brown

Mineral Section

The Mineral Section is scheduled to meet every other month. The next scheduled meeting will be in March. MAR 17: SULFIDES & SULFOSALTS Host and speaker needed.

Contact Anita Westlake for more information.

Dates To Remember

March 21st - Board Meeting at John Trimble’s. Lunch at 12 Noon, Meeting at 1:00 pm April 25th - Grab bag party at Kim’s



Junior Section

February No Junior Meeting

Report on Junior Outing to the Tellus Museum With grandkids in tow, we explored what was new and improved at the Tellus after our last visit a year ago. We noticed that there was a new mining exhibit in the Weinman section. Looking at the exhibit with a teacher’s perspective, it teaches geology very well. There was a miniature train exhibit while we were there, and the hands-on panning experience for tumbled stones was going full force. BRAVO to the Tellus Team of experts who planned this museum. It is truly a well-planned teaching museum that brings Georgia Geology and science to all who visit. Roxanne Lopez Junior Chair 678-491-0489

Membership

Georgia Mineral Society would like to welcome the following new members: Charlie Johnson of Folly Beach, SC; Monica Scheller of Americus, GA; and Dan, Ellen, Jacob, Amanda, and Ryan Smith of Canton, GA. Please introduce yourselves to them when you meet them. Our current members are renewing at a steady pace. I appreciate your promptly letting me know of any changes to information. Let’s keep it up! You may e-mail me at [email protected] or call me at 770-439-5756. Happy rockhounding! Lizabeth McClain Executive Vice President

Gem Section February meeting: Monday February 22nd: 6:30 Dinner, 7:30 Meeting

Name that gem stone! Is that green gem stone an emerald? Could it be a garnet? Perhaps it's a tourmaline. Maybe a sapphire? How about a spinel??

Kim Cochran will help us learn to distinguish between different gem stones, and not just green ones! We will be meeting at: The home of Kim Cochran 2695 Van Court Snellville, GA 30278 Please phone 770-979-8331 to RSVP. Answer to last month's Gem Section Trivia: What is the rarest color of untreated natural diamond? Answer: Red! Note - The accuracy of all Gem Section Trivia has been 100% verified: I saw it on the internets. Gem Section Trivia: What was the first gem stone to be created in a lab? Fill in your new calendars with the Gem section schedule for the remainder of 2010: March 29 April 26 June 28 July 26 August 30 September 27 October 25 November 29 We're looking for hosts for this year's gem section meetings. Please let me know if you're interested. Carl Ziglin, 770-241-7800 Gem Section Chair [email protected]



February Birthdays 2/01 Claudia Pratt 2/02 Simon Lockhart 2/05 Gracia Evins 2/06 Gail Andrelczyk 2/09 William Fleck 2/09 Stephanie Hyde 2/09 Tami Watkins 2/10 Taylor Gray 2/10 Tiffany Prosise 2/11 Joseph Barrett 2/11 Mary Clark 2/11 Terrie Sosebee 2/12 Noel Leitzman 2/13 Jimmy Herbert 2/14 Timothy Craddock 2/16 Richard Aultman 2/16 Phil Haney 2/17 Ray Borders 2/17 Lauren Wilhoite 2/18 Randy Alexander 2/18 Yolanda Munoz 2/20 Fernando Munoz 2/20 Tony Trentini 2/22 Rachel McDermott 2/23 Amanda Smith 2/24 Mark Mallory 2/25 Cynthia Crane 2/29 Judith Mann

Sunshine News John Trimble had surgery on his thumb. He has a cast on his hand. We wish John a speedy recovery. Please continue to share your news with me that you would like in the Tips and Trips. Linda Batcha

Micromount News

The micromount section continues its winter break. Stay tuned for more meeting announcements in Tips and Trips. Contact Dave Babulski for more Micromount Section news. Dave’s mineral art is featured on the cover of the current issue of The Microscope, an international journal of microscopy techniques. The website location: http://www.mcri.org/home/section/71-72-518/volume-57%2C-third-quarter-2009. A special thanks to Julian Gray for sharing the cover information.

Show News The dealer contracts are going out. I will soon sign the contract with the Civic Center. Hundreds of bags have been sewn. Hundreds of pounds of colorful material should arrive soon to put into the bags. We still need items to be donated to go into the bags. It will take about one half ton. I will bring my bucket out for donations. I still need a volunteer to pull the trailer. Things will soon get very busy in preparation of the show. Your help will be appreciated. Kim

Fernbank Museum of Natural History 76 Clifton Rd. NE Atlanta, GA (404)929-6300

http://www.fernbankmuseum.org/ On Exhibit: Nature Unleashed / Inside Natural Disasters Opens Feb 6, 2010 Explore natural disasters through stunning displays, state-

of-the-art animations, large-scale images, and cultural artifacts that reveal the dynamic relationship we have with the Earth, in a stunning new special exhibition.

Museum visitors can witness what it’s like to stand inside a roaring tornado; trigger an underwater earthquake and simulate a tsunami; create a virtual volcano; touch and examine real rock and lava specimens; discover how people adapt to living at risk; and witness the resiliency of disaster survivors.

Now Showing in IMAX: Wild Safari Through February 5 Wild Oceans Opens January 1 Forces of Nature Opens February 6 (Check our website for special screenings, theme nights,

band schedules and more)

Tellus Lecture Series A Grand Tour of the Solar System

Friday, Feb. 19, 2010 7 PM

Tellus Astronomer David Dundee offers a guided tour of the eight planets in our solar system plus Pluto.

All lectures are free for members and included in the cost of museum admission for non-members. Galleries will remain open until the start of the lecture.

Tellus: Northwest Georgia Science Museum I-75 Exit 293, Cartersville, Georgia 770-606-5700



Southeast Federation News Lodestar - January 2010

EDUCATION COMMITTEE SFMS Workshops For 2010 Danny Griffin, SFMS Education Chair It‘s that time of year when workshop schedules are posted. This year we are introducing several changes. The Wildacres workshop has a new Director – Roy Deere. Roy has been a Registrar and instructor for Wildacres on several occasions. A lot of frequent attendees will know Roy. B. J. Gearhart will be the Wildacres Registrar for one more year. The September workshop has changed this year to the 2nd full week of September (13th thru the 19th) instead of the usual 3rd full week. This change was made by Wildacres management due to a national holiday shift. B. J. has asked me to express the importance of registering early if you want to attend the September workshop. The turnaround time between Aug and Sept workshops is very short, and it would be easier on the Registrar. The William Holland Workshops also have a new Director and Registrar. The Director will be Steve Henegar, a past SFMS President. The registrar will be Lisa Roberts. Lisa has taught Wire Wrapping at William Holland several times. Some of you may have taken Lisa‘s classes. Both Directors have put together a curriculum that has something for everyone. Even some of our core classes have new instructors. During each issue of the Lodestar I will try and highlight the new classes to give you an idea of what they are about. Have you heard about bronze clay? It‘s a material that behaves similarly to silver Precious Metal Clay (PMC). Bronze Clay is a new class for those PMC artists looking to try a new material or for those who wanted to try PMC but did not due to the costs. I‘m sure many of you have read about this material in the jewelry arts magazines and are anxious to lean more about it. Well here‘s your chance to give bronze clay a try! This class will be taught by Gail DeLuca. Gail is the owner of White Fox Bead Studio in Maryville, Tennessee and a member of Knoxville Gem and Mineral Society. Several classes are taught at Gail‘s store each month. Prices for both workshops have gone up slightly. This is to offset a per person rate increase that has been passed to the SFMS for two years in a row. Prices were not increased last year and the costs were absorbed by the SFMS; however, a second rate increase has forced us to raise our prices slightly. Please don‘t let this slight increase deter you from signing up for a class. Our (your) workshops prices are still the cheapest in the nation. Have a look around and see what workshops cost elsewhere. You can expect to

pay almost three times the price for the same or similar classes (with room and board included). I‘m also asking everyone who reads this article to ensure that their club‘s newsletter editor has a copy of the schedule, registration form, and instruction sheet. If they publish workshop information in their newsletter, it will be available to as many SFMS members as possible. I have a Wildacres / William Holland Workshops Power Point presentation, with script, that‘s available to any club that wants more information. It is best presented by someone who has attended a workshop but can be given by anyone. Please contact me If you would like a copy. Between this Lodestar issue and the next, any updates to the workshop classes or instructor roster will be posted on the SFMS website. The Workshop Directors, Registrars and I are always available, so give us a call or an e-mail if you have questions. Our contact info is on the registration, schedule and info pages. And don‘t forget to submit your junior club members for the Youth Federation Workshop Scholarships! Details can be found in the December Lodestar, Page 3. I hope to see you at one, or more, of the workshops!

2010 WORKSHOP DATES William Holland June 13 - 19 Wildacres August 23 - 29 Wildacres September 13 - 19 William Holland October 10 - 16 William Holland School of Lapidary Arts (www.lapidary.com) is located in the mountains of north Georgia near the North Carolina border. Wildacres Retreat (www.wildacres.org) is a privately owned conference center nestled in the North Carolina mountains near Little Switzerland. Please visit their websites for additional information. Registration Procedure Applications from members of SFMS clubs will be accepted as soon as the schedule is posted. Applications from other regional federations and the public at large will be accepted beginning April 1. Your club membership dues must be current and your club‘s dues to the Federation must also be paid before you will be accepted as an SFMS member. If you have not received written confirmation of your application within 30 days, please contact the registrar or education chair. For complete details and registration information go to the January 2010 Lodestar Edition: http://www.amfed.org/sfms/_pdf/lodestar_jan10.pdf



DMC Program of the SFMS Field Trip Committee An Official Field Trip of The Mid-Ga. Gem &

Mineral Society, Macon, GA (HOST) An Official Field Trip of the GEORGIA

MINERAL SOCIETY

10:00 AM EST Saturday, February 6, 2010

Hogg Mine, Troup County, Georgia FEE SITE

The Hogg Mine was in operation between 1942-1960 mining beryl to produce beryllium. It has been open to collectors off and on since the 1960’s. WHERE: The Famous Hogg Mine outside LaGrange, in Troup County, GA WHEN: Sat., Feb. 6, 2010 TIME: 10:00 am EST COLLECTING: Rose quartz, tourmaline, beryl, mica books, & quartz crystal. The Rose Quartz will star if cut correctly, and some or the beryl can be gemmy Aquamarine. Pictures are available at: http://www.dixieeuhedrals.net/content/hogg_mine.pdf FEE: Adults-$17.00 & children under 18 are free. Upon arrival you will be required to sign a waiver of liability. WHAT TO BRING: A pick, shovel, rock hammer, chisels, scratching tools, screen, buckets, and of course plenty of water and food. There is a PORT-a-Potty on site. Being February, dress in layers could be cold! We have been lucky and had beautiful, clear and even warm weather in Feb. but extra clothes and boots might be useful if it’s muddy or the weather turns. There are roads and paths. Cliffs, ditches and new pits have been dug. There is loose material under the leaves that take little effort to recover. Using a rake to push back the leaves might be useful and a crack hammer will help to find tourmaline imbedded in quartz. Directions to our meeting place: From Atlanta, take I-85 south to La-Grange. Get off on Hwy. 219 also Whitesville Road (Exit 13) and go south (left) about 2.2 miles from I-85. We will be meeting at Smith’s Corner Store (The CITGO on the Left) at the intersection at Whitesville Rd. and Bartley Rd. From Macon, take Highway 74 to Thomaston, Ga., continue on highway 74 after Thomaston until you get to highway 109, turn left (west) on to highway 109. Take I-85 south just before you get to LaGrange. Get off on Hwy. 219 also Whitesville Road (Exit 13) and go south (left) about 2.2 miles from I-85. Drive Time: Allow 1 hour & 15 min from Atlanta at I-285

and I-85 connection on the South side. Where to Stay: Days Inn, the address is 2606 Whitesville Road, LaGrange, Ga. 30240 (also Hwy 219). It’s exit 13 off of I-85. Phone 706-882-8881 for reservations. Also at exit 18 (Hwy. 109) on I-85 there are many hotels and restaurants. Hotels; Holiday Inn Express, Americahost, Jameson Inn, Comfort Inn, and more. Restaurants; Applebees, Crackerbarrel, Waffle House, and more. Contact numbers: Jay Batcha phone: 478-784-1965 e-mail address: [email protected] postal address: 4220 Cyndy Jo Circle; Macon, Ga. 31216

Official Field Trip of the GEORGIA MINERAL SOCIETY

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

10 AM Free trip

Where; Vulcan Bartow Quarry, 5840 Highway 20 SE, Cartersville, 30121 The Quarry began operations in 1995 at this location. They have 797 acres and their pit is approximately 1,200 feet wide and 250 feet deep at this time. Directions; Interstate 75 North to exit 290. Highway 20. At the exit you make a right and go 1and1/2 miles to the quarry on the right. This is just past the McDonalds. What; The rock found here is a porphoblastic granite gneiss and is part of the Corbin Gneiss Complex. These rocks are some of the oldest in Georgia dating back some 1.2 billion years, making it much older than the limestone at their Kennesaw location. This quarry is known for the blue quartz found within the granite.. Quarry; When we arrive we will meet Edith, a Vulcan employee who will be our guide for this trip. Wear: Clothes that would be appropriate for this time of year in Georgia. That could be almost anything and I would suggest layers that could be removed and something in the event of a shower. A hat and boots, or at least a good pair of shoes. We should be finished early enough to go to the McDonalds for lunch but something to drink is always good to bring along. They are blasting rock every week and, as a working quarry, I do not know if we would be able to collect but there may be some spoil piles and at the very least- Bring your camera. Hope to see you there, George Libby. Field Trip Chair Cell- 678-910-7476



Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 GMS

General Meeting

2 3 4 5 6 DMC Field Trip

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 GMS Field Trip

14 15 Fossil Section

16 17 18 19 20

21 22 Gem

Section

23 24 25 26 27

28

February 2010

Southeastern Rock and Gem Shows Feb 27--BARTOW, FLORIDA: 6th annual show; Imperial Bone Valley Gem, Mineral & Fossil Society; Stuart Center, Polk County Extension Service Bldg., 1702 US Hwy. 17 S; Sat. 9-5; free admission; silent auction, door prizes, children's sand pit, demonstrations, rocks, minerals, fossils, jewelry; contact Jim Reed, 5740 Hebron Ln., Lakeland, FL 33812, (863) 644-6665; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.bonevalley.net Feb 27-28--JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI: 51st annual show; Mississippi Gem & Mineral Society; Mississippi State Fair Grounds/Trade Mart Bldg., 1207 Mississippi St.; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $5, students $3; free demonstrations, door prizes, educational and hands-on booths, 24 dealers;

contact Keith Peacock, 114 Quail Ridge Rd., Braxton, MS 39044, (601) 863-6535; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.missgems.org [email protected]; Web site: www.thumblicker.com Georgia State Parks Backcountry Geology Hike Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 1 PM to 4 PM Sweetwater Creek State Park - Lithia Springs, GA Geologist and Friends member John Johnston will lead a moderate three-mile hike identifying rock types and explaining how they formed. Explore the beautiful Jack's Branch area and the seldom visited rock quarry of New Manchester. Meet in the Interpretive Center. $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.

Happy 75th Birthday Georgia Mineral Society

THE GEORGIA MINERAL SOCIETY, INC. P.O. Box 15011

Atlanta, Georgia 30333-5011 www.gamineral.org

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Name: __________________________________________________________________________Birthday: month/day____________________ Email: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Spouse: _________________________________________________________________________Birthday: month/day____________________ Spouse’s email:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Children’s Names & Birthdays: mo/day/yr (residing at home): __________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________________________________________ State: _____ Zip+4: _________________________ Home Phone(s): _________________________________ Cell Phone(s): ________________________ Office Phone(s): __________________ Occupations:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hobbies, Interests: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS AT GMS: (Check all that apply)

_____Mineral Section _____Micromount Section _____Fossil Section

_____Junior Section _____Gem Section _____Electronic Newsletter

THE GEORGIA MINERAL SOCIETY, INC.

P.O. BOX 15011 ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30333 - 5011

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

PLEASE FORWARD

Dues for New Members (Single, Couple, Family) are $25.00 per Society year. ($20.00 + $5.00 Initial Processing Fee) Renewal Dues are $20.00 per Society year. (due 12 months from the date of joining and every 12 months thereafter)

Reinstatement Dues (For Expired Membership) are $25.00 ($20.00 + $5.00 Reinstatement Fee).

FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS ARE FOR THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY INCLUDING CHILDREN RESIDING WITH PARENTS. CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE ARE CONSIDERED JUNIOR MEMBERS.

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO THE GEORGIA MINERAL SOCIETY, INC.

FIRST CLASS

Documents

Happy BirthdaySOCIETY be selected for the group and that it be made a state organization. Dr. Crickmay drew up the constitution and by-laws. Dr. Frank Daniels, a dentist interested