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Club Information
Meeting Place Cuyuna Range Community Center
Directions 2 blocks north of stop sign at
Hwys. 6 & 210 intersection in
Crosby. Meeting in basement on
the 2nd Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
THE SEPTEMBER MEETING IS THE LAST MEETING TO BE HELD AT THIS LOCATION.
Club Dues $20/ family
Free /unaccompanied juniors Membership runs
from Jan. 1-Dec. 31st.
Cuyuna Rock, Gem and Mineral Society
The Agate ExplorerThe Agate ExplorerThe Agate ExplorerThe Agate Explorer
September 2016September 2016September 2016September 2016
Club Purpose
To foster an interest (& encourage young
& old) to study earth science,
enjoy the art of lapidary, hunting for
rocks, and semi-precious stones.
We also strive to use what we know and
acquire to further educate everyone
who has an interest in our hobby.
We are a not-for-profit organization.
Kids’ Program Come learn saw safety and geodes.
We’ll cut some so you can take them
home! The program starts at 2:00 p.m.
& runs while the adults are at the
regular meeting.
Club Calendar
Sept. 3—Spinning wheel & Club info. at McGregor
If you can help at this event call Ed Opatz at 320-250-1363. ASAP! Sept. 10—Board Mtg. 12:30; General Mtg. 2:00; Kids’
Program 2:00-Geodes cutting & saw safety; speaker to
follow meeting: Chad Daniels on rock carving.
Sept. 27-Oct. 2—dates for upper Michigan rockhounding trip Oct. 8—Board Mtg. 12:30; General Mtg. 2:00; Kids’ Program 2:00;
speaker to follow mtg. Speaker TBD
Information subject to change.
We Are Moving!
The September meeting will be the LAST MEETING HELD AT OUR
CURRENT LOCATION. So we don’t have to
move any more that necessary there will be a
sale held on Saturday, September 10 from 11
a.m. to 5 p.m. (but not during the meeting and
speaker). A lot of the rocks in the rock room
will be 50 cents per pound! (BYO containers.)
There also may be other things from the Club-
house for sale or free!
Wanted! Able bodies to help move the clubhouse contents. Date(s) to be determined.
Enclosed trailer to use to store/move clubhouse contents.
If you can help, call Ed Opatz at 320-250-1363.
After September 30 meetings will be held at a
location yet to be determined.
Jim Reed—for the smoky quartz
Wayne Davis—for the amethyst & Bahia agates
Dave Moe—for the chalcedony
September Birthdays
Brenda Perlowski 9/05
Mackenzie Perlowski 9/05
Tom Jacobson 9/06
Chuck Durnan 9/07
Jaden Worden 9/11
Tom Kulju 9/11
Dolores Sibet 9/12
Sally Hotchkiss 9/12
Ann Ragston 9/17
Mike Goering 9/20
David Johnson 9/21
Katie McGowan 9/22
Randy Hipple 9/23
Ron Morrim 9/24
Sandy Hilsgen 9/26
Jacob Abear 9/28
September Anniversaries
Ray & Marge Strassberg 9/15
Wayne & April Royston 9/18
Becky & David Opatz 9/25
Anorthite, Anorthoclase,
& Anorthosite
Compiled by Harry A. Wagoner
Anorthite
The mineral anor-thite is the calcium end member of pla-gioclase feldspar. The formula of pure
anorthite is CaAl2Si2O8 . Anorthite is the calcium-rich end member of the plagioclase solid-solution series, Anorthite is a rare compositional variety of plagioclase. It occurs in mafic igneous rock. It also occurs in metamorphic rocks of granulite facies in metamorphosed carbonate rocks and corun-dum deposits.
Anorthite belongs to the Plagioclase Feld-spar group, an isomorphous solid solution series. Albite Plagioclase Feldspar group, an isomorphous solid solution serie is one end member, containing sodium and no calcium. The other end member, Anorthite, contains calcium and no sodium.
Found in igneous rocks, both plutonic and volcanic but is rather rare. However, it does dominate igneous rocks known as anorthosites. Anorthite becomes increasing-ly calcic in composition as the rock in which it occurs becomes more mafic. In metamorphic rocks the same thing occurs but anorthite is only found in calcareous rocks, which have undergone contact metamorphism.
Anorthite is very rare. It is found in some Alpine metamorphic rocks in Italy, in bas-alt on the island of Hokkaido in Japan, and in the volcanic lavas of Vesuvius.
Anorthoclase
The mineral anor-thoclase ((Na,K)AlSi3O8) is a crys-talline solid solu-tion in the alkali feldspar series, in which the sodium-
aluminium silicate member exists in larger proportion. It typically consists of between 10 and 36 percent of KAlSi3O8 and be-tween 64 and 90 percent of NaAlSi3O8.
Anorthoclase is a high temperature alkali feldspar with a composition intermediate between sanding (K-rich) and albite (Na-rich). It is the intermediary member of the Albite-Sanidine series.
It is interesting to note that this mineral series contains two end members crystalliz-ing in different crystal systems. Albite crystallizes in the triclinic system, whereas
Sanidine crystallizes in the monoclinic system. When Anorthoclase forms, its atoms form in a specific arrangement. This arrangement of the atoms forms the crystal structure of the mineral. Depending on the environment it forms in, it will either form a monoclinic or triclinic crystal. If it forms a monoclinic crystal, it leans toward Sani-dine in regard to its crystal structure, and if it forms in the triclinic system, it leans to-ward Albite. For this reason, Anorthoclase crystals can either be triclinic or monoclin-ic, although the tendency is usually toward triclinic. The scientific classification of Sanidine, Anorthoclase, and Albite can only be determined with x-ray analysis. However, certain localities produce known examples of these particular Feldspars, in which case the mineral type can be deter-mined without complex analysis.
Anorthoclase. occurs in deep-seated plutonic rocks, in high temperature Na-rich volcanics such as alkali rhyolite, trachyte, phonolite and in shallow intrusions.
The mineral is typically found as a constit-uent of the fine grained matrix or as small phenocrysts which may occur as loose crystals in a weathered rock.
Anorthosite
Anorthosite is a phaneritic, intru-sive igneous rock characterized by a predominance of plagioclase feld-
spar (90–100%), and a minimal mafic com-ponent (0–10%). Pyroxene, ilmenite, mag-netite, and olivine are the mafic minerals most commonly present. Mineralogically, labradorite is a compositional term for any calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar contain-ing 50–70 molecular percent anorthite (An 50–70), regardless of whether it shows lab-radorescence. The mafic mineral in Prote-rozoic anorthosite may be clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, olivine, or, more rarely, amphibole. Oxides, such as magnetite or ilmenite, are also common.
Anorthosites are usually formed by plagioclase accumulation by flotation with-in magma chambers.
Anorthosite can be divided into two types: Proterozoic anorthosite (also known as massif or massif-type anorthosite) and Archean anorthosite. These two types of anorthosite have different modes of occur-rence, appear to be restricted to different periods in Earth's history, and are thought
to have had different origins. Proterozoic anorthosites were emplaced during
the Proterozoic Eon (ca. 2,500–542 Ma).
The composition of plagioclase feldspar in Proterozoic anorthosites is most commonly between An40 and An60 (40–60% anorthite). This compositional range is intermediate, and is one of the characteristics which distinguish Proterozoic anorthosites from Archean anorthosites. Mafic minerals in Proterozoic anorthosites have a wide range of composition, but are not generally highly magnesian.
The trace-element chemistry of Proterozoic anorthosites, and the associated rock types, has been examined in some detail by researchers with the aim of arriving at a plausible genetic theory. However, there is still little agreement on just what the results mean for anorthosite genesis.
Smaller amounts of anorthosite were emplaced during the Archaean eon (ca 3,800-2,400 Ma), although most have been dated between 3,200 and 2,800 Ma. They are distinct texturally and mineralogically from Proterozoic anorthosite bodies. Their most characteristic feature is the presence of equant megacrysts of plagioclase sur-rounded by a fine-grained mafic ground-mass.
Drill Press Vise A drill press vise is a versatile tool to hold a work piece securely and in precise align-ment. It reduces the of risks of working with high power motors, use of larger drill bits, and higher heat generated in the operation. The vise can be clamped to the drill press table if needed and is quite handy for use at the bench to hold things for sawing or rivet-ing.
You can find them at stores that car-ry machine tool supplies. My feeling is that the best ones are made from steel. In particular, I like the ones with V grooves cut into the jaw plates. That lets me hold a punch straight upright or hold a rod hori-zontal. To find a supplier, search on "drill press vise" at micromark.com
useenco.com , smallparts.com , grizzly.com or sears.com .
Jewelry Making Tip
By Brad Smith www.BradSmithJewelry.com
Sunshine
Requests
If you know someone who
could use a little sunshine—
birth, illness, surgery, family death—please contact
Christi Higgins at 320-224-6650.
We’re on
Facebook!
Cuyuna Rock, Gem
& Mineral Society
This is a closed group, so you
must ask to join. After being
approved you can follow the
members’ posts and add your
own information.
Rarest Gems
#7 Musgravite
Musgravite is one of the newest and most rare gemstones in the world. Musgravite is a silicate mineral whose main ingredients are beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg) and aluminum (Al). It was named ‘musgravite’ after the area Musgrave in Australia from where the material was first found. The
musgravite was later found also in Greenland and Madagascar, but neither of them produces gem quality material. Two pieces of faceted gem-quality musgravite from Sri Lanka were reported first in 1993. Keep in mind, this is the LEAST priceless of the ten.
Your Help Please!
The American Federation of Mineralogical Societies is attempting to attain birthstones on U.S. stamps. We need YOU to actively support and promote the project by continuing letters or notes to the USPS. You do not have to be an AFMS member to write.
Please mail your PERSONAL letter to: Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
c/o Stamp Development U.S. Postal Service
47 O’Enfant Plaza S, Room 3300
Washington, DC 20260-3501
Competition is stiff, with about 50,00 proposals to the USPS annually. We are convinced that birthstone stamps would be attractive. We and the public would use them, keep them, and we would all enjoy their beauty.
Don’t you agree?
Thank You! Thank you to the following people who helped with the spinning wheel at the Crow Wing County Fair:
Lori DuBois Sandi Hilsgen
Joanie Hanson Sharon Smith
Wayne Davis Dave Moe
JoAnn Moe Lisa Hughes
Judy Frampton Joan Guerra
Ed Walton
Carol Russel-Johnson
and anyone that may have been forgotten!
Lori DuBois at the Crow Wing Co. Fair.
Photo by Joanie Hanson
2-4—HILLSBORO, OR: Gem Faire Inc, Washington Co. Fairgrounds; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $7 weekend pass, under 12 free; http://www.gemfaire.com
2-5—RALEIGH, NC: Treasures of the Earth Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Shows, NC State Fairgrounds; Fri. 12-6, Sat. & Sun. 10-
5, Mon. 10-4; $5, under 17 free; www.treasuresoftheearth.com
2-5—HENDERSONVILLLE, NC: Hender-son Co. Gem & Mineral Society, Whitmire Center; Fri.-Sun. 10-6, Mon. 10-5; Adults/Srs $4, under 12 free; www.HCGMS.com
3-4—HANFORD , CA: Diggins Produc-tions, Hanford Civic Auditorium ; Daily 10-
6; $3, Children free; e-mail: Corbett1 @sbaglobal.ner 3-5—CANBY, OR: Jean Miller, Clackamas Co. Fairgrounds; Sat. & Sun. 9-6, Mon. 9-4; Free!; e-mail: karmicbeadsandgems @yahoo.com
3-5—SILVER CITY, NM: Grant Co. Roll-ing Stones Gem & Mineral Society, West-ern NM Univ. Intramural Gym; Sat. & Sun. 9-5, Mon. 10-4; Free!; www.rollingstones gms.blogspot.com
9-11—TOLEDO, OH: Toledo Gem & Rockhound Club, Stranahan Great Hall; Fri. 2-8, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; $5, Srs/Students $4.50, under 12 free; http://www.rocky reader.com
9-11—WINSTON-SALEM, NC: Forsyth Gem & Mineral Club, Ed. Bldg., Fair-grounds; Fri. & Sat. 10 -7, Sun. 12-5 ; Adults/Srs $3, 12th Gr. & under free; www.forsythgemclub.com
9-11—GREENFIELD, IN: 500 Earth Sci-ences Club, Hancock County 4-H Fair-grounds; Fri. & Sat. 10-7, Sun. 10-4; Free! e-mail: [email protected]
9-11—RENO, NV: Gem Faire Inc, Reno Sparks Livestock Events Center; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $7, under 12 free; http://www.gemfaire.com
10-11—PORT ANGELES, WA: Clallam County Gem & Mineral Association, Vern Burton Community Center; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-4; Free!; Jennie Bourassa, (360)-681-
0372
10-11—WALLA WALLA, WA: Marcus Whitman Gem Mineral Society; Walla Wal-la Co. Fairgrounds; Daily 10-5; $3, children free; Keith Bacus, (509)-529-1248
10-11—SILOAM SPRINGS, AR: North-west Arkansas Gem & Mineral Society, Northwest Arkansas Gem and Mineral Soci-ety Clubhouse; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4; Free!; www.nwarockhounds.org
10-11—NORTH ADAMS, MA: Northern Berkshire Mineral Club, Eagles Hall #310;
Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $4, Children free; e-
mail: [email protected]
10-11—NEW MILFORD, CT: Danbury Mineralogical Society, New Milford High School; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; $5, Srs/Students $4, under 12 free; www.http://danburymineralogicalsociety.weebly.com/ 10-18—DENVER, CO: Eons Expos, LLLP, Denver Coliseum; 4600; Sept. 10-17- 9 am-
6 pm, Sun. 9 am-5 pm, Free!; http://www.ColiseumShow.com; www.Eons-
Expos.com
11-18—DENVER, CO: Martin Zinn Expo-sitions, L.L.C., Ramada Plaza Denver Cen-tral; Daily 10 -6, Sun. 10-5 ; Free! www.mzexpos.com
14-17—GOLDEN, CO: Fine Mineral Show, Denver Marriott; W. Wed.-Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-5; Free! Dave Waisman, e-mail: [email protected]
16-18—RICHMOND, VA: Treasures of the Earth Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Shows, Richmond Raceway Complex; Fri. 12-6, Sat. & Sun.10-5; $5, under 17 free; www.treasuresoftheearth.com
16-18—PLACERVILLE, CA: 77th Annual CA Federation of Mineralogical Societies Show & Convention hosted by the El Dora-do Co. Mineral & Gem Society, El Dorado Co. Fairgrounds; Daily 10-5, $7, Srs. $6, under 12 free; www.cfms2016show.com
16-18—HOLLAND, MI: Tulip City Gem & Mineral Club, Soccer Spot Sportsplex; Fri. 9-8, Sat. 9-7, Sun. 11-5; Adults/Srs $3, chil-dren free; www.tulipcity.org
16-18—DENVER, CO: Denver Gem & Mineral Council, Denver Mart Expo Hall; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $6, Students/Srs $4, under 12 free; www.denvermineral- show.com
16-18—SAN RAFAEL, CA: Gem Faire Inc, Marin Center; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; Free; http://www.gemfaire.com
16-18—LINCOLN, MO: Mozarkite Society of Lincoln, Inc., Lincoln City Park; Fri. & Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-3; Free!; www. Mozarkite.com
16-18—SAN ANTONIO, TX: Event Show Management, San Antonio Event Center; Fri. 11-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $20; www.parkertradeshow.com
16-18—ARDEN, NC: M.A.G.M.A., Camp Stephens Boy Scout Camp, Fri. & Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4; Free; Web site: www.american rockhound.com
17-—TWO HARBORS, MN: Agate City Rock Shop, Agate City Grounds; Sat. 9-5; Free; Web site: www.agatecity.com
17-18—MAYS LANDING, NJ: Cape-
Atlantic Rockhounds, Cape-Atlantic Rock-hounds Clubhouse; daily 9-5; Free; Web site: http://www.capeatlanticrock hounds.com/
17-18—CASTLE ROCK, WA: The South-ern Washington Mineralogical Society, Cas-tle Rock Fairgrounds; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; Free; e-mail: [email protected]
17-18—POUGHKEEPSIE, NY: Mid-
Hudson Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Inc., Gold's Gym & Family Sports Center; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; $5, Srs $4, Students $2, Under 12 free; Web site: www.mhvgms
.org
17-18—HOWELL, MI: Livingston Gem & Mineral Society, Hartland Education Sup-port Service Center; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4; $3, Students $1, Under 12 free; living-stongemandmineralsociety.com
17-18—CHICO, CA: Feather River Lapi-dary & Mineral Society Inc., Silver Dollar Fair Grounds; Sat. 9:30-5, Sun. 9:30-4; $3, Under 16 free; Web site: featherriver-rocks.org
17-18—OSHKOSH, WI: Oshkosh Earth Science Club, Sunnyview Expo Center; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4; $2, Students $1, Under 12 free; Web site: https://www.facebook.com/Oshkosh-Earth-Science-Club-
202088083155987/ 23-25—JOPLIN, MO: Tri-State Gem & Mineral Society, Joplin Museum; Fri. & Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-3; Free; Chris Wiseman; e-
mail: [email protected] 23-25—OCEAN CITY, MD: Treasures of the Earth Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Shows, Ocean City Convention Center; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; $5, Under 17 free; Web site: www.treasuresoftheearth.com
23-25—SANDY, UT: Gem Faire Inc, South Towne Expo Center; Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $7; Under 12 free; Web site: http://www.gemfaire.com
23-25—FISHERSVILLE, VA: Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Augusta Expo; Fri. 2-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; $3, Srs/Students $2, Children Free; Web site: www.shenandoah valleyrockclub.org
24-25—LODI, CA: Stockton Lapidary & Mineral Club, Lodi Grape Festival & Har-vest Fairgrounds; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-5; $6, Children free; Web site: www.stocktonlap idary.com
24-25—SOUTH SIOUX CITY, NE: Annu-al show; Siouxland Gem & Mineral Society, South Sioux City Senior Citizens Center; Sat. 9-4, Sun. 10-4; Free; e-mail: [email protected]
24-25—MONTEREY, CA: Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Monterey Fair-grounds; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $4, Children free; Web site: www.cvgms.rocks
24-25—WEST FRIENDSHIP, MD: Gem Cutters Guild of Baltimore, Howard County Fair Ground; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; Adults/Srs $6; Under 13 free; mail: Web site: www.gemcuttersguild.com
September Rock Shows
Rox Box
A place to advertise rock items to sell and to inquire about items
to purchase.
The Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Society
accepts no responsibility for any dissatis-
faction that may occur by either party,
seller or buyer. The Society does not
profit in any way by sales transactions.
For Sale: Call Harry Wagoner regarding the follow-ing items. 218-927-9983.
4 lb. 5 oz. plastic tumbling pellets - new
$12.
16 Inch Covington Vibrating Lap
Removable top for cleaning, complete with polishing pad, cushions; like new. $350.
Frantom combination lapidary unit: 10 in. gravity feed saw; Two 8 in silicon carbide grinding wheels; 180 & 220 grit One 6 in 80 grit diamond wheel—new
One 8 in drum sander; One 8 in flat sander/polishing disc; Silicon carbide sanding belts; Complete with motor and mounted on very sturdy wood stand $275
For Sale: L&R manufacturing crystal
grinder. We plugged it in and it runs. Not sure what its worth so would entertain offers. Call Roxanne Aulie at 218-820-
5062.
Wanted: Someone to
arrange volunteers for the spinning wheel at various
locations. Most events are in the summer.
Contact Ed Opatz at 320-250-1363 or
State by State—
South Carolina
State Gemstone—
Amethyst
State Rock—
Blue Granite
24-25—SANTA ROSA, CA: Santa Rosa Mineral & Gem Society, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $6, Under 13 free; Web site: SRMGS.org
24-25—REDWOOD CITY, CA: Sequoia Gem & Mineral Society, Community Activ-ities Bldg.; Daily 10-5; $3; Web site: Se-quoiaGemandMineralSociety.org
24-25—FRANKLIN, NJ: Franklin Mineral Museum, Franklin School; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4; $7, Children $4; Web site: http://spmom3.wix.com/franklin-gem-mineral
September 2016-October 2016
28-2—JOSHUA TREE, CA: The Hi-Desert Rockhounds & the Sportsman's Club of Joshua Tree, Sportsman's Club of Joshua Tree; Daily 9-6; Free; Web site: http://www.jtsportsmansclub.com/gem.html 30-1—NASHVILLE, IN: Brown County Rock & Mineral Club, Brown County His-torical Society; Daily 10-6; Free; Web site: http://browncountyrocks.webs.com/ 30-2—INDIANAPOLIS, IN: Treasures Of The Earth Gem & Jewelry Shows, Indiana State Fairgrounds - Ag/Horticulture Bldg; Fri. & Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; $5; Under 16
free; Web site: www.toteshows.com
30-2—ALBUQUERQUE, NM: Jay Penn, NM Expo State Fairgrounds; Daily 9-5; Free; Web site: abqfallshow.wix.com/abq-
fall-show
30-2—CAMP VERDE , AZ: Mingus Gem & Mineral Club. Inc, Cliff Castle Casino Hotel and Conference Center; Fri. & Sat. 9-
5, Sun. 9-4; $3, Under 12 free; Web site: [email protected]
30-2—DEL MAR, CA: Gem Faire Inc, Del Mar Fairgrounds; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; $7, Under 12 free; Web site: http://www.gemfaire.com
Check out the Club’s website at
www.cuyunarockclub.org
Mineral Encyclopedia
Augite
A common rock-forming mineral of dark-
colored igneous rocks.
Augite is a rock-forming mineral that commonly occurs in mafic and intermedi-ate igneous rocks such as basalt gabbro, andesite, and diorite. It is found in these rocks throughout the world, wherever they occur. Augite is also found in ultramafic rocks and in some metamorphic rocks that form under high temperatures.
Augite has a chemical composition of (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe,Al)(Si,Al)2O6 with many paths of solid solution. Commonly associat-ed minerals include orthoclase, plagioclase, orthoclase, olivine, and hornblende.
Augite is the most common pyroxene min-eral and a member of the clinopyroxene group. Some people use the names "augite" and "pyroxene" interchangeably, but this usage is strongly discouraged. There are a
large number of pyroxene minerals, many of which are distinctly different and easy to identify.
Augite, diopside, jadeite,spodumene, and hypersthene are just a few of the distinctly different pyroxene minerals.
Physical Properties of Augite
Augite is usually green, black, or brown in color with a translucent to opaque diapha-neity. It usually exhibits two distinct cleavage directions that intersect at slightly less than 90 degrees. A hand lens is often needed to properly observe the cleavage, especially in fine-grained rocks.
Light reflecting from cleavage surfaces and crystal faces of augite produces a vitreous luster, while light striking other surfaces produces a dull luster. Augite has a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6. Its specific gravity of 3.2 to 3.6 is higher than most other minerals in the rocks in which it occurs.
Uses of Augite
Augite does not have any physical, optical, or chemical properties that make it especial-ly useful. It is therefore one of the few minerals that has no commercial use. The calcium content of augite has been found to be of limited use in studies of the tempera-ture history of igneous rocks.
Extraterrestrial Augite
Augite is a mineral that has been found beyond Earth. It is a common mineral of lunar basalts. It has also been identified in
many stone meteorites. Some of these mete-orites are thought to be pieces of Mars or the Moon that were launched into space by large impact events.
.Physical Properties of Augite
Chemical Classification A single
chain inosilicate
Color Dark green, black, brown
Streak White to gray to very pale green.
Augite is often brittle, breaking into splintery fragments on the streak plate. These can be observed with a hand lens. Rubbing the debris with a finger produces a gritty feel with a fine white powder beneath.
Luster Vitreous on cleavage and crystal
faces. Dull on other surfaces.
Diaphaneity Usually translucent to
opaque. Rarely transparent.
Cleavage Prismatic in two directions
that intersect at slightly less than 90 degrees.
Mohs Hardness 5.5 to 6
Specific Gravity 3.2 to 3.6
Diagnostic Properties Two
cleavage directions intersecting at slightly less than 90 degrees. Green to black color. Specific gravity.
Chemical Composition A complex
silicate. (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe,Al)(Si,Al)2O6
Crystal System Monoclinic
Uses No significant commercial use.
www.geology.com
Upper Michigan Trip
September 27-October 2
As in the past, this is come and go as you please. You may go for the entire trip, come late, or leave early.
Things to bring along: Metal detector Rock hammer Shovel Spray bottle
Buckets/boxes/sandbags for rocks
Backpack or similar Hat/bug spray/sunscreen
Rain gear/rain boots
Good walking footwear Bottled beverages/snacks for picks
Tues., Sept. 27 travel day to Calumet Wed., Sept. 28 copper/ copper agate
in/ near Calumet Thur., Sept. 29 copper/copper agate
in/near Calumet
Fri., Sept. 30 TBD
Sat., Oct. 1 TBD
May include other rockhounding and/or copper museum. Sun., Oct. 2 travel day home
Accommodations Suggestions
Be aware that some area motels are already entirely booked-perhaps due to fall color trips?
Centennial Cottages
Calumet, MI 906-337-4730
The White House Motel Mohawk, MI 906- 337-3010
McLain State Park Campground
Camping spots & cabins
Hancock, MI 906-482-0278 Ed & Marcia Opatz plan on staying here.
Please let Ed Opatz know if you plan to go (even if you have done so already), AND INCLUDE A CURRENT CELL PHONE NUMBER. Also state if you are interested in carpooling/sharing a camper/sharing a motel room. We will then start sending out emails to trip people so you may contact each other regarding carpooling, etc., and with new information.
Ed’s contact information: [email protected]
▼▼▼▼
Pickin’ Mary Ellen Jasper
in Minnesota
By Marcia Opatz
It was a perfect picking day in August when about twenty Cuyuna Rock, Gem, and Mineral Society members convoyed to Bovey, Minnesota, to meet our guide, Chad Daniels. The temperature was in the low 70’s, with blue skies and a light breeze. The group followed Chad from Bovey for a few miles to the Canisteo Pit.
Once we arrived at the Pit, Club members received a little history of the area:
The Canisteo Pit was actually nineteen
separate mines when it was an active iron
ore operation, reaching depths of 300 feet
in some areas. Until 1985 the mine water
was pumped out, but then the ground water
started filling the pits faster than the current
equipment or technology could drain it.
The pits were abandoned, leaving the
machinery and buildings at the bottom.
The far west end of the pit was the western
edge of the ancient sea in which the stro-
matolite lived. Through the natural forces of
the planet, the creation of the Mid-
Continental Rift, and the subsequent lava
flows covering the sea and it's life forms it
forever encased the stromatolite fossil in
chalcedony.
Soon we were all climbing and searching for jasper; Lake Superior agates could also be found. Mary Ellen Jasper can be found in both red and green variations, with green being the rarer of the two.
There were pickers looking for a few small specimens, some started piles of baseball and larger sized pieces, and one member wanted a really big piece.
Jerry had scored arrows in the dirt, indicat-ing large pieces partially exposed. He planned on coming back and analyzing them after his first go-
around.
I decided to help him by determining the size of one particular piece, and started digging around the edges, looking for the bottom. I continued, and continued to dig. As Jer-ry approached with his friend’s Jeep, I yelled though the open window, “Jerry, it’s too big!”
Jerry hopped out of the vehicle and said he want-ed to unearth the large piece. We both contin-ued to dig. Again I told him it was too big to take home (and was SURE that my husband would never let ME take home something this large). The excavation began.
Now that it was out of the ground, how were we going to get it into the Jeep? My husband, an excavator by trade, thought we should take advantage of the terrain. If we dug small trenches for the Jeep’s back wheels and then backed it up to the rock, which was uphill slightly, a rock ramp could
be built and the monster rock could be load-ed. A small crowd gathered and the most able-bodied were employed to help.
Success! The boulder was on its way home. Estimated weight: 400 pounds.
A brand new Club member, Leif Wooden, learning the ropes!
Photo by Keri Wooden
The Canisteo Pit, a man-made beauty. Photo by Dave Moe
The brutes that made it happen. Note the rock ladder used to get the boulder into the back of the Jeep.
Photo by Dave Moe
Marcia Opatz, Editor
Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Mineral Society P.O. Box 151
Crosby, MN 56441
FIRST CLASS MAIL
Club Officers & Board of Directors
President: Ed Opatz
[email protected] 320-250-1363
Vice-President: Lisa Hughes [email protected]
218-821-2729
Secretary—Joanie Hanson
218-831-2665
Treasurer: Kevin Martini [email protected]
218-770-8917
Director: Joan Guer ra Director: Sharon Smith
Director: Ed Walton
Newsletter Editor: Marcia Opatz [email protected]
320-250-8120
The Agate Explorer September 2016
Official Publication of the Cuyuna Rock, Gem & Mineral Society
Members of AFMS & MWF
Notes from the President
I would like to personally thank all those that worked at the Club’s Crow Wing County Fair booth. We collected over $1100. at the spinning wheel and panning gold. It was great publicity for the Club; we also had a lot of people take membership forms.
We are getting ready for the September trip to Michigan. See information on page 6.
The Board has spent a lot of time researching a new space for the Club. As of this date we have not decided, but have narrowed it down to two locations. We want make a deci-sion in the next week based on the quality of the space, accessibility, and cost.
We are looking for someone that has a cargo trailer that the Club can borrow for a short time. We are hoping to get it filled with Clubhouse contents and then not have to move it immediately to the new location.
We need to clean out our old Clubhouse before September 30 and NEED YOUR HELP. See page one for how you can assist.
Ed Opatz
