Friday, August 4, 2017

Gem and MIneral Show UPDATED Vendor List

VENDORS 2017

Susan & Doug Abbott, Desert Designs, Silver City, NM,   Native American jewelry, Zuni fetishes

Henry & Charlotte Andazola, Silver City, NM,   Native American jewelry

Brandi & Matthew Bateman, Rimrock, AZ  Turquoise and silver

Fred Bishop, 2 Guys Rocks, Deming, NM,   Slabs, quartz, geodes, turquoise, jewelry

Karen Blisard, Radiant Gemstones, Silver City, NM,   Jewelry, faceted stones, facet rough

Linda Boatwright, Los Lunas, NM  Azurite Gallery, Jewelry, gems, minerals, fossils, agates

Harry & Carol Bruntz, Uniquely Yours, Horizon City, TX,   Rocks, gems, minerals, display stands

Kevin Cook & Sylveen Robinson-Cook, Royal Scepter, Silver City, NM,  Books, maps, beads, jewelry

Trina & Jeff Cornell, Trina’s Rock Shop, Deming, NM,  Lapidary equipment, rough, slabs

Jack & Marty Crawford, Silver City, NM,  Minerals

Dave Douglass, Douglass Minerals, Tucson, AZ,   Mineral specimens

Julie Dubosz, Sierra Vista, AZ,  wirewrap jewelry

Sue Fischer, Jewelry from Sue, Silver City, NM,   Silver and gold jewelry

Marge & Don Gibboney, Paintbrush jewelry, Grand Junction, CO,  wire wrap jewelry

Sally Hansen, Sally Rocks, Silver City, NM,  Jewelry, lapidary

Gene & Sandra Hardgrove,  Rock Art, Tucson, AZ, gemstones (facet & cab), jewelry

Jackie Harvey, Starwalker Gems, T or C, NM  Specimens, New Age items

Therese Higgins, The Jewelry Lady, Silver City, NM,   Jewelry, belly belts

Michael Ho, Gemstone Station, Miraloma, CA,  Beads, pearls

Bill & Linda Horton, Misty Mountain G&M, Litchfield Park, AZ,  Jewelry, gems, minerals, carvings

Bill & Emily Jaeger, Endless Mountain Minerals, Hereford, AZ,   Crystals, rough, specimens, jewelry

JoAnna Johnston, Trunk Shows NM, Rio Rancho, NM  Jewlery, beads, findings, supplies, tools

Patsy & Jerry Kastner, Kastner Gems & Supply, Tucson, AZ,   Jewelry, lapidary equipment, supplies

Ron Kellner, RK Enterprises, Show Low, AZ,  Jewelry, cabs, slabs, specimens

Randy & Sally McCowan, Deming, NM,  Arrowheads, turquoise

Kim Muller, Burro Mountain Arts, Tyrone, NM,  Silver and gemstone jewelry

Ken Newman, DBA Rocks, Deming, NM,  Spheres, slabs, thunder eggs

Jose Nunez, Canutillo, TX,  Minerals

Jay & Amy Penn, El Chivo Viejo, Albuquerque, NM, Minerals

David & Ruth Ann Rinsch, Dave’s Enterprises, Tyrone, NM,  Rocks, gems

Carmen & Marina Sanchez, Texas Rocks & Minerals, El Paso, TX, minerals, rocks, specimens

John Scully & Laurie Rossi, Scully’s Minerals, Fairview, NM   Minerals, fossils

Jesse, James, and Jan Searcy, Black hat Trading, Deming, NM,   Jewelry, findings, beads, carvings

Virginia Wilkinson, Buckhorn, NM, Jewelry and rocks


Wednesday, August 2, 2017

August Newsletter

Be sure to check out the August newsletter for all sorts of information about field trips, meetings, and our upcoming Show. 

Monday, July 31, 2017

Be sure to listen!

Our Club will be featured in an interview/discussion on a radio show Local Flavor, on August 31, 2017 at 9:00am on KURU, 89.1FM Silver City.  Jeannine will either come on, or send another member for the program.  It will be mostly about the Show, but will also include info on the organization as a whole and other activities we do.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

2017 34th Annual Gem and Mineral Show Display Competition

This year we will be going back to the newly remodeled Grant County Conference center! The main entrance leads into a large foyer and that is where we would like to put all the display cases.
 

This year we would like to utilize all of our 8 display cases and to entice you to fill one of those cases with your special collection of rocks or lapidary work, we are proposing a competition amongst our members.
 

The displays will be voted on by the guests that come to our show. The winner will be announced on Monday, the closing day of the show.
 

Each display case is 2ft x 2ft square and is equipped with a light to show off its contents and also a latch that can be locked (you will need to furnish the lock). 

Each item in the case should have a small but legible identification tag. You will also need to provide a tag with your name on it. This tag will be affixed to the front of the case and will be covered during the competition. We will keep the owner of the display anonymous and assign only numbers to each case. The owners of each case will be revealed on Monday after the winners have been chosen.
 

There will be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner. Each winner will receive a club money certificate that they can spend on any item the club has in the club store including slabs. 1st place will receive a $30.00 certificate, 2nd place a $20.00 certificate and 3rd place a $15.00 certificate. And ribbons too!
 

This will be a fun way to participate in the show, show off your work and get a prize for your efforts! So, let me know if you would like to participate, remember, we only have 8 cases and it will be first come, first serve in reserving one.
 

Contact: Jeannine Weiner – rollingstonesgmsshow@gmail.com

Items for the May silent auction at club meeting




April field trip photos











The April field trip to Fluorite Flats 
on the west side of Cooks Peak.







Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Big News! Show Location!!

 

Show Chair Jeannine Weiner reports that the 2017 Gem and Mineral Show will be back at its regular location - the newly renovated Grant County Conference and Business Center on Highway 180.   





Club member Andy Anderson sent in these photos of the facility as Show leadership measures and evaluates the new space.






We sure hope to see you there on Labor Day Weekend of 2017.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Great advice about Rockhounding safety

Here is a great article that will help you make sure you are safe when out in the field.    Be sure to check it out!

Silent Auction items for April meeting




March and April Beacons

Sorry, we are a little behind, but here you can find the March club newsletter.  

 And here you can find the April club newsletter. 

Silver City Library Display


The display was a BIG HIT! Many patrons of the library expressed that they were sorry to see it leave and also expressed their thanks to our club for providing it!  Here are a few photos.   


Sunday, January 8, 2017

Amazing amathyst


Submitted by Dr. John Cunninghan, Professor Emeritus, Western New Mexico University
I received this from an old field camp student.   He was told that, "that these huge Brazilian amethyst geodes were formed in hollow logs.  If that is so, peeling away the matrix should be no problem.  Regardless, they are sure spectacular."  

Monday, December 5, 2016

November Field Trip Report

by Club Member Anita Williams

We met as usual in the Visitor Center parking lot on a beautiful fall morning.  Promptly at 8:30 am the vehicle caravan departed heading south towards Lordsburg.  We regrouped at the Pilot station on I-10 fueling up with gas ($.30 cheaper than Silver, but that’s no surprise), coffee and/or breakfast.  There was some "de-fueling" too although we were told there is a rest stop right in Hachita that could accommodate folks in need.

We were heading for the abandoned Apache Mine in the Apache Hills south of Hachita.  We accessed the mine area after a four mile drive on a dirt road.  The area had numerous tailing piles and some trenches and a few debris filled shafts.  Of course the group gathered their buckets and hammers and scattered across the area in search of rock/ minerals samples.

The following data was taken from an article by Wofgang Elston, Mining Districts of Hildago County, NM, in NMGS, 17th Field Conference.  The Apache mine started production in the 1880’s.  Between 1880 and 1929 the mine shipped low-grade malachite in calcite to smelters in El Paso and Douglas to be used as flux in the smelting process.   From 1929 on there has been some production and sporatic exploration.  The mineral deposit was formed during the Laramide (late Cretaceous to early Tertiary age: the time of the uplift of the Rocky Mountains) and was associated with an igneous intrusion in the Apache Mountains.  The associated fluids formed what is called a contact metasomatic deposit.  This caused the limestone formation to be altered/replaced by mineralizing solutions.  The alteration produced the massive beds of calcite present at the mine site, and as a consequence, the beautiful calcite rhombhedrons scattered all over the area.  Other minerals found on site include malachite, azurite, chrysocolla and possibly turquoise. 

After collecting at the mine a few vehicles took off to look for quartz crystals farther down the dirt road.  This part of the road was a bit more challenging with a 2 wheel drive and it is not recommended.  We drove through several steep washes over several miles until we were stopped at a wash out.  Fortunately there were nice pieces of quartz and some crystal terminations scattered over the entire area.  So although we did not get to the specific location we were able to collect some nice samples.  In this area, the quartz is weathering out of the limestone so it is scattered on the surface over a large area.

We all loaded up and drove out in mass in case someone had trouble making it over some of the rougher road segments.  Happily we all made it to the pavement without incident.  There was a photo stop at the Hachita rest area prior to heading back to town with our treasures. 

December newsletter

The latest edition of the Beacon can be found here.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

November Beacon and Club Library

Our November newsletter is available for  your viewing pleasure.  And, be sure to check out our Club Library shown on the right sidebar in About the Club.   We have a great assortment of publications available for members to borrow while at club meetings.  

Saturday, October 15, 2016

October Field Trip and Pick Nick

From Andy Anderson:  "Here are some  pictures of our Pick Nick today at our geode claim. There were 25 of us hunting geodes and as always eating."










Gold Panning Program

Thanks to Karen Blisard for supplying this photo taken at the October club meeting.  David Rinsch is demonstrating gold panning to the Club.  
 

Monday, October 3, 2016

A True Family Event

What does it take to make a Gem and Mineral Show a True Family Event?    Here's a short video clip all about it.  

Thursday, September 29, 2016

October Newsletter

Our October Newsletter is available for your viewing pleasure. 

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Vendor profile - El Chivo Viejo Minerals and Lapidary

Welcome to our newest feature - Vendor Profile.   Each month we will video profile one of our 2016 Show vendors.    

We chose El Chivo Viejo, owned by Jay and Amy Penn,  for our first video profile because of the upcoming Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Club's fall show.   Several of our vendors will be present at this show which is actually led by Jay, as the Show Chair.   This show is scheduled from September 30 until October 2 at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque in the Creative Arts building.    More information can be found on the show's web site.  Perhaps we will see some of you there! 



Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Vendors are packed up!

Vendor Chair Karen Blisard says " Thanks to all our terrific vendors and members who provided them such awesome support!"

2016 show is history!

Show Chair Jeannine Weiner says " Whew! Thanks to our visitors, vendors, and members!"

Monday, September 5, 2016

Last day of show!

Today is our last day,  so come check out this wonderful show.   Open from 10 am until 4 pm.

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Show Field Trips - Important information!

Grant County Rolling Stone 2016 Gem & Mineral Show
FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE
Saturday September 3RD - 1:00PM – GEODE CLAIM  This trip will be to the club’s geode claim off of Bear Mountain Road. The road is fine for all vehicles up to the turn off of the claim. At that point High Clearance vehicles are recommended. There has been new ground worked up and will provide all participants with the opportunity to locate whole or partial agate filled geodes also known as Thunder Eggs. Small shovels or digging tools will be helpful and also a bag or bucket to carry home your treasures. Meet in the hall at the entrance of the gym. If you don’t have a High Clearance Vehicle, see if you can catch a ride with someone who does. This trip will last about 2 hours.
Sunday September 4th – 10:00 am – Silver City Range  This trip will be to the Silver City Range just south of Bear Mountain. Access through Forest Service Road 862 will take us along the spine of the range. Rocks we will encounter will include ocean deposits with coral and bivalve fossils, sedimentary sandstone rocks and metamorphosed rocks with collectable scarn minerals. The road is a rough one lane so carpooling with high clearance vehicles is advised. Meet in the hall at the entrance of the gym. This trip will last about 2 ½ hours.  
Sunday September 4th – 1:00 pm – 49rs Gold Club
This trip will be to the 49rs Pinos Altos claim where we will teach prospecting a creek for a place to mine. We will show different types of equipment in recreational gold mining and show how to use them weather permitting what types of equipment. All gold found will be distributed among the visiting participants. The trip will last between 2 to 3 hours. The claim is located directly off of the paved road and any vehicle can make it there. Meet in the hall at the entrance of the gym.
The Silver City 49rs will have an area for gold panning demonstrations and information about their club at the show. They will be available each day of the show from 10am to 4pm. They will also have some different types of equipment on display.

Monday September 5th – 11:00am – Amethyst
This trip will be up Boston Hill to collect local Amethyst. This will require a 6 tenths of a mile hike up a somewhat steep and rocky trail. There will be several rest stops on the way for those who need it. To get to the colorful crystals some digging will be required. A small shovel, rock hammer and chisel will also be helpful. There are a lot of clear crystals on the surface to collect for those who do not wish to dig.

PLEASE REMEMBER SAFETY FIRST AND GOOD ROCKHOUND ETIQUETTE. BRING LOTS OF WATER AND IF YOU PACK IT IN PACK IT OUT!

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Updated Vendor List for Show

VENDORS 2016

Susan & Doug Abbott, Desert Designs, Silver City, NM,   Native American jewelry, Zuni fetishes

Henry & Charlotte Andazola, Silver City, NM,   Native American jewelry

Armando Barrera, Custom Rock Cutters, Columbus, NM,  Cabs, spheres, eggs, carvings

Fred Bishop, 2 Guys Rocks, Deming, NM,   Slabs, quartz, geodes, turquoise, jewelry

Karen Blisard, Radiant Gemstones, Silver City, NM,   Jewelry, faceted stones, facet rough

Harry & Carol Bruntz, Uniquely Yours, Horizon City, TX,   Rocks, gems, minerals, display stands

Kevin Cook & Sylveen Robinson-Cook, Royal Scepter, Silver City, NM,  Books, maps, beads, jewelry

Trina & Jeff Cornell, Trina’s Rock Shop, Deming, NM,  Lapidary equipment, rough, slabs

Jack & Marty Crawford, Silver City, NM,  Minerals

Dave Douglass, Douglass Minerals, Tucson, AZ,   Mineral specimens

Julie Dubosz, Sierra Vista, AZ,  wirewrap jewelry

Sue Fischer, Jewelry from Sue, Silver City, NM,   Silver and gold jewelry

Marge & Don Gibboney, Paintbrush jewelry, Grand Junction, CO,  wire wrap jewelry

Tom Hales, Tom’s Treasures, Deming, NM,  Minerals, gemstone rough, jewelry

Sally Hansen, Sally Rocks, Silver City, NM,  Jewelry, lapidary

Gene & Sandra Hardgrove,  Rock Art, Tucson, AZ, gemstones (facet & cab), jewelry

Allen Hebert, Glenkara, Tucson, AZ,   Gems, minerals, jewelry

Therese Higgins, The Jewelry Lady, Silver City, NM,   Jewelry, belly belts

Michael Ho, Gemstone Station, Miraloma, CA,  Beads, pearls

Bill & Linda Horton, Misty Mountain G&M, Litchfield Park, AZ,  Jewelry, gems, minerals, carvings

Gerald Howard & Jim Wines, JNE Lapidary, Dickinson, TX,  Petrified wood, knapped items

Bill & Emily Jaeger, Endless Mountain Minerals, Hereford, AZ,   Crystals, rough, specimens, jewelry

Bill Jones, Sidewinder Minerals, Aurora, CO, Minerals, fossils

Patsy & Jerry Kastner, Kastner Gems & Supply, Tucson, AZ,   Jewelry, lapidary equipt, supplies

Ron Kellner, RK Enterprises, Show Low, AZ,  Jewelry, cabs, slabs, specimens

Randy & Sally McCowan, Deming, NM,  Arrowheads, turquoise

Kim Muller, Burro Mountain Arts, Tyrone, NM,  Silver and gemstone jewelry

Blanca Murguia, BM Jewelry, El Paso, TX,  Silver & gemstone jewelry

Ken Newman, DBA Rocks, Deming, NM,  Spheres, slabs, thunder eggs

Jose Nunez, Canutillo, TX,  Minerals

Park Pang, Lily’s Beads, Tucson, AZ, Beads

Jay & Amy Penn, El Chivo Viejo, Albuquerque, NM, Minerals

David & Ruth Ann Rinsch, Dave’s Enterprises, Tyrone, NM,  Rocks, gems

Carmen & Marina Sanchez, Texas Rocks & Minerals, El Paso, TX, minerals, rocks, specimens

John Scully & Laurie Rossi, Scully’s Minerals, Fairview, NM   Minerals, fossils

Jesse, James, and Jan Searcy, Black hat Trading, Deming, NM,   Jewelry, findings, beads, carvings

Clare Thanhauser, Clare Thanhauser GG, Marietta, GA, Rough rock, gemstones, jewelry

Virginia Wilkinson, Buckhorn, NM, Jewelry and rocks

Bruce Williams & Nancy Bailey, Silver & Stone Works, Silver City, NM,   Jewelry, cabs, chain maille