The ConglomerateNewsletter of the Baltimore Mineral Society

www.baltimoremineralsociety.orgVolume 11, No. 10 December 2016

December 11: Holiday Party

TheDecembermeetingoftheBaltimoreMineralSo-cietywill be our Holi-dayParty.AlandLindaare hosting the partytobegin at 4pm,De-cember 11th, at theirhome. Please con-tact Al for directions(<apribula@towson.

edu> or 410-254-9228) and to arrange to bring some-thingforthepotlucksupper.

BMSwillsupplybothhamandturkeyaswellaswineandsoftdrinks.We’recountingonyoutobringtheveg-gies,starches,chile,noodlekugleanddessertstoroundoutourmeal.Itwouldbemorefestiveifyoucouldbringyourspecialiteminaniceservingdish.

As we’ve done over the past couple of years, we’llhaveavoluntarygiftexchange. Giftsshouldbemineralrelated(specimens,books,etc.)andshouldbewrapped.Ifyoubringagifttoexchange,you’llreceiveagift.Limitthevalueofyouritemto$20.

There isnoprogramat theHolidayParty,but therewillbeaveryshortbusinessmeetingwhenweholdtheannualelectionofofficers.IfyouwouldliketoserveBMSasanofficer,pleasecontactBMSPresidentJimHooper.

Youcanalsotaketheopportunitytorenewyourmem-bership inBMS(andsavethepostage). Duesare$10permemberor$15perfamily(2adultslivinginthesamehome,plusanychildrenresidingthereunder18yearsofage.

Seeyouattheparty!

Last Meeting: Display of NHSM Minerals

Overtheyears,theNaturalHistorySocietyofMarylandhas accumulated a largecollectionofminerals,butbecauseofvariousmovesand storage restrictions,they have not been dis-played. In the last fewyears,BMSmembersFredParker and more recentlyAlPribulahavecuratedthecollection,cullingoutmererocks,checkinglabels,and

makingsurethespecimenswerebeingstoredsafely.

AttheOctoberBMSmeeting,nearly50BMSmembersandguestsgottoseeawideselectionofsomeofthebestmin-eralsfromtheNHSMcollection.AlPribulaactedasguideandpointedoutdetailsandtoldstoriesaboutselectedminerals.

One of the most in-teresting minerals that Alfoundwasalaumontiteonchlorite from the MilfordTrap Quarry in BaltimoreCounty. Itwas a very nicemineral, but later Al real-izedhehadseenitbefore.Hesoontrackeditdownasthe frontispiece photo inthewell-knownbook,Min-eralsofMaryland,byCharlesW.OstranderandWalterE.PriceJr.,publishedbytheNHSMin1940.

AsmallteamofBMSmemberscontinuestoworkontheNHSMcollectionsorting,cleaning,documenting,andlabeling.AlPribulasaysthenextstepistocatalogtheen-tirecollection.

Al Pribula speaking to some of the attendees at the October BMS meet-

ing. (Photos by M. Seeds)

The laumontite on chlorite pictured on the left page of Minerals of

Maryland sits in its box on top of its original label at right.

The BMS was established in order to allow its members the opportunity to promote the study of mineralogy and to act as a source of information and inspiration for the mineral collector. We are members of the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical Societies and affiliated with the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies.

Meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of each month (except November,, Decem-ber, June & August) at the Natural HIstory Society of Maryland beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visit the club website <www.baltimorem-ineralsociety.com> for directions.

Yearly dues are $10 for individual mem-bers and $15 for family memberships. Send payment along with your name, list of family members, if applicable, address, phone and e-mail to: BMS, PO Box 302; Glyndon, MD 21071-0302.

Officers:President ...............................Jim Hooper <ijhooper at jhu.edu>

Vice President ............ Alice Cherbonnier <alicecherbonnier at gmail.com>

Secretary ................................Jake Slagle <jake at marylandminerals.com>

Treasurer ................ Carolyn Weinberger <cscrystals2 at gmail.com>

Directors: Bernie Emery Al Pribula Brad Grant Steve Weinberger Conference Chair Mike Seeds

Editor ....................................Mike Seeds <mseeds at fandm.edu>

Write for “The Conglomerate”!Send news, announcements, comments, observations, or articles to <mseeds at fandm.edu>. No e-mail? Hand in your sub-mission at a meeting.

Non-commercial reprint permission granted to

non-profit organizations unless otherwise noted.

Baltimore Mineral Society

2 The Conglomerate –December 2016Page

President’s Postingsby Jim Hooper, BMS President

Well here we are. Getting ready to gatherfor the society holiday party and surroundedbyaspiritofchangeallabout. Climatechange,WhiteHousechange,temperaturechange,BMSchange,loosechange,andI’msureyoucanthinkofafewmore.Ithinklookingbackattheyearal-mostgonethatthesocietydidwelloverall.Themeetingplaceseemstobeworkingoutforeveryone,andwe’vewelcomeda number of newmembers which always boosts spirits.We’ve remainedfinanciallysolventandshouldbeingoodsteadforthecomingyear-ayearthatwillseesomechangesintheofficersofthesocietyandwe’llelectthoseofficers inourregular lastminutehustleattheholidayparty.Wanttoen-gageinsomerealchangefor2017?Thepresident’spositionisstillopenatthistime(andthejobisn’treallyahardone).Thinkaboutit.

I think our members are for themost part a dedicated, enthusiastic,humble,andappropriatelycautiousgroup.AndIthinkforthemostpart,weavoidgrandstandinganddrawingattentiontoourselves.While thismakesforstreamlinedmonthlymeetings,italsoameansanumberofactivitiescanfall intolastminuteassignmentsrepresentedbystalwartmemberswho’vedonesomeofthesamethingsforyears.Soletmeputoutanobservation.New folks (likemyself some years ago)maywait formore direction fromtheveteransofthegroupandtoenjoybeing ‘in’withthe longerstandingmembers.Youmaywaitalongtimeforpersonalcontactsandrequestsforinvolvement.Welovegettingnewmembersandwelovetoseenewmem-bersgettingdirectly involvedinourfunctionsandactivities. Itcanbeany-thingfromsigninguponthesnacksclipboardtorunningforanoffice.It’sagoodwaytogettoknowmembersandprovidesomeadditionalspiritandenergytosocietyactivities.Thatsaid,theslateforelectionswillbeclarifiedandvoteduponattheparty.Somepositionsarenominallyfilled,othersareopen.Thatis,nomineesarenomineesuntilthevotingisover.

Let’shaveagreatgatheringatAlandLinda’sandenjoythespiritoftheholidays with some fun, good food and a gift exchange. There being nodisplaytabletherewon’tbeaMineraloftheMonthdisplay.Thisallowsformorefoodanddesserts,yeehaw.

Cheers--Jim PS:Thankyouallsomuchforyoursupportinthispastyear.Thankyoutoall the officers and committee chairs for yourwork in keeping the soci-ety’snameandprofilemeaningfulandpositivelyrecognized.Cometotheparty,wecankickaroundsomeideas.

3 The Conglomerate –December 2016 Page

Minutes From our Last Meetingby Jake Slagle, Secretary

President Jim Hooper called the October 25 , 2016meetingoftheBaltimoreMin-eral Society to order at 7:35PM. Minutes to the previousmeeting of were accepted byconsensus.

•Treasurer:CarolynWein-berger reported that the De-sautelsSymposiumwasasuc-cess,andwhilethefinalfigureswere not yet in, it appearedtheeventearnedmoney.

UnfinishedBusiness:None

NewBusiness •Although President Jim had requestedmembers toconsider potential nominations for officer positions andBoardseatsattheMaymeeting,theissueofassemblingaslatecameupunderannouncementsessentiallyasnewbusiness.Jimagreedtocallmembersinthisregard.

•Thequestionofatimeandplace for theSocietytoholditsHolidayPartywasraised.AlPribulavolunteeredto conferwith partner Lindawith hope and expectationthattheirhousewouldbeavailable

Announcements •CarolynWeinberger,havingattendedtheEFMLSEditorsBreakfastannouncedthatMikeSeeds,AlPribula,BradGrant,SteveWeinberger, SteveWeinberger and EdGoldberg hadbeenhonoredfortheirworkonbehalfoftheSociety. Thespecificawardsandtheirreceipientswillbelistedherein.

MineraloftheMonth •The mineral of the month was hematite. Severalmembers brought in specimens to show and describe,manyofthemthumbnails.

TheprogramthatfollowedprovidedanopportunityforallpresenttoviewadisplayofnotableNHSMownedMary-land collected mineral specimens in an adjoining room.ThankstoAlPribula,whohascuratedthelargercollectionintheNHSMbasementforselectingandarrangingthem.

Respectfullysubmitted, JakeSlagle:Secretary

EachyeartheEasternFederationofMineralogicalandLapidarySocietiesholdsaBulletinEditorsContest.AttheOctober BMS meeting, Carolyn Weinberger announcedthatanumberofBMSmembershadwonawardsforar-ticlestheywroteduring2015fortheBMSnewsletter,TheConglomerate.Eachwinnerwasawardedacertificate,andAlPribulawasawardedatrophy.

OriginalEducationalArticles Trophy: Al Pribula, Earth’s (Really) Most AbundantMineral

HonorableMention: Brad Grant, Is It Burgessite orErythrite?TheProblemwithMineralIdentificationandtheInternationalMineralogicalAssociation(IMA)

HonorableMention:AlPribula,NativeElements,ThePlatiniumGroupMetals

OriginalNon-TechnicalArticles HonorableMention:SteveWeinberger,MineraloftheMonth,HydratedBorates

WrittenFeatures 8thPlace:LisaJose,BookReview:RockhoundingDela-ware,MarylandandtheWashington,DCArea

HonorableMention: EdGoldberg, Crystals ofWaterFallingGently

It’salmosttimetoenterforthe2017contestandI’llbeselectingarticlescontributedbyourmembersandpub-lishedintheTheConglomerateduring2016.

It’snottoolatetostartworkingonyourarticlesforthecomingyear!Sendarticlestoeditor<mseeds@fandm.edu>andperhapswe’llentertheminthecontestnextyear.

BMS Authors Win Awardsby Mike Seeds

Don’t Forget to Renew Your Membership!

4 The Conglomerate –December 2016Page

Thevastmajorityofmineralsareioniccompounds,con-sistofions,andareheldtogetherbyionicbonds.What’sanion?It’saparticlewhichhasanetelectricalcharge.Simpleions are formedwhen an atomeither loses oneormoreelectrons(toformapositiveion,orcation)orgainsoneormoreelectrons(toformanegativeion,oranion).Suchanioniscalledamonatomicion,sinceitisformedfromasingleatom.Somecommonmineralscontainingmonatomicionsarehalite(NaCl;containingNa+andCl¯),hematite(Fe2O3;Fe3⁺andO2¯),andsphalerite(ZnS;Zn2⁺andS2¯).

It is alsopossible tohaveapolyatomic ion,onewhichconsistsofanumberofatomsbondedtogether,butwithanetelectricalcharge.Somecommonexamplesarecarbon-ate (CO32¯), sulfate (SO42¯), silicate (SiO44¯), and molybdate(MoO42¯).So,rhodochrositeisMnCO3(Mn2⁺andCO32¯),anhy-driteisCaSO4(Ca2⁺andSO42¯),forsteriteisMg2SiO4(Mg2⁺andSiO44¯)andwulfeniteisPbMoO4(Pb2⁺andMoO42¯). (Theseare all examples of themost common type of polyatomicion—an anion inwhich a central atom is bonded to somenumberofoxygenatoms.Thistypeofioniscalledanoxyan-ion(oroxoanion).)Whenionsofoppositechargecomeneareachother, theyareattractedbyelectrostatic forces. (Re-memberthatoppositechargesattractandlikechargesrepel.)Whentheionsformextendedthree-dimensionallattices,wesaythattheparticlesareheldtogetherbyionicbondsandtheresultingcompoundisclassifiedasanioniccompound.

However, not allmaterials consist of ions. Ionic bondsusuallyformwhenametalatomandanonmetalatomreactandtransferelectronstoformbonds.Ifitisnotfavorableen-ergeticallyforthistohappen,anothertypeofbondingoccurs,inwhichtheatomsareheldtogetherbysharingapairofelec-trons. Thisresults intheformationofwhatiscalledacova-lentbond.Thisoftenoccursbetweentwononmetalatomstoformanelectricallyneutralunitcalledamolecule,andmate-rialswhose fundamentalparticlesaremoleculesare termedmolecularcompounds.Familiarexamplesincludewater(H2O),carbondioxide(CO2),sucrose(tablesugar,C12H22O11),andurea(CO(NH2)2,foundinmammalianurineandasthemineraluric-ite).Covalentbondingalsooccursbetweentheatomsinapoly-atomicion,suchastheCandO,SandO,SiandO,andMoandOintheexamplesgivenabove.Itispossiblefortwoorthreepairsofelectronstobesharedbetweenapairofatoms,result-inginwhatarecalleddoublebondsandtriplebonds,respec-tively.Carbonatomsareespeciallygoodatformingdoubleandtriplebonds,soorganic(i.e.,carbon-based)compoundsoftenhavethisfeature.Oftheroughlyfiftymillionknownchemical

compounds,anoverwhelmingmajorityaremolecular,buttheoppositeistrueofminerals--about96%oftheknownmineralsareioniccompounds,lessthan1%existassmallmolecules,andtherestexistasindividualatomsorascovalentarraystoolargetobeconsideredtruemolecules.

Whenatomsformcovalentbonds,theorbitalswhichthe electrons occupied in the un-bonded atoms overlapandcombinetoformmolecularorbitals(MO’s). Justlikeorbitals on individual atoms, these are regions of highprobabilityoffindingtheelectron,buttheyarespreadoutovertwoormoreatoms.Justaswithorbitalsonindividualatoms,electronscanbeexcitedfromonemolecularorbitaltoanother,absorbingaspecificamountofenergy intheprocess,sometimescausingthematerialtohaveacolor.

Oneexampleofamineralbeingcoloredbythismecha-nism is native sulfur. Sulfur exists primarily as moleculeswhichhaveeightsulfuratomsformingaring.TheMOtransi-tionsinthismoleculeareatanenergyabovethatwhichcanbesuppliedbyvisiblelight,sotheseproducenocolor.How-ever,asmallfractionofthemoleculesinthesampleareintheformofachainof4-10atoms.Theatomsattheendsofthechainwilleachhaveanunpairedelectron(rememberthosefromthediscussionoftransitionmetals?),asituationwhichallowsanelectroninthemoleculetoabsorblightintheblue/violetregion,andthesampleendsuphavingayellowcolorbecauseof this. If there is someselenium impurity in thesample(sometimesreferredtoasselen-sulfur),theenergiesoftheMO’schange,andthisproducesamoreorangecolor.Theminerallazurite(whichisthemajorcomponentoflapislazuli)containsS2¯andS3¯ions,whichabsorblightinthered/yellowendofthespectrum,producingitscharacteristicbluecolor. Thebluecolorofhaüyne(alsosometimesacompo-nentoflapislazuli)isalsoduetoabsorptionbytheS3¯ion.

Inlargermolecules,especiallyonesinwhichthebondingalongachainorinaringofatomsconsistsofalternatingsingleanddoublebonds,theelectronscanbespreadout(“delocal-ized”isthefancyword)overalargenumberofatoms.Whentwoatomsarebondedbyadoubleor triplebond, thewayinwhichtheysharethesecondandthirdpairsofelectronsissomewhatdifferentthanwhenonlyonepairisshared.Forrea-sonsnotimportanthere,thesecondorthirdbondofadoubleortriplebondisreferredtoasapi(π)bond(no,thishasnothingtodowiththat“other”π,theonethatisequalto3.14159…).

Color in Minerals – Part VIII: It’s Not Always Just One Atom at a Timeby Al Pribula

continued on page 5

5 The Conglomerate –December 2016 Page

Whenamoleculecontainsachainorringofatomsbondedbyalternatingsingleanddoublebonds,itissaidtohaveanex-tendedpisystem.Sincemostmineralsareioniccompounds,thissortofextendedpisystemisn’tresponsibleforanymin-eral colors. However,many biological pigment colors andthecolorsofmostdyes(includingdyelasers)areduetothiscause.Inthenaturalworld,theyellowcolorofsaffron,theorangeofcarrots,andthebrownishcolorof“tanned”skinareduetothesubstancescrocin,carotene,andmelanin,respec-tively—allwithextendedpisystems.Theyellowandyellow-browncolorsofamber,ivory,andtortoiseshellareduetoMOtransitionsintheorganiccompoundspresent,andthepink-red,gold,blue,andblackcolorsofcoralhaveasimilarorigin.Twoofthemostcommonly-seenbiologicalcolorsaretheredofbloodandthegreenofplantfoliage,whicharecausedbythecompoundshemeandchlorophyll,respectively.Bothofthesehavea20-atomringbondedwithanextendedpisys-tem.Theyellowcolorofso-called“chrome”cerussitefromTasmania is in factnotduetochromium,butrathertothepresenceoforganicmaterialsas inclusionsorstainsonthesurface(orpossiblyduetoirradiation-inducedcolorcenters(tobediscussedinPartXIofthisseries)).

Somewhatrelatedtothisarethesubjectsofchemilumi-nescenceandbioluminescence.Veryoften,whenachemicalreactiontakesplace,energyisgivenoff.Thisismostcommonlyintheformofheat,butsometimescanbeintheformoflight.Whennon-livingmaterialsareinvolved,theproductionoflightbythismeansiscalledchemiluminescence;whenitoccursina livingorganism(suchasafirefly,somespeciesofalgae,ormanyspeciesofmarineanimalslivingdeepintheocean),it’scalledbioluminescence.Thelight-emittingchemicalsinvolvedintheseprocessesusuallyhaveextendedpisystems.

Anothercauseofcolorwhichinvolveselectronsonmorethanoneatomischarge-transfer(CT)transitions. Thesearetransitionsofelectronsfromanorbitalprimarilyorentirelyononeatomtoanotherorbitalprimarilyorentirelyonanotheratom.(Rememberthatanelectronbearsanegativeelectricalcharge,soifonemovesfromoneatom(orion)toanother,achargeisbeingtransferredbetweenthem,hencethename.)Thetwoatoms/ionsmustberelativelyclosetooneanotherinthecrystallatticeforthistooccur.Thetwoatomsorionsmaybechemicallydifferentorchemicallythesame.Chargetransferbetweentwoatomsorionswhicharechemicallythesame(butwithdifferentcharges,suchasatransferfromanFe2⁺iontoanFe3⁺ion)isreferredtoasanintervalencechargetransfer(IVCT).Becausetheelectronsintheinitialandfinalorbitalsbothhave

specificenergies,thetransitionbetweenthemwillalsohaveaspecificenergy.Asinthecasesdiscussedinpreviousarticles,whenaspecificenergyoflightisabsorbedfromthemixoflightraysofdifferentenergieswecall“white”light,theobjectwillbeperceivedtobethecomplementarycolor.Charge-transfertransitionsaretypicallyabout100to1000timesasintenseasd-delectronictransitions,soonlyasmallfractionofthepos-sibleatomsorionsneedbeactivatedtocauseanoticeablecol-or.Materialscoloredduetothismechanismfrequentlyshowstrongpleochromism.

Theblue colorsofbenitoite, corundum (var. sapphire),andlazulite(notlazurite,discussedabove)areduetoFe2+ Ti4+chargetransfer.Thecolorofzoisite(var.tanzanite)isdueto this,with an added contribution fromd-d transitions inV3+andVO2+.Thecolorsofchlorite,cordierite(var.iolite),darkbluesapphire,euclase,andvariousmicas,amphiboles,andpyroxenesareduetoFe2⁺Fe3⁺chargetransfer.Indu-mortieriteandkyanite,thecolorisduetoacombinationofFe2+Ti4+andFe2⁺Fe3⁺chargetransfers.Vivianitepres-entsan interestingcase. Thechemical formulaofvivianiteisFe3(PO4)2∙8H2O. Sincethephosphateion(PO43¯)carriesa3-charge,theironmustbepresentasFe2⁺tomaintainelectri-calneutrality.Whenfreshlycollected,vivianitesamplesareoftenapalegreencolor(sometimesalmostcolorless)duetod-dtransitionsinFe2⁺.However,whenexposedtoair,thesesamplesdarkentothedarkerblue-greennormallyassociatedwiththismineral.ThisoccursbecausetheoxygenintheairoxidizessomeoftheFe2⁺ ionstoformFe3⁺,andFe2⁺Fe3⁺chargetransfertransitionsoccurtoproducethedarkercolor.

Chargetransfer fromanoxygenatomtoanotheratom(oftenametal)isalsofairlycommon.OFe3⁺chargetrans-fercausesayellowcolorinberyl(var.heliodor;alsocoloredbyd-dtransitionsinFe3⁺)andincorundum(var.yellowsap-phire).ThevioletcolorofamethystisduetoOFe4⁺chargetransfer.Itisalsopossibletohaveachargetransferbetweentwoatomswhicharecovalentlybondedtooneanother.Thisoftenoccurswhenanelectronistransferredfromanoxygentothecentralatomofanoxyanion.Thisrequirestoohighanenergy(i.e.,abovetheenergyoflightinthevisiblerange)forthemostcommonoxyanions(SO42¯,CO32¯,SiO42¯,BO33¯,AsO43¯,PO43¯),somineralscontainingthemdonotexhibitanycolorduetothiscause.However,OVchargetransferinthevanadateion(VO43¯)producesthered-orangecolorinvanadiniteandthebrowncolorindescloisite,andsimilar

Color in Mineralscontinued from page 4

continued on page 6

6 The Conglomerate –December 2016Page

chargetransferinthedivanadateion(V2O74¯)isthecauseoftheyellow-browncolorofmartyite.Theorangecolorofcrocoite(PbCrO4)isduetoOCrchargetransfer.(MoreaboutCrO42¯willcomeinPartXoftheseries.)

O metal charge transfer canalsooccur inoxycations(althoughthesearemuchrarerthanoxyanions).Thebestex-ampleofthisistheuranylion(UO22+),inwhichOUchargetransferisthecauseofthebrightyellow,yellow-green,andred-orangecolorsofuraniummineralssuchasandersonite,autun-ite,fourmarierite,kasolite,parsonsite,soddyite,studtite,andweeksite.Incarnotite(K2(UO2)2(VO4)2∙3H2O),theyellowcolorfromtheUO22⁺andtheorange-brownfromtheVO43¯arebothpresenttogivetheobservedyellow-to-orangecolorrange.

I’llpresentmoreexamplesofcolorsduetocharge-trans-fertransitionsinlaterarticleswhereI’lldiscusssomespecificminerals(tourmaline,topaz,etc.).Inthenextarticle,I’llcon-tinuewiththeideaofelectronsmovingfromatomtoatomwhendiscussingwhysomemineralsareopaque.

Color in Mineralscontinued from page 5

I was somewhere wandering in the back streets ofAmsterdam tryingnot to get too lost, and trying tofindtherockshopthatthehotelconciergehadfoundforme.Ofcoursehismapwashelpful,but I reallycouldn’t readDutch.ItalsoturnsoutthatAmsterdamiscalled“TheVen-iceof theNorth”because ithasallof thesecanals.ThiswasharderthanfindingtherockshopinBergen,Norway!

Iwas totally turnedaroundwhen I finally found theshop…withasignonthedoorinEnglishthatsaid,“closed–offtoGemShowinIdar-Oberstein.”Idar-Obersteinwasthegemcarver’smeccaandIplannedtogettheresome-day.ButrightnowIhadonlyafewfreehourstomyselfinAmsterdam,withnorockshoptovisit.

Headingbacktothehotel,Ipassedadustygoldsmith’sstore.Therewereunsetstonesinthewindow,andIdecid-edtogiveitatry.Insidethegoldsmithhadseveralcasesofgemsandevensomeuncutones.Onesmall(5mmx3mm)marquise caughtmy eye at once. Itwasmarked “alexan-drite”–mybirthstone.Iaskedtoseeit.Itwasperfectlycut.WithhispermissionIhelditinthesunlightaswellasinthefluorescent;perfectcranberrytogreen/bluecolorchange.Notknownformypokerface,Ilookedathimandexclaimed,“ThisisRUSSIANalexandrite!”Hesaidyes.Iexclaimedagain–“thisisRussianALEXANDRITE!”Hesaidyesagain.Iaskedhowmuchhewantedforit.Turnsoutahundreddollarun-signedAmericanExpresstraveler’scheckwoulddothetrick.HeneededtosendittohistailorinHongKong.

BeforeIclosedthedeal,Ilookedathisuncutstones.Thereweretwosmallcrystalsmarked“alexandrite”.Thesewere somewhat included but also did the perfect colorchange.Wehaggledsomemore.Another$100AmericanExpress®checkwaspulledout.Healsohadtwobeautifulrubycrystals.Butatthispoint,IrealizedIhadseveralmoredaysofbusinesstravelaheadandmightneedthemoney.

Once I gothome, I proudlydisplayedmyalexandrite tomyneighborwhowasatravelagentandhadbeenallovertheworld.ShehaderroneouslygottensomesyntheticalexandriuminTurkeyandthoughtitwastherealthing.Alexandriumroughischeapandonlygoesfrombluestoviolet/purple.HowevertheTurksaremakingafortunesellingittoAmericantouristsasRussianalexandrite.Whenshesawhowmygemsdidthefullcolorchange,sheaskedtobuythecutstone.AtfirstIhesitated,thenIrealizedthatwhenIgotaroundtocuttingtherough,Iwouldneverwearthealreadycutstone.SoIorderedagold

Tripp’s®settingforherandsoldittoherataprofittome–butatlessthan10%ofwhatshewouldhavespentforitinajewelrystore.Shewasthrilled.

There is alexandrite that comes from Sri Lanka andsomefromBrazil.ButitispoormaterialcomparedtotheRussian.So,IamveryhappythatIfinallylocatedsomeofreasonablygoodquality.

SinceIhadmadesomemoneyback,Icalledthegold-smithandhadhimsendmetherubycrystalsforanother$100 American Express® check. I cut a one carat stonethathasbeautifulcolor.Ineedtogetitheattreatedtoim-provetheclarity(allfacetgradesapphiresandrubiesneedheattreatmentexceptfortheonesfromMontana’sYogoGulch).However, it ismorefuntojustcutanotherstonethanhuntdownsomeonetodothetreatment.

SomedayI’llhavetotellyouabouttheadventuresinBergen,or…inSydney.HowaboutOslo-a townofoveramillionpeoplewithoutasinglefaceterfoundintheearly1990s?Stockholm?Milan?Lotsofgoodplacesintheworldtolookforrockshops.

Adventures in Alexandriteby Jean Emerson from the Mountain Gem via SCRIBE, July, 2010

7 The Conglomerate –December 2016 Page

Thetroublewiththeworldisthatsometimesitdoesn’tdowhatyouwantitto.Thegarbagetruckskipsyourhouse,trafficforgetstoremindyouandyoumissyourexit,yoursistercallstocomplainonceagainabout…whatever.Itjustgoesonandon.That’swhymicromountingwasinvented.Justtheprocessofmicromountingcanmaketheworldabetterplace.Youjustneeda littlerock,a littletime,andsomenicemusicontheradio.

Micromountersgettheirrockinlotsofways.Somepeo-pletravelallovertheworldandothersstayhome.I’vemetmicromounterswhohavegonetonorthernRussiacollectinglittlebitsofrock.Somediginquarries,roadcuts,andback-yards.I’vemetmorethanonemicromounterwhogoesintoabandonedgoldminessearchingformineralstostudyundertheirmicroscopes.Lotsofmicromountersgotomicromountsymposiaandtradewithothercollectors,andothersspendalloftheirtimeatthegiveawaytables.Iknowamicromounterwhospecializesinfreestuff.Dealersatconferencesselllittlerocksforafewdollars,oryoucanbuywonderfullittleminer-alsonline.Theprocessofmicromountingincludessearchingforinterestingrockwithinterestingfriends.

Micromount symposia bring dealers with tables full of mounts and loose rocks. In the background are tables filled with boxes of unexamined giveaway rocks from

interesting mines and quarries.

Keepyour rockonhand ina shoeboxon theendofyourbench.Thenwhen theworldgets really stupidandmean, you can slip away, turn on your light, start somesoothingmusiconyour radio,pulla lovelypieceof rockoutofyourshoebox,anddosomemicromounting.

The first step in the process is often to admire andstudy the rock, find the crystals under your scope, and

probablylookthemineralsuponMindat.orgorsomeoth-erreference.Onceyouknowwhatyouareseeingandyouhavedecidedhowtoproceed,youcanbreaktherockup.

A small rock trimmer breaks rocks into little pieces each a possible treasure.

Breakingarockcanbeexciting.Youoftendiscoverthattheinsideoftherock,freshandclean,holdsbettercrystalsthanwhatyoufirstsawontheoutside.Studyeachpieceandsort the best ones from themerely good.Once in a greatwhile,arockshattersandyougetapileofgrit.Noworries.Yougotitoffofagiveawaytablesoitwasfree,oryouonlypaidadealeracoupledollarsforit,ormaybeyoufounditinaquarryandbroughthomeawholebucketofthestuff.Relax.It’sjustforfun.Pullanotherrockoutofyourshoebox.

Gettingarock intoamicroboxrequires itbegluedtoa support.Mostmicromountersusewhiteglueandsmallcorks,toothpicks,orbrushbristles.Trimthecorktoholdthemineralnearthetopoftheboxturnedtodisplaythecrystalsyoulikebest.Thismightsoundtediousandstressful,butitis thebestpartof theprocessbecauseyouget todecidehowtoturntherocktomakeitjustright.Inmostcases,glu-ingtherocktoacorkiseasyandyoucandoabunchwhileyourmusicplaysinthebackground.Gluingabitonabrushbristleisn’thardifyouturntherockfacedownonthetableandusemintacktostickthebristletoalittlewoodblock.Putadotofglueonthebristleandpositionthewoodblocktoholdthebristleinplacewhilethegluedries.

Larger bits get glued to corks, while smaller pieces can be glued to toothpicks. The specimen at right

is being glued to a brush bristle

Shoebox Adventures 66: The Processphotos and text by Mike Seeds

8 The Conglomerate –December 2016Page

Somewherealongtheline,youneedtomakealabel.You canwrite thenameof themineral and the locationwhere itwas foundonasmall sticky label toputonthebottomof themicrobox. Ifyouareblessedwithcalligra-phy,thatcanbeelegant,butit’sjustalabel,soitdoesn’thavetobeMichelangelic.Lotsofpeopleusecomputerstoprinttheirlabels,sotheycanbecutoutandgluedtothebottomoftheboxwithwhiteglue.Typingupabunchoflabelscanbecreativeandfun.Youwanttogetthenameand locationonthe label,ofcourse,butyoucanadd in-terestingbitsof informationsuchas“fromBloodyGulchnear I-17”or“collected indriving rain”or“gift fromLouD’AlanzoonthedayofhisinductionintotheHallofFame.”WhateverfitsonthelabelisOK.It’syourrock.

Finished mounts display the mineral for study under a loupe or microscope.

Thenyouuseabitofwhitegluetogluetherockintothebox,andyousitbackandlookatthelovelylittleworkofartyouhavecreated.Thosecrystalswereonceburiedin thegroundandnowyouhave themsafe in a labeledbox displayed just right for the world to see. Schäferite(Ca2NaMg2(VO4)3) from theLiebenbergite slagdump inGreece is dark little crystals that aren’t very pretty, butthat’snotthepoint.Theprocessisthepoint.Youcanbuyarockandputitonashelf,butmakingamicromountin-volvesyou.Listentothemusicanddon’tlookattheclock.Theworldwillwait.

Shoebox Adventurescontinued from page 7

Mineral of the Monthby Steve Weinberger

Sincewedon’thavea“formal”meetinginDecember,wewon’thaveashowandtellforMineraloftheMonth.Instead,sincethisisthemonthwherewecelebratebothHanukahandChristmas,let’susethistimetoadmireandperhapsstudyourblue,white,red,andgreenminerals.

We’lltakeupourusualdisplayanddiscussionagainattheJanuarymeeting.Ifyouhaveasuggestion,pleaseletmeknowandI’llconsideritforafutureMOM.

Mineralogical Record Magazines

AreyouawarethatBMShasacompletesetofMiner-alogicalRecordMagazinesandthatyoucanborrowthem?WhenMin.Rec.wasfirstconceivedbackin1970byJohnWhite, then curator of themineral sciences departmentattheSmithsonian.FundingwasscarceandtoWhiteap-pealed to fellow BMSmember Randy Rothschild for as-sistance.Randygladlymadedonationsoverthenextfewyearstohelpgetthemagazineonit’sfeet.

BMSwas one of the first subscribers and hasmain-tainedthatsubscriptioneversince,amassingacompletesetofissues.Theearliestyearswereboundintohardbackbooks,lateroneshavebeenleftintheiroriginalform-assoft-backmagazines.

ThecurrentcuratorofourcollectionisJimHooper(thankyouJim)andhe’sthefellowyoucallifyouwishtoborrowanissueforyourownreadingorresearchpleasure.Theearliestvolumesweremostlyblackandwhite,butthemorerecentonesinfullcolor.Eachissuecontainsseveralwellwrittenandresearchedarticlesaboutamineralorcollectinglocaltyandallhavemarvelousprofessionaltakenphotographs.

Ifyouareinterestedinborrowingissues,justgiveJimacallandaskhimtobringaspecificvolumetothenextmeeting(orholidayparty). You justneedtoreturn it toJimat thenextBMSmeeting. To see a complete list ofarticlesineachvolume,goto<www.minrec.org/contents.asp>,clickon“backissues”andthenclickonthepicturedcoveroftheissueyou’reinterestedin.

Wehope thatyou’ll takeadvantageof thismember-shipbenefit.

9 The Conglomerate –December 2016Page

Baltimore Mineral Society – Membership Renewal

Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________

City: _______________________________ State: _______________ Zip: ______________________________

Telephone: __________________________________

E-mail: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Names of family members included in membership:

____________________________________________ __________________________________________

____________________________________________ __________________________________________

Annual dues for individual memberships are $10.00 Annual dues for family memberships shall be $15.00 for husband and wife and all children residing in the home under the age of 18. Checks should be made payable to “Baltimore Mineral Society”.

Renewal deadline is the March meeting.

Mail or give to: Carolyn Weinberger PO Box 302 Glyndon MD 21071-0302

New Years Resolutions:

Lookingforsomeeasytokeepresolutionsforthenewyear?HereareafewthatwillbenefitbothyouandBMS:

1.Renewyourmembership!

2.Springiswhenourthoughtsturntorockcollecting,butwinter iswhenwedreamandplan. If youare inter-estedincollectingtrips,contacttheFieldTripCoordinatorBobEberlewithideasandsuggestionsforcollectingsites.Doyouknowsomeoneataquarryorapropertyownerofa good location?Give your suggestions toBobEberly at410-661-8436.Lethimknowthatyouareanxioustodig,andhewillkeepyouonhislist.

3. Write an article or two for the Conglomerate!Whetheryoutellusaboutarecentcollectingtripyoutook,museumyouvisited,ormineral showorconferenceyouattended,memberswillbedelighted to readaboutyourexperiences.Ifyouhavephotostoenhanceyourarticle(s),sendthemalongaswell.SendyourarticlesandphotostoeditorMikeat<mseeds@fandm.edu>andhe’llprinttheminafutureissueoftheclubbulletin.

4.PlanonpresentingaprogramforaBMSmeeting(orsharethecontactinformationforagoodspeaker).ContactAlPribulawithyourideas.

The Conglomerate Mike Seeds, Editor 516 Bald Eagle Ct; Lancaster, PA 17601

Upcoming Events

10 The Conglomerate –December 2016 Page

Last Laughby Mike Seeds

“Oh swell. I’m stuck on a desert island with a micromounter.”

December: 11:GalaHolidayPartyatAl&Linda’s.4pmuntil?Please RSVP to the e-vite (or if no e=mail, by phone byWednesday,December7)

15:ChesapeakeHolidayPartyatWestchesterCommu-nityCenter-6:30pm

24:Hanukahbeginsatsundown

25:MerryChristmas

January: 1:HappyNewYear!

13:ChesapeakeClubmeetingatWestchester-7:30pm

25:BMSJanuarymeetingatNHSM-7:30pm