Gemstoners Up-coming Events
Affiliations and Links
Children of all ages are always welcome to attend our monthly meetings. They must be accompanied by a parent or another adult member.
Some of the items that you will find interesting are:
1. Talking with the members before and after the meeting.
2. Viewing the minerals and lapidary items brought each meeting.
3. Listening to and participation in the monthly talks from experts.
4. Trading and receiving specimens of rocks and minerals from local and other locations.
5. Going on the monthly events with other members and your parents to collect, observe nature and the different geological areas.
6. Enjoy the website and read about the club, it's history.
X- DANA SYSTEM OF MINERALOGY
by Robert Pedersen
The-Dana System of Mineralogy is a system where minerals are identifed, locations in the world, properties etc. of every know mineral.
One of our club members, Robert "Bob" Pedersen has taken the Dana system and updated it. He has added the new minerals each year since 1995, about 100 new minerals a year for the past 15 years and included them in an Excel file called X-Dana
He has given permission to put the file on our website for all to use and download.
This is a wonderful addition and he continues to add the new minerals yearly to X-Dana
You can open the file with Microsoft Excel or get a program from Open office.org
Click on the above file to view or download.
Show Information 2019
Click on Show-Contract.pdf next to this box for printable Vendor Application if you would like to be in the show. Contract will have all pertinent information on it. Print out and fill in blanks, mail to address on top right of contract.
Kingman Academy Of Learning
3420 North Burbank Ave
Kingman, AZ 86409
Jan. 14> Mon> Show meeting, 4:00 pm, white Cliffs Senior Living
Jan. 15> Tue> Mineral study group:630 pm, at home of Ed and Alita Huskinson
Jan 17> Thurs> Quartzsite. We will be taking in the QIA Pow Wow and some of the other venues such as Desert Gardens and Tyson Wells. Many of these vendors go on to do the Tucson Show, but while they are in Quartzsite, their prices for rocks and minerals are decidedly lower. They sell many other items besides rocks, and makes for a full day trip. We will be meeting at the new Safeway Store on Stockton Hill and Gordon at 7:00 AM. It is about a 3 hr drive all on paved road, no 4WD required. Contact: Gary Gann @ 757-8121.
Jan. 27, Sun, Field Trip: near Golden Shores, gypsum roses, meet at 9:00 AM at Love's Service Station at I-40 and hwy AZ 90, (Havasu turn-off), need shovel, dig in soft dirt, any type vehicle, Field trip leader, Bob Pedersen, 928 692 8910.
Feb 9> Sat> Castle Mtn near Searchlight, Nv. Apache Tears in Pearlite, geodes, Chalcedony. We will meet at the Nugget in Searchlight for breakfast at 8:00 AM, and leave there at 9 for Castle Mtn. Requires 4WD. Contact: Gary Gann @ 757-8121.
Feb 12> Tues> Board Meeting @ 5:30 PM in small downstairs room, followed by the General Meeting on the 2nd floor @ 6:30 PM. White Cliffs Senior Living.
Feb 17> Sun> Burro Crk area to visit the Agate and Pastelite fields. We will meet @ Basha's @ 7AM, 4WD required. Contact: Gary Gann @ 757-8121.
Mar 2> Sat> Honey Onyx claim. This requires some digging and sweeping and team work to get to the Onyx. We will meet at 9, 4WD is not necessary, but nice. The mine is located off Stockton Hill Rd, just past the 11 mi marker. When you pass the marker you can see the white onyx in the hillside to your left. The road leading up starts sandy and is located across the hwy from Wilkes Ranch Rd. Parking is limited at the top by the onyx with most parking on the hillside along the rocky road. Contact: Gary Gann @ 757-8121.
Mar 12> Tues> Board Meeting @ 5:30 PM in small downstairs room, followed by General Meeting on the 2nd floor @ 6:30 PM. White Cliffs Senior Living.
Mar 16> Sat> Brecciated Jasper in Mary's Wash. This is a beautiful jasper that is very hard. It ranges from light brn to dark brn with some pink, red and white. Some is marked with dendrites. It is usually full of vugs with agate, druzy or small crystals. Meet @ Bashas @ 7AM. 4WD is required. Contact: Gary Gann @ 757-8121.
May 4th & 5th, 2019> Sat & Sun> Mohave County Gemstoners Annual Rock, Gem & Mineral Show. Members are welcome to share ideas at the Show Meetings, every Monday after the Tuesday General Meeting. 4 PM at White Cliffs.
SHOWS AND ACTIVITIES
Jan. 11-20, Laughlin Gem & Mineral Show, at Tropicana
Jan 16-20, Wed thru Sun. Pow Wow Gem & Mineral Show at the QIA in Quartzsite. Large fenced lot and 10,000 ft. building that will have about 300 vendors inside and out. Many remarkable display cases will also be set up inside.9 AM to 5 PM all days. Free and fee parking, Free admission to Show, regular rides from parking areas to Show.
Jan. & Feb. Quartzsite, many vendors
Feb.14-17 Tucson Gem & Mineral Show (the world's largest)
March 15-17, Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Show
May 4-5, Mohave County Gemstoners Gem and Mineral Show
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Dealers who will be in our 2019 Show:
Maillestorm Designs-Sandy Amazeen- Meteorites, wire wrapped jewelry, jewelry making supplies
Danny Schacht- Rocks, cabochons, turquoise rings
Neal Sabani
Walter Johnson Minerals- Minerals, books, jewelry
Mined Stones 4 U- Minerva Sarvwatari- Lapidary and jewelry products
CDS Limited-Charlotte Sangick- Slabs, rough, cabs, gemstones, onyx
Nature of Things-Mary Gann- Jewelry, wire weaving, rough rock, slabs, cabs, wire sculptures, Turquoise
Grampa Don's Rocks-Don Wininger- Rocks, mineral specimens, slabs, hand made jewelry
Teel Redneck Rocks- Richard Teel-Boulder Opal cabs, Bumble Bee Jasper cabs, Lemon Quartz, Crystals, and more.
Grounded Lifestyles-David Lovoie-
NSGS Rocks-Wayne Scott-Petrified wood, lapidary slabs, rainbow obsidian-rough & slabs
Rockhounding 101
Survival:
1st Aid Kit-Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Cactus, sharp rocks, stinging or biting bugs are constant.
Spare Tire-Always have a regular spare tire, aired up, and the tools to change it.
Full Tank-Always start the Field Trip with a full tank of gas. Most of our day trips will leave some in the case emergencies.
Food & Water-Always have water, at least a gal. Bring something to eat or snack on, you know your needs better than anyone.
Know your Heat Tolerance-Know your limits, do not go by someone else's abilities or limitations in the heat.
4WD- Always assume you will need 4WD and good clearance. Most of the places we go are off road, through sandy washes and up rocky inclines. Dealerships do not always outfit your 4WD vehicle with good off-road tires, check that your tires can bear the weight of a loaded vehicle over pointy rocks.
NOTIFY TRIP LEADER if you are going to leave the group. Do not leave this to others. The trip leader is responsible for everyone on the outing.
Tools for Collecting:
Rock hammer, Chisel, small Shovel, Saftey Goggles- A hammer is paramount. A regular hammer will work, but, the preferred tool is a rock hammer with a striking face on one side and a pick on the other. Estwing is a tried and true brand. A chisel is important, and in a pinch, a sturdy screwdriver will do the job. A small shovel is not necessary, but can come in handy. Depending on how much effort you want to exert a full size shovel is good, a regular pick is handy, and a good long pry bar, pointed on one end and flattened on the other, can really be useful. Safety goggles can save your eyes from the chips that fly off of the rock you are beating.
Bucket or Bag- A 5gl or 2gl bucket will work, a bag or an old backpack is easier to carry. Just know what you can handle and do not rely on others to pack your rocks back to your vehicle.
Spray Bottle-This is very handy to see what you just picked or dug up. It is also good for a quick cool down, clean your hands, etc.
Hat & Gloves-The hat can provide shade for your face and block the sun from your eyes as you search for rocks. A good pair of leather gloves will prevent small cuts and abrasions, cushion the blow of a hammer or chisel, and help eliminate blisters and splinters.
Fun Facts to Know and Tell:
Never lay your hammer (or anything else) down and walk away from it with the thought you will find it again. Painting part of it with a loud neon color will let people know it is yours when they come across it.
Don't pile "your" rocks and walk away. On the rare chance you locate the spot again, your rocks may not be there. No one is going to take them on purpose, but things look different in nature to others. Someone will think they just "lucked" onto a great find. When your bucket or bag is full, go and empty it and then return to collecting.
A whistle can be a life saver. It can summon others or help locate a stray.
Always be at least 10 minutes early to departure time at Field Trips. If the stated time is 7, be there at 6:50. This is the time to sign in and any last minute changes or info is given at this time. Always know who the Trip Leader is.
