Enjoy Your Local Gem & Mineral Show This Weekend!

28-31--SCOTTSBLUFF, NEBRASKA: Rock swap; Panhandle Rock & Gem Club; Riverside Zoo and Campground, 1600 S. Beltline Hwy. W; Fri. 8-5, Sat. 8-5, Sun. 8-5, Mon. 8-5; free admission; public auction Sat., demonstrations, raffle; contact Dale Tikalsky, 523 W. 20th St., Scottsbluff, NE 69361, (308) 632-5574; e-mail: tikalsky21@charter.net

29-30--CASPER, WYOMING: Show; Natrona County Rockhounds; Natrona County Fairgrounds, Industrial Bldg., 1700 Fairgrounds Rd.; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; adults $3, children 12 and under free with adult; displays, demonstrations (flint knapping, wire wrapping, gold panning, faceting), silent auction, raffles, door prizes; contact Randy Sternberg, P.O. Box 123, Mills, WY 82644, (307) 234-6156; e-mail: hmhoff@bresnan.net

29-30--FORT WORTH, TEXAS: 59th annual show, "Fabulous Fossils"; Fort Worth Gem & Mineral Club; Will Rogers Memorial Center, Amon G. Carter Exhibit Bldg., 3401 W. Lancaster; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; adults $5, seniors $4, children under 12 free; 30 dealers, kids' games, hourly door prizes, grand prize, silent auction, exhibits; contact Steve Hilliard, P.O. Box 418, Decatur, TX 76234; (817) 925-5760; e-mail: fwgmc@embarqmail.com; Web site: www.fortworthgemandmineralclub.org

29-30--LAKESIDE, ARIZONA: Annual show; White Mountain Gem & Mineral Club; Blue Ridge Junior High School, 3050 N. Porter Mountain Rd.; Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-4; adults $2, students (15 and under) free with paying adult; dealers, gems, minerals, beads, fossils, lapidary equipment, rough and finished rock specimens, silent auction, spinning wheel, kids' activity area, door prizes, raffle prizes, display cases, fluorescent mineral display; contact Larry Legge/Nanz Marshall, (928) 537-2524; e-mail: larrylegge@yahoo.com; Web site: www.whitemountain-azrockclub.org

29-30--TONOPAH, NEVADA: 40th annual show, "Jim Butler Days"; Tonopah Rock & Mineral Club; Tonopah Convention Center; Sat. 9:30-5, Sun. 9:30-3; gems, minerals, jewelry, fossils, bottles, in conjunction with the Nevada State Mining Championships; contact Robert Otteson, P.O. Box 3493, Tonopah, NV 89049

Gem Dino Bone Photo - Courtesy of Different Seasons Jewelry

Gem Show Listings: Source: Rock and Gem Magazine - Event Listings

Gem Show, Speakers and Field Trips...

Experience the cool blue waters in an Aquamarine (the name means "ocean water")...visit the Dinosaur Museum exhibit and learn how a bone turns to stone...talk to the premiere paleo-botanist, Walt Wright in a room surrounded by his "Petrified Forest" made up of over 100 specimens...return to the days of the California Gold Rush and "pan for gold" on a functioning sluice.

The North Orange County Gem & Mineral Society is excited to be hosting "Hidden Treasures", the annual convention and show of their national (American Federation of Mineral Societies - AFMS) and regional (California Federation of Mineral Societies - CFMS) partners. Equally exciting is the opportunity to bring this educational and entertaining show to a new community in Whittier.

Friday through Sunday, June 18-20 2010
AFMS/CFMS Show & Convention
hosted by:
North Orange County Gem & Mineral Society

At: So. CA Univ. of Health Sciences
16200 E. Amber Valley Dr., Whittier, CA 90604
Hours: 10-5 daily

Tickets: $6 per day 14yo and up ($15 - 3 day ticket available)
Sunday ONLY - Father's Day Special!!!!
Dad gets in Free with the purchase of one ticket.

Vendors: there will be over 35 companies represented and a variety of goods available!

Who should attend? YOU! There is something for everyone at a Gem & Mineral Show...seriously! General Public - Children - Hobbyists - Professionals...

The Fossil Hall will include a "Petrified Forest" a 125 piece collection of Petrified Wood from PaleoBotanist Walt Wright. Mr. Wright is the premiere expert in this field and will share his knowledge in the Rotunda.

Demonstrations: include Faceting Gemstones, Jewelry Making, Cutting a Cabochon Gem...and more!

Speakers: We will be featuring a roster of world renowned Speakers: "A Rock Hound Tour of England" by Bob Jones, Sr. Editor of Rock and Gem Magazine; "The Great Bone Wars" by Dr. Allen Schaffert, MD; "Mount St. Helens - 30 Years After" by Tony and Sandy Fender; "Petrified Wood and Where It Grew" by Walt Wright, Paloebotanist...to name a few!

Meet the Author: Renee Newman is known world wide for her range of gem guides - from her latest "Exotic Gems Series" to field guides for the novice to indepth volumes on Pearls and Diamonds. Ms. Newman will be signing books from 1-3 pm on Sunday June 20th!

Kids will enjoy the authentic Gold panning sluice; Geode Slicer; the "New Crystal Hunters" Theater from BlueCap Productions; the Dinosaur Museum from Clark Park; Face Painting and other activities planned with them in mind.

While we are talking about children, remember that the kids will be out of school for this show and with that in mind we have planned some great Field Trips that will entertain the entire family!

Field Trip Schedule:
Two Tourmaline Mines in Two Days!
(you are not required to attend both days - but it is great fun and the camaraderie shared around a campfire can't be beat!)
Monday, June 21st:
The Oceanview - Fee Dig $50

Caravan to the Lake Henshaw Resort (overnight spaces start at $20 per vehicle)

Tuesday, June 22nd:
The Himalaya - Fee Dig $50

Precious Rubies or Fossils on the Beach - your choice!
Wednesday, June 23rd:
Trip One - Ruby near Cascade Canyon - More Strenuous Option
Trip Two - Jalama Beach - lead by Jon Meredith - less strenuous option

Rock Hound or Tourist - Which are you?
Thursday, June 24th:
Trip One - Lavic Siding - lead by Jay Valle - More Strenuous Option
Trip Two - LA County Natural History Museum - lead by Dr. Larry Barnes - less strenuous option

About Us: The North Orange County Gem and Mineral Society (NOCGMS) is a non profit (501c3) organization dedicated to the advancement of the earth sciences by stimulating interest and encouraging the study of the geological and mineral science and lapidary arts.

NOCGMS is a member of the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS), and the AFMS American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS). We received the AFMS All American Club award from 1985 through 1992.

For more info about the event or organizations mentioned:
http://www.nocgms.com
http://www.cfmsinc.org
http://www.amfed.org

AFMS Field Trip - Lavic Siding

Thursday, June 24 Field Trip - Join us at Lavic Siding, in the heart of the Mojave! Weather can be unpredictable but expect it to be warm to really, really warm. We will be collecting the world famous Lavic jasper, which comes in a multitude of colors and can be brecciated, layered or solid with veins of white, black or blue agate.

Details:

• When: 10 AM, Sat., June 24, 2010
• Where: Lavic Siding
• Material: Jasper
• Meet: hotel/restaurant parking lot in Ludlow south of
  I-40, where waiver-of-liability forms will be signed
• What to bring: collecting bags/buckets, rock hammer,
  spray bottles, lunch & lots of water

The jasper has been found in red, black, yellow, gold, green, purple, or any combination and range from tumble-sized to football-sized. Other materials at this site may include agates and jaspers with sections of multi-shaded pink opal. Most is found as float.

Nearby is Pisgah Crater, a young volcano with an extensive lava field. This site covers a vast area between the Pisgah Crater lava fields, the railroad tracks, and the dry lake.

From the meeting spot we will caravan west to a safe crossing over the tracks, then explore various spots. This widespread field offers no shade.

Gas and food are available in Ludlow. While the roads are traversable in most high-clearance sedans, high-clearance trucks and SUVs are highly recommended.

For stay-overs, this general area also offers the southern Cady’s for a wide variety of material, a nearby obsidian field, Dish Hill for peridot, trilobites and the Hector Hills for chalcedony, opal and agate. Bring your rock collecting guides. For these other sites, 4wd is recommended but high clearance mandatory. Stay-overs may camp at a number of undeveloped sites or at the hotel in Ludlow. Treat the desert with respect: tread lightly and pack it in/pack it out.

To register for this Field Trip email your name, number in your party, and your phone number to Robyn Hawk at robynahawk (at) yahoo.com

Submitted by Field Trip leader: Jay Valle

Adapted from CFMS Newsletter, April 2009, Field Trips South article

AFMS/CFMS Show & Convention: Fieldtrip Schedule

The 2010 AFMS/CFMS Gem Show and Convention is sneaking up quickly - pre-register for the field trips to assure space!

Friday through Sunday, June 18-20 2010

AFMS/CFMS Gem Show & Convention

hosted by North Orange County Gem & Mineral Society

At: So. CA Univ. of Health Sciences

16200 E. Amber Valley Dr., Whittier, CA 90604

Hours: 10-5 daily

Tickets: $6 per day 14yo and up ($15 - 3 day ticket available)

Sunday ONLY - Father's Day Special!!!!

Dad gets in Free with the purchase of one ticket.

Kids will be out of school for this show and with that in mind we have planned some great Field Trips that will entertain the entire family!

Field Trip Schedule:

Two Tourmaline Mines in Two Days!

(you are not required to attend both days - but it is great fun and the camaraderie shared around a campfire can't be beat!)

June 21st:
The Oceanview - Fee Dig $50

Caravan to the Lake Henshaw Resort (overnight rates start at $20 - if you want a cabin they are limited)

June 22nd:
The Himalaya - Fee Dig $50

For a look at what has been found lately at the Oceanview and Himalaya see: http://flyviewsandreviews.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-years-day-at-himalayaa-socal.html

Fossil Hunters Choice!

A couple of fossicking choices - the Ant Hill trip is a little strenuous as the climb up is fairly steep - but doable! I do it in stages and it works for me - but there will be more digging required as the recent rains filled in a lot of the ledges that were here previously - but there is still great shark teeth and bones coming out! If you want to take the kids to the beach - it is a lot less strenuous and great bone, fossils and agate.

June 23rd:
Trip One - Ant Hill - More Strenuous Option
Trip Two - Jalama Beach - lead by Jon Meredith - less strenuous option

Yes - the big tooth is from Ant Hill!!! There is a great right up about Jalama Beach at Kim's Eclectic Arcania blog: http://eclecticarcania.blogspot.com/2008/07/jalama-beach-rockhounding.html

Rock Hound or Tourist?

We are winding down but for those avid rockhounds one more trip to the desert. Lavic is known for it's gorgeous red patterned Jasper (pictured)!!! For those of you from out of town and looking for a relaxing last day in CA the Natural History Museum is not to be missed. We will have the benefit of the knowledgeable Dr. Larry Barnes (curator) as a guide through the Museum and he will give us some insight into the massive remodeling project at the museum.

June 24th:
Trip One - Lavic Siding - lead by Jay Valle - More Strenuous Option
Trip Two - LA County Natural History Museum - lead by Dr. Larry Barnes - less strenuous option

For info or to pre-register for a field trip contact: Robyn Hawk email: robynahawk (at) yahoo.com