The Cochise County Rock

Monthly Newsletter of the Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club

www.cochisecountyrock.org

“Finding and Grinding Rocks in Cochise County, Arizona Since 1962”

May 2006

This issue edited by Paul McKnight

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May Meeting

Our May meeting will take place at the Senior Center on Monday, May 8 at 7 p.m. Following the business meeting and refreshments, we will have a video on “The Unseen World of the Chiricahuas”.

May Field Trip

In deference to the price of gasoline, we will take a nearby field trip in May. On Sunday May 14 meet in Dragoon on the north side of the tracks at 9 am. At 9:15 we will drive north on Johnson Road to an old gold mine where we will collect Jasper and Galena. Be prepared for digging and breaking.

April Field Trip Report

On Saturday April 15, 2006 we went to the Commonwealth Mine. Lots of Quartz and Amethyst. Amethyst comes in different shades of purple (due to Fe impurity, commonly with zoned distribution). Radiation damage and iron (Fe) impurity are necessary to produce amethyst color. However, UV radiation will bleach the purple away if the Amethyst is left in the sun.

We had all probably wondered what was up on that hill besides the old gold mine that produced over $10 million in ore early in the last century. About 25 of us got a chance to roam over the east side of the hill during this field trip. In addition to the different flavors of Quartz, we found some Crazy Lace Agate. This makes the area we were in quite similar to the area on Six Mile Hill where we had a recent field trip. Pictures are on the web site.

April 10, 2006 Meeting Minutes

SUNSITES GEM & MINERAL CLUB

PO BOX 87

PEARCE, AZ 85625

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Pres. Don Hammer. Guests Edie Botticelli and John Mudano were welcomed.

Secretary’s Report was approved as e-mailed.

Treasurer’s Report : in Larry Edget’s absence a checkbook balance of $5105.02 was reported. Pres. Don noted unpaid Membership dues are past due.

Larry Strout noted that the status of the Silversmithing Class has not been confirmed.

April 15^th Field Trip to be to the Commonwealth mine for Amythest and Lacey Agate.

We are to meet at the Old Pearce Mercantile Parking Lot at 9:00 am.

Possible future field trips are: Archeology trip to Riggs Ranch, Jasper in the Dragoons, Tombstone dumpsite and Jade in Pinery Canyon.

Revision to the By-Laws was unanimously approved.

Pres. Don requested any badges left at home, in vehicles, etc. be returned and members should wear them.

Pres. Don thanked Larry Strout and Irma Andrews for this evenings’ refreshments; the Yeagers and Connie Morrison will have refreshments at the May meeting.

The hat was passed for building useage and $12.00 was received.

Meeting adjourned at 7:14 pm.

Respectfully submitted

Jeannine Paterson

Secretary

Dues are due. $10 for individual and $20 for family. Please mail your check to Sunsites Gem & Mineral Club, PO Box 87, Pearce, AZ 85625 or bring it to the May meeting.

Club Calendar

May

8 Regular Meeting

14 Field Trip 9 am north of the railroad tracks in Dragoon

June

10 Club Picnic in Dragoon. What will we do without Retha? Jeannine will organize us!

July

Field Trip

August

Field Trip

September

3 Board Meeting

11 Regular Meeting

16 Field Trip

October

1 Board Meeting

9 Regular Meeting

21 Field Trip

November

5 Board Meeting

13 Regular Meeting

18 Field Trip

December

3 Board Meeting

11 Christmas Party

Lapidary Classes! Silver Soldering/Smithing Classes!

Flint Knapping!

Lapidary workshop 1-4 pm on Saturdays. Silver Smithing Class will begin as soon as possible. Contact Larry Strout at 826-3991. Ralph Cartmell has offered to teach a class on flint knapping. Contact Ralph at 826-3051 or Larry Strout.

Upcoming Regional Events

May 6-7 Mohave County Gemstoners present their annual show at Kingman Academy of Learning, 3419 Harrison St., Kingman, AZ. Contact Dave at 928-692-3797 or Bill at 928-565-9586.

May 13–14 59th Annual Show "Rocks & Minerals of the Colorado Plateau". Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club, Two Rivers Convention Center, 1st & Main, Grand Junction, CO. Contact Don or Marj Gibboney, 193-27 Road, Grand Junction CO 81503, 970.245.2885

October 14-15 Huachuca Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show. At the Elks Lodge on Willcox Avenue, Sierra Vista, AZ. Free admission & parking; live demonstrations, educational displays, rocks, jewelry, gems, minerals, fossils, equipment, lapidary supplies & more. Contact Larry at 520-459-5211.

Club Officers for 2006

President Don Hammer 520 384-3105

Vice-President Paul McKnight 520 824-4054

Secretary Jeannine Paterson 520 826-1649

Treasurer Larry Edgett

Delegate at Large Sue Bishop 520-586-2312

Preview of the June 10 Picnic

The annual picnic will be held at the home of the Bishops in Dragoon beginning at 11 am on Saturday, June 10. Directions: North on Johnson Road from Dragoon one mile. Turn right on Little Wing to 4780 on the right. Additional information in the next newsletter.