NOC GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY NOC NEWS - NOC …A complete sea lion (Allodesminus) remains a rare find....

NOC News - June 2007 1

NOC GEM & MINERAL SOCIETYNOC NEWS

Vol, 26 No. 6 June 2007

President’s Message

Members in the News

Date: June 12Time: 7:00 p.m. Main MeetingPlace: La Habra Community Center

101 W. La Habra Blvd.Program: Conrad Grundke - Two Diamond Tales(Brazil and Canada).

June Meeting

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and have a wonderfulday all of you who were born in June.

Jerry ConleyJanet HarveyKeith HigaHarry HoweRoger LoestKen Marks

Your gemstone is Pearl or Moonstone orAlexandrite or Agate.

Your flower is Rose or Honeysuckle.

by Don EschbachNOC Club Activities

Board Meeting — TBDField Trip — Cerro Gordo Mine — June 24Club Picnic — Aug. 11Deadline for NOC News — Aug.17.

Refreshments

Don & Loretta Ogden will bring the goodies forthe June meeting. Thanks to Don & Ofelia Warthenfor bringing the goodies to the May meeting.

Wow what a great show! This is one of the bestShows that we have had. Everyone loved RobertVerish’s Meteorite and Mars Rock display and theinformation he provided. Of course, Walt Wright’samazing Petrified Wood display was a big hit as usual!People came from miles away to see Walt’s displayand to get his professional opinion on samples theybrought for him to analyze. Thank you Walt for helpingmake our Show the best of all Gem Shows!

I would like to give everyone who helped with theShow, a special thanks. This is a team effort and ourshow’s success is due to a combination of manypeople who went that, “extra mile.” Don & OfeliaWarthen did an outstanding job while putting inendless hours. Don Warthen has been ShowChairman ever since I have been with the club andevery year our Shows get better and better. GreatJob Don! Don accepted a Certificate presented byDon Marshall on behalf of the County of OrangeCalifornia recognizing North Orange County Gem &Mineral Society on its Grand Show Opening, signedby Chris Norby, Supervisor, Fourth District. OfeliaWarthen did a fantastic job with the dealers, and evenwith her busy schedule in her Real Estate businessshe was able to replace two, last minute, dealercancellations. Great Job Ofelia! We are veryfortunate to work with the City of La HabraCommunity Services, the La Habra Youth Committee,and the La Habra Host Lions Club who all played aparamount part in the success of our show. Don andLoretta Ogden received the “Busy Bee Award,”presented by Bill & Izzie Burns. The annual BusyBee Award is given to a member(s) who stands outas having done a tremendous amount of work forour club. Congratulations Don and Loretta!

The Displays at our last meeting were outstandingand I would like to thank everyone who brought in a

(Continued on Page 2)

2 NOC News - June 2007

Shows and Events

June 2-3 2007, La Habra, CANorth Orange County Gem & Mineral SocietyJubilee of Gems Show101 W. La Habra Blvd.Hours: 9 - 5 both daysDon Warthen (626) 330-8974E-mail [email protected]

June 2-3 2007, Glendora, CAGlendora Gem & Mineral Show859 E. Sierra MadreHours: Sat. 10 - 5; Sun. 10 - 4Bonnie Bidwell (626) 963-4638Email: [email protected]

June 15-17 2007, Lancaster, CACFMS Convention andPalmdale Gem & Mineral ClubAntelope Valley FairgroundsHwy 14, exit Ave HHours: 9-5 dailyJohn & Susie Martin(661) 916-9479Email: [email protected] Site: palmdalegems.org

July 14-15 2007, Culver City, CACulver City Rock & Mineral ClubCulver City Veteran’s Memorial ComplexCulver City Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium4117 Overland AvenueHours: Sat. 10 - 6; Sun. 10 - 5Website: CulverCityRocks.orgPhone: (310) 836-4611

September 22-23 2007, Downey, CADelvers Gem & Mineral SocietyWoman’s Club of Downey9813 Paramount BlvdHours: Sat. 10 - 6; Sun. 10 - 4Steve Miller (562) 633-0614Email : [email protected]

October 13-14 2007, Trona, CASearles Lake Gem & Mineral Society“66th Annual Gem-O-Rama”Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society13337 Main StreetHours: Sat. 7:30 - 5; Sun. 7:30 - 4Bonnie Fairchild (760) 372-5356Email [email protected]: http://www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub/tronagemclub.html

via CFMS Web

specimen for all members to enjoy. Dave Swantsonhad a “mystery rock” that no one could identify. He kept us guessing all night, but finely revealed that itwas a Mammoth Tooth specimen. Nancy Birddisplayed a “Vesuvius Lava Rock” and OfeliaWarthen displayed rocks she collected during theirrecent trip to Egypt. Please keep this longtimetradition going.

Our long-term goal for an Earth Science Museumand Workshop is finally starting to take shape. Thanksto Mayor Jim Gomez and Recreation Manager DaveDe Leon, our club has been offered a small plot ofland close to the La Habra Children’s Museum forour proposed Earth Science Museum and Workshop.We have already formed a Committee to create abusiness plan and work on Grants. I feel our chancesare very good to secure grants for this project. Wehave several qualified club members that have writtenGrants before and three of the people on ourcommittee; i.e., Richard Schirer, Mike Beaumont, andmyself will be attending a one-day seminar on Grantwriting. Anyone who would like to volunteer to helpwith this project is more than welcome. This is agreat opportunity for us, and I am very excited aboutwhat this will do for our club and the citizens of LaHabra. I will keep you posted as we progress withthis ongoing project.

I look forward to seeing you at our next meetingon June 12.

(from page 1)

President’s Messageby Don Eschbach


Cerro Gordo MineCFMS Field Trip June 24

Only open 1 day a year to rock hounding.There is a CFMS Field Trip scheduled for June

24th 2007 by one of our Co-Op sister clubs (LonePine Gem and Mineral Club) to go to the Cerro GordoMining Ghost Town.

Rock Hounding is only open 1 day a year. This isthe 11th annual trip that the lone Pine Club has hosted.There is a $5.00 fee per person and proceeds go tothe restoration of the mining town.

There are 50 different types of minerals to be foundwith the most sought after mineral being “Smithsonite”.Smithsonite is only found in 2 areas in the United States1 being the “Kelly Mine” in New Mexico and theCerro Gordo Mine here in California. The mostprecious to find in both areas is the Kelly Blue.

Things to bring are standard rock hounding handtools, Good boots, sun screen water and food.Although the roads are good a high clearance vehicleis recommended, Altitude is at 8500 feet . A letter ofrelease of liability must be signed.

Also those with disabilities please make field triprep aware of your problem just in case there is asituation where help is needed Diabetics, Heartproblems, etc.

For further information please contact:Francis Pedneau at 1(760)876-4319

This will be a great trip for every one. If you thinkyour CFMS club in the Southern California Regionmight be interested in joining the Southern CaliforniaField trip Co-Op Please have the President or fieldtrip chairman contact me. Lew Helfrich

by Lew Helfrichvia CFMS Newsletter

By Lawsby Don Warthen

Proposed change to the By Laws

ARTICLE V SECTION 4:

A. The offices of President, First Vice-President, Treasurer and two Directorsshall start their terms on odd numberedyears.

B. The offices of Second Vice-President,

Secretary and three Directors shall starttheir terms on even numbered years.

To be change to read:

ARTICLE V SECTION 4:

The offices of President, 1st Vise President, 2nd VisePresident, Secretary, Treasurer and Five Directorsshall serve for two years to be elected every oddnumbered year.

Argument For This ChangeThis change will eliminate the confusion we had thislast year in determining which offices were up forelection and when one office was vacated the newperson in that office did not know the term of theiroffice. As an example, at the last meeting we replacedtwo open positions, the 2nd VP and the Secretaryand under the present system the new people willserve a one-year term, under the purposed changethey will serve a full two-year term.

Argument Against This ChangeWhen we put the present system in effect the ideawas that we would always have at least one half ofthe board that was experienced. With this newproposal we could end up with all new officers andboard members and no one knowing what to do.We need to alternate at least some of the offices sowe always have some experienced members on theboard.


by Shep Koss

Fossil Hunting Near Bakersfield

Bakersfield, California - located in the southernportion of the San Joaquin Valley it’s bisected by StateRoute 99 with I-5 nearby.

As many drive through heading north or south, mostsee only farm lands, ranches, growing urban areas,the Sierras to the east, the Coastal Range to the westor the Tehachapi Mtns to the south. What few see isthe richest Middle Miocene marine fossil bed in theworld. Over 110 square miles of fossil bed surroundBakersfield, the remnants of a great sea.

The Temblor Formation, or Round Top Formation,rivals and exceeds the great Calvert Formation ofMaryland in quantity, quality and diversity of marinefossil species. This formation has produced fossilsfrom a variety of dolphins, whales, turtles and over27 species of rays and sharks ranging from under 6inches to over 60 feet. Also found are porpoise, seals,sea lions, walrus, sea cows, marine crocodiles and ahippopotamus- type creature called Desmostyluswhich grew to over 10 feet in length.

Being less than an hour’s drive from where I liveI’ve spent much of the last four years collecting intrenches up many of the hillsides in the area near theworld-famous Sharktooth Hill which has been inprivate hands these last many years. During this timeI’ve dug out and sifted through enough dirt to covera football field and have been rewarded with 100’sof shark teeth from over a dozen species, muchvarious whalebone, numerous teeth from rays, whalesand dolphins, a Desmostylus molar, discs from manywhales, sharks and fish, and rarity of rarities, TWOsea lion brain endocasts, one of which was foundinside a skull with attached teeth. This particular findwas donated to the paleontological Dept of the LAMuseum of Natural History. Unfortunately, the restof the skeleton was destroyed by other fossil huntersin their search for teeth, a not uncommon practice byuninitiated hunters.

A complete sea lion (Allodesminus) remains a rarefind. For the uninitiated, an endocast is a natural moldmade from local minerals. When the brain, soft tissue,decomposes, it leaves a cavity which fills with mineralsand sediment leaving a cast of the brain. Only theoutside of the cast shows detail as the inside remains

“plain” mineral. My most detailed endocast showsleft/right hemispheres, brainstem, occipital nodes,olfactory nodes and cranial veining.

When hiking these high arid rolling hills it’s hard toimagine this was once ocean with a great offshoreisland and rivers flowing out of the Sierra “hills”. Butmuch has changed in the last 12-15 million years andthe ocean is now about 50 miles away. Now thesehills are covered in scrub brush and grass frequentlybeing munched on by roaming herds of sheep orundergoing formation for housing developments. Youalso have to remain aware of rattlesnakes, the errantcoyote scorpions and one particular squirrel with anattitude.

I made the mistake one hot summer day whiledigging and shared some water with this thirsty, fuzzyrodent. Afterwards, he felt entitled to rummagingthrough my backpack for food absconding with abanana and half a danish. Since that day I swear hewaits for me hiding in the grass and shrubs to dig hisway into my supplies. I fear the day he’ll hunt medown, accompanied by his relatives, and carry offeverything I’ve lugged up those hills. Don’t laugh!It’s happened to me before where I live. I made themistake of sharing some oreos with a family of passingraccoons who returned he following night with over20 of their closest friends and relatives, staring at methrough my windows waiting for oreo handouts!!

Well, back to fossil hunting. The well-armed diggerwould come armed with a shovel, sifting screen, prybar, hammer, chisels and screwdriver. Also plenty ofwater, sunscreen, a hat and the knowledge this is ahigh Valley Fever area (where in southern Californiaisn’t?).

Aside from carefully searching the narrow bonelayer for fossils, examine concretions (hardened siltin this case) for what they may contain inside. Theconcretions lie in a layer 1-3 feet above the bonelayer and below the overburden. Be VERY carefulof overburden collapse.The concretions range in size from an apple to overbeach ball size. Like geodes, they may contain apleasant surprise inside. And don’t discard those bonefragments, any have agatized centers and many otherstumble beautifully.

For those of you who enjoy fossil hunting think ofthe Bakersfield area the next time you drive through.There’ are more than ranches, farms and oil wells.There’s fossils in “them thar hills”.....and a squirrelwith an attitude.


Internal Revenue ServiceAnnounces

New Filing Requirements

by Mike Kokinos, Tax Advisor via 6/07 CFMS newsletter

The Internal Revenue Service recently announcednew annual electronic filing requirement for small tax-exempt organizations.

Beginning in 2008, small tax-exempt organizations(almost all our societies) that previously were notrequired to file returns may be required to file an annualelectronic notice. Form 990-N Electronic Notice (e-postcard) for tax-exempt organizations not requiredto file Form 990 or 990-EZ. This filing requirementapplies to tax periods beginning after December 31,2006.

There are some exceptions but they do not applyto our societies.

The IRS will mail educational letters starting in July2007 notifying small tax-exempt organizations thatthey may be required to file the e-postcard, with theIRS annually. The IRS is developing an electronicfiling system (there will be no paper form) for the e-postcard. The IRS will publicize filing procedureswhen the system is completed and ready to use.

WARNINGPlease make sure Treasurer’s and other officers

are aware of this new requirement. The newrequirement requires the IRS to revoke the tax-exempt status of any organization that fails to meet itsannual filing requirement for three consecutive years.

The California Franchise Tax Board has notindicated they will adopt this new requirement.

SmithsoniteSource: galleries.com/minerals/carbonat/smithson/

smithson.htm.VGMS Rockhound Rambling 04/07

Smithsonite is named for James Smithson, thefounder of the Smithsonian Institution. The luster ofSmithsonite sets it apart from other minerals: it has asilky to pearly luster giving natural specimens a certainplay of light across its surface that resembles the fineluster of melted wax glowing under a candle flame. Itis easy to wax poetically when discussingSmithsonite’s unique luster. It is really unusual andcaptivating and collectors can easily get hooked.

Smithsonite, in addition to wonderful luster, alsohas a varied color assortment. The apple green toblue-green color is probably Smithsonite’s most wellknown color, but it is its purple to lavender color thatis probably its most sought after hue. There also existsattractive yellow, white, tan, brown, blue, orange,peach, colorless, pink and red Smithsonite specimensand all of them are a credit to this mineral.

The typical crystal habit of Smithsonite is aninteresting form called botryoidal. This form has theappearance of grape bunches and is the result ofradiating fibrous crystals that form from centralattachment points and grow outward and into eachother. The result is a rounded, bubbly landscape forwhich Smithsonite is considered the classic example.There are also other habits more typical of CalciteGroup minerals including rounded rhombohedronsand scalenohedrons. Most of these come from thefamous mines of Tsumeb, Namibia and the BrokenHill Mine in Zambia. The Tsumeb specimens arecolored by trace amounts of cobalt and can havesome real exotic colors. The Kelly Mine, Magdalena,New Mexico has produced the absolute finest blue-green botryoidal masses of Smithsonite. But there aremany localities that have or are producing excellentspecimens.

Smithsonite has been and is still being used as animportant, although rather minor ore of zinc. AtLeadville, Colorado the Smithsonite deposits werelargely overlooked until their profit potential wasfinally realized. Many other zinc ore minerals mayhave been originally Smithsonite beforemetamorphism or other altering processes, formednew minerals. Smithsonite forms in dry climates as aweathering product of primary sulfide zinc ores suchas sphalerite.

Smithsonite is not easy to confuse with many otherminerals. Hemimorphite has a similar botryoidal habitand blue-green color, but the fracture edges ofSmithsonite’s specimens have a plastic-like look whilehemimorphite reveals minute, radiating crystals.Prehnite has similar color and habit as well, but ismuch lighter and harder. Both of these minerals lackthe melted wax luster of Smithsonite. Its high density,good cleavage, crystal habit, luster, its reaction to hotHCl acid and its high hardness for a carbonate are allquite conclusive for Smithsonite to be differentiatedfrom all other minerals. With its lovely luster, manybeautiful colors and interesting habits, Smithsonitespecimens are a source of real pleasure for collectorsaround the world.


by Jay Valle

NOC General MeetingMay 8, 2007

Call to Order: Don Eschbach called the meeting toorder at 7:00 p.m. and Don Warthen led the flag salute.Attendance: Kathy Eschbach introduced guests.There were 26 members and 2 guests in attendance.<Note: Program speakers were late so continuedwith business part of meeting>April Minutes: Don Eschbach asked if there wereany corrections to the April Minutes as published inthe April Newsletter. There were none. The minuteswill stand as read.Treasurers Report: Don Warthen gave theTreasurers Report. No corrections so they will standas read.Program: Nancy introduced Pat LaRue whopresented a program on setting up a display case.<Break & Drawing>Field Trips: Jay Valle described the May 26-28 fieldtrip to the Paul Bunyan Agate location near Barstow.There are several other collecting locations nearby; itmay be warm. Potluck Saturday afternoon.Federation Report: Loretta Ogden said, “Go toPalmdale for the CFMS Show.” Suzy Martin is bringingCFMS Show Flyers to the NOC Show. NOC will putin a mixed items case at the CFMS Show - give itemsfor the case to Loretta.Librarian Report: Ofelia Warthen - books andvideos on a table in the back.Programs: Nancy Bird informed us that ConradGrundke will present a program on diamonds at theJune Meeting.Refreshments: Kathy Valle thanked Don & OfeliaWarthen for the refreshments at the May Meeting.Don and Loretta Ogden will bring refreshments forthe June 12 meeting.Show Report: Don Warthen told us that there hasbeen a change in the start time on Friday before theShow. Tables will be set up Thursday night by theCity and we will have the room by 8:30 - 9:00 AMFriday morning.- Richard Shirer and Don Ogden will provide securityFriday night.- Letters of Invitation were hand delivered to localscience teachers: Invitation to our Gem Show, achance to visit an Earth Science event, Burl LaRuewill do gold panning.- Final Show Meeting scheduled for May 17.- Grab Bag Party/Potluck at Nancy Bird’s house, May19 at 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Bring rocks for grab bags.

- Nancy Bird has 6 more cases available to be filled.- Loretta has Show Raffle Tickets.- Take flyers.- Fossils are on display at the La Habra Library.Social Secretary: It was reported that Joe Ishidahad gone into Hospice today. Don Warthen will sendflowers.Displays: David Swanson displayed a MammothTooth specimen, Nancy Bird showed a “Vesuvius LavaRock” and Ofelia Warthen had rocks collected duringtheir recent trip to Israel.New BusinessEarth Science Museum and Workshop- An agreement has been worked out with the City ofLa Habra, Mayor Gomez and Dave De Leon in whichthe City is offering NOC a small plot of land next tothe La Habra Children’s Museum for our proposedworkshop and Earth Science Museum.- Don Ogden showed photographs of the proposedlocation of the Museum/Workshop.- We will be designing and erecting the new buildingon this site and to do this we will need to apply forGrants. Don Eschbach thinks we have a good chanceto accomplish this.- A Grants Committee has been formed to deal withthe process. Izzy Burns, Richard Shirer, Don Ogdenand Don Eschbach are the core members. Volunteersto serve on the committee are welcome.- There are many details which will need to be workedout and the committee will be reporting back to therest of the Club.- We must be a 501-C3 type corporation - we arecurrently a 501-C4. We either need to change thecorporation or add a second corporation which wouldcarry the 501-C3 status. Don Warthen knows theprocedure and can do it. The chore of filling out theforms can be divided up among several individuals.- Don Eschbach read the project’s Statement ofPurpose.

To disseminate knowledge of Mineralogy andEarth Science, and to encourage study of thesesubjects to the general public and especially ouryouth.

1. Revolving exhibits from various fields related toEarth Science.

2. Various types of rocks, minerals, petrified woodand fossils.

3. Where various types of rocks and minerals areformed.

4. Illustrations about how the Earth was created fromits beginning 4.5 billion years ago to present.

5. Exhibits of how various rocks and minerals areformed into jewelry, sculptures and other art forms.

6. Classes in mineralogy and lapidary arts.


- Facility: The building will have a lecture hall/classroom, a fully-equipped shop and a gift/craft storeto be used for Club classes, as well as Earth Sciencecommunity activities.Earth Science Studies: Izzy Burns proposed an EarthScience Studies seminar to be held at Bill & Izzy’sSpa at Desert Hot Springs and sponsored run by NOC.- 1 week seminar- Suggested name: “Modern Field Trip Rendezvous”- Would feature daily field trip to local collecting areas.- There would be a set price for the field trips andcamping at the Spa, estimated at $300 for the week.- The participants could rock hunt all day and soak inthe Spa in the evening.- It would be the 1st weekend in April 2008.- Could be used as a fund-raiser for the buildingProject.Awards Banquet Report: Kathy Eschbach- The banquet will be held at Portafino’s in La Habra.The cost to members will be $13 per person.- Music and lighting? Can be discussed at the nextBoard Meeting.- Date of the Awards Banquet: December 11, from6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

In Memory ofJoe Ishida

April 14, 1923 - May 8, 2007

Joe was born in Iliff, Colorado on April 14, 1923.He was the 6th of 9 children. He moved to FortLupton, Colorado with his family at a young age,where he grew up on a farm.

Joe married Chiyoko in Denver, Colorado onJanuary 7, 1946.

In 1950 they moved to California where togetherthey raised two children, Dale and Julie.

Joe was a member of the NOC.

Polishing Amber

Via Delvings, via rock Tales 11/2004

Use wet/dry sandpaper and sand amber wet.Start with a 100 grit. Take off all the outer

coating. Dip into water, and then hold against astrong light to locate possible insects. Shape and/or round the corners with a file.

Using 200 grit sandpaper, sand wet, until all deepscratches from the 100 grit are gone.

Finish sanding with 600 grit, wet. Use circularmotion to prevent long scratches.

Let piece dry. Check finished piece closely tofind bad spots and remove them before going on.

Put regular toothpaste on a wet washcloth. Makea paste and rub amber to polish.

NOTE: Gel type toothpaste doesn’t work, as itisn’t abrasive.

In Memory ofBill Hill

February 15, 1931 - May 21, 2007

Bill was born in Coal Hill, Arkansas on February15, 1931. He lived on a farm in Arkansas with hisMom and Dad. They moved to So. Calif., to BellGardens, in about 1939.

Bill loved teaching about rocks and all you can dowith them including glass bead making and that skillhe taught daughter Sheryl. He often said, “he didn’twant his knowledge and skills to die with him.”


Chamber Night at Senor Campos


Earth Science Museum/Workshop Site

Chamber Night at Senor Campos


Club Picnic

The Club picnic will be held at Don and OfeliaWarthen’s home. This will be a potluck with the maincourse provided by Don and Ofelia. New membersare welcome.Where: 15455 Tetley Street, Hacienda Heights, CA Phone: 626-330-8974. When: August 11, 2007Time: 3:00 p.m.

New members

We are looking forward to seeing our newmembera at the June 12 meeting.

Christine GravesAllen, Nativid, and Nathabn (age 7) Farquer

Don AmesDelores Crary

Kim Draig and Gabe Martinez

Desert VentifactsBy Cecil Goss in Palomar Gem,

Via Orange Coast Gazette

Do you know what a ventifact is? Rocks, whichhave been etched, polished or sculpted by sand-carrywinds, are called ventifacts. The surface patterns ofany particular rock depend upon many factors,including its mineral composition, orientation in relationto the prevailing wind direction and slope.

Wind is one of the most important agents of erosionin deserts. The arid environment and spare vegeta-tionleave the land exposed and vulnerable to the effectsof winds and wind-carried debris. In the CoachellaValley for example, strong winds can last for daysand have been known to reach speeds in excess of100 mph in San Gorgonio Pass.

Even moderate air movements may pick up objectsfrom the dry surface such as sand particles and turnthem into projectiles colliding with anything in theirpath. The sand-charged winds are exceedinglyabrasive, etching car windshields, wooden power polesor solid rock.

Opening the 2007 NOC Show


NOC 2007 Show

Arancariaarancarioxylon arizonicumupper Triassic CR19mpb

Chinlefm Sonsela mbrRainbow Forest bed

Dabell/Patton/Gray Area AZ

Elmulmus SP

Middle Miocena c12.5 mpbJuntura fm

Stinking Water Mtn.Harney Co. OR

Bon’s Case


by Jay Valle

Field Trip ReportPaul Bunyan AgateMemorial Day Weekend

This popular collecting spot is a great place to campand the collecting is always good. 11 rockhoundsrepresenting 3 clubs braved the heat and came outon the Paul Bunyan Agate field trip. The weatheractually cooperated a bit and the high temperaturerecorded at the camp site was about 92°F, which isnot bad for an almost-summer field trip to the MojaveDesert.

Let me tell you about the mine. Someone, sometimeway back when, went up with dynamite and abackhoe and cut a 40 foot gash at an angle 3/4 of theway up the side of a small mountain. We know theywere following a seam of agate-bearing pink rhyolitebecause the seam is still there, mostly buried beneatha few tons of debris but still exposed at the top andbottom ends. The agate you can see in that seamlooks pretty good. In any case, the material takenfrom the prospect was simply dumped over the side,creating the large tailing pile which is the main sourceof the agate collected here.

Generally speaking, the easy collecting is done inthe tailings. Climb up to the mine, sit down anywhereand start digging into the soft dirt. A lot of the nicered plume agate can be found in float on the surfaceof the tailing pile, but this material is found andremoved frequently so the best must still be uncoveredwith a little digging and some patience.

In years past, I have ventured up to the mine andlooked at the seam and told myself, “One of theseday I’m going to work in the seam.” Been saying thatfor years now. This time, though, one of the newPasadena Club members, Paul Windling, asked fortools and ventured into the “slash”. His efforts intriguedand encouraged other ‘hounders to join in and soona group of 4-5 of us attacked the exposed seam ofagate-bearing rhyolite with sledge hammer, chiselsand pry bar. And we were successful. The rhyolitehost rock contained numerous seams of the covetedagate, along with spectacular pockets of quartz andcalcite crystals surrounded by fortification agate. Itwas a beautiful thing. All of the participants, and a

few interested onlookers as well, left with a share offine PB agate and crystal.

Later, the group visited the nearby brown and redmoss agate area and enjoyed the bounteous collectingthere. There was also a brief foray into Mule Canyonfor algae agate and a less than successful attempt tolocate some palm root.

Outside

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