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Home > Explore! > Mineral Collecting > 2010 Maine Mineral Symposium 21st Maine Mineral SymposiumMay 7-9, 2010
Mineral collectors and gem enthusiasts are invited to the 21st annual Maine Mineral Symposium at the Senator Inn and Conference Center in Augusta, Maine. Hobbyists come from around the Northeast and neighboring Canada to attend this meeting every year. The focus of the symposium is a program of informative and enjoyable talks about mineral and gem discoveries, mining history, and collecting sites. These talks always include highlights from Maine, but we also visit mineral localities in other parts of the Northeast and around the world. Several of this year's speakers will discuss gems and minerals found in Maine's famous pegmatites. Louise Jonaitis reports on recent prospecting for tourmaline in Newry, where some very nice blue gemstock was found in 2009 (Figure 1). Vandall King returns with a talk on "Lithium Mineralization in Granite Pegmatites". Lithium is an important ingredient in many of the rare and colorful minerals in pegmatites (Figure 2). Frank Perham wraps up this part of the program with a talk on his latest mining adventures with Barry Heath and others in Oxford County, Maine (Figure 3).
Fluorescent minerals are popular with many collectors. Richard Bostwick's talk will cover "Franklin and Sterling Hill, New Jersey: A Great American Mineral Locality". This mining district is a very important source of fluorescent minerals, and has also produced a huge number of mineral species that rates it as one of the world's premier localities (Figures 4 and 5).
We have two exciting "far away" topics this year. Kevin Downey, who runs a mineral dealership called "Well Arranged Molecules", will talk about his mineral travels to exotic regions (and the underworld!). His Friday evening talk is "Caves and Cave Minerals: Exotic Forms and New Discoveries". It will include the cavern with giant selenite crystals in Niaca, Mexico, along with other topics such as biomineralogy and many exceptional caves around the world (Figure 6). Kevin's Saturday talk takes us to China (Figure 7), which is currently producing a great quantity and variety of choice mineral specimens. In his words: The China talk would best be titled "Wrestling the dragon, fine mineral hunting in China". It will look at the what, where, and why - what minerals, the locations, and why China has become such a force in the world market of fine minerals. I will include images of minerals, mines and culture. There will be trips to remote areas and that will involve the "other China" where there are no skyscrapers and life for most people is much like it was several hundred years ago. Primitive mining and a vanishing traditional lifestyle are typical of the non-industrialized mines. These have been the richest sources of fine minerals and are now disappearing - quickly. It is really an evolving story since in a few short years the Chinese have discovered mineral collecting and dealing in a big way. From an unheard-of pastime to a huge enterprise in less than 20 years. There are now over 1,000,000 members of the national mineral appreciation club (collectors). This organization did not exist when I began visiting China; it is now by far the largest mineral club in the world. I have really just started to assemble this talk and you will be the first to see it.
Exhibits on Saturday will include mineral specimens from areas discussed by the speakers, as well as from other localities. It's a happy coincidence that we'll have several volunteered exhibits featuring minerals personally found (not purchased) by collectors in New England! Saturday night features an auction of minerals and related collectibles to help pay symposium expenses. Dealers will have a large selection of minerals and gems for sale in their rooms at The Senator, beginning on Friday afternoon. They will be open both evenings and other times when talks are not in progress. New dealers are welcome, and there is no set-up fee. New and returning dealers may obtain further information from Duane Leavitt in Buckfield, Maine by calling (207) 336-2888 or e-mailing: skarnrx@megalink.net The Symposium will conclude with our annual tradition of mineral collecting field trips on Sunday. Please note that you must register for the Symposium and wear your name tag to participate in the trips. Registrants' children are often allowed to come along on the field trips at no extra cost, but this may depend on where we go. The localities to be visited, how to get there, and other details will be announced at the time of the Symposium. PROGRAM
Registration Form21st MAINE MINERAL SYMPOSIUM - May 7-9, 2010
I (we) plan to attend the 2010 Maine Mineral Symposium. Enclosed is a check for $___________ for _______ registrants at $15.00 each. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY Name(s):_________________________________________________________ Address:_________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________ State: ______________ Zip __________ E-mail address or phone number ______________________________________
Last updated on January 13, 2010 |
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