2008 Maine Mineral Symposium

May 9-11, 2008

Find a real jewel at the
Maine Mineral Symposium!

Mineral collectors and gem enthusiasts are invited to attend the 19th Maine Mineral Symposium at the Senator Inn and Conference Center in Augusta, Maine. Over 300 hobbyists from throughout the Northeast come to this meeting every year. The core 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 New England and around the world.

Two of this year’s talks will show the connections between the history of feldspar mining in Maine and discoveries of valuable gem deposits and other rare minerals. Vandall King will recall the career of Stanley Perham, who was one of the most famous pegmatite miners and mineral dealers in the Oxford Hills region of western Maine. We are fortunate to also have Frank Perham (Stan Perham’s son) on the program again this year. Frank will draw upon his many years of experience as a pegmatite miner to give an overview of feldspar mining in the state and how it created opportunities for gem and mineral collecting.

Other Symposium speakers will describe the many crystallized and attractive minerals that occur in basaltic igneous rocks. John Pawloski’s talk focuses on the minerals of the O&G Quarry in Connecticut, and two other talks cover mineral collecting sites in Nova Scotia. Duane Leavitt will relate his experiences looking for zeolite minerals around the Bay of Fundy, and Ronnie Van Dommelen from Halifax will provide a mineralogical overview of Nova Scotia. Ronnie’s Web site is one of the best and most accessible resources for collectors visiting this part of Canada.

The "far away" subject this year will be the famous American mineral localities in Hiddenite, North Carolina. Mark Jacobson has extensively researched the history and minerals of this town, which is named after the bright green hiddenite variety of gem spodumene that was discovered here. However, the emerald discoveries are even more exceptional. One of the Hiddenite mines has recently produced incredible emerald crystals that are the largest and finest ever found in North America!

Symposium exhibits on Saturday will include mineral specimens from areas discussed by the speakers, as well as minerals from other New England localities. Saturday night features an auction of minerals and related collectibles to benefit future symposia. 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

FRIDAY, May 9th, 2008 (Senator Inn, Western Avenue, Augusta, Maine)
- 3:00 pm - Registration begins in Room 102, Congressional Wing; dealers will open in the Congressional and Presidential Wings from mid-day through late evening.
- 7:00 pm - "Collecting Nova Scotia Zeolite Minerals"
  Duane Leavitt (talk will be given in the Embassy Room)
Registration required for entrance to dealers!
SATURDAY, May 10th, 2008 (Senator Inn - lectures in Embassy/State Room, on main floor of The Senator; Exhibits in the Boardrooms, downstairs)
- 8:00 am - Registration, Coffee, and Book Sales. Exhibits open until 7:00 pm
- 9:00 am - Opening Remarks (Woodrow Thompson, Moderator)
- 9:15 am - "Mineralogy of the O & G Quarry, Southbury, Connecticut"
  John Pawloski
- 10:00 am - "The Hiddenite and Emerald Localities, Hiddenite, North Carolina: A Collecting History"
  Mark Jacobson
- 11:00 am - "The Life and Times of Stanley I. Perham (1906-1973), Maine Pegmatite Miner and Mineral Dealer"
  Vandall King
- 12:00 pm - Extended lunch break (DEALERS and EXHIBITS will be open)
- 1:40 pm - Announcements
- 2:00 pm - "Minerals of Nova Scotia"
  Ronnie Van Dommelen
- 3:00 pm - "History of Feldspar Mining in Maine and Its Impact on Gem Mining"
  Frank Perham
- 4:15 pm - End of day program - Dealers open through the evening
- 6:45 pm - Auction Preview, Silent Auction (all auction proceeds benefit future symposia) (Embassy/State Room)
- 7:30 pm - Silent Auction ends
- 8:00 pm - Voice Auction
- 9:00 pm until late - Mineral dealers open in the Congressional and Presidential Wings
SUNDAY, May 11th, 2008
- Mineral localities will be available for collecting trips. Details to be announced at the symposium. Transportation, logistics, and safety are the participants' responsibility.

Registration Form

19th MAINE MINERAL SYMPOSIUM - May 9-11, 2008

LOCATION:	The Senator Inn (Best Western), Western Avenue, Augusta, Maine (just off Exit 109 (eastbound) on Route I-95).
	Friday, May 9: Mineral dealers will be open from afternoon through late evening. Evening talk in the Embassy Room at 7:00 PM.
	Saturday, May 10: 9 AM to 4:15 PM - Talks on minerals and gems; exhibits; and publication sales. Benefit auction and dealers open in evening.
	Sunday, May 11: Field trips to mineral collecting sites.

LODGING:	Rooms are available at The Senator (207-622-5804) and other nearby motels on Western Ave. and the next exit to north on I-95.

REGISTRATION:	Participants are encouraged to pre-register before April 21. Please send $15.00 per person (check payable to "Maine Mineral Symposium Inc.") and the form below to:
	Woodrow Thompson Maine Geological Survey 22 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0022 (207) 287-7178 woodrow.b.thompson@maine.gov

I (we) plan to attend the 2008 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 ______________________________________

(E-mail address is preferred, so we can e-mail a receipt to you and reduce postage costs.
Phone number is for emergency contact only. This information will not be shared.)

Last updated on January 23, 2008