Previous Meetings

March 2010

Welcome to the Dark Side:
The World of Fluorescent Minerals

Presented by John D. Chipman

While the majority of rock-hounds collect minerals during the light of day, glow-hounds often collect within the dead of night. In “Welcome to the Dark Side,” BMC member John D. Chipman will give us a detailed look into the world of fluorescent minerals using PowerPoint media and hands-on demonstrations. Subjects will range widely from ultraviolet (UV) terminology to the practicalities of collecting and displaying fluorescent minerals. With a varied audience in mind, this presentation will try to maintain a balance between technical detail and down-to-earth experience, hopefully offering something for everyone. A custom-made, four-wavelength, 48-watt UV display lamp will be utilized for demonstrations, including the several types of luminescence, of which fluorescence is just one. Since the key to fluorescent mineral collecting is the UV light, knowledge will be conveyed to attendees as to what works, what doesn’t, and even tips on how to make your own UV lights and workable fluorescent displays. The objective of “Welcome to the Dark Side” is to inform members of the many facets and intricacies of fluorescent mineral collecting while having some fun along the way.

Unless you’re afraid of the dark, don’t miss it!

Members are encouraged to bring in specimens to check for fluorescence under multiple UV wavelengths. For safety reasons, members should have glasses on when working close to the UV sources. Glasses can be either normal corrective eyewear or standard safety eyewear.

February 2010

Minerals of the Manhan Mine in Easthampton, Massachusetts
Long time club member Dana Krueger will present a talk on the minerals of
the Manhan River Mine in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Sometimes called the “Loudville” mine after the name of a nearby village, the locality was worked for lead and silver in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the dumps are still accessible to collectors today. Collectible minerals include wulfenite and pyromorphite in thumbnail to hand specimens, as well as numerous other secondary minerals as micros to thumbnails. Photos will be shown of most of the known minerals from the locality, taken of specimens from Dana’s own collection and that of Harvard University. Most of the specimens were collected originally by current or former BMC members in recent decades, and illustrate that this is still a lively area for field collectors.

To complement the presentation, members are encouraged to bring in specimens from the Manhan Mine, and also pyromorphite and wulfenite from worldwide locations.

Also bring in specimens you acquired from the recent BMC auction. Did you find any treasures in those silent auction flats? We’d love to see what you bought.

Also bring in specimens you acquired from the recent BMC auction. Did you find any treasures in those silent auction flats? We’d love to see what you bought.

The Harvard Mineralogical Museum should be open for us starting at 7:00 PM. As usual there will be refreshments and a mineral raffle. Also, invite a friend if you’d like — guests are always welcome to attend our meetings.

 


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