Minnesota Mineral Club

MMC Member-Only Rock Swap & Picnic
2022-06-26 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | MN
Member-Only Rock Swap and Picnic – 10am-2pm

MMC May Meeting & Silent Auction
2022-05-07 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | MN
MMC May Meeting & Silent Auction
*This is a members-only Silent Auction*
Email program@minnesotamineralclub.org for details.

MMC April Meeting and Presentation
2022-04-16 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | MN
MMC April Meeting and Presentation by Dr. Peter Makovicky, “Parrosaurus Missouriensis” (In-person and virtually)

MMC Board Meeting
2022-04-08 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | MN
MMC April Board Meeting

MMC March Meeting
2022-03-19 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Roseville Skating Center and Banquet Facility, 2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville, MN, 55113, United States
Our March meeting will be held in-person at the Roseville Skating Center and Banquet Facility and will also be broadcast via Zoom. Demonstration Night will include: geode cutting with a lapidary saw, rock drilling, Alaskan fossil collection display and discussion, gemstone tree display and discussion, Columbian mineral display and discussion, quartz variety display and discussion, MN rock and mineral display and discussion, bismuth display and discussion, wire wrapping display and discussion, and more! We will also have a field trip table set up with our tour directors discussing trips and displaying previous trip finds.
*If you are joining us in-person, please note we do not have a hospitality volunteer at this time. We will only provide bottled water. Feel free to bring your own beverage and snack (no alcohol).
Here is the schedule:
6:00-6:30pm – Arrival/Socializing/Demonstrator Set Up
6:30-7:30pm – Club Proceedings
7:30-8:30pm – Demonstrations
8:30-8:45pm – Wrap up/Clean up
If you are unable to join us in person, I will broadcast the meeting live via Zoom. When we move into the demonstration portion, I will visit each table so online attendees can view and ask any questions.
Zoom Meeting Details:
Join Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82279862838?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 822 7986 2838
Passcode: [REDACTED]
We hope you can join us!
Kind regards,
Ashley Bedard
Program Director

MMC Board Meeting
2022-03-11 18:30 - 19:30, 2022-02-11 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | MN

MMC Meeting January 2022
2022-01-29 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | MN
Meeting Schedule:
5:30-6:30pm – Social Hour
6:30-7:30pm – Club Proceedings
7:30-8:30pm – Presentation
8:30-9pm – Wrap up

December 2021 Meeting and Presentation
2021-12-18 17:30 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | MN
This will be a hybrid meeting – held both in-person and via Zoom!

Live in Person:
Roseville Skating Center, Rose Room
2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville, MN 55113
Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82279862838?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 822 7986 2838
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Meeting Schedule:
5:30-6:30pm – Social Hour
6:30-7:30pm – Club Proceedings
7:30-8:30pm – Presentation
8:30-9pm – Wrap up

The presentation will be “Prospecting for Dinosaurs”, featuring Al Olson.

RSVP
We are asking those who plan to come to RSVP. We will not hold you to your reservation, we just want to plan to have enough seats ( although, we would certainly love to have you)! You may RSVP for the in-person or Zoom meeting here: December 2021 Meeting RSVP

October 2021 Meeting
2021-10-16 17:30 (America/Chicago) | MN
This will be a hybrid meeting – held both in-person and via Zoom!

Live in Person:
Roseville Skating Center, Rose Room
2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville, MN 55113
Live via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82279862838?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 822 7986 2838
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Meeting Schedule:
5:30-6:30pm – Social Hour
6:30-7:30pm – Club Proceedings
7:30-8:30pm – Presentation
8:30-9pm – Wrap up

The presentation will be “Summer 2021 Mining in Colorado”, featuring Jim Reed.

RSVP
Because this is our first in-person meeting since the onset of the pandemic, as well as the first Zoom meeting since May, we are asking those who plan to come to RSVP. We will not hold you to your reservation, we just want to plan to have enough seats! Although, we would certainly love to have you! You may RSVP for the in-person or Zoom meeting here: https://bit.ly/2Yp1xrQ

2021 MMC Annual Show Volunteering
2021-09-26 10:00 - 16:00, 2021-09-25 10:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Dairy Building, 1694 Judson Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, United States
To view open positions and sign up to volunteer, click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4da8ad2babfccf8-minnesota
To view the volunteer training video, click here: https://youtu.be/4Jc6OVMyQHs

MMC May Social Hour
2021-05-22 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | MN
Member-Only Social Hour
Join us via Zoom on Saturday, May 22 at 6pm. We will talk all things rocks, minerals, fossils, and lapidary! Possible discussion topics include:

Interesting specimens for show and tell.
Looking for lapidary tips – cutting, polishing, carving, etc.
Or feel free to come up with your own discussion topic!

Members – Login to see virtual meeting link. Link was also emailed to members.

MMC May Presentation - Lake Superior Agate Origins, Classification and Prospecting with Jim Magnuson
2021-05-08 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | MN
Lake Superior Agate Origins, Classification and Prospecting
This is a three-part presentation focused on Lake Superior Agates. Part one provides a high-level summary of the geological events that led to the formation of agates, a bit of agate chemistry, and the glacial activities that led to the broad distribution of Lake Superior Agates. Part two takes the audience on an inside and up-close tour of the incredible diversity of agate types and some possible formation theories. This second part of the presentation is accompanied by colorful and detailed photographs of multiple specimens for each type of agate. Part three will instruct the audience on how to hunt for and identify Lake Superior Agates and the many imposters that one might confuse with agates because of corresponding colors or features. The third part of the presentation provides critical tips for prospecting and photographs of rough agates and agate imposters. You could give a lifetime to hunting for and studying our amazing Lake Superior Agates; there is important research and discovery still waiting to be done!

Part 1 – Agate geology, chemistry, formation and glacial activity/ impacts – 11 mins
Part 2 – Exploration of the diverse family of Lake Superior Agate Types and related Formation Theories – 21 mins
Part 3 – Lake Superior Agate Prospecting, Hunting and Identification – 34 mins

Jim Magnuson Biography
Rock hounding is more than a hobby for author Jim Magnuson, it’s a serious and rewarding avocation that
helps him connect with nature. He has been an avid hunter and student of various gems, minerals and fossils
since his childhood, when he first began to hunt for stones in his native state of Illinois. These experiences
taught Jim the importance of persistence and willingness to follow the road less traveled for more unique or
rare kinds of rocks. Jim also enjoys sharing his passion through researching and writing both creatively, and
from a practically oriented process orientation. Because of Jim’s in-depth knowledge, he is frequently called
upon to present to groups such as rock and mineral clubs, geological societies and educational institutions that
focus on outdoor and environmental interests. In addition to Jim’s passion for prospecting and hunting he also
likes to perform various lapidary arts with the stones that he finds, and he has a small business of making and
selling custom polished stones and jewelry pieces. Finally, Jim enjoys creating photographic illustrations that
are up close and personal for prospecting, hunting and lapidary work. Jim was a photographer for his high
school and college newspapers and yearbooks where he focused on student activities that created
perspectives on campus life. This experience has helped Jim capture unique and compelling photographic
images for modern day gem and mineral prospecting.
Jim has authored seven books with worldwide sales of over 70,000 copies; the list of publications is below:

The Storied Agate– A light-hearted photographic expose with stunning natural photographic images of
Lake Superior Agates and stories about the hunting experience
The Fairburn Agate of the Black Hills– A light-hearted photographic expose with stunning natural
photographic images of Fairburn Agates and stories about the hunting experience
Agate Hunting Made Easy– A practical “how to” guide for novices and experienced Lake Superior Agate
Hunters, spanning multiple hunting domains and providing photographic illustration of natural agate and
“imposter” specimens
Lake Superior Agates and Imposters– A condensed field guide for novices and experienced Lake Superior
Agate Hunters providing photographic illustration of natural agate and “imposter” specimens (companion
publication to Agate Hunting Made Easy)
Emma’s First Agate– An illustrated children’s book that tells the story of a young girl and her passion for
rocks and agates, and how her grandfather guides her towards realizing her dream of finding a beautiful
agate
Gemstone Tumbling, Cutting, Drilling and Cabochon Making– A practical “how to” guide for novice
lapidary artists with many visuals that illustrate process details, and helpful charts for equipment selection
and process details
Rockhounding and Prospecting – Midwest (coming in Summer 2021)- Beginners guide to prospecting for and collecting gems and minerals including gold, copper, geodes, agates, thomsonite, fluorescent sodalite and more. This is a groundbreaking book that provides a visually oriented guide to modern day tools, methods and hunting locales that will lead to success. The information is informed by experienced and passionate field experts in each of the different types of rocks, minerals and fossils that we cover in this book.

https://umn.zoom.us/j/97491128994?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 974 9112 8994
Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile
+16513728299,,97491128994#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Minnesota)
Dial by your location
+1 651 372 8299 US (Minnesota)
Meeting ID: 974 9112 8994
Passcode: [REDACTED]

MMC April Presentation - Exploring and Expanding the Minnesota Fossil Record
2021-04-24 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | MN
Join us for MMC’s Virtual Presentation!
Title: Exploring and Expanding the Minnesota Fossil Record
Summary: Minnesota’s fossils date back more than two billion years, with a rich and complex history. Within that time, ecosystems of three main geologic periods are very well represented within the state. From the shallow ocean waters teeming with life 450 million years ago to the coastal waters of the Age of the Dinosaurs to the frozen landscape of the Last Ice Age, this fossil record documents major transitions in life and climate. Join for an exploration of what can be found here and the current work of the Science Museum of Minnesota to expand our knowledge of ancient life in Minnesota.
Bio: Dr. Hastings’ research focuses primarily on the evolution of extinct reptiles but varies widely from dinosaurs to mammoths to tiny oysters. He received his PhD from the University of Florida, worked at Georgia Southern University, did a research fellowship at Martin Luther University in Halle, Germany, was the Assistant Curator of Paleontology at the Virginia Museum of Natural History and has been the Fitzpatrick Chair of Paleontology at the Science Museum of Minnesota since 2018.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://umn.zoom.us/j/95382350805?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 953 8235 0805
Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile
+16513728299,,95382350805#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Minnesota)
Dial by your location
+1 651 372 8299 US (Minnesota)
Meeting ID: 953 8235 0805
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Find your local number: https://umn.zoom.us/u/acOD24AI0G

MMC April Meeting
2021-04-10 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | MN
Business Meeting with Club Updates
Topic: April Club Meeting
Time: Apr 10, 2021 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83793767037?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 837 9376 7037
Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,83793767037#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,83793767037#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Chicago)

Minnesota Mineral Club Social Hour
2021-03-27 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | MN
Member-Only Social Hour
Join us via Zoom on Saturday, March 27 at 6pm. We will talk all things rocks, minerals, fossils, and lapidary! Possible discussion topics include:

Interesting specimens for show and tell.
Looking for lapidary tips – cutting, polishing, carving, etc.
Or feel free to come up with your own discussion topic!

Members – Login to see virtual meeting link. Link was also emailed to members

How Ancient Iron-Rich Rocks Tell the Story of Past Oceans
2021-03-13 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | MN
Join us for our March presentation!
Title: How ancient iron-rich rocks tell the story of past oceans
Summary: Minnsota’s iron-rich rocks preserve geochemical information about what seawater was like billions of years ago. To interpret this record however, we must peel back the layers of time by reading mineral reactions that occurred after the rock formed. High-spatial resolution geochemical tools allow us to measure the elemental and isotopic composition of single mineral phases, while preserving textural relationships. Preservation of cross-cutting relationships, micro-banding, grain size, shape, and cement volumes allow us to build a geochemical history of each sample, where we can separate out secondary changes to reveal primary compositions. Because these iron-rich rocks originally form through precipitation from seawater, their primary composition informs our interpretation of how oceans evolved over time, and what that might mean for early life.
Bio: Dr. Latisha Brengman is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth and runs the Precambrian processes lab there. Brengman and her research team work to solve Precambrian problems at the intersection of sedimentary and hydrothermal processes, using tools that span the macro- to micro-scale. The team’s main research projects focus on deciphering the record after sedimentary rocks form in order to assess the preservation potential of primary geochemical signatures that link to ancient ocean chemistry. They specialize in high spatial resolution tools and methodologies that focus on sample preservation. For more information about her projects visit her research website: http://www.latishabrengman.com/
Topic: How Ancient Iron Rich Rocks Tell the Story of Past Oceans
Time: Mar 13, 2021 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://umn.zoom.us/j/94004921775?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 940 0492 1775
Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile
+16513728299,,94004921775#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Minnesota)
Dial by your location
+1 651 372 8299 US (Minnesota)
Meeting ID: 940 0492 1775
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Minnesota Mineral Club Social Hour
2021-02-27 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | MN
Member-Only Social Hour
Join us via Zoom on Saturday, February 27 at 6pm. We will talk all things rocks, minerals, fossils, and lapidary! Possible discussion topics include:

Interesting specimens for show and tell.
Looking for lapidary tips – cutting, polishing, carving, etc.
Or feel free to come up with your own discussion topic!

Members – Login to see virtual meeting link. Link was also emailed to members.

Geology of the Mississippi River Gorge of the Twin Cities with Randy Strobel
2021-02-13 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | MN
Join us for February’s Virtual Presentation: Geology of the Mississippi River Gorge of the Twin Cities featuring Randy Strobel.
Members – Login to see virtual meeting link.

Minnesota Mineral Club Social Hour
2021-01-23 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | MN
Join us via Zoom on Saturday, January 23rd at 6pm. We will talk all things rocks, minerals, fossils, and lapidary! Possible discussion topics include:

Did you collect anything interesting this year?
Go on any independent field trips?
Did you cut, polish, and/or facet?
Or feel free to come up with your own discussion topic!
Members – Login to see virtual meeting link.

January Meeting - Virtual
2021-01-09 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | MN
Our January Meeting will be a business meeting and include the swearing in of 2021 board members.

December Meeting - Virtual
2020-12-12 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | MN
This will be a business meeting and include a vote for the 2021 Board of Directors positions.
Members – Login to see virtual meeting link.

Minnesota Mineral Club Social Hour
2020-11-28 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | MN
Join us via Zoom as we talk all things rocks, minerals, fossils, and lapidary! Possible discussion topics include:
Did you collect anything interesting this year? Go on any independent field trips? Did you cut, polish, and/or facet? Or feel free to come up with your own discussion topic!
Zoom Meeting Information
Meeting ID: 875 9978 0143
Passcode: [REDACTED]
