Prez Says...
by Dan Teich, MSDC President
It’s time to leave our 2026 theme of water behind for a while. Although I am certain that Mars and its water will appear at MSDC sometime in the near future.
Aside from the 'mineral' ice, water is present in numerous minerals and plays an essential part in the geology of the Earth. I’m certain we will visit it again soon. At home, water in my minerals poses a challenge. Many are zeolites, which when allowed to dry, can turn into a chalky mess. Laumontite, hydrated calcium-aluminum silicate is the chief character here (CaAl2Si4O12·4H2O).
Other minerals in my collection are also closely tied to being hydrated. Chrysocolla, a huge component of New Jersey minerals in my shelves, is a hydrous copper phyllosilicate mineral (Cu, Al)2H2Si2O5(OH)4⋅nH2O).
Sometimes when specimens dry, they maintain their color. Other times, you may wind up with a pile of dust or a lusterless dull green piece. It is highly variable. I have photos of a specimen I collected 10 years ago; it was electric blue (top photo). Now it’s a dull bluish-green (bottom photo). These are photos of the same mineral specimen! Preservation of highly hydrated chrysocolla is an art and involves different resins and stabilizers. I’ve experimented with these preservation techniques with some help from a good friend.
Many thanks to our very own Kathy Hrechka for taking us to the almost imperceptible level of snowflakes. Her main interest is microminerals, so snowflakes appear to be a natural fit for her! I was amazed at the different crystal shapes she photographed. Many are not what I would have envisioned based on preconceived notions and childhood memories. A whole world falls from the sky every time there’s snow.
Our May speaker, MSDC member "Miner Mike" Kass, will tell us about the history of zinc mining in the Friedensville mining areas of Pennsylvania. Thanks to ample reserves of hemimorphite (a zinc silicate) and smithsonite (a zinc carbonate), Friedensville became the main production area for high-purity zinc in the U.S.
Mark your calendars so you don't miss our meeting on Wednesday, May 6 at 7:30pm.