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Home > Explore! > Mineral Collecting > 2009 Maine Mineral Symposium 2009 Maine Mineral SymposiumMay 8-10, 2009
Mineral collectors and gem enthusiasts are invited to participate in the 20th 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 New England and around the world. James Nizamoff, who is a professional mineralogist and pegmatite enthusiast, will give the first talk on Saturday. His subject is the suite of minerals from miarolitic cavities in New Hampshire's Conway Granite and the Osceola Granite. The Conway Granite is well known for its pockets containing beautiful crystals of minerals such as smoky quartz, feldspar, and topaz.
The (very) far away topic this year will be the minerals of Bolivia by Alfredo Petrov. According to his biographical sketch, "Alfredo has at various times lived and worked in Germany, Idaho, Washington, Mexico, Belize, Japan and, longest of all, Bolivia. He currently divides his time between homes in Peekskill (New York) and Cochabamba (Bolivia) and makes a living selling mineral specimens at shows, guiding field trips to collecting sites, translating mineralogical literature and lecturing on minerals and mining." Alfredo wrote about some of his Bolivian collecting experiences in the March-April, 2008, issue of Rocks & Minerals magazine. He will also be giving the Friday night talk, describing the Mindat.org website where you can find information on all things mineralogical. He is on the Mindat management team and will share tips for getting the most out of this phenomenal resource.
Noted mineral author Vandall King returns to the podium again this year with an intriguing talk titled "Minerals you encounter when you sneak up on a gem pocket." The afternoon begins with Gary Freeman's talk on his mining progress and recent finds at the Mount Mica tourmaline mine in Paris, Maine. Gary's efforts have breathed new life into this famous mine and resulted in the discovery of many superb crystals that rival those found in the "good old days." John Betts, a veteran mineral dealer at shows and on the internet, wraps up the program with his talk on mineral collecting in New York City. Many people will be surprised at the variety of mineral specimens that have turned up during over 200 years of urban development in the New York area. John has also written an article on this subject, which will appear in the May-June issue of Rocks & Minerals and hopefully will be available in time for the Symposium. Exhibits on Saturday will include mineral specimens from areas discussed by the speakers, as well as 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
Registration Form20th MAINE MINERAL SYMPOSIUM - May 8-10, 2009
I (we) plan to attend the 2009 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. Last updated on January 16, 2009 |
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