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Mineral Symposium Set in Stone

May 01, 2010 - AUGUSTA -- Tourmaline, amethyst, beryl – rock hounds and collectors know Maine is the mother lode for these beautiful stones and other types of important minerals.


Maine’s status as a premier source for fine and unusual gemstones and as a state that draws visitors for nature-based tourism will be recognized next month with the 21st annual Maine Mineral Symposium.


Sponsored jointly by the Maine Mineral Symposium Association and the Maine Geological Survey, under the Maine Department of Conservation, the three-day symposium is meant to be an exploration of one of Maine’s most valuable resources and minerals across the region and around the world.


Special exhibits, including a display of the Eureka Blue tourmaline find at Newry; vendors; silent and regular auctions; and a field trip to a unique Maine mining site highlight the symposium.


Details include:


21st Maine Mineral Symposium, May 7-9, The Senator Inn (Best Western), Augusta; doors open at 3 p.m. Friday; field trip Sunday; registration, $15 for all three days.


“This is not like a regular rock and mineral show,” said Woody Thompson, MGS physical geologist and symposium organizer. “What distinguishes this symposium is the program of educational talks at its core.”


“I don’t want people thinking this is some big, scientific discussion – these are more informal educational talks with a really interesting mix of speakers,” said Thompson. “There are always a couple of talks on Maine, and several talks on New England and the Northeast area, including Maritime Canada.”


The symposium includes a touch of the exotic and foreign. It features two talks on mineral exploration in China and the giant crystal cavern in Naica, Mexico, by Kevin Downey of Florence, Mass., a mineral dealer and professional photographer.


“His presentation is going to blow people away,” said Thompson. “Both his talk and photographs should be mind–boggling.”


The symposium was first started by Carl Francis, curator of the Mineralogical Museum at Harvard University in Cambridge, and continued through the years by a committee of Maine volunteers. Now 300 to 350 people annually attend the symposium.


“We’re doing it primarily for the mineral collecting community,” said Thompson. “Maine is famous for its mineral and gem deposits. We thought it would be good to have a forum where people can learn about what’s been done in the past and what’s being done today.”


Mineral mining in Maine began in 1820 at Mt. Mica; the site still is being mined. It remains one of the major producers of Maine tourmaline and is the oldest gem mine in the U.S.


Other presenters include:


• Frank Perham, of the famous Perham mining family of West Paris, will speak on “Recent Pegmatite Mining at the Waisanen and Albany Rose Quarries, Maine.” Pegmatite is a host rock that often contains other minerals, such as tourmaline and garnet, and Maine is famous for it;


• Louise Jonaitis, partner at Plumbago Mountain, will discuss “What’s New at Newry,” where the rare Eureka Blue tourmaline was discovered. A large stone was presented as a gift to President Obama during his recent Portland visit;


• Richard Bostwick, of New York City, will speak on “Franklin and Sterling Hill, New Jersey: A Great American Mineral Locality,” and the world’s premier source of fluorescent minerals;


• Vandall King of Rochester, N.Y., will speak on “Lithium Mineralization in Granite Pegmatites.” Lithium is an important ingredient in many rare and colorful minerals in pegmatites.


The exhibit room, open Saturday, will feature a display of gems and minerals, including the Eureka Blue tourmalines; minerals from China; a fluorescent mineral display; and personal collection displays by three collectors from Maine and Massachusetts.


A benefit auction Saturday will help cover the cost of symposium, and two silent auctions, including a table for youngsters, will provide an opportunity for collectors to make purchases.


Participants who register can go on Sunday’s field trip, the destination to be announced at the symposium. It will be a notable mining site, Thompson said. Attendees must bring their own hand tools and provide their own transportation.


The geologist said mineral collecting is a significant aspect of Maine’s nature-based tourism industry, and the state offers important collecting locations.


“It can wax and wane with the times and economy, but it’s safe to say that there are thousands of visitor days spent in this activity in Maine every year,” Thompson said.


“It’s been my experience that there are fewer and fewer places where you can do this,” he said. “Many of the old mine sites are getting built up with homes,” and there are increasing issues of land development, liability and trespass, making more mines off limits or with limited access.


“Collecting still can be done in Maine, but mineral collectors should always respect rights of the land owner and seek permission when necessary,” said Thompson.


For more information and registration, go to maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/explore/minerals/symposium.htm


by Staff Writer, May 1, 2010, Capital Weekly

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