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Geology News
Minerals Current Events

The United States currently imports most of its rare earth minerals from China. However, China may stop exporting in the near future to assure its own needs. Unfortunately, the United States has very few rare earth mineral deposits. This article at MSNBC explores the importance of rare earth minerals and who owns the known U.S. deposits.

Last week, we visited the 2010 Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase in Tucson, AZ – and it was unbelievable! We took lots of pictures to share with you. Even if you weren’t able to attend, you can still check out some huge amethyst geodes, giant fossils, gem and mineral specimens, exhibits, art, and more.

The value of U.S. mineral production significantly declined in 2009.

The value of raw, nonfuel minerals mined in the United States was $57.1 billion in 2009, a decline of 20 percent over the past year. The value of materials domestically processed and refined from these raw minerals was $454 billion in 2009, a 25 percent decline from that of 2008. more….

A new issue of The-Vug.com quarterly magazine has an article titled: “Gem Tourmaline Crystals from Madagascar” by Tomasz Praszkier.

A new issue of The-Vug.com quarterly magazine has an article titled: “Benitoite: California’s State Gem” by Rick Kennedy.

A new issue of The-Vug.com quarterly magazine has an article titled: “Demantoid Garnet Find in Madagascar” by Tomasz Praszkier.

The-Vug.com has the largest listing of mineral shows on the web. Their list includes shows happening all over the United States and in other countries – with about sixty shows in their March listing already. There is probably a show within driving distance of you.

A video visit to Mexico’s “Cave of the Crystals”, which has enormous gypsum crystals over 11 meters long and weighing over 50 tons.

A new issue of The-Vug.com quarterly magazine has an article titled: “The First Rubellite Locality in the United States” by Vandall King and Angie Teixeira.

An article in a recent issue of Explore, the newsletter of The Association of Applied Geochemists, explains the role of geochemistry in locating diamond-bearing kimberlite deposits in Botswana.

In the Murcia province of Spain, some ancient shells were found that were probably used as pigment dishes by the Neanderthals. The pigments may have been applied to the face or body for ritual or aesthetic purposes.

If you have questions about mineral rights they can be posted at a new and growing forum at www.mineralrightsforum.com. They have active discussions for natural gas shales, oil and gas leasing and much more.

Radiometric dating can be used to estimate the age of incredibly ancient things. Greg Brennecka, a researcher from Arizona State University, has found that this method may be inaccurate for dating meteorites and other cosmic material.

The-Vug.com has a large listing of websites owned by mineral dealers, rock shops, lapidary supply companies and other businesses in the rock, gem and mineral trade. They also have lists for recommended Ebay sellers, retail mineral dealers, wholesale dealers, and mineral auction sites.

An interactive Google Map of rock, gem and mineral shows that will be held in the Tucson area between January 21 and February 15, 2010.

View Tucson Show Guide 2010 in a larger map

“MineralWeb.com has developed a rich resource library for citizen mineral owners who are looking for plain spoken intelligence about their mineral rights.” Quoted from a MineralWeb press release.

“Native Americans of the Miwok tribe in the northern Sierra Nevada, California carved basins into granite bedrock to produce salt for trade. They filled the basins with water from a salt spring and let the water evaporate, leaving a salt residue in the basin.” USGS reports that this is the oldest evidence of business in North America.

One of the largest diamonds ever found in North America was found by William “Punch” Jones, a ten-year-old, who was pitching horseshoes with his father in Peterstown, West Virginia in 1928. It was named the “Punch Jones Diamond” after its finder.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has a new article that provides a brief overview of seafloor minerals, seafloor mining, who regulates seafloor mining and how environmental impact might be limited during mineral extraction. They also have two Flash presentations on seafloor mineral deposits and seafloor mining.

If you enjoy rock tumbling a new book by Steve Hart titled “Modern Rock Tumbling” gives a great introduction to the hobby. It has good sections on vibratory tumblers and ceramic media that have not been well-covered in previous books about the subject.

Related: Guide to Rock Tumbling

There are lots of mineral shows over the next two months in all parts of the country. The-Vug.com has a comprehensive list of shows. There’s probably at least one near you.

A few years ago a building boom stretched the capacity of United States drywall makers and some contractors bought drywall manufactured in China. Now many of those homes are having corrosion problems as gases are released from the drywall – and some homeowners insurance companies are not renewing coverage.

The Wyoming Geological Survey has a free booklet titled: “Searching for Gold in Wyoming” by W. Dan Hausel.

It covers the basic types of gold deposits and includes a mineralized areas map and references. You can download it as a .pdf document.

Scott Kleine of Great Basin Minerals shares a few photos from his 2005 trip to collect pink heulandite at the Rats Nest Mine in Custer County, Idaho.

There are lots of mineral updates, articles and a new video at The-Vug.com.

They also have a comprehensive list of fall mineral shows along with links to mineral dealers who have updated their websites.