ROCKY MOUNTAIN FEDERATION OF
MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT 2020-21
This little blurb was submitted to the
RMFMS at Big Piney, Wyoming, June 24th, 2021
This has been an extra quiet year for the
International Relations Committee (membership of one), a really quiet
year! However, I still get a few
questions about “international things” but suspect that most inquirers locate
an email address from my Blog rather than the RMFMS website. But that is OK as
I enjoy trying to answer questions. It seems every year, especially after the
Tucson shows are over, a couple of rockhounds ask for information about
collecting ammolite from the Cretaceous Bearpaw Shale cropping out near
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. I suspect they have seen the beautiful specimens
for sale at Tucson and are interested in self collecting. I refer them to a
previous article in my Blog about collecting ammolite and the short answer is
don’t try it, just visit Korite International and buy it. This year I have also
remined people that I can/could not get into Canada for fishing due to Covid
restrictions, so there was/is not much of a chance for rockhounds crossing the
border. The Rockhounds discussion group on the web has several international
members who certainly bring an interesting collecting experience to the group.
Members are quite helpful to anyone posing a question about geology, rocks,
minerals, and fossils.
I
often (at least once a month) receive an inquiry from an international
rockhound that states something like “I purchased this specimen (photo
enclosed) at a mineral show/dealer but the only listed locality is INSERT STATE.
Can you help me locate the locality?”
That is sort of a hit and miss situation from a soft rock stratigrapher
like me---but I give it my best shot. With the pandemic and travel restrictions
in full swing I also receive requests from international rockhounds wanting to
send or trade minerals. I usually ask what sort of mineral they are looking for
and then suggest a contact with an appropriate club.
One of the really great things to evolve
from the pandemic is Mineral Talks-Live, a joint venture by Blue Cap
Productions (Bryan Swboda), the Mineralogical and Geological Museum, Harvard
University (Raquel Alonso-Perez), and the Society of Mineral Museum
Professionals (Eloise Gaillou). “This series was created as a response to the
COVID-19 situation that has been greatly affecting the mineral world by
isolating and separating us.” The series
is now in week 40+ and features a rockhound, dealer, mineralogist, designer
etc. each week for an entertaining discussion and show and tell. The audience is varied and includes many
international participants—for example Dr. Gaillou “broadcasts” from Paris. All
of the past shows are available on the You Tube web site. I would encourage RMFMS members to “tune in”
every Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. Eastern and get a new prospective on international
collecting and museums.
And so it goes for the International
Relations Committee.
Addendum: as of June 2021 the shows have moved to one per month; see
Blue Cap Productions for schedule.
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