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Don Lum · Joined: 03 Sep 2012 Posts: 2856 Location: Arkansas

I was able to briefly attend the Dallas Symposium and some of the related activities this past weekend. Here are some images.

Don Lum · Joined: 03 Sep 2012 Posts: 2856 Location: Arkansas

The following pictures were taken at the Arkenstone Gallery and posted with permission from Dr. Rob Lavinsky..

Don Lum · Joined: 03 Sep 2012 Posts: 2856 Location: Arkansas

Dallas can be downright hot in August especially downtown with all the asphalt and concrete. I have family in Dallas and I have told them the following story from time to time in jest.

Yosemite Sam was chasing Bugs and somehow ended up down in the Netherworld surrounded by flames and red hot rocks and the devil asked him, "Do you know where you are?" Yosemite Sam looked around and said, "Uh, Dallas?"

It was nice and cool in the Arkenstone Gallery.

Don Lum · Joined: 03 Sep 2012 Posts: 2856 Location: Arkansas

More from the Symposium

Don Lum · Joined: 03 Sep 2012 Posts: 2856 Location: Arkansas

In an earlier post I stated that Danny Trinchillo was one of the sponsors of the Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium. He has, in fact, been the acting curator of the Lyda Hill Gem and Mineral Hall of the Perot Museum if Nature and Science for the past four years.

As anticipated all the speakers and their presentations were excellent.

Here are a few excerpts.

Brice Gobin:

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has $24 trillion in natural resources and has 70% of the world's supply of coltran and 30% of the world's supply of diamonds. The most common mineral in the DRC is malachite. Carrollite is found worldwide but the largest is found in the DRC.

Bill Larson:

During the 1950's and 1960's California was the third largest gem producing area in the world and a lot of the Himalaya tourmaline went to China to be carved. The Indians knew about the tourmaline. In the 1880's cowboys observed Indian children playing with tourmaline marbles.

Dr. Robert Downs, University of Arizona, MARS Project, Director ot the RRUFF Project.

Crystals are the low energy state of the universe. All atoms on earth are from outer space. 94% of earth is composed of four elements with small nuclei. Elements with small nuclei were better able to survive the big bang. Planes create crystal faces and the faces act like mirrors. Minerals are defined by their chemistry and crystal structure. The gold standard in identification of a mineral is x-ray diffraction. Each peak in the x-ray diffraction report is a reflection off of a crystal face or plane. He also discussed the RAMAN Spectrophotometer.

The rock specimens from Mars were analyzed and the chemical composition was similar to the rocks found in Hawaii.

Joyon Ralph:

More than five-sixth's of the world's population does not speak English. 70% of web content is now in languages other than English. Mindat now supports Chinese.

Mindat gets approximately 200 new photographs every day. Everyone on Mindat has his own homepage. A collector can create a Pocket Mindat Catalog which he or she can refer to while walking around at a mineral show.

Dr Peter Lyckberg:

Dr. Lyckberg shared some stories of the extreme difficulties of traveling in Russia alone in politically dangerous times and shared some photographs of pockets and specimens that have never been publicly shown.

Dave Wilber:

"Buy what you can afford to buy but appreciate all minerals. I like all minerals whether I own them or not."

Dr Gene Meieran:

Dr. Meieran gave Wayne Thompson's presentation because Wayne could not come.

Some of his main points were to buy what you like and get the good ones when you can.

Bryan Swoboda was present to film the Symposium which will be available on DVD and included in the January-February Mineralogical Record.

vic rzonca · Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 820 Location: MA

Don, thanks for the synopsis on the speakers presentations. Impresive front gate to the museum.

Don Lum · Joined: 03 Sep 2012 Posts: 2856 Location: Arkansas

Don Lum · Joined: 03 Sep 2012 Posts: 2856 Location: Arkansas

More from the Symposiun

Peter

Dear Don,
thank you for your nice report. It was a true pleasure to meet you in Dallas and I hope to see you in Tucson and many more times.
Tucson should have some great exhibits this year as always!
Best regards
Peter

Don Lum · Joined: 03 Sep 2012 Posts: 2856 Location: Arkansas

Peter

Dear Don,
I have been invited to the Rochester Symposium next April and there I will make one long talk on the Volodarsk Mines where I can go a little more in detail into many various pockets and many other aspects of mining for specimens. I think you will appreciate so if you have a chance please do come.
I shall also give a second talk there.
Peter

Don Lum · Joined: 03 Sep 2012 Posts: 2856 Location: Arkansas

Thank you, Peter. I will try.

Sincerely,

Don

Don Lum · Joined: 03 Sep 2012 Posts: 2856 Location: Arkansas

Jim and Gail Spann hosted a wonderful "Brunch with a Crunch" at their home north of Big D. I wish to thank them for their warm hospitality and generosity. I post the following pictures with kind permission from Gail.