FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Jessica Simonoff]

Hi everyone,
my name is Jessica and I'm new on FMF. I am from the eastern USA. I love all minerals, especially unusual ones! I have had a small rock collection for nine years but I just got really interested in mineralogy and mineral collecting about three years ago. I am interested in learning about all aspects of mineralogy, but I am not an expert. I love field collecting minerals, but there aren't many places to collect near where I live. I have collected at Franklin and Sterling Hill in New Jersey; Amelia, Virginia; Hunting Hill Quarry, Maryland; pegmatite at the Tripp Mine, New Hampshire; and Jacob's Geode Mine in Illinois. I enjoy micromounting and non-micromount minerals. You may know me from Mindat where I post to the forums. I look forward to meeting a lot of friends and learning a lot here. :)
Jessica

[Peter Megaw]

Hello Jessica...your reputation preceeds you...my daughter Lauren speaks highly of you...welcome aboard. Lauren might have some interesting micros to share with you and other kids... Are you coming to Tucson again this year?

[Gail]

Hi Jessica, good to see you on FMF! Want to post some of your photos of minerals on the women's mineral collection section? Hope your parents are well and what's the news on your dog...doing okay?

[Montanpark]

Hey Jess,
also a warm welcome from me :-) ...
cheers
Roger

[Tracy]

Hi Jessica from me too! Would love to see photos...

- Tracy

[Les Presmyk]

Is Jessica coming to Tucson? Yes, and she is going to be one of the Junior competitive exhibitors.

[zanthal]

[Les Presmyk]

All of the exhibits at the Tucson Show are either special (guest) and competitive. This is the model the majority of American gem and mineral shows follow. The competitive exhibitors are required to fill out different forms and their exhibits adhere to size, labeling, showmanship and variety criteria as set forth in the competitive rules book. Their exhibits are also judged, scored and awarded ribbons and trophies.

Special (guest) exhibits are not bound by any of these rules and are also not judged except by public opinion.

[Peter Megaw]

As Special Exhibits Chair, I encourage anyone with a desire to exhibit to contact me for the non-judgemental part of the show

For folks with a competitive bent, or a desire to learn about showmanship and what others think about their rocks, I encourage them to contact Les.

Of course ALL Juniors (folks under 18) are encouraged to compete...there are cash awards to ALL junior competitors from TGMS and Rob Lavinsky provides some very generous prize money to the top exhibits. Its not that the money is important, but there are real costs involved in putting together an exhibit..not to mention getting to Tucson...and having some prize money to use to buy a great specimen to augment your collection by the fruits of your labor is special reinforcement.

[Ed Huskinson]

"Non-judgemental part of the show". You crack me up Peter!!!

Appreciatively,

Ed

[zanthal]

[Jessica Simonoff]

Thanks everyone :)
Yes, as Les said I am going to be at Tucson and I am putting up a case.
Gail, yes everyone in my family is doing great.. except that my dog got diabetes :(
Of course I will post some photos to the women's mineral collection section, thanks!
Here is a photo I took of calcite coating plant roots

[zanthal]

Plant 2 almost looks like coral. Interesting finds!

[Les Presmyk]

I, too, got a chuckle out of Peter's characterization of his area of responsibility as the "non-judgmental" side of the displays. While his exhibitors may not have an official group of Tucson Show judges reviewing their cases, I guarantee there is a lot of critiquing that goes on during the show on many more of the cases than my judges examine.

Thanks Peter for mentioning the prize money that Rob Lavinsky has graciously offered up for the past three or four years now. Every Junior age collector receives a guaranteed $100 check for exhibiting in the competitive side. There are also two higher awards to recognize the top two point totals for the Juniors.