Table of Contents
- Sis for Sørensenite by Simone Conti 1–10
- It Takes a Village to Raise a Fluoresophile by Howie Green 11–19
- The 60th Annual Gem and Mineral Show of the Austin, TX Gem and Mineral Society, 2022 by Alan J. Cherepon and Paul K. Bordovsky Jr. 20–22
- FMS Facebook Chapter Report by — 22
Sis for Sørensenite
By Simone Conti · pp. 1–10
Sørensenite from Greenland’s Ilímaussaq complex is examined through its history, crystal structure, localities, associations, and ultraviolet response. The article compares reported shortwave, midwave, and longwave fluorescence, presents measurements of fluorescence spectra under several UV excitation wavelengths, and discusses possible activators including titanium, tin, and structural defects. It also documents associations with tugtupite, apatite, analcime, and uranyl-activated material, including notable specimens from Kvane fjeld and Taseq slope.
It Takes a Village to Raise a Fluoresophile
By Howie Green · pp. 11–19
Cooperation, trust, and shared collecting are presented as foundations of the author’s mineral-collecting community. Using peafowl social behavior as an analogy, the column describes complementary roles and pooled finds from Greenland, Sweden, and U.S. localities, including tugtupite, sodalite, johnbaumite, and fluorescent mineral assemblages. A failed attempt to keep a promising Sørensenite–tugtupite discovery secret becomes a personal example of how competitive impulses can undermine group relationships and the rewards of collecting together.
The 60th Annual Gem and Mineral Show of the Austin, TX Gem and Mineral Society, 2022
By Alan J. Cherepon and Paul K. Bordovsky Jr. · pp. 20–22
The Austin Gem and Mineral Society’s 60th annual GemCapers show took place October 21–23, 2022, at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, Texas. The report covers the show’s dealers, educational activities, and fluorescent-mineral displays, including new specimens and UV-light exhibits. A recreated 1970s student room, complete with black lights, lava lamps, posters, and period music, offered visitors an immersive historical experience. The authors describe the event as successful despite recent pressures on shows.
FMS Facebook Chapter Report
p. 22
The FMS Facebook chapter invites group members to its annual in-person meeting on January 29, 2023, at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, during the Tucson show. Attendees are encouraged to declare their plans, share specimen wish lists, arrange collecting trips, and bring minerals to sell or trade. The notice also mentions refreshments and highlights the chance to meet fellow group members and view or acquire specimens.