Fossil Collection at Indiana State Museum


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The fossil collection at the Indiana State Museum is a must-see for every paleontologist, student, teacher, scientist, geologist, or anyone interested in the Paleozoic Fossil during the Mississippian Age in the state of Indiana. Indiana was covered with crinoids during the Mississippian Age, and remnants of these sea animals remain in the sedimentary slabs of Southern Indiana. So often when the crinoid would die, it would fall apart. You find these crinoid remains on slabs of limestone. The head of the crinoid, the base of the crinoid, and the discs that make up the length of the crinoid are found scattered. We actually have recovered many crinoid fossils, and they can be seen here:
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Gem and Mineral Hall at Indiana State Museum

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The Gem and Mineral section of the Indiana State Museum is a must see for any rockhound, geologist, teacher, student, and anyone interested in the earth sciences or interested in the wonders of the state of Indiana.
What impressed me most was the variety of gem and minerals that had been discovered in Indiana. And I am even a Hoosier! I learned how calcite was found to the degree it was dubbed “Indiana calcite.” One of the most spectacular specimens is a giant calcite crystal beside which I am standing. Some of the other calcite crystals were found near Indianapolis as well.
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EFMLS Convention 2015


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Keep your eye on this entry as we make our plan to attend the EFMLS Convention, March 27-29, 2015 in
Hickory, North Carolina. The Catawba Valley Gem & Mineral Club is hosting, and we will be rolling down in the “RockHound Express” once again. This promises to be a great weekend for the lapidary artists, amateur geologists, happy-go-lucky rockhounds, students of geology, and folks who like clever conversation with fellow rockhounds.
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Herkimer Diamond is the New York State Mineral

Herkimer Diamond, the unofficial state mineral of New York!

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Herkimer Diamond as the state mineral of New York? Did you know there was a New York state mineral? Did you know there had not been a state mineral? We knew none of the answers to these questions until an article by Robert Harding educated us on the legislation being pushed by New York State Senator James Seward to name the Herkimer Diamond the New York state mineral.
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EFMLS Clubs in New York, New Jersey, CT, and PA

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EFMLS Clubs interest you? Live in New York, New Jersey, Atlantic Coast and want to join a rockhound club? Like to meet fellow rockhounds, go on field trips, host gem and mineral shows, and get out and rockhound? We are members of 4 different NY clubs, and remain a member of a gem and mineral club down in Houston simply to keep receiving their newsletter!  You will find your interest, knowledge, and fun with rockhounding, and gem and mineral collecting, is enriched when you join one of the EFMLS Clubs. By the way, EFMLS stands for Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies.
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