Dahlonega Gold Rush Museum Review

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Where was the first Gold Rush? California? If asked that question during your local pub trivia, the answer is Dahlonega. The Dahlonega Gold Rush was the first American Gold Rush. I learned this, and the geology of Georgia that produces gold alongside veins of quartz at the Dahlonega Gold Rush Museum.
We had one hour before the museum was closing and the gentleman who greeted us very generously made sure we learned and saw it all during that hour.
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Geode Hunting in Indiana

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Part of the American Geode team were able to assemble in Indiana for geode hunting before winter began. Our focus was size, and quality, so we left behind many crystal and quartz specimens in order to recover the large blue, and uncommon chalcedony variety of geode. This short video highlights the largest blue chalcedony geode we recovered.

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Art Installation “Subtle Bodies” and Interview with Artist Zackry Wiegand

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Constantly monitoring Twitter for anything related to “geodes” paid off in a major way when I read about an art installation involving geodes and neon light. I emailed the artist, Zackry Wiegand, and learned the exhibit was closing that week, so my Thursday night had swift plans to visit the art studio Gallery 225 in Harlem.
Zackry met us at the door to the art gallery, which is a very handsome building for starters. A lot of old wood went into the refurbishment of the gallery, and the lighting is very strategic. There is plenty of lighting from targeted bulbs and fixtures. There were no big hanging or ceiling neon or fluorescent lights hanging from the very high ceiling, but we were entering an installation where neon light is a critical component.
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Gem and Mineral Club Nov and Dec Newsletters

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From attending, volunteering, and being members of gem and mineral clubs in New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and attending camps, seminars and intra-club retreats with people from all over the United States, we consider ourselves gem, mineral, and fossil club aficionados. So whether you are considering joining a gem and mineral show for the first time that perhaps you found on our Events page, or you are a veteran of gem and mineral clubs, these newsletters will prove to be a valuable resource on what to expect from a gem and mineral club and how to have more fun.
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Review of NYC Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show

For the most up to date events, check out our Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Newswire.

Click here for gem and mineral show tips from the experts.


The New York Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show was Nov 8-9 at the Holiday Inn, Midtown Manhattan. Hosted by Excalibur Mineral and the New York Mineralogical Club, we visited both days, and from our first-hand reports, anecdotal reports from the dealers, and the fact that the New York Mineralogical Club had 9 new members at the half-way point of day one, the show was a success.

Upon entering the first table is the New York Mineralogical Club and a friendly group on hand to help identify minerals and gems, promote the club’s membership and educational programs, and entice new members to join. As we have written about before, belonging to more than one gem and mineral club, diversifying your passion and hobby between more than one club, is in our opinion the most fulfilling way to pursue rockhounding, gemology, geology, and paleontology.
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