Greg Parkhurst, Micro Mineral Club Reporter
Back when I grew up in the SE US, we had just one hummingbird species, the ruby-throated hummingbird.
Here in ABQ, we get 3 commonly. Head to the Mexican boarder for NM/AZ, and the number skyrockets to 15! Birders flock there looking for US hummingbird rarities, training their optics on living jewels flitting around some lovely B&Bs.
BTW, Ecuador has 132 hummingbird species, if you wanna try your luck. These hummingbirds are found throughout Mexico and Central America,
so why spend the effort to reach such remote areas? Well, these birds are rare for the US, and that makes them highly sought prizes for a dedicated birder.
How bout minerals? Yes, geopolitical borders create many rarities. However, minerals can grow larger, or into a different form, or be found in a unique color due to unique circumstances of their origin, (unlike hummingbirds).
Further, a vein of unique minerals might be found only in one place and run out, actually quite similar to the dodo, the Carolina parakeet, or the passenger pigeon. Finally, some minerals may simply become unobtainable due to claim status, or an area becoming too dangerous to access anymore.
Our micromineral meeting on 3/18/25 revolved around this idea, that of favorite rare minerals and the stories accompanying them.
Easily the highlight of the evening was a sterlinghillite from NJ brought in by Fred. One of only 2 known specimens from the original find, it is a cotype. No photos are included, because some things must be seen in person. Come to the next meeting.
Fred also showed some glaucochrocite from Franklin, NJ, some smoky brown crystals with glassy, massive cuspidine.
Dave had some brilliant gold from Percha Creek in Sierra Co, NM, and some lazuli colored lazaraskeite from Pusch Ridge in Pima Co, AZ. A cumengeite specimen from Amelia Mine, Mexico was shared, as well as another lazuli colored Serpierite from the DH Claim of AZ. Blue green Spangolite from the Blanchard mine of Socorro Co, NM was represented in two varieties from Jay.
Raydemarkite was represented by, well, Ray. We were fortunate to check out a superb specimen of this very rare white, acicular micro mineral. Thanks, Ray!
Come and join us for our next micro mineral meeting on 4/15/25 at the Monte Vista Christian Church on Campus at 6:30. This meeting’s topic will be GARNETS, so sort through your collection for some good examples and bring your stories of their acquisition.
See you there!
