Tag: minerals
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2026 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show – Preview #9: Yellow Fluorite from the Minerva Mine
This is the preview post #9 for the 2026 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show Live Auction. The ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show for 2026 will be held on March 21th and 22nd at the DuPage Fairgrounds in Wheaton, IL, which is the same location as last year. All details can be found here. We…
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Report for the Junior’s Study Group Meeting February 2026
The meeting began with the Juniors Chair handing out the tradeable earth science specimens. Then he introduced the speaker, Finn Lutz. Finn is a senior at Oak Park River Forest High School. He talked about the display that he brought, which was his Eagle Scout project for ESCONI. The project began years ago with a…
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Reminder: Chicago Rocks & Minerals Society’s Annual Silent Auction, Saturday, March 14, 2026
Chicago Rocks & Minerals Society’s Annual Silent Auction Saturday, March 14, 2026 6 to 9 p.m. St. Peter’s United Church of Christ 8013 Laramie Ave., Skokie, IL (Across the street from the public library on Oakton) Plus a special live auction of high-end specimens during the last half-hour! The first table closes at 6:30 p.m.…
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2026 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show – Vendor List
The 2026 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show will be here before you know it! Here is the vendor list. Exclusive Inspirations Wisconsin Janski Designs Illinois Rock’s Rocks Illinois Rock Stars Illinois Michael’s Mineral Exchange Illinois Fossil Hut Illinois Grab Your Rocks Illinois Lavin’s Gems Illinois KP Rocks and Minerals Michigan RockhoundMike Minerals Illinois Joe’s…
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2026 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show – Preview #6: Higginsite from Bisbee, Arizona
This is the preview post #6 for the 2026 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show Live Auction. The ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show for 2026 will be held on March 21th and 22nd at the DuPage Fairgrounds in Wheaton, IL, which is the same location as last year. All details can be found here. We…
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ESCONI at the Ranch View STEAM Event in Naperville
For the second year, ESCONI was asked to participate in the Ranch View Elementary STEAM event in Naperville. Represnting the club were Jodi Gosain, Rusty Grenier, and Jim Bigler. The club had three tables of fossils, rocks, geodes, magnetic stones and our popular dig box. Over 300 parents and children attended our booth. In addition,…
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Des Plaines Valley Geological Society’s 61st Annual Jewelry, Mineral, Gem & Fossil Show, March 28-29, 2026
Des Plaines Valley Geological Society’s 61st Annual Jewelry, Mineral, Gem & Fossil Show, March 28-29, 2026. Des Plaines Park District Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St., Des Plaines, IL. Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4. Adults $3, seniors $2, students over 12 or with school ID $1, children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult. Dealers, demonstrators,…
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2026 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show – Preview #4: Halite
This is the preview post #4 for the 2026 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show Live Auction. The ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show for 2026 will be held on March 21th and 22nd at the DuPage Fairgrounds in Wheaton, IL, which is the same location as last year. All details can be found here. Today’s…
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Throwback Thursday #303: Looking Back At ESCONI For February 2026
This is Throwback Thursday #303. In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general. If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc …), please send them to esconi.info@gmail.com. Thanks! email:esconi.info@gmail.com. 25 Years Ago – February 2001 50 Years Ago – February 1976 70 Years Ago – February 1956
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2026 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show – Preview #2: Fluorite, Galena, and Barite From Bingham, NM
This is the preview post #2 for the 2026 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show Live Auction. The ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show for 2026 will be held on March 21th and 22nd at the DuPage Fairgrounds in Wheaton, IL, which is the same location as last year. All details can be found here. In…
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Chicago Rocks & Minerals Society’s Annual Silent Auction, Saturday, March 14, 2026
Chicago Rocks & Minerals Society’s Annual Silent Auction Saturday, March 14, 2026 6 to 9 p.m. St. Peter’s United Church of Christ 8013 Laramie Ave., Skokie, IL (Across the street from the public library on Oakton) Plus a special live auction of high-end specimens during the last half-hour! The first table closes at 6:30 p.m.…
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Throwback Thursday #299: Macfallite
This is Throwback Thursday #299. In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general. If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc …), please send them to esconi.info@gmail.com. Thanks! email:esconi.info@gmail.com. This post is a follow up to last week’s Throwback Thursday, where we mentioned the mineral species Macfallite.…
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Throwback Thursday #298: Looking Back At ESCONI For January 2026
This is Throwback Thursday #298. In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general. If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc …), please send them to esconi.info@gmail.com. Thanks! email:esconi.info@gmail.com. 25 Years Ago – January 2001 50 Years Ago – January 1976 70 Years Ago – January 1956
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ESCONI 2026 Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show – March 21st and 22nd, 2026
The ESCONI 2026 Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show will be held on March 21st and 22nd, 2026 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds.
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Rare half-pink rough diamond with ‘astounding’ weight of 37.4 carats discovered in Botswana
Live Science has a story about the discovery of a very large pink diamond. The diamond weighs 37.4 carats. It was discovered in Botwana and likely formed in two stages as it has two colors… pink and colorless. The pink half probably formed first, but from what scientists know about colorful diamonds, there’s a good…
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ESCONI November 2025 Mineral Study Group – November 1st, 2025 at 7:30 PM at the College of DuPage – “Fluorite”
The ESCONI Mineral Study Group will meet on Saturday, November 1st, 2025 at 7:30 PM in TEC 1038B at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. See Directions and Map below. The program will be on “Fluorite”. Southern Illinois was once a major producer of world-class fluorite specimens, primarily from Hardin County. While no commercial mining currently operates, you…
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ESCONI Events for November 2025
Field trips require membership, but visitors are welcome at all meetings! Sat, Nov 1st Mineralogy Study Group Meeting – 7:30 PM at the College of DuPage Technical Education Center (TEC) Building – Room 1038B (Map) – “Fluorite” Bring your specimens for “Show and Tell” Sat, Nov 8th Junior Group Meeting – 6:30 PM There will be a presentation about the…
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Northwest Illinois Rock Club’s 2025 Jewelry, Gem, Fossil, and Mineral Show – November 8th and 9th, 2025
It you’re up near Freeport, IL the weekend of November 8th and 9th, 2025. This looks like a good time! More information on their Facebook page.
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Throwback Thursday #287: Cafe ESCONI Menu
This is Throwback Thursday #287. In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general. If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc …), please send them to esconi.info@gmail.com. Thanks! email:esconi.info@gmail.com. Unfortunately, we don’t have a year for this story. It was probably in the early 1990s. If anyone…
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Throwback Thursday #285: Looking Back at ESCONI For October 2025
This is Throwback Thursday #285. In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general. If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc …), please send them to esconi.info@gmail.com. Thanks! email:esconi.info@gmail.com. 25 Years Ago – October 2000 50 Years Ago – October 1975 70 Years Ago – October 1955
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ESCONI October 2025 Mineral Study Group – October 4th, 2025 at 7:30 PM at the College of DuPage – “Calcite”
The ESCONI Mineral Study Group will meet on Saturday October 4th, 2025 at 7:30 PM in TEC 1038B at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. See Directions and Map below. The program will be on “Calcite”, presented by Mike Litt and Dave Carlson. Calcite has the largest variety of forms of any mineral, and may…
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ESCONI Events for October 2025
Field trips require membership, but visitors are welcome at all meetings! Sat, Oct 4th Mineralogy Study Group Meeting – 7:30 at the College of DuPage Technical Education Center (TEC) Building – Room 1038B (Map) – “Calcite” Fri, Oct 10th General Meeting – 8:00 PM – via Zoom. Foreman Bandama of the Field Museum will be presenting “Great Zimbabwe…
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Deep-Earth Diamonds Reveal ‘Almost Impossible’ Chemistry
Scientific American has a story about the formation of diamonds. Inclusions are imperfections in gem stones. They are tiny bits of the surrounding rock when the gem or crystal forms. Inclusions in two diamond samples from South Africa are shedding light on how diamonds form deep in Earth’s mantle. The two new diamond samples each…
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ESCONI Field Trip to Bellevue, MI Quarry on Saturday, September 27th, 2025
A field trip to a quarry in Bellevue, MI is scheduled for Saturday, September 27th, 2025. This is a joint trip with the Kalamazoo Geological and Mineral Society (KGMS), and will be led by KGMS members. There is space for 15 ESCONI members. The trip will be from 9 AM ET to 3 PM ET.…
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ESCONI Events for September 2025
You do not need to be a member to attend meetings Sat, Sep 6th and Sun, Sep 7th Field Trip – Braceville, IL for Mazon Creek Fosssils Fri, Sep 12th – 8:00 PM General Meeting – 8 PM – via Zoom Dr. Angela Cooper will be presenting “Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site.” Sat, Sep 13th…
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ESCONI Rock, Mineral, and Fossil Swap – August 23rd, 2025 – DuPage County Fairgrounds
ESCONI will be holding a Rock, Mineral, and Fossil Swap on August 23rd, 2025 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Come on out!
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Throwback Thursday #268: Looking Back At ESCONI For June 2025
This is Throwback Thursday #268. In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general. If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc …), please send them to esconi.info@gmail.com. Thanks! email:esconi.info@gmail.com. 25 Years Ago – June 2000 50 Years Ago – June 1975 70 Years Ago – June…
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ESCONI Events for May 2025
Field trips require membership, but visitors are welcome at all meetings! Sat, May 3rd ESCONI Mineralogy Study Group – 7:30 PM – Topic: “Herkimer Diamond Mines” by Elizabeth Thielen In-person at College of DuPage: Technical Education Center (TEC) Building – Room 1038B (Map). Fri, May 9th ESCONI General Meeting – 8:00 PM via Zoom – Topic: “Combining…
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Throwback Thursday #260: New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU)
This is Throwback Thursday #260. In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general. If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc …), please send them to esconi.info@gmail.com. Thanks! email:esconi.info@gmail.com. William (Bill) Allaway was one of the founding members of ESCONI in 1949. And actually, the first…
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2025 ESCONI Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show – March 15th and 16th at the DuPage Fair Grounds
Day 1 report… Awesome! One more day, don’t miss it! Here are some photos! Lots of smiling faces at the welcome tables! Cuddle up with a Tully Monster… Charlie Shabica stopped by to say hello. Jack Wittry with Rich and Pete Rock Lots of books! Eric at the Junior tables More similing faces! Don busy…
