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The Maryland Geological Society will hold an in-person meeting on Sunday, October 22nd, at the Bowie Community Center South (1717 Pittsfield Lane, Bowie, MD 20716) from 12:30 to 4:30 PM. The meeting will feature election of officers and the welcome return of the MGS annual auction. MGS members can put up to 10 items each into the auction. The club will assess a 10% fee on each sold item, with the exception of items donated to the club. Community Center rules preclude any cash transactions, so all transactions must be by check. Further information on auction rules and copies of the auction forms and tags that must accompany each item can be downloaded here. These rules and forms will also be included in a forthcoming issue of the MGS newsletter. Information on the business meeting to be held on Zoom several days prior to the in-person meeting will be emailed to members.

Two amazing, recent fossil finds along the Calvert Cliffs should excite all MGS fossil collectors. Both discoveres were made by volunteers with the Calvert Marine Museum. The first is a 12-million-year-old gannet skeleton, the most complete bird skeleton ever found along the Cliffs (link). The second is that of a wonderfully complete skull of a 15-million-year-old dolphin ancestor (link). Check out these and other stories on the MGS WebSightings page.

The featured mineral is microcline, so named for its cleavage planes. Of all microclines, amazonite is of most importance for collectors and gem cutters. The specimens pictured below were photographed by MGS member Bob Farrar and are from his collection.

September 23 and 24, 2023: Gem Cutters Guild of Baltimore holds its 58th annual Gem, Mineral, Jewelry, and Fossil Show at the Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MD. Detailed information about the show can be found on the Guild website.

The MGS Trips page has information on policies regarding trips and details about any upcoming trips. MGS trips are restricted to members. There are no trips currently scheduled.