Chips from the Quarry

“TO HAVE AND TO HOLD”: In addition to other great articles in this issue, including the definitive one on South Africa’s Postmasburg manganese field, is one by John S. White on handling mineral specimens (pages 264–267). When I first read it, the figure shown here, and previously published in Rocks & Minerals, immediately came to mind; perhaps you’ll agree that it’s most appropriate.

WINNER’S CIRCLE: The February 2024 Tucson Show was more than an annual gathering of collectors, exhibitors, curators, and dealers; it was also a time to recognize and award achievement, including the following.

Best Article Award: The Friends of Mineralogy (FM) named “Mastering the Art of Silicate Mineralogy,” by Peter J. Heaney, as winner of the award for Best Article in Rocks & Minerals in 2023. The article was published in the January/February issue (volume 98, number 1, pages 8–25). We extend our congratulations to Dr. Heaney for the recognition and our thanks to FM for the donation to the Rocks & Minerals Color Fund in his honor.

The American Mineral Heritage Award: Buzz Gray, of California, was selected as the recipient of the annual American Mineral Heritage Award, sponsored by the Mineralogical Record, Inc. It was presented to Gray at a special event in association with the Tucson Show. The award recognizes individuals for field collecting achievements contributing to the heritage of North American mineral specimens.

The 2023 Carnegie Mineralogical Award: Dr. Robert “Bob” Downs, of the University of Arizona in Tucson, was the recipient of the Carnegie Mineralogical Award, which honors those who have made outstanding contributions to mineralogical preservation, conservation, and education that match the ideals advanced in the Hillman Hall of Minerals & Gems at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh.

Part of a painting by Erin Deventhal, published as figure 9 in the November/December 2023 issue (page 544) in an article on her artwork. How better to illustrate this issue’s article titled “To Have and To Hold.”

Reproduced with permission

“Mastering the Art of Silicate Mineralogy,” by Peter J. Heaney, chosen by Friends of Mineralogy as Best Article in Rocks & Minerals in 2023 (January/February issue, pages 8–25).

Reproduced with permission

The 2024 John S. White International Mineral Legacy Award: John Cornish, of Washington State, was the recipient of the John S. White International Mineral Legacy Award, which recognizes people who have striven to educate, inform, and create paths to enhance knowledge of minerals. Few, if any, other mineral collectors/dealers have devoted as much of their time to educating young people about minerals, fossils, and geology as has Cornish. He can often be found in a classroom full of enthralled young people giving lessons on these subjects as someone who has “done it all.” He has traveled the world to collect minerals underground and has dug fossils from sites all over his home state. He has been extraordinarily generous, donating fossils he has found to museums and specimens of minerals and fossils to many of the students in his classes. His various contributions to so many enterprises are far too numerous to include here.

Buzz Gray, recipient of the 2024 American Mineral Heritage Award.

Photo by Michael Gray.

John Cornish (left), recipient of the John S. White International Mineral Legacy Award, and John S. White, after whom the award was named.

Photo by Merle White.

Dr. Robert Downs, recipient of the 2023 Carnegie Mineralogical Award.

Photo courtesy Robert Downs, via Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Cincinnati Mineral Society, for the thirtieth consecutive year, and the Houston Area Mineral Society (HAMS) contributed toward color costs in the Connoisseur’s Choice column. Laura Delano did the same for the Museum Notes column. Donors to the Color Fund, including those who participated in the Dallas Mineral Symposium’s auction this past August, contributed toward color in the remaining columns and articles. All are thanked for partnering with Rocks & Minerals to support color photography in the publication.

M.E.H.