The Del Air Rockhounds Club Welcomes You!!

www.Facebook.com/DelAirRockhounds

The Del-Air Rockhounds Club was founded in 1954 with members mostly residing in the San Fernando Valley area of California. Our club is a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing knowledge of the lapidary arts and techniques, geology, mineralogy and related fields. We own our own lapidary equipment with members available to teach and demonstrate lapidary techniques to other members. Our members enjoy lapidary related programs, demonstrations, exhibitions, displays and lectures. We also take monthly field trips to our local deserts & mountains for exploration and the study and collection of lapidary and mineral specimens.

Member of the California & American Federation of Mineralogical Societies

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7618, Van Nuys, CA 91409 

Del-Air Rockhounds March 2025 Calendar of Events

Thursday March 6: General Meeting 7:30 pm in our regular meeting room

Saturday March 8: Field Trip - Stoddard Wells 

Sunday March 9: Daylight Savings Time Begins

Monday March 17: St Patrick's Day

Thursday March 20: Board Meeting & First Day of Spring

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Del-Air Field Trip to UCLA Meteorite Museum, Sunday February 23, 2025

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Match's Special People

Happy Birthday - March 8 - Diana Durfee; March 26 - Maxine Dearborn

Happy Anniversary - March 23 - Brad & Laurie Tanas

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March 2025 Program: Tektites

Presented by: Paolo Sanchez

Tektites, glass blobs formed from the melting and/or vaporization of terrestrial rock from a meteor impact, have been known for over a century and are common. The 790,000 year-old Australasian tektites, which are commonly seen in gem shows, are found all over Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Pacific and Indian Oceans covering 10% of the Earth's surface. However, the proposed source crater for these tektites remains elusive. From stratigraphic and geophysical data, a recent study in 2019 found a potential crater buried under lava flows and jungle vegetation. This presentation focuses on what tektites are, the importance of studying them, and delves into a recent geological expedition I went on to the jungles of Laos looking at the geology and many tektites from the proposed source crater.

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March's Rock of the Month is Calcite

Calcite is fluorescent so bring in your UV lights. We ask members and guests to bring in your specimens of Calcite to share with the group. Look to this page each month to learn what the featured rock will be. An enlightened club member will provide a brief, informative talk on the selected rock each month.

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March Field Trip - Stoddard Wells Tailgate - For Paid Members Only

Saturday March 8th, 2025 - Sign up Sheet at the March Meeting Meet-up at 11:00 am at the entrance to the Tailgate

Our field trip will be on Saturday March 8 but, if you are so inclined, you are welcome to attend the entire event as there are dry camping spots and restrooms available. VICTOR VALLEY GEM AND MINERAL CLUB Invites you to their 49th Annual Stoddard Wells Rockhound Tailgate Victorville, California, Friday through Sunday, March 7, 8, and 9th 2025 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Daily Come visit us for Handcrafted and Faceted Jewelry, Slabs and Cabs, Findings and Equipment, Minerals and Fossils, TONS of Rough Material and lots of surprises.

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April 2025 Field Trip Teaser - For Paid Members Only

Lavic Siding - Saturday & Sunday April 26 & 27, 2025 

                                                                                                             Lavic Siding Jasper                                                                                                        

If you ask any rockhound where the Mojave's most colorful jasper can be found, Lavic Siding will be on the short list. For decades, rockhounds have driven across the tracks and down the Lavic Lake road to access this remarkable location. Red, yellow and orange jasper with blue and white quartz stringers is still found in profusion as float in this spot. Have your rock hammers and spray bottles at the ready. The plan is to spend Saturday morning and early afternoon roaming the little mesas and gullies to the east of the brooding Pisgah Cinder Cone, and then move further south to explore the north part of Lavic Lake. More details in the April bulletin and at the March & April general meetings.

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Upcoming Gem & Mineral Shows

Come support our sister clubs, the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, the Conejo Gem & Mineral Club & the Pearblossom Gem Show by attending their annual shows in March & April respectively.              Always a fun time!