New WCGMC Newsletter

The Wayne Country Gem and Mineral Club has moved into the sand business!   Well, I guess you could say we’ve come to the realization that sand grains are minerals and since we collect minerals, well, perhaps we should collect sands.  I guess I fell for the “sport” and then for the documentation part, a new newsletter.  Below is the opening article introducing the newsletter and our mission.  And here is a link to the full newsletter (WCGMC Sand Times Vol. 1, no. 1)


This is the inaugural issue of a newsletter published by the Sand Section of the Wayne County Gem and Mineral Club.  In 2019, one of us, Jim Rienhardt, introduced the club to a new aspect of “mineral” collector by sharing a collection of sands and talking about the hobby.  A few members took interest and decided to give the hobby a try.  The other of us, Fred Haynes, fell for the challenge of collecting and understanding sands hook, line and sinker.

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Color of the Year

Each December, The Pantone Color Institute announces its “Color of The Year” for the coming twelve months.  Everyone from furniture makers to jewelry designers to car companies, and, I suppose, to mineral dealers, takes notice as they plan their upcoming year products.

The Pantone Color of the year for 2020 is Classic Blue.  In making this announcement on December 11th, Pantone describes Classic Blue as “where sky and sea meet” and they suggest that folks who want to sport the 2020 color do so through “accent pieces such as a scarf or a watch strap, or perhaps a vase or candle for your home or office.”  This is all well and good, but mineral enthusiasts might want to know what mineral best typifies this choice.

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My 2020 Vision

Many people make New Year’s Resolutions.  Or perhaps just some people still practice the time old tradition of making personal promises and then breaking them?  I am going to forego that doomed-to-fail endeavor this year and replace it with a vision statement.  Someone told me Vision Statements are still in vogue.  I am going to call it My 2020 Vision and each month (or until I grow tired of the exercise) I will check in to see how well I am maintaining my 2020 Vision.

My 2020 Vision revolves around one word:  MORE 

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