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• GREENLEE COUNTY FIELD TRIPS: Saturday-Sunday, October 11th & 12th, 2025

  • Start
    10/11/2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • End
    10/12/2025
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • Location
    Greenlee County, Arizona (MSA Members Register for Meet-Up Location)

  Register

  
  

  EXPLORE | SHARE | INSPIRE

  

  
  

  

  FIELD TRIPS

  GREENLEE COUNTY, ARIZONA

  CLIFTON, MORENCI,

  EAGLE CREEK & DUNCAN

  
  

  DAY 1:

  SAN FRANCISCO RIVER

  (Purple Agate, Calcite, Geodes,

  Quartz & Chalcedony)

  
  

  EAGLE CREEK

  (Agate)

  
  

  DAY 2:

  SHELDON

  (Common Opalite)

  
  

  POLLY ANN MINE

  (Fluorite)

  
  

  LUCKY BLUE CLAIM

  (Fluorite)

  
  

  

  QUARTZ Var. AGATE

  Clifton, Greenlee County, Arizona, USA. 

  Steve Baker Photo.

  
  

  

  CALCITE

  Clifton, Greenlee County, Arizona, USA. 

  Steven Baker Photo.

  
  

  * MSA MEMBER TRIP EXCLUSIVE

  * IF POSSIBLE, WEAR YOUR CLUB T-SHIRT OR NAME BADGE

  
  

  TRIP LEADER:  Rick Olson

  LEADER VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:  White Chevrolet Suburban

  CARPOOLS BEING ORGANIZED:  NO

  MEET-UP DATE:  

  Saturday, October 11, 2025, and/or

  Sunday, October 12, 2025

  
  

  MEET-UP LOCATION ADDRESS:  CLIFTON, AZ Area for planning purposes.  MSA Members must register to receive Location Address & Details.

  MEET-UP TIME: 9:00AM (Each Day)

  DEPARTURE TIME: 9:30 AM or once all members have shown up if before departure time.

  SPECIAL DEPARTURE NOTES: As a courtesy for group who arrive on time, Trip Leader not waiting for stragglers past Departure Time.

  HOW LONG WILL TRIP LAST (END TIME):  Approximately 4:00 PM each day.

  LIMITED NUMBER TRIP:  Limited to (20) Vehicles 

  FEE’S (IF ANY, HOW & WHEN TO BE COLLECTED):  

  The only fee will be Lucky Blue Claim on Sunday.  Lucky Blue Dig Fee is $75 per 5-gallon bucket payable in cash at Claim.

  
  

  TRIP DETAILS: There is lodging in Clifton, Morenci and Duncan. There is a RV Campground in Clifton and numerous campgrounds along Hwy 75 towards Duncan.

  The first day will be in Clifton and Morenci. In Clifton we will stop at sites along the San Francisco River to collect Purple Agate, Calcite, Geodes, Chalcedony and Quartz. From there we will take the Eagle Creek Road down to the creek to collect Agate.

  The second day we will travel south to the community of Sheldon to collect Common Opalite. Afterwards we will take the Goat Camp Loop into the mountains and stop at the Polly Ann Mine for Fluorite. For those interested we could proceed to the fee collection at the Lucky Blue Claim for Fluorite crystals. Though not required, high clearance and 4-wheel drive will make travel much quicker for Lucky Blue Claim area.

  No strenuous hiking is required, but good hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, safety glasses, gloves and a whistle are strongly recommended.

  VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS:  

  1. FIRST DAY: Regular to high clearance. 

  2. SECOND DAY: Optional if going to Lucky Blue Claim, though not required, high clearance and 4-wheel drive will make travel much quicker.

  
  

  RATE PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF TRIP:  Easy-Moderate

  MATERIAL TO BE COLLECTED: (Purple Agate, Calcite, Geodes, Quartz, Chalcedony, Common Opalite, Fluorite)

  SAFETY (PPE) NEEDED: Safety Glasses, Gloves, Hat, Hiking Shoes, First-Aid Kit, Whistle. 

  TOOLS NEEDED: Rock Hammer, small Sledgehammer, Chisels, Pry Bar, Garden Rake and Bucket or Backpack.  

  ANCILLARY ITEMS NEEDED: For viewing fluorescent minerals, a field lamp or flashlights that have Long and/or Short Wave will heighten the experience.  Sunscreen, Hat, Water, Lunch Optional, Bug Spray.

  ADDITIONAL INFO: 

  TRIP CANCELLATION CLAUSE: Trip Leader can cancel the field trip due to low participation (under 5 members RSVP) or weather or road conditions.

  IF (RSVP) YOU WILL GO, YOU MUST SHOW UP: If unable to go, must contact Trip Leader as soon as possible 1-2 DAYS before, so Group not held up waiting for a no show.

  TRIP PREPAREDNESS: Arrive with full tank of gas, good tires and vehicle in good working order.

  OPTIONAL OVERIGHT OR DAY TRIP:  YES.  This trip can be for Saturday or Sunday only or overnight for the weekend.

  RSVP BY DEADLINE:  6:00 PM, Wednesday, October 8th.

  LIABILTY WAIVER:  Sign Liability Waiver at Meet-Up site each day.

  MAPS TO MEET-UP LOCATION:  Members must register to receive Location Address.

  
  

  Rick Olson

  MSA Field Trip Leader

  (928) 892-3481

  walkaround@earthlink.net

  
  

  

  QUARTZ

  Clifton, Greenlee County, Arizona, USA. 

  Steven Baker Photo.

  
  

  

  COMMON OPALITE

  Sheldon Area, Greenlee County, Arizona, USA. 

  Rick Olson Photo.

  
  

  
  

  

  FLUORITE

  Polly Ann Mine, Greenlee County, Arizona, USA. 

  Rick Olson Photo.

  
  

  

  FLUORITE

  Lucky Blue Claim, Greenlee County, Arizona, USA. 

  Rick Olson Photo.

  Show details
• FIELD TRIP: DoBell Ranch (Petrified Wood)

  • When
    10/11/2025
  •  
    9:45 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Must register to receive Location Details

  Register

  
  

  EXPLORE | SHARE | INSPIRE

  
  

  

  FIELD TRIP

  DoBELL RANCH

  (Petrified Wood)

  
  

  

  ARAUCARIOXYLON ARIZONICUM,

  Chinle Formation, Holbrook, Arizona.

  Mike Fleeman Collection, Chris Whitney-Smith Photo.

  
  

  * MULTIPLE CLUB TRIP.

  * IF POSSIBLE, WEAR YOUR CLUB T-SHIRT OR NAME BADGE.

  
  

  TRIP LEADER:  Bill Freese

  LEADER VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:  2019 Gray Toyota Tacoma

  LEADER CONTACT INFO: 602-568-6843 & bfreese77@cox.net

  CARPOOLS BEING ORGANIZED:  No

  DATE:  Saturday, October 11, 2025

  MEET-UP LOCATION ADDRESS:  HOLBROOK, AZ Area.  Members must register to receive Location Address.

  MEET-UP TIME:  9:45 AM

  DEPARTURE TIME: 10:00 AM sharp or once all members have shown up if before departure time.

  SPECIAL DEPARTURE NOTES: As a courtesy for group who arrive on time, Trip Leader not waiting for stragglers past Departure Time.

  HOW LONG WILL TRIP LAST (END TIME):  2:00 PM

  LIMITED NUMBER TRIP (##):  NO LIMIT

  FEE’S (IF ANY, HOW & WHEN TO BE COLLECTED):  $50 for a 5-gallon bucket, other pieces at great prices!  Cash is best. You will pay the DoBell family.

  TRIP DETAILS:  HOLBROOK, AZ area.  Members must register to receive Location Address.  This is a great trip to pick up some very nice pieces of petrified wood. Everything from jewelry size pieces to several hundred pounds are available at a very inexpensive rate. Normally, I fill up a 5-gallon bucket for about $50.  Rhonda DoBell and her family make sure everyone finds what they want and leaves happy. She will probably have lunch for us as well, usually burgers, hot dogs and stuff.

  Any vehicle can make this trip without issue.  i will be inviting some other clubs to add to the fun, so make sure you wear your badge.

  Let me know if you want to go and include your phone number for last minute changes.

  VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS:  Rate type of vehicle needed based on terrain: Any Vehicle

  RATE PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF TRIP:  Easy...unless you're wanting a several hundred pound piece!

  MATERIAL TO BE COLLECTED:  Petrified Wood

  SAFETY (PPE) NEEDED: Safety Glasses, Gloves, Long Sleeve Shirt, Pants, Boots, Hard Hat, First-Aid Kit.

  TOOLS NEEDED: Rock Hammer, Screw Drivers, Pry Bar, Large Shovel, Small Hand shovel, Rake, Pick Axe.

  ANCILLARY ITEMS NEEDED: Sunscreen, Hat, Water, Lunch Optional, Bug Spray, Bucket, First Aid Kit.

  ADDITIONAL INFO:  Rhonda and her family will be serving a free lunch after you are done collecting, around noon.  Jim Gray's may not open until 10 AM.

  TRIP CANCELLATION CLAUSE: Trip Leader can cancel the field trip due to low participation (under 5 members RSVP) or weather or road conditions.

  IF (RSVP) YOU WILL GO, YOU MUST SHOW UP: If unable to go, must contact Trip Leader as soon as possible 1-2 DAYS before, so Group not held up waiting for a no show.

  TRIP PREPAREDNESS: Arrive with full tank of gas, good tires and vehicle in good working order.

  OPTIONAL OVERIGHT OR DAY TRIP ON SATURDAY:

  Not Overnight Trip.

  
  

  RSVP BY DEADLINE (DATE & TIME):  6:00 PM, October 8th.

  LIABILTY WAIVER:  Sign Liability Waiver at Meet-Up Site.

  MAPS TO MEET-UP LOCATION:  Members must register to receive Location Address.

  
  

  BILL FREESE

  MSA Field Trip Leader

  DMRMC Field Trip Committee Chairman

  (602) 568-6843

  bfreese77@cox.net

  
  
  

  Show details
• MSA Monthly (In-Person & Zoom) Meeting - October 16, 2025 - "The Adventure of Tsavorite from Discovery to Present Day” Presented by Bruce Bridges

  • When
    10/16/2025
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
  • Location
    (In Person Meeting): Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall), 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
  • Spaces left
    81

  Register

  EXPLORE | SHARE | INSPIRE

  

  

  

  
  

  MSA MEETING PROGRAM & PLACE

  Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall),

  October 16, 2025 @ 7.30 pm Arizona time

  
  

  "The Adventure of Tsavorite from Discovery to Present Day”

  
  

  Presented by

  BRUCE BRIDGES

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Photos courtesy of Bruce Bridges.

  
  

  * Please bring refreshments to share.

  * MEETING will be (In-Person and Zoom).

  * NOTE: Length of talk will be between (1.5 to 2 hours).

  * ZOOM offering may be impacted.  If possible, please plan to attend this special program In-Person. 

  
  

  OCTOBER Mineral of the Month:

  Minerals & Gemstones of Africa

  (Okay to bring 1-2 examples)

  
  

  
  

  Our October 16th program will be presented by Bruce Bridges on “The Adventure of Tsavorite from Discovery to Present Day."  Bruce Bridges, the son of the legendary geologist Campbell Bridges, will give a presentation and first-hand account on the history of tsavorite and the adventure-filled life of his father.  Renowned for his discovery of tsavorite, Campbell Bridges was also Tiffany and Company's consultant geologist on tanzanite and brought the first tanzanite for identification to the United States. His geological expertise allowed him to lead successful, if often perilous, hunts for some of the world's rarest gemstones in the uninhabited bush of East Africa. Campbell’s buccaneering life featured frequent brushes with snakes and scorpions, big cats and buffalo; and of course, the story of his discovery of tsavorite in the Tanzanian bush in 1967.

  Bruce will also discuss the evolution and development of the family’s famed Scorpion Mine and the tsavorite mining industry over the past five decades, up to and including the present-day mining landscape in Kenya and Tanzania.

  In addition, Bruce will give a presentation and first-hand account on the cutting process involved in a one of a kind tsavorite named, The Lion of Merelani. The magnificent gemstone was donated to the Smithsonian and will majestically remain on display in their National Gem Collection right next to the Hope Diamond until the end of time.

  
  

  Bruce Bridges is the son of Campbell Bridges, the discoverer of the vivid, pure green variety of garnet known as tsavorite, and the person to bring the first variety of blue zoisite, known as tanzanite, for identification to the United States. Campbell Bridges was also Tiffany & Company's official consultant geologist on tanzanite.

  Bruce has been intimately involved in the gem industry since childhood, working side-by-side with his father. Growing up in Kenya, he has completed extensive fieldwork in the Taita/Taveta region of Southern Kenya.  As the President of Bridges Tsavorite, Bruce carries on the family tradition of three generations as gemstone miners and dealers in Africa. The family business is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with its sales distribution headquarters in Tucson, Arizona. The company is proud to maintain its fully integrated operation, which includes every aspect from; mining, sorting, grading and cutting, to marketing and sales. In addition, Bruce has both published and lectured extensively on tsavorite throughout the world.

  Bruce currently serves as the President of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) and completed a six-year term as a Director of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA). In 2017, he was appointed to the Advisory Board of The University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum, as well as the Advisory Board of the Gemstones and Sustainable Development Knowledge Hub.

  
  

  Save the date for this very special program!

  
  

  Thank you, BRUCE, for sharing your incredible talk with Mineralogical Society of Arizona detailing your families hopes for the future and legacy of the Bridges family.

  
  

  Meeting starts at 7.30PM Arizona time.

  Show details
• PLACEHOLDER: MEETING TO BE ANNOUNCED: MSA Monthly (In-Person & Zoom) Meeting - November 20, 2025 - "TITLE TBA” Presented by TBA

  • When
    11/20/2025
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    (In Person Meeting): Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall), 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
  • Spaces left
    90

  
  
  
  

  MSA MEETING PROGRAM & PLACE

  Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall),

  November 20, 2025 @ 7.30 pm Arizona time

  
  

  "TITLE TBA”
  Presented by TBA

   

  Meeting is on 3rd Thursday.
  

  * No refreshments

  MEETING will be In-Person and Zoom.

  
  

  Program TBA.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Meeting starts at 7.30PM Arizona time.

  
  

  Show details
• PLACEHOLDER: MEETING TO BE ANNOUNCED: MSA Monthly (In-Person & Zoom) Meeting - January 15, 2026 - "TITLE TBA” Presented by TBA

  • When
    01/15/2026
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    (In Person Meeting): Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall), 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
  • Spaces left
    90

  
  
  
  

  MSA MEETING PROGRAM & PLACE

  Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall),

  January 15 , 2026 @ 7.30 pm Arizona time

  
  

  "TITLE TBA”
  Presented by TBA

   

  Meeting is on 3rd Thursday.
  

  * No refreshments

  MEETING will be In-Person and Zoom.

  
  

  Program TBA.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Meeting starts at 7.30PM Arizona time.

  
  

  Show details
• PLACEHOLDER: MEETING TO BE ANNOUNCED: MSA Monthly (In-Person & Zoom) Meeting - April 17, 2025 - "TITLE TBA” Presented by TBA

  • When
    04/16/2026
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    (In Person Meeting): Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall), 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
  • Spaces left
    90

  
  
  
  

  MSA MEETING PROGRAM & PLACE

  Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall),

  April 17, 2025 @ 7.30 pm Arizona time

  
  

  "TITLE TBA”
  Presented by TBA

   

  Meeting is on 3rd Thursday.
  

  * No refreshments

  MEETING will be In-Person and Zoom.

  
  

  Program TBA.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Meeting starts at 7.30PM Arizona time.

  
  

  Show details
• PLACEHOLDER: MEETING TO BE ANNOUNCED: MSA Monthly (In-Person & Zoom) Meeting - October 15, 2026 - "TITLE TBA” Presented by TBA

  • When
    10/15/2026
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    (In Person Meeting): Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall), 5802 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
  • Spaces left
    90

  
  
  
  

  MSA MEETING PROGRAM & PLACE

  Franciscan Renewal Center, (Piper Hall),

  October 15, 2026 @ 7.30 pm Arizona time

  
  

  "TITLE TBA”
  Presented by TBA

   

  Meeting is on 3rd Thursday.
  

  * No refreshments

  MEETING will be In-Person and Zoom.

  
  

  Program TBA.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Meeting starts at 7.30PM Arizona time.

  
  

  Show details