All About Connecting and Collecting!

The Women’s Mineral Retreat is an annual event organized by a group of women who primarily work with gems and minerals in some fashion and have a desire to go out into the field to collect and connect. We organize an outing once a year based on the interest of our group and the dig site’s capacity. Overall this is a great way to learn, network and experience the hobby with other ladies.

This year, we gathered in Socorro, New Mexico, to dig underground for blue & purple fluorites at the Blanchard Mine, hosted by Ray DeMark, one of the mine’s current owners. 

The women in this industry work really hard and it’s so difficult sometimes to get to know each other. The purpose of this retreat is to do just that. The other objective is to find some amazing fluorite for our collections!

Arriving in Socorro, New Mexico

OCTOBER 4th- 7th, 2019

Day 1 Itinerary: 

This year’s trip started with a visit to the New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources where we were hosted by Virgil Leuth, Sr. Mineral & Economic Geologist and Museum Director, and Kelsey McNamara, Mineral Museum Curator. We got a neat behind-the-scenes tour of the museum and demonstrations of analytical equipment.

Digging For Fluorites at The Blanchard Mine

Day 2-3 Itinerary: 

After our first day in Socorro, the group caravanned out to the Blanchard Mine to start the 2019 dig for fluorites. We were eager and prepared for two full days of digging in the hot, rugged climate of New Mexico. In between our days digging in the mine, we made camp at the base of the mountain and spent a much needed night outdoors under the stars.

A Final Stop AT The Blanchard Rock shop

After a big couple days of digging and some exciting finds, we stopped at the Blanchard Rock Shop to catch up with some fellow rock lovers and check out the latest additions to their collection. To cap off a fun few days and reflect on the experience the group went out for one final dinner together before we all parted ways.

As after each retreat we’ll begin scouting and planning for next year’s trip and anxiously awaiting another chance to explore and discover amazing minerals!