Oct 2010

SEDONA RED ROCKING NEWS
Sedona Gem and Mineral
Club
P.O. Box 3284, Sedona, AZ 86340
www.sedonagemandmineral.org
General Meetings are held on the third Tuesday
of the month at 7:00 PM at the Sedona Library
off of Dry Creek Road in West Sedona.
The Board of Directors meets at 4:00 PM the day
before the General Meeting, also at the library.
Members and guests are always welcome
to attend.
October 2010
MEMBER AMERICAN FEDERATION OF
MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES
MEMBER ROCKY MOUNTAIN
FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL
SOCIETIES
Be sure to attend the annual Sedona Gem and Mineral Show October 16 and 17, 2010, at the Sedona Red Rock
High School, Sedona. For more information call Pat McMahan at (928) 300-8333 or Ed Hodges at (928) 2824980.
Helen Serras-Herman Presentation to
Sedona Gem & Mineral Club on October 12th, 2010 at the Sedona Public
Library
By Becky Solon
artistic future would soon change after the discovery of the world
of carved gemstones. She took the 3-year course on Glyptography/Glyptology [study of gem engravings] at the “Glyptography
Center” in Athens, the school created by her mentor Kielty Lambrinides in 1984 and sponsored by EOMMEX (Hellenic Organization of Small Industries and Handicrafts). During that period,
Helen also earned her degree in Gemology ( FGA ) through the
Gemological Association of Great Britain
As her website states, Helen
holds a Masters of Fine Arts degree (MFA) in Sculpture from
the prestigious Hochschuele Der
Kuenste (University of Arts) in
West Berlin, Germany, after 6
years of study with professors
Hans Nagel and Harro Jacob.
During her last two years (1981-1983) at the school, Helen gathered great experience in molds and casts working as Tutor of the
Plaster Workshop in the Sculpture Division.
From 1986 to 1988 she also taught Drawing, Glyptography,
Glyptology and Gemology at the “Municipal School of Glyptography & Jewelry” in Volos, Greece, and the “Lapidary School” in
Agia Sofia, near Hania, Crete, sponsored by EOMMEX.
In 1983, Helen returned to her Greek homeland and worked in
bronze and mixed media. She immediately became a member of
the Greek Chamber of Arts/Sculpture Division, and of the Sculptors’ Association. She presented two solo exhibitions and participated in numerous sculpture group exhibitions as a professional
sculptor until 1988.
In 1988 Helen moved to Maryland, into the Washington, D.C.
Metropolitan area and established her studio, the “Glyptography
Center,” now known as “The Gem Art Center.” From that point
on she has completely devoted her work to the art and science of
gem sculpture.
While carrying on her large sculpture work, Helen served a
long apprenticeship (1984-1988) in Gem Sculpture [Glyptography] with the English master Nik Kielty Lambrinides. Helen’s
OCTOBER MEETING
NOTICE OF DATE CHANGE!
Just a reminder that the October meeting will be held the second week of the month (instead of the third). We need to have this
general meeting to finalize assignments for the Gem and Mineral
Show on Oct. 16 and 17. Please make special note of the October
meeting: Tuesday, October 12, 2010.
Helen joined the Gem Artists of North America in early 1997
as an Artist Member. She has exhibited with the group at the Lizzadro Museum in Elmhurst Illinois, several times at the Carnegie
Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, PA, the Pittsburgh Ballet Opera, and the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum.
In 2002 and 2003, Helen served as President of the Gem Artists
of North America (GANA). In 2003, Helen was inducted in the
National Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame!
(Continued on page 2)
Sedona Gem & Mineral Club
Helen Serras-Herman continued
Helen is a Fellow member of the Gemological Association of
Great Britain, a member of the Greek Chamber of Arts/Sculpture
Division, member of the GIA Alumni Washington D.C. Chapter and member of several Gem and Lapidary Societies. She is a
past president of the Gem Lapidary and Mineral Society of Washington D.C. and has received many awards for her contribution
to the clubs, especially for her educational efforts. The Eastern
Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies awarded her
its highest award in the “Each One, Teach One” competition in
1994. She is also a Firm Member of the American Gem Trade
Association (AGTA).
Presentation topic: Visit Six of Southern Arizona’s Mines
for History & Inspiration: The Asarco Mission Mine; The
Good Enough Mine; The Queen Mine; The Morenci Mine;
The Ray Mine; and The Sleeping Beauty Mine
This lecture is a PowerPoint digital presentation and includes
a handout. A synopsis of the lecture is based on an article that was
published in the July 2010 issue of Rock & Gem magazine.
Southern Arizona has been a center for mining exploration
for over 100 years. Many mines were discovered, and many fortunes were made and lost in the precious metals, gold, silver and
copper. All of Southern Arizona’s major mines produce valuable
copper ore and the highly-sought-after copper-related minerals
turquoise, azurite, malachite, and chrysocolla along with a multitude of secondary minerals. Turquoise from the Bisbee mines
is legendary, as is chrysocolla in chalcedony quartz, known as
Gem Silica, some of which occurred in spectacular drusy formations from the old Inspiration Mine and the current Ray Mine
near Globe.
In this presentation we will take a tour of the Asarco Mission
Mine, in Sahuarita; the Good Enough Mine and Tombstone Mine,
in Tombstone; the Bisbee Queen Mine, in Bisbee; the Morenci
Mine, in Clifton; and the Ray Mine, near Globe, Arizona. All of
these mines have played a vital role in the population and development of this area of
the State. Details will be
given of the guided tours
that are offered, so that you
may visit them and get a
better understanding of the
magnitude of the high-tech
ore extraction processes involved in mining these precious metals.
Helen’s latest Copper
Trails Jewelry Collection
is inspired by Southern
Arizona’s mining history
and her visits to several of
these mines. In this collection, her one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces and sculptures
feature many of these beautiful Arizona gems, combined with
unique settings in sterling silver and gold.
October 2010, Page 2
Field Trip: Grapevine Canyon. By Rita Topp
The September
trip was a big success, the weather
was in full co-operation by providing an abundance
of sunshine.
Everyone
including Jack, our
junior rockhound
on the trip found all the Onyx they could carry. Onyx was being
dug up as well as picked up from the surface for several hours. Some good size pieces were acquired
for yard rocks and many of us oohed
and ahhed over a couple sizable rocks
that would be in Sedona if we only
had a winch to pull them out of the
canyon. Rock saws and grinders will
be humming for months to come.
Start planning now for our October field trip to Diamond point
for quartz crystals. The date to mark on your calendar is October
23. Our meeting place will be at the McDonalds parking lot, located at the I-17 and Hwy 260 intersection. You can sign up at our
club meeting on Tuesday October 12.
Grapevine Canyon was a first time for everyone that went, with
the exception of the trip leaders. Picture courtesy of our Historians, Ted and Barb Schultz.
Sedona Gem & Mineral Club
2010 SEDONA GEM AND MINERAL SHOW
By Susan Read
The Gem and Mineral Show, October 16th and 17th, is just around the
corner and the committee chairmen have been busy throughout the summer
preparing for another successful year.
As many of you know, Brian Friefield passed away unexpectedly. We
couldn’t believe our luck when Brian accepted the chair position for our
Scholarship Raffle. He was so energetic, so positive and his goal was to
exceed last year’s two scholarships awards. Brian had contacted around 50
businesses who were donating raffle gift prizes. Brian was also the spearhead for our banners that will start showing up around Sedona advertising
our Show. Our Show this year will be dedicated in Brian’s memory. I know
that Brian will be deeply missed, but his dream will still go on. Susan Zepkin will be taking on the work Brian was not able to complete, and we thank
her so very much for filling in for Brian. Susan needs people to help out
at the raffle table; if you can volunteer, please contact me and let me know
what day you can work at the raffle table. Please allow half of a day for this
volunteer position.
Pat and I can’t thank Gayle Macklin for her extensive work in advertising our Show. One of Gayle’s accomplishments was to place our rack cards
in the Sedona Trolley, for free. Gayle, as you know, is our Club’s secretary.
We have ads in newspapers, radio, newsletters and magazines throughout
the State and in others states as well. Something you may not know, for
several years, Ed Hodges has done a wonderful job in the design of our
rack cards and flyers. They are very professional looking, and without his
talent our Show wouldn’t have the success we have reached over the years.
Another special accolade would be to Ray Cooke; as he has always provided
the numerous checks we need to meet our goals for the Show. Becky Solon,
has arranged for speakers for the Show. This is no easy feat; for a club our
size, having renowned speakers is something out of the ordinary. Pat McMahan has done a wonderful job in filling our vendor booths for the Show.
Without our vendors we would not be able to provide the scholarships we
provide to graduating high school students.
The Photo Club at Red Rock High School will be manning our food
court again this year. We are happy they have accepted our invitation. All
profits they make go directly to their club.
Another exciting development is taking place prior to the Show. The
Sedona Library is providing two 6’ display cases for us to show our private
collections. If you are interested, please call me. We will also be displaying
our Grand Prizes in the display cases. The cases are available from October
11 to 17th, and they will be locked. Gayle Macklin will need to coordinate
the dropping off and picking up of your collection. Your collection must be
picked up by Monday, October 18th. During this period we will be able to
promote our Show to all the visitors using the library. Also, if you would
like to display your collection in our cases at the Show, please contact me.
We hope you will strongly consider volunteering. It’s just a small handful of people who have brought us to this point, but without your help, we
can’t carry it alone. You can call me at 284-9547 or email: pdxprss@earthlink.net to help out. We will be setting up on Friday, October 15th at Sedona Red Rock High School. The tables will be delivered at 3:00 p.m., and
October 2010, Page 3
shortly after that we will start with putting on the plastic coverings for the
vendor tables. Please bring scissors with you if you are planning to help out.
Don’t forget, we will be providing pizza, and beverages for those who want
to participate. It’s a great time to meet people, and show your support of this
very important event for our Club.
We truly thank those who signed up at the September meeting. We still
have a couple of areas that need volunteers for the following areas:
Raffle table
Information and Survey table at the entrance of the Show
Security
Security for Display Cases
Kids Corner
We will have the sign-up sheets available at our October Meeting on
12th, or you can email me (see email address below).
Pat, I and all the Chairmen are looking to see you at the Show.
Susan Read – Show Co-Chair
284-9547
pdxprss@earthlink.net
2010 SPEAKER AND SLIDE PRESENTATION
SCHEDULE
Saturday – October 16th
10:00 a.m. – SLIDE PRESENTATION - PAINTED DESERT / PETRIFIED FORREST
10:30 a.m. – SLIDE PRESENTATION – AGATES OF THE WORLD
11:00 a.m. – BECKY SOLON
1:00 p.m. – HELEN SERRAS- HERMAN – SPEAKER - “GEM CARVING, INSPIRATION AND SKILLS”
2:00 p.m. – PAT MCMAHAN – SPEAKER - “AGATES WITH INCLUSIONS”
3:00 p.m. – BRAD BRADLEY – SPEAKER - “FORMATION OF DIAMONDS”
Sunday – October 17th
10:00 a.m. – SLIDE PRESENTATION - PAINTED DESERT / PETRIFIED FORREST
10:30 a.m. – SLIDE PRESENTATION – AGATES OF THE WORLD
11:00 a.m. – PAT MCMAHAN - SPEAKER - “AGATES WITH INCLUSIONS”
12:30 p.m. – HELEN SERRAS-HERMAN – SPEAKER - “PAS
SION FOR OPALS”
1:30 p.m. – BRAD BRADLEY – SPEAKER – “FORMATION OF DIAMONDS”
Sedona Gem and Mineral Club
October Newsletter, 2010
Volume 56, Issue 7
September 17-19, 2010 Enid, OK
Enid Gem and Mineral Society Annual Show, Oakwood
Mall, 4125 W. Owen K Garriott Rd. Contacts:
Billy Wood, baronladislaus@att.net, 580-234-5344;
Leon & Mary Walters, marylousreallyncethings@
yahoo.com, 580-237-1177.
OCTOBER 2010
October 8-10, 2010 Sierra Vista, AZ
36th Annual Huachuca Gem, Jewelry, & Mineral Show at the
Elks Lodge on Wilcox Ave. Presented by the Huachuca Mineral
& Gem Club. Contact Maudie Bailey at 520-378-6291.
SEPTEMBER 2010
September 11-12, 2010 Siloam Springs, AK
Northwest Arkansas Gem & Mineral Society Fall Rock Swap.
Contact Delane Cox, 479/ 254-0894 email: delanec3@ earthlink.
net.
September 15-19, 2010 Denver, CO
Colorado Mineral and Fossil Show, Holiday Inn - Denver Central,
4849 Bannock St.
Sedona Gem & Mineral Club
P.O. Box 3284
Sedona, AZ 86340
NOVEMBER 2010
November 13-14. 2010 Lake Havasu City, AZ
Lake Havasu Gem & Mineral Society’s 41st Annual Gem and
Mineral Show, Aquatic Center, 100 Park Ave. Contact Show
Chair C. J. Stone, (928.505.2865) www.lakehavasugms.org.
DECEMBER 2010
December 3-5, 2010 El Paso, TX
El Paso Mineral and Gem Society Gem Show, El Maida
Auditorium,
6331 Alabama, El Paso. Contact Jeannette Carriollo,
877-533-7153, gemcenter@aol.com.