June 2013 Newsletter

THE GOLDEN
NUGGET
13-06
JUNE, 2013
MONTGOMERY GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY
PROGRAM CORNER
When:
Where:
Time:
What:
June 13, 2013
1751 Congressman William L. Dickinson Drive, Montgomery, AL 36109
7:00 P M
SURPRISE TOPIC
REFRESHMENTS
Drinks: Amy McClellan
Snacks: David McDade
Please remember to bring paper plates, napkins, and cups. Ice is available at the
community center. It is your responsibility to find another member to substitute in the event
you are unable to fulfill a month for which you signed up.
List for remainder of the year:
drinks
JUL 11
AUG 8
SEP 12
OCT 10
NOV 14
MIKE BERKMAN
DAVID SHERROD
BILLY ERIC NEESE
DAN WOODS
JEANETTE RITCH
snacks
LINDA GRIEBEL
MORNING SHERROD
BONNIE & TOMMY SHANKS
BETTY STEVENS
VALYNN HELMS
HAPPY JUNE BIRTHDAY
4 Becky Fetzer
4Tim Herbert
6 Mary Belmont
8 Elizabeth Neese
9 Tommy Shanks
19 M. Phyllis Dice
20 Christie Kirkland
21 John Willard
24 Terry Fetzer
24 Lisa Morrow
28 Frank Rowell
28 Gerald Threadgill
ROCKHOUNDING (COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA)
The first amateur geologists were prospectors looking for valuable minerals and gemstones for commercial purposes. Eventually, however, more and more people have been drawn to amateur geology for recreational purposes, mainly for the beauty that rocks and minerals provide.
One reason for the rise in popularity of amateur geology is that a collection can begin by simply picking
up a rock. There are also many clubs and groups that search for specimens and compare them in groups as
a hobby. Information on where to find such groups can be found at libraries, bookstores, and "gem and
mineral shows". Tourist information centers and small-town chambers of commerce can also supply valuable local information. The Internet can also be a useful search tool as it can help find other amateur geologists.
The amateur geologist's principal piece of equipment is the geologist's hammer. This is a small tool with a
pick-like point on one end, and a flat hammer on the other. The hammer end is for breaking rocks, and the
pick end is mainly used for prying and digging into crevices. The pick end of most rock hammers can dull
quickly if struck onto bare rock. Rock collectors may also bring a sledgehammer to break hard rocks.
Good places for a collector to look are quarries, road cuts, rocky hills and mountains, and streams.
Presidents article not received by time of printing
1
CORRECTION:
In last month’s
issue, one
member’s name
was missing from
the list of
attendees at the
LaGrange Field
trip: Valynn
Helms did attend
that event.
Inside this issue:
Program Corner
Birthdays
President’s Message
1
Get to Know Board Member
Meeting Minutes
2
THANK YOU, DAVID
2
Field Trippin’
Eliminating Flats
Fire Agate
3
Collecting Selenite
Books on Finding Gems
4
Reminders
Welcome New Members
Links
5
Club Information
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Page 2
THE GOLDEN NUGGET
GET TO KNOW YOUR 2013 BOARD MEMBER JAMES P. ANDERSON
I am a retired Alabama state worker. I guess I have done a lot of things in my life and one of them is
to have developed an interest in gems, minerals and such. That includes my being a member of the
Dothan Gem and Mineral Society. I have not been very active in that interest lately, especially in the
last few years. But my wife, Betty, suggested that we take a look at the club here and some interest
has been rekindled and so we joined the club and in 2013, I was invited to become a board member.
Outside of family, I guess my strongest current interest is in the sport of Hang Gliding. Be careful
about asking me any questions about that sport. I will happily bore you forever on that subject.
June's birthstones are the Alexandrite, the Moonstone,
and the pearl.
The meaning is health and longevity.
Its birth flowers are the honeysuckle and the rose
MONTGOMERY GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY MINUTES MAY 9, 2013
Our Annual
Gem Mineral
and Jewelry Show
will be at a new
location in
December:
Alcazar Temple
The meeting was called to order by President Thad Cheatham and guests Crystie
Willard and Theresa Frank introduced themselves. Since there was no April meeting
due to inclement weather, the minutes for the March session were approved. Iris
McGehee read the Treasurer's report and it was approved by a show of hands. Lynn
Stauch indicated he had been asked by the Crump Center staff that we do a better job
of cleanup after our meetings. David Sherrod was approved to handle shop purchases
for the club and will buy a new trim saw blade and see which wheels need replacing
on the Genies. The gem and mineral show at Tannehill state park will be held June 1,
2 and is an excellent place to procure quality rough for cabochons. Thank you notes
from Faires Austin and Keith Harmon were noted. Iris McGehee stated that the deposit has been made to Alcazar Temple for our upcoming show in December. There
will be no May field trip. Refreshments were served and rock bingo was enjoyed by
the 40 rockhounds who were present after which the meeting was adjourned.
THANK YOU FROM JEANETTE RITCH
I would like to thank David Sherrod for meeting me at the shop on
Saturday, May 25. I won one of the scholarships to William Holland and
I decided to take the cabochon class. Since I wanted to get familiar
with the shop and machines, David was a big help. He sliced a quartz
rock from our property, drew a template on it, cut it out and then "cabbed"
it. (attached are some pictures) I can't wait to get to William Holland and
try my hand at it. THANK YOU, DAVID!
I would also like to mention that my nephew, Kent Aasand has graduated
with a degree in anthropology from Mississippi State. Here is a link to an
article on the MSU website about a project he has been working on
http://msstate.edu/web/media/detail.php?id=5993. I thought it was
interesting, you never know what you will find when you go on a dig!
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Page 3
13-06
FIELD TRIPPIN’WITH JEFF EDWARDS
DATE:
JUNE 15, 2013
TIME:
9:00 AM
LOCATION:
Mel and Jane Barkley’s property in Macon County
DETAILS:
Full day of fun for the whole family. Adventure, acres of woods,
running streams, stocked ponds, a hunting lodge, and rocks (of course). Mel is a wonderful
host and very competent guide to finding petrified wood and other treasures. Lots to do or you
can just enjoy nature. Some members even stay inside in the air conditioning and socialize.
It’ll be hot, but you can get wet walking in the running creeks.
WHAT TO BRING:
Change of clothes & towels, bucket, water, digging tools if desired.
SPECIAL FEATURE: Rock Swap (swap, sell, buy, trade specimens - if you want to feature your own items, remember to bring a table & chair)
FOOD:
Members need to confirm attendance. Call Iris McGehee at 2627275 with the number of people coming by June 11th so there will be an adequate supply of
hot dogs & buns and other goodies which will be furnished by the club. RESERVATIONS
REQUIRED BY June 11th.
Eliminating Flats - (by Ted Robles)
A while back, someone was saying that he was having problems with getting "flats" on his cabs, that
there was insufficient “give” in his wheels, and it didn't seem to make any difference no matter how much
pressure he applied. That was his first mistake.
Diamond and corundum ate two different animals; relatively speaking, about the same difference as
between quartz and chalk. If you "lean into" a diamond wheel, you will get lousy results (flats, etc.) on
your stone, and your wheels will wear out long before their time. On diamond, you try to do your cutting
(and everything else) by almost not touching the wheel. Use essentially no force. Don't "grind" the stone,
let the diamond wear it away, but keep it spinning. The technique is simply to use the whole face of the
wheel, and keep your cab moving. Any time you stop, you just bought a "flat". Can't help it! It's the same
principle as sharpening a knife on any emery wheel. If you don't want notches in your blade, you keep it
moving. Do almost all of your cutting on the coarsest wheel you have. If you leave any flats on the preform, you're going to have them on the final piece. Can't help it.
And finally, practice, practice, practice. Machines, like people, take some acquaintanceship before you
really know what you can get out of them.
{Oregon Rockhound, l0/04; via The Rockpile, 09/02; via Rock Rollers, 02/02; via West Seattle Petroglyphs, 05/05; via
Snoopy Gems, 08/05) (contributed by Terry Fetzer)
FIRE AGATE
(CONTRIBUTED BY JACK KIRKLAND)
Fire agate, a variety of chalcedony with an ancient and fiery beginning, is an all natural gemstone found only
in certain areas of Arizona, northern Mexico, and other parts of the southwestern United States. Approximately 24-36 million years ago these areas were subjected to massive volcanic activity during the Tertiary
Period. The fire agates were formed during this period of vulcanism when hot water, saturated with silica and
iron oxide, repeatedly filled cracks and bubbles in the surrounding rock, often forming a botryoidal (grapelike) growth.
Fire agate gemstones have beautiful iridescent rainbow colors, similar to opal, with a measurement of hardness on the MOHS scale of between 6.5-7 which prevent the issues of cracking and scratching. The vibrant
rainbow colors found within fire agates, created by the Schiller effect as found in mother-of-pearl and fire
opal, is caused by the alternating silica and iron oxide layers which diffract and allow light to pass which
forms the interference of colors known as fire. Besides the thin limonite and/or geothite iron oxide layers
there is no actual objects inside the gems, the fire agate visual effects arise from light interference within the
microstructure crystal layering of the gemstone.
Fire Agate Gemsare one of the hardest gemstones to produce, taking highly skilled lapidary skills and the
creative talents of a true artist. Dedication, patience and time will be needed if you plan on producing
quality fire agate cabochons, but the final rewards are truly spectacular. The fire agate stone also has a large
metaphysical following with the fire agate meaning and properites of being an excellent protection stone
which reflects negative energies, and healing properties for the stomach, nervous and endocrine systems.
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Oatman Arizona: Cuesta
Fire Agate Mine http://
www.fireagate.us/fireagate/oatman.shtml
Black Hills Arizona: BLM
Rockhounding Site http://
www.blm.gov/az/st/en/
prog/recreation/rockhnd/
locations/blk_hills.html
Deer Creek, Arizona http://
www.fireagate.us/fireagate/deer-creek-fireagate.shtml
Opal Hill California: Opal
Hill Fire Agate Mine
http://www.fireagate.us/
fire-agate/opalhill.shtml
Round Mountain Arizona:
BLM Rockhounding Site
http://www.blm.gov/az/st/
en/prog/recreation/
rockhnd/locations/
round_mtn.html
Saddle Mountain, Arizona
http://www.fireagate.us/
fire-agate/
saddlemountain.shtml
Slaughter Mountain,
Arizona
http://www.fireagate.us/
fire-agate/slaughtermountain-fire-agate.shtml
Here is a site that offers
links to other informational
sites about fire agate.
http://www.fireagate.us/
Page 4
THE GOLDEN NUGGET
COLLECTING SELENITE (CONTRIBUTED BY JACK KIRKLAND)
Read more at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/oklahoma/saltplains/
Selenite is a crystallized form of gypsum. Chemically, it is a hydrous calcium sulfate. Gypsum is a common
mineral that takes on a great variety of crystal forms and shapes. On the Salt Plains, the crystals are formed
just below the salt encrusted surface. They are seldom found deeper than 2 feet below the surface.
Crystals take on the characteristics of their environment; the finer the soil, the more clear the crystals. Iron
oxide in the soil gives the crystals their chocolate brown color. Because these crystals form in wet soil, sand
and clay particles are included within the crystal. These particles often form an "hourglass" shape, found only
in this area. Other foreign objects in the soil, such as sticks, rocks, bones, and even cockleburs, are sometimes
included as the crystal forms.
Single crystals, penetration twins, and clusters are the typical crystal shapes most frequently encountered on
the refuge. Exceptional individual crystals measuring up to 7 inches long have been found, along with complex
combinations weighing as much as 38 pounds.
In certain places on the Salt Plains, gypsum and saline solutions in the soil are sufficiently concentrated to
promote crystal growth. When temperature and brine conditions are ideal, the crystals may form very rapidly.
When heavy rains or floods bring great quantities of freshwater to the plains, some of the selenite crystals may
go back into solution until conditions are right for recrystallization.
As long as nothing happens to change the mineral content of the waters draining into the Salt Plains, these
crystals will continue to form, just as they do today.
Crystal digging is permitted April 1 through October 15, sunrise to sunset.
No special permit is required. Collectors are permitted to remove up to 10 pounds of crystals plus one large
cluster for their personal use in any one day.
How is it Done?
1. Use a shovel to dig a hole about 2 feet deep and 2 feet across until you reach wet sand. You may feel the
shovel break through the crystals as it goes down. This cannot be helped as there is no way of predicting
exactly where a bed of crystals is located.
2. Allow 2 or 3 inches of water to seep in from the bottom.
3. Use your hand or a container to splash water gently against the sides of the hole. The agitated water will
wash the soil away from the crystals.
4. When you find a crystal formation, continue splashing to wash it free of the supporting sand and clay.
5. At this stage of the process, the newly exposed crystals are wet and fragile. Use great care in removing
them.
6. After removing crystals from sand, place them where sun and wind will dry them. Egg cartons or other
containers may be used for transporting the crystals.
BOOKS ON FINDING GEM S
A good book on
your shelf is a
friend that
turns its back
on you and
remains a
Friend.
~Author
(RECOMMENDED BY JACK KIRKLAND)
"Fee Mining and Rockhounding Adventures in the West" by James Martin Monaco &
Jeanette H .Monaco, 2007.
"Fee Mining and Rockhounding Adventures in the Eastern US " by James Martin
Monaco & Jeanette H .Monaco, 2010
"Gem Trails of (various individual states) by James Mitchell. (There are several of
these for most of the western states)
"Roadside Geology of (various individual states) by various authors. For example:
"Gem Trails of New Mexico".
Another good series is "Rockhounding (various individual states). For example:
"Rockhounding New Mexico" by Ruta Vaskys and Martin Freed. These are field
guides and are good source materials for locations to look for gemstones and fossils.
They give very detailed information about what to find in locations that are pinpointed
by GPS coordinates.
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Page 5
13-06
SE SHOWS
http://www.rockngem.com/show-dates-display/?ShowState=ALL
>June 15, 2013 Greensboro, NC Hagan Stone Park Shelter #6, 10am to 6pmwww.haganstonepark.com
>July 27 to August 5, 2013 Spruce Pine, NC 29th Annual Grassy Creek Gem and Mineral Show located at
the Parkway Fire and Rescue Department, 12966 Hwy. 226 South, Spruce Pine, NC (halfway between US
19E and the Blue Ridge Parkway (Exit 331)). Donna Collis at collisdonna@yahoo.com or Roger Frye at
rcfrye@bellsouth.net for information. (828) 765-5519 or (828) 766-6136
WELCOME NEW
MEMBERS:
THERESE P. FRANK ;
CRYSTIE AND JOHN WILLARD
REMINDERS
Bring cancelled stamps to meetings.
Bring spare rocks, gems, minerals to any meeting in order to prepare for the Wheel of
Fortune.
Show your recent acquisitions at the monthly meeting so other members can experience
a variety of different materials.
NOTE: the shop will no longer be open on a regularly scheduled basis. The shop will be
opened only by appointment. Please email or call any of the following individuals at
ahead of time to set up a shop work date: Thad Cheatham, Jeff Edwards, Iris McGehee,
or Harold Glover.
Be sure to read your monthly copy of the LODESTAR which is emailed.
Member input is not only desired but also needed. Communicate program requests to
Jehle Flowers. Tell Jeff Edwards if you know of a potential site for a field trip. Talk to
any officer or board member regarding the need for a class.
LINKS TO CHECK OUT
International Colored Gemstone Assn newsletter http://www.gemstone.org/
Georgia Meteorite Association http://www.meteoriteassociationofgeorgia.org/
William Holland www.lapidaryschool.org
Wildacres http://www.amfed.org/sfms/wildacres-retreat.html
Al Mineral Locality Index http://www.mindat.org/rloc.php?loc=Alabama%2C+USA
GIA http://www.gia.edu/3954/gia_home_page.cfm http://www.greatdanepro.com/somewhere%
20in%20time/index.htm
educational sources for young rock & mineral collectors and hobbyists
KidsLoveRocks.com http://fossilsforkids.com/
http://www.mineralcollecting.org/
FL Museum Natural History (fossils) http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/collections/overview/
http://www.montgomerygemandmineralsociety.com/
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Club Officers for 2013
MONTGOMERY GEM AND
MINERAL SOCIETY
President:
1st V P/Programs:
2nd V P/Field Trips:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Past President
Thad Cheatham
Jehle Flowers
Jeff Edwards
David Sherrod
Iris McGehee
Lynn Stauch
462-3254
372-0837
312-0572
201-4460
262-7275
386-7330
Directors: James Anderson 265-4643 Leslie Amato 284-3846
Board meetings are at 6:30 pm immediately before the monthly
meetings.
WE’RE ON THE WEB! http://www.montgomerygemandmineralsociety.com/
If you are on Facebook, like our page. If you're not on Facebook, you can still
view our page by going to https://www.facebook.com/MontgomeryGemClub
General Information
The purpose of the Golden
Nugget is to inform members of
news about gems and minerals
along with news about club,
state, and regional activities of
interest to our members. Most
important, the Golden Nugget
provides a way for each of us to
share information about projects
and to pass on tips that will help
others enjoy our hobby. Unless
members are willing to contribute, the Golden Nugget cannot
meet this latter purpose.
Copyright 2013 by Montgom-
ery Gem & Mineral Society, Inc.
Except for items that are specifically copyrighted by their authors,
all material in this bulletin may be
freely copied. Please give credit to
The Golden Nugget and the appropriate author.
Meetings of the Montgomery
Gem & Mineral Society are held
every 2nd Thursday of the month at
7:00 p.m. at the Mureal Crump
Adult Center, 1751 Congressman
William L. Dickinson Drive (U.S.
231), Montgomery, AL 36109.
The annual gem show replaces the
December meeting. Anyone interested in gems and
minerals is invited to attend. Field trips, workshops,
and classes are held at various locations. These are
announced at monthly meetings. Membership dues
are $15.00 for individuals and $20.00 for families
residing in the same household.
The Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society is a
member of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. and the American Federation of
Mineralogical Societies, Inc.
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107,
this material is distributed without profit or payment
to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information.
THE GOLDEN NUGGET
Official Voice of the Montgomery Gem &
Mineral Society, Montgomery AL
Linda R. Griebel, Editor
The Golden Nugget
P. O. Box 801
Wetumpka, AL 36092-0801
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