Volume 3, Issue 2

Volume 3, Issue 2

February 2008

PROGRAM Gisela New will make a presentation at our February meeting about Septarian Nodules. Since this is such beautiful material, there is no doubt this will be a very interesting talk. My dream is to find one!

P.O. Box 234 Needles, CA 92363 Editor: Barbara Wiggins [email protected]

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS NEXT CLUB MEETING

Nancy Kelly Mona & Marvin Davidson

February 20 at 6 PM PST Needles Marina RV Park Recreation Room 100 Marina Drive Needles, CA Usually 3rd Wednesday of each month, Oct-May

BOARD MEETING 30 minutes before Club meeting each month

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 3 4 5 6 7

Club Information Upcoming Field Trips & Events/“Go’ in” to Tucson Upcoming Shows Field Trip Report Birthstones Puzzle/Tumbling to Polish Cabs Hints ‘n Such

Blue Agate News

Needles Gem & Mineral Club

February 2008

NGMC INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW THE OBJECTIVES OF NGMC

Membership per person: $15.00 year $ 3.75 Name Badge: $ 1.00 Field Trip Fee: “No Badge” fine: 25¢

To promote public interest in collecting and studying rocks and minerals. To preserve and perpetuate the lapidary arts. To provide field trips to obtain lapidary material and minerals for preservation and display. To provide an opportunity for the purchase, exchange and exhibition of specimens and materials.

FIELD TRIP GUIDELINES - NGMC • Leader will state approximately how far, road conditions, and if 4WD is required when each field tripper signs in. • Each car is to keep the car behind in sight and STOP if the car is not in sight (unless otherwise stated by the leader). • Field trippers will notify the leader if they are hiking or driving to another site and their approximate return time. • Field trippers will notify the leader if they are leaving the group and sign out (with time). • Members wear name badges. • Handheld radios: stay on Channel 6

The NGMC meets the third Wednesday of each month from October through May at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time unless otherwise notified.

NGMC - 2008 President: Barb Ballard Vice President: Pat New Treasurer: Ann Ferguson Secretary: Sally Hayward Past President: Corinne More Past President: Knox McCloy Auditor: Gisela New

928-768-6335 928-768-5640 928-768-7150 928-768-7437 760-326-5005 928-768-9064 928-768-5640

Sgt at Arms: Knox McCloy Field Trip Chair: Corinne More Newsletter Editor: Barbara Wiggins Refreshment Chair: Lori Clary Raffle Chair: Barbara Wiggins

928-768-9064 760-326-5005 928-453-0948 928-234-3391 928-453-0948

The Blue Agate News is published monthly except June, July, August and September. Articles are requested to be to the editor by the 15th of each month, preferably by email at [email protected] or call (928) 453-0948. The Blue Agate News is also published via email - if you have internet, please share your address with the Editor. This saves the club money and you will have the newsletter immediately. The Newsletter is in PDF format so it will be necessary to download Adobe Reader (free program) in order to view the newsletter. You can also view the newsletter on line at http://needlesgemmineralclub.blogspot.com/. Please e-mail Barbara with information at [email protected].

HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERS George Truitt Norma Truitt Myrna Givens Corinne More Tom More

Membership dues are payable at the November meeting and delinquent after January 1, 2008. Please send dues to the official Club address on the first page of this Newsletter, attention: Treasurer.

The Blog (Web Log) – Blue Agate News Online is free and can be updated frequently October through May. If you have information you want posted, please email it to Sally at [email protected] or sign up to contribute directly to the blog.

This Club is a member of the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) http://www.cfmsinc.org/. 2

Blue Agate News

Needles Gem & Mineral Club

February 2008

Corinne says it’s going to be hard to beat the last trip Linda led on January 26. Thanks Linda!!

2008 Refreshment Schedule February 2008 – Gisela, Corinne March 2008 – Ann, Dinah, Carolyn April 2008 – Barbara W, Ramona May 2008 Season End Pot Luck October 2008 – Barb Ballard November 2008 – Sandy, Paula December 2008 Christmas Pot Luck

“GO’ IN” TO TUCSON... by Sally Hayward

UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS & EVENTS

For those of you going to the Tucson show this year and those of you that live in the area...the Electric Park Show is open to the public. The "Learning Center" is a show-andtell facility at the Electric Park Show. Conceived with the aim of demonstrating the fascination of gems and jewelry in a lively, hands-on way, the Learning Center offers 3 free lectures daily, cutting demonstrations, workshops and more, from February 2nd to 16th. In non-lecture times, visitors can try their own hand at gem cutting with an expert to guide them. Featured this year at the Learning Center: noted gem author, Fred Ward, presents his latest in the "Fred Ward Gem Books" on Phenomenal Gems; Colin Winter, respected figure in British gemology, gives a presentation on spectroscopy; Roger Dery, past winner of the AGTA cutting award, talks about the real world of commercial, nonhobby, professional gem cutting; Brad Simon introduces a new internet-based jewelry television channel; Tyler Allen, award winning cutter, gives a spine-tingling account of his greenhorn's venture into the dangerous world of gem buying in Madagascar Beading and Wire Wrap demos and so much more. All presentations are one hour or less in duration; open to the general public; and free. Presentation times are at 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day from Feb. 2 - 16. You may view the Learning Center's schedule at: http://www.electricparklearningcenter.com.

BAGDAD MINE by Sally Hayward It is time to start planning for the Bagdad Mine Field Trip. I understand we are to depart from the Wikieup Trading Post at 10:00 a.m. (MST) on Friday, February 22, 2008. The Wikieup Trading Post is at the south end of Wikieup and on the east side of the road. Then we travel to the Bagdad mine. We will meet at the Town/Mine Recreation Center at 11:00 a.m. The field trip leader, Barb Ballard, needs a head count as soon as you can let her know. We are restricted in the number of people who go. Please call her at 928-768-6335 to let her know your plans. There will be final information at our regular business meeting on February 20th.

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Check the Blog often, as updates are posted when available. http://needlesgemmineralclub.blogspot.com/

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Thank you Bernie for giving us those beautiful Lake Superior Agates! 3

Blue Agate News

Needles Gem & Mineral Club

UPCOMING SHOWS

February 2008

Mar 1-2--VENTURA, CA: 46th annual show; Ventura Gem & Mineral Society; Seaside Park, Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; free admission; gem, mineral, rock, fossil and jewelry exhibits, 15 dealers, jewelry making demonstrations, door prize raffles, kids' activities, country store, plant sale; contact Abe Bar-Shai, (818) 991-7735; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.vgms.org

Feb 15-24--INDIO, CA: Show; San Gorgonio Min & Gem Soc; Riverside County Fairgrounds, Gem & Mineral Bldg. #1, 46-350 Arabia St.; all days 10-10; Riverside County Fair and Date Festival; contact Bert Grisham, (951) 849-1674 Feb 22-23--NORTHRIDGE, CA: Show, "San Fernando Valley Gemboree"; Del Air Rockhounds; United Methodist Church, 9650 Reseda Blvd.; Fri. 39:30, Sat. 10-5; free admission, children under 16 must be accompanied by adult; dealers, demonstrations, exhibits, silent auction, plant sale/boutique, games, geode cutting, stone sculpture, youth/Scout activities; contact Julia Marin, 18220 Marilla St., Northridge, CA 91325, (818) 8867190; e-mail: [email protected]

Mar 7-9--DEL MAR, CA: Show; Gem Faire; Del Mar Fairgrounds/Exhibit Hall, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.; Fri. 12-7, Sat. 10-7, Sun. 10-5; $5 weekend pass; contact Yooy Nelson, (503) 252-8300; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.gemfaire.com Mar 8-9--SAN MARINO, CA: Show, "50 Golden Years of Rockhounding"; Pasadena Lapidary Society; San Marino Masonic Center, 3130 Huntington Dr.; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; free admission; displays, dealers, gem materials, beads, tools, lapidary demonstrations, kids' "sand scoop" game, raffle; contact Kevin Birnbaum, 121 S Chester Ave., Apt. #11; Pasadena, CA 91106, (626) 564-0935; email: [email protected]

Feb 23-24--MESA, AZ: Show, "2008.Rocks are Great"; Apache Junction Rock & Gem Club; Skyline High School, 840 S. Crismon Rd.; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 104; adults $3, students $1; dealers, silent auction, door prizes, raffle prizes, activity table; contact John Frary, 659 W. 5th Ave., Apache Junction, AZ 85220, (480) 452-4870; e-mail: [email protected]; site: www.apachejunctionrockclub.org

Mar 14-16--VICTORVILLE, CA: 32nd annual tail gate; Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club; Stoddard Wells, Stoddard Wells Rd.; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 95; free admission; findings, books, jewelry, slabs, cabs, equipment, tons of rough, field trips, prizes; contact Jo Ann Beal, P.O. Box 873, Adelanto, CA 92301-0873, (760) 217-2628; email: e-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://fosse. schema-root.org/wgmc/

Feb 29–Mar 2--COSTA MESA, CA: Show; Gem Faire; Orange County Fairgrounds/Bldg. 10, 88 Fair Dr.; Fri. 12-7, Sat. 10-7, Sun. 10-5; $5 weekend pass; contact Yooy Nelson, (503) 252-8300; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.gemfaire.com Feb 29–Mar 9--IMPERIAL, CA: Show; Imperial Valley Gem & Mineral Club; Imperial Valley Fairgrounds, IV Gem and Mineral Bldg., 200 E. 2nd St., at Hwy. 86; exhibits, dealers, demonstrations, gold panning, kids' games; contact Pat King, (760) 791-9192

Mar 21-23--COTTONWOOD, AZ: Show, "Verde Valley Gem & Mineral Show"; Mingus Gem & Mineral Club; Mingus Union High School, 1801 E. Fir St.; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4; Fri. $1, Sat. $3, Sun. $3, 3-day pass $5; silent auction, raffles, kids' area, gem and mineral identification Sat.; contact Doug Evenson, 807 S. Tigres Trail, Cottonwood, AZ 86326, (928) 634-0459; e-mail: dougevenson @verdecomm.net; Web site: www.mingusclub.org

Mar 1-2--ARCADIA, CA: Show; Monrovia Rockhounds; Los Angeles Arboretum, Ayers Hall, 301 N. Baldwin Ave.; Sat. 9-4:30, Sun. 9-4:30; adults $7, students and seniors $5, children $2.50; access to all facilities included; contact Jo Anna Ritchey, 224 Oaks Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016, (626) 359-1624; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.moroks.com

Mar 29-30--TORRANCE, CA: 59th annual show, "Nature's Treasures"; South Bay Lapidary & Mineral Society; Torrance Recreation Center, 3341 Torrance Blvd.; free admission; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; contact Larry Hoskinson or Leslie Neff, (310) 318-2170

Mar 1-2--ESCONDIDO, CA: Annual show; Palomar Gem & Mineral Club; Escondido National Guard Armory, 304 Park Ave.; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; contact Van Lynch, (760) 749-4164; e-mail: [email protected] 4

Blue Agate News

Needles Gem & Mineral Club

FIELD TRIP REPORT EGG HUNT ON THE ALLUVIAL FAN by Linda Chandler Well, not really, but it does remind me of an Easter egg hunt. Sixteen members, two guests, and four pebble pups followed me down through the Sacramento wash and up on the hills above on January 26. This is an alluvial fan that some estimate to have flowed down though that area 10,000 to 20,000 years ago during the ice age. Whatever happened, it's delightful to stop almost anywhere up there and find agates, jaspers, petrified wood and coral. You never know what wonderful little gem you might find. We made two stops and then followed Barb Ballard to a couple of very interesting sites. One has bees and their wax is oozing out of the cliffs above. The next stop was at the top of a hill overlooking a sand bowl below. At the top of the hill was a grave. It read "Here lies old Bill, he finally made it up the hill.” Everyone was happy with their finds and those little pups were having a ball running up and down the hills.

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February 2008

Blue Agate News

Needles Gem & Mineral Club

vibratory tumbler with 150/220 grit with ceramic media and run it for a day or two. Then I clean it out and run it on 600 grit for a day or two. Then the cabs are cleaned with soap and water and put into a separate vibratory tumbler with tempered glass shards that have been through a 150/220 and 600 grit cycle to take the sharp edges off (you can also use ceramic media sold at jewelry supply websites and stores for tumble polishing jewelry). I use Tin Oxide for polish. I let it run for at least 3 days, usually 5 or more. I use a spray bottle to add water so as not to add too much. I start the tumbler and give it 4 or 5 squirts of water. Then I add a couple of tablespoons of Tin Oxide and watch the action. When it slows down, I give it 4 or 5 squirts. Once it’s rolling pretty good, I add another two tablespoons of Tin Oxide. Again I watch the tumbling action and when it slows down, I give it another 4 to 5 squirts. You want the Tin Oxide to be covering your stones and media. Now let it run an hour and come back and check. If the rolling of the stones and media is sluggish or the paste Tin Oxide has a dull look to it, give it 4 to 5 squirts of water. You should have just a bit of white liquid showing on the inside edge of the bottom of the mass of stones and media. The cabs come out with a better polish than if I went through the trouble of doing all the grinding and polishing by hand. And I can produce a lot of cabs with little effort. Just a few hours of grinding the cabs, then keeping tabs on the tumblers, and I'm free to do other things. There is a little rounding on where the back side meets the side edge. I do a pretty good job with roughing out the cabs so they don't require much tumbling. Some commercial cutters let the tumblers do a lot more of the work and that leads to more rounding which make the stones difficult to bezel set. The stones I won't use the tumblers for are Natural Turquoise, Boulder Opal, Lapis, and any other high priced stone.

BIRTHSTONES Birthstones are precious gemstones associated with a calendar month. Look for the following birthstones in the word search puzzle below: Garnet (Jan) Diamond (Apr) Ruby (Jul) Opal (Oct)

J S I H W I K I M A F A K B V V

Amethyst (Feb) Emerald (May) Peridot (Aug) Topaz (Nov)

February 2008

Aquamarine (Mar) Pearl (Jun) Sapphire (Sep) Turquoise (Dec)

R L O R K Z E G Y X U T U N M Z U P Z E A E MT O D I R E P A F L B F P N B E N R V K O J P K C T N C E O J R P U ML Y O N P MMT S G D D A E Q R L T X G Y I A U O O X F L A A B L A P O MH Q R D A O A D E K H C N V F T J U Q J I Q WP P Z B J U A Z E P A U J WR V R ME T H Y S T R Q MO H Z I Q G B Q L B Z D S I D A I Y N G T A K L U F Z X N H Q R S O R H I R Q R D D WF U P MI E T P C C N D I A MO N D P G N E WJ K Y E N I Q G L J E A T E D Y T L P T C T D N V J Y S W

Source: Pick & Pack, 2/2007

TUMBLING TO POLISH CABS by Rick Copeland, President, Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society I use vibratory tumblers to polish about 90% of my cabs. I rough out the cabs on a 100 grit lap. Then I put them into the

Posted on LapidaryList, Jan. 25, 2008 6

Blue Agate News

Needles Gem & Mineral Club

February 2008

If you’ve ever used polyurethane glue, you know that it doesn’t store well after being opened. To prolong its shelf life, store the bottle upside down. An easy method of doing this is to drill a hole in a block of wood just large enough for the cap end of the bottle. NOTE Always buy the smallest bottle that will suit your purpose. With this kind of glue the economy size may not be the best bargain. By Don Greene

Hints ‘n Such These hints were gathered primarily from the bulletins of other clubs. They have not been evaluated for safety or reliability and could be unsafe or could cause damage to your project. Please use caution and safety when trying out any of these ideas.

A monument maker uses a weak solution of oxalic acid to acquire the glassy shine on granite. It is used as a polishing aid. Dissolve a little oxalic acid in water, then work it into a felt buffer or add to your polishing paste. It works wonders on agates.

Source: Chips ‘n Splinters, 3/05 `°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º° Save trim saw scraps: Most tumblers produce better results if there are small bits and pieces of rock of the same hardness in with the bigger ones you are trying to polish.

Source: T-Town Rockhound, 2/2007 via Pick & Pack, 2/2007 `°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°

Source: The Pegmatite, 1/03

Did you know that denim iron-on patches make excellent polishing disks? They will adhere to surfaces when ordinary glues will not. Obtain the largest ones you can fit to your wheel disks and cut to fit.

`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º° To polish silver: It's amazingly simple! I usually use a Pyrex (glass) dish and line it with aluminum foil, because then I can either toss out or recycle the foil. An aluminum pan would work as well... or even better. I wouldn't use it for cooking later, though. Fill the container with hot water and toss in about ¼ cup of baking soda. Stir to dissolve and place your silver pieces in the bath, in contact with the aluminum. Leave it for awhile, then pull the pieces out and rinse. Ta-da! Seems overly simple, but it's reasonably effective and totally harmless to people and the environment. Source: The Rockorder, 10/02, via The Pegmatite, 2/05

Source: Rock Writing, 5/2006, via Pick & Pack, 3/2007 `°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º° A cheap version of a high pressure gun can be made from a brass cap that fits a standard garden hose male connection. These are generally available at hardware stores for a very low price. Just drill the smallest hole possible in the cap and you will get a fairly high pressure stream of water when the faucet is turned on. Plus you don't need electricity and the mobility of the gun is only limited by the length of the hose! This is safer for many crystals, as the water gun can remove crystals from a plate, even if one is careful.

`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º° Need two cabs of exactly the same size? Glue two slabs together with paper between them. Cut to size. Separate by soaking in water.

Source: John McLaughlin, Arizona Leaverite Rock & Gem Society

Source: Rockhound Rambling, 12/04, via Quarry Quips, 2/05

`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º° 7

Blue Agate News

Needles Gem & Mineral Club

BLUE AGATE NEWS NEEDLES GEM & MINERAL CLUB PO BOX 234 NEEDLES, CA 92363-0234

Please send Exchange Bulletins to the address above Or email to [email protected]

WYOAQHA photo ‘07

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February 2008