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CULVER CITY ROCK AND MINERAL CLUB P.O. BOX 3324 Culver City, Ca 90231

MAY 2013Monday, MAY 13, 6:30 pm Exec CommitteeMonday, MAY 13, 7:30 pm General Meeting

PROGRAM: “Exotic Gems”

PROGRAMPRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

MAY 2013

The quality and health of any rock and mineral club is built on the energy of its leaders and the contributions of its members. CCR&MC is surely blessed in both these ar-eas. We have a large and active club, the range of knowl-edge and skills across our membership is awesome, and members are always glad to share their expertise with others.

One of the things I do each year at our July show is to go in early Sunday morning when the crowd isn’t as heavy and spend some time to carefully look through all the wonderful display cases. The many collections and the superb craftmanship of lapidary and jewelry items made by our members are truly inspiring. I get a few new ideas and sometimes even decide to take on a new challenge.

Now with our show only ten weeks away, it’s time to give some thought to how you can share some of your knowledge with others. Bring out some of your finest work, finish up the most recent project, document where you found the specimen, and start to plan a display of your accomplishments. Sharing your work is one of the things that makes our club vibrant and meaningful.

Brad Smith,President

How Exotic Gems are Revolutionizing the Jewelry Market

Gems that were once only bought by collectors are be-coming increasingly popular in jewelry stores and designer boutiques. New finds have made these non-traditional gems more available, and retailers are using the stones to set themselves apart from their competition by creating unusual items to wear and give as gifts. This increasing interest in exotic gems prompted author Renée Newman to write three books on them – “Exotic Gems: Volumes 1 & 2” and “Rare Gemstones.” Her presentation on exotic gems will include photo ex-amples and information on:• How non-traditional gems are being used to create unique designer jewelry• Value factors that can be more important than color• Care tips and appropriate setting styles for fragile gems• Pricing, including the highest-priced non-traditional gems• Geographic sources

Some of the stones Newman will discuss are apatite, fluo-rite, kyanite, prehnite, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, sphene, tanzanite and other gems.

Ellen Moe,Program Chair

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• Those present: Sue Acosta, Felice Ganz, Ana Maria Guimaraes, Lynne Lukert, Paul Madison, Ellen Moe, Min-da Moe, Bruce Mensinger, Darrell Robb, Ken Rogers, Leda Rogers, Rick Shaffer and Jette Sorensen.

• The meeting was called to order by Ken Rogers at 6:40pm.

• The March meeting minutes were approved as read in The Nugget issue of April.

• Treasurer Report: Darrell Robb reported that the Club is solvent and that the printing costs were lower than in previous months. He also mentioned that Education Chair Anthony Ferrari is handling the expenditure of the balance of the Club’s education grant to El Rincon Elementary.

• Program Report: Ellen Moe reported that the May meet-ing’s guest speaker is gemologist and author Renee New-man. There will not be a speaker in June, as the members meet to prepare for the gem show, and there is no meeting in July. She also informed that the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) is still looking for people to display cases at their show, which will happen May 31-June 2 in Ventura. Jette Sorensen offered to place an an-nouncement on Facebook.

• Remodeling Update: Rick Shaffer provided an update on the construction work being performed to bring the shop, scout house and bathroom up to ADA code. The bathroom floor has been completed and the toilet is operating, but the sink has not been installed yet. Signage is being installed. The City has given the Club until 4/19 to complete the re-modeling.

• Field Trips: Rick Shaffer reported he was contacted by someone in Oregon who has several types of petrified wood in his property and offered field trips.

• Laptop Donation: Jette Sorensen has donated a laptop to the Club.

• Publications Report: Lynne Lukert reported that she emailed the April Nugget in PDF format to those who in-dicated that to be their preference; however, no one on the

Board received it. A discussion followed regarding differ-ent ways to send mass email and solve the problem.

• Membership Report: Felice Ganz reported that 92 members had completed their membership process, and there were more renewals to process.

• Web Master Report: Jette Sorensen reported that the Club’s web domain name is up for renewal. She explained that the Club’s domain registration company is in Bulgaria and Hong Kong, and has very tough rules, shutting down websites the moment registration renewal becomes past due. Ms. Sorensen made a motion to change the Club’s do-main registration company to a more lenient company on the East coast, for approximately $15/year (or $40 for 3 years). Motion approved to renew for the three-year pe-riod.

• Gem Show Report: Ken Rogers reported that nine ven-dors turned in their completed applications. Returning ven-dors have priority, but must turn in their applications by 4/30, or they will be placed on a waiting list. He informed that a new vendor will attend, who has a magnificent set of aquamarine displays. Ellen Moe indicated she will con-tact the Natural History Museum to participate in the show. Mr. Rogers indicated that he received the show announce-ment pads and that the postcards should arrive the follow-ing week. He is also looking for publications to post ads in addition to the LA Times. Leda Rogers recommended that KTLA be invited. Ms. Moe asked about prizes for kids; Rick Shaffer said he would contact Reynoso’s Lapidary & Supplies to see if they would sell geodes at a discount. Mr. Rogers reported that the Prize Chair and the Tickets Chair are still open. He also indicated that the Club may have to do a program, perhaps to the Senior Citizen Center, prior to the show, in order to receive a 10% discount on the rental rate of the auditorium.

• Librarian Report: Paul Madison reported that he had drafted the email requesting members to return overdue books, but had not sent it out yet. He indicated he was up-dating the library records, and presented a list of new books for the library to acquire. Ken Rogers and Mr. Madison were to discuss the possibility of using Mr. Rogers’ account to get a discount.• The meeting was adjourned at 7:27pm.

Ana Maria GuimaraesRecording Secretary

INUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE MEETINGAPRIL 8, 2013

THE NUGGET PAGE 3MAY 2013

• The meeting was called to order at 7:42pm by Ken Rog-ers, the Pledge of Allegiance was made; a quorum was es-tablished.

• A motion was made and approved to accept the March minutes as published in the April Nugget.

• Six guests were introduced and welcomed.

• Ken Rogers asked that those who would like to receive The Nugget via email instead of hard copy should contact Lynne Lukert. Jette Sorensen said she would put a link to the Club’s website for members to add their email address-es to receive The Nugget.

• Paul Madison informed that the library had approximate-ly 400 titles, which can be checked out for 30 days at a time.

• Ken Rogers provided an update on the construction work being performed to bring the shop, scout house and bathroom up to ADA code. The bathroom floor has been completed and the toilette is operating, but the sink has not been installed yet. The work is to be completed within two weeks, and could impact the shop hours. He recommended members check the Club’s website, Facebook and Yahoo Forum for closure announcements.

• Ellen Moe reported that gemologist and author Renee Newman will be the May meeting’s guest speaker. She will discuss how exotic gems will revolutionize the jewelry market. She also reminded that the CFMS’s show is May 31-June 2 in Ventura, and that they were still looking for people to display cases. She had sign-up forms available.

• Felice Ganz welcomed the new guests and informed that the Club had 92 members, but more were signing up that evening.

• Ken Rogers informed the Gem Fiesta announcement pads were available for members to take away to distribute. He reminded that the show theme this year is aquamarine, and indicated that there would be spectacular aquamarine displays. There still were two show chairs open; volunteers

should contact Ken: Prize Chair, who coordinates door prizes from vendors and canvases businesses in the com-munity for prize donations, and Tickets Chair, who gets raffle tickets printed and distributed, and ensures the tickets are placed in the drum at the show.

• Rocky Rhodes informed that the Club was working on a field trip on petrified wood, and that there is a trip to Ne-vada in May with the All Turquoise group in May for tur-quoise hunters; information available on the AllTurquoise Yahoo Groups page.

• The trading post did not take place, as Steve Dover could not be present. A break was taken and followed by the April program.

Ana Maria GuimaraesRecording Secretary

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETINGAPRIL 8, 2013

APRIL PROGRAM REPORT

Ken Rogers introduced April’s guest speaker Steve Har-dinger, from Dragon Minerals, who has been a mineral col-lector for thirty years and a dealer for ten years, and also teaches chemistry at UCLA. Steve provided useful advice to those beginning or seek-ing to enhance their collections. He discussed advantages and disadvantages of several venues to buy minerals, and provided price guidelines, as well as information on price drivers, such as locality, availability, provenance, levels of preparation, alteration, restoration and treatments. Steve also explored the differences between being a collector versus an accumulator – collectors study and learn about the collection subjects, while accumulators acquire items that please them but do not know much about them. Collectors can be generalists or specialists. Steve provided various examples of specialization, such as location, mineral species, periodic table elements, color, size, specific attributes such as those of pseudomorphs, fluorescents, radioactives, and many other ways to bring focus to one’s collection. Steve recommended that collectors learn as much as they can about the object of their interest in order to have more bargain power when purchasing specimens. Attend-ing shows, visiting museums to see the best specimens and building a library are great ways to learn.

Ana Maria GuimaraesReording Secretary

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MINERAL REPORT

A “Common” Rare Earth

Allanite is a valuable source of rare earth minerals be-cause it can contain up to twenty percent rare earth ele-ments. Due to its inclusion of some radioactive elements, the minerals around allanite often have radiation damage. Allanite was discovered in 1810, in Aluk Island, Green-land. Its discoverer, Karl Ludwig Giesecke, named it after the Scottish mineralogist Thomas Allan.

Allanite is usually black, but can also be brown or brown-violet. Often, it is coated with yellow-brown, which is most likely limonite. In Europe, it is known as “orthite.” with a Mohs hardness ranges from 5.5 to 6, and specific gravity ranges from 3.5 to 4.2. also has a black streak.

There are three unique minerals that the International Mineralogical Society recognizes as members of the alla-nite group, which are determined by the the dominant rare earth mineral within them. These are allanite-(Ce), alla-nite-(La), and allanite-(Y) - respectively, cerium, lantha-num, and yttrium.

Allanite occurs in Russia, Sweden, France, Madagascar, Germany, Spain, Canada, and the United States. Within the United States, it occurs in Virginia, Texas, California, New Jersey, New York, and New Mexico. It normally occurs as an accessory in granites, granite pegmatites, syenites, and more rarely in gabbroic pegmatites. Also rarely found in schists, gneisses, and contact metamorphosed limestones. Their associated minerals are quartz, feldspar, biotite, tho-rite, xenotime, monazite, and epidote.

Minda Moe, Mineral Chair

Equipment Availability As of April 17 (as I write this report) all shop equipment is working and ready for use.

Users Must Clean-up and Put Away Tools and Mate-rial All shop users must help clean-up the shop before leav-ing. Clean-up is not limited to the tools and facilities you used. Shirking your responsibility will result in loss of shop privileges. Note: Never dispose of waste (including water) by throw-ing it on the ground outside! Use the waste barrels and drains in the shop.

Continuing Construction As of April 16, rebuilding the bathroom is nearing com-pletion. The toilet, floor drain, new wider outward-opening door, inside lighting and exhaust fan are all functional. The wash basin is installed but the plumbing is not hooked-up yet, nor are the grab-bars and toilet paper holder in place. The planned paved path from the parking lot on Culver Blvd to the shop and bathroom entrances has only a few stakes along the edge of the way (next to the paddle ten-nis fence) in place. When built, this path and the ramp for the bathroom and shop entrance will complete the major construction. Please note that this path and ramp work may require temporary shop closures. Anticipated interruptions will be posted on our web site, www.culvercityrocks.org. When you visit the shop, park in the parking lot parallel to Culver Blvd in front of the Scout House. The limited parking in the alley behind the shop is closed. Do not park in the alley except for brief loading or unloading.

Enter through the gate in the fence in front of the Scout House. Use cau-tion and be espe-cially watchful for construction related hazards, including overlooked nails in the lawn.

On behalf of the Shop Committee,Bruce Mensinger

SHOP REPORT

MAY 2013THE NUGGET PAGE 5

DRILL PRESS VISE

A drill press vise is a versatile tool to hold a workpiece securely and in precise alignment. It reduces the of risks of working with high power motors, use of larger drill bits, and higher heat generated in the operation. The vise can be clamped to the drill press table if needed and is quite handy for bench use to hold things for sawing or riveting. You can fi nd them at stores that carry machine tool sup-plies. My feeling is that the best ones are made from steel. And I like the ones with V grooves cut into the jaw plates to help hold a punch straight up or to hold a rod horizontal. To fi nd a supplier, search on “vise” or “drill press vise” at micromark.com use-enco.com smallparts.com grizzly.com sears.com

DENTAL GOLD

You might think that a couple pieces of dental gold would be valuable, but if you only have a small amount, it can be a problem. You might think you could melt it and roll out your own sheet. However, the trace metals that dental gold contains to make it a good material in your mouth cause it to crack if you try to forge it or roll it out as a sheet. Sending it to a refi ner is expensive for small amounts of metal, so a reasonable alternative is to try incorporating it into your jewelry. If you have enough material to do a cast-ing, that’s probably the best use for dental gold. If not, try melting it on a solder pad and while molten, divide it into small pieces with your solder pick and then fl ow the metal again to make little gold balls for use as accents on your designs.

More Bench Tips by Brad Smith at facebook.com/BenchTips/

or book “Bench Tips for Jewelry Making” on Amazon

BENCH TIPS

Welcome! New Members for April

Matt WilsonStanley Genser

Carla Gardner Genser

MEMBERSHIP

MAY BIRTHDAYS

Ed Montgomery May 7

Yolanda Lumel May 9

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In most cases, our 2013 Fiesta of Gems is coming along wonderfully. There is excitement among our vendors and prospective visitors. Our first deadline for previous vendor applications is April 30, and it’s filling up. On top of that, our line up of some great new vendors is growing, so I am sure our vendor spaces will fill up early. We have filled our Demonstrator list. Our show post cards and fliers are printed and are being distributed. We are working on our advertising and hope to include the L.A. Times “Culture Monster”. I am expecting some wonderful Aquamarine and other displays, and I understand we still have a few Display Cases left. If you would like to display your work and/or collection in one of our Show Display Cases, please contact Steve Dover at (310) 477-2279.

I do have a couple of frustrations, though. We have filled all of our Show Chairs, EXCEPT for two, and we need a

FIESTA OF GEMS SHOW REPORTcouple of people to please, volunteer for these relatively simple positions. They are:RAFFLE TICKET Chair - Distribute a pack of Show Raffle Tickets to each member (at meetings or by mail), distribute Raffle ticket packs to those who want them, maintain a list of all ticket packs sent out, and collect the money for those tickets. Then, at the show manage the sale of Raffle tickets (by volunteers) at the show, and make sure that all of the Raffle Ticket stubs are placed in the Raffle Drum before the drawing on Sunday. Help with the Raffle on Sunday.SHOW PRIZE Chair - In May, before the show, solicit Culver City businesses and restaurants for show door priz-es - like $20 Gift Certificates (which will bring in custom-ers to them). Then on Friday, the Show set up day, collect from each vendor, the door prizes they are donating and place them into the “Door Prize display case” in the lobby. Finally, help with the door prize drawing. Please, volunteer for these two, very necessary, positions to help make our show a success. Call me at (323) 965-2752. If these positions are not filled by May 15, I will start calling members to fill these positions. Our Club is a group of members who help each other, not just a couple of people doing all of the work.

I’ll see all of you at our 2013 Fiesta of Gems. Ken Rogers, Show Chair.

DISPLAY CASE EXHIBITORS WANTED!

The Culver City Rock and Mineral club needs exhibitors to display their creations and or collections at our upcom-ing show July 13 and 14. We provide the display case, liners, lights, locks and se-curity during the show. All you have to do is arrange your display Friday evening or Saturday morning and pick it up Sunday after the show closes. If you need help setting up your display it will be available at the show. Please sign up at our May or June meetings or contact me directly to reserve a case. I will also need help setting up and cleaning the cases on Friday so please volunteer.

Steve Dover.Display Chair

skdover@yahoo.com310-477-2279

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MAY 3 - 5: BISHOP, CA Lone Pine Gem & Mineral Society

Bishop Fairgrounds Sierra Street & Fair Drive

Hours: Fri 6 - 9; Sat. 9:30-5; Sun 9:30-3 Contact: Steve Mobley, (760) 793-6025

Email: steve@littlebearsteve.com

MAY 4 - 5: ANAHEIM, CA Searchers Gem & Mineral Society

Brookhurst Community Center 2271 W. Crescent Avenue

Hours: Sat 10 - 5; Sun 10 - 4:30 Contact: John Walker, (503) 703-9465

Email: john_walker@juno.com Website: www.searchersrocks.org

MAY 4 - 5: PASO ROBLES, CA Santa Lucia Rockhounds Pioneer Park & Museum 2010 Riverside Avenue

Hours: 9 - 5 daily Kim Noyes, (805) 610-0603

Email: kimnoyes@gmail.com Website: www.slrockhounds.org

MAY 4 - 5: YUCAIPA, CA Yucaipa Valley Gem & Mineral Society

Scherer Center 12202 First Street

Hours: Sat 10 - 6, Sun. 10 - 4 Contact: Lee Peterson, (909) 794-0731

Email: res09ayd@verizon.net Website: www.yvgms.org/wiki

MAY 11 - 12: RENO, NV Reno Gem & Mineral Society

Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center 1350 N. Wells Avenue

Hours: 10 - 5 daily Contact: Steve Norman, (775) 358-7322, cell (775)

560-4782 Email: snorm11@hotmail.com

Website: www.renorockhounds.com

MAY 31 - JUNE 2: VENTURA, CA

Annual CFMS SHOW & CONVENTION, “California Rocks”

Sponsored by: Conejo, Oxnard, & Ventura Gem & Min-

eral SocietiesVentura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor

BoulevardHours: Fri & Sat 10 - 5; Sun 10 - 4

Show Chair Rob Sankovich rmsorca@adelphia.net, (805) 494-7734

Dealer Inquiries CFMS2013Dealers@gmail. com

(805) 765-1252

MAY SHOWS

The Tri-Clubs of Ventura County,

Conejo, Oxnard, & VenturaGem & Mineral Societies,

will host the

2013 CFMS SHOW &

CONVENTION “California Rocks”

MAY 31 - JUNE 2

Ventura County Fairgrounds Ventura, CA

PAGE 8 THE NUGGETMAY 2013

The Nugget The deadline for all submissions is generally the 15th of every month. All articles or notes without a byline are written by the Editor. Permission to copy is freely given as long as proper credit is noted. The Nugget accepts paid advertisements by club members and non-members. The cost for an eighth of a page (approx. 2” high x 3.5” wide) is $7 per insertion, payable in advance. Ad location is at the discretion of the Editor. Ad layouts, copy, or business cards must be received by the 10th of the month. Send materials directly to Lynne Lukert, Editor, 601 N. Bronson Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004

DUES & FEES

One time Initiation Fees:Individuals $20.002 Persons/Same Address $25.00Juniors $15.00

Yearly Membership Dues:Individuals $25.002 Persons/Same Address $35.00Juniors $10.00

(After July 1, dues are $15.00, $25.00 and $5.00 respectively.)

Officers for 2013

President - Brad SmithVice- president - Steve Dover

Treasurer - Darrell RobbRecording Secretary - Ana Maria Guimaraes

Corresponding Secretary - Leda RogersEducation - Co-chairs Anna Yori and

Anthony FerrariFederation Director - Ellen Moe

Field trips - Co-chairs Rocky and Cole RhodesHistorian - Bruce Mensinger

Librarian - Paul Madison,Co-chair- Bruce MensingerMembership - Felice Ganz

Minerals - Minda MoeParliamentarian - Jette SorensenPhotography - Buce Mensinger

Programs - Ellen MoePublications - Co-chairs - Lynne Lukert,

Barbara Fier, and Jan FergusonShow - Ken Rogers

Publicity - Ken RogersCo-chair - Janelle & D.J.

Shop Committee ( President, Vice President, committee members)

Social - Mary Ellen Shaffer Co-chair Sue Acosta

Sunshine - Leda RogersTrading Post - Steve Dover and

Co-chair Minda MoeWeb Master - Jette Sorensen

Board of Directors:

Mary Ellen Shaffer (2013)Male (open) (2013)Ellen Moe (2014)

Bruce Mensinger (2014

SHOP INFORMATION

The shop is open to all members in good standing over the age of 18 who sign an indemnification form. Instruction is available at all sessions. Practice slabs are available.Location: 10866 Culver Blvd. in Culver City (behind the Boy Scout clubhouse and next to the paddle tennis courts)Shop Phone: (310)836-4611Hours: Tuesday 7:00pm - 9:30pm - Bruce MensingerWednesday 10:00am - 2:00pm - Ken Rogers (open by appointment)Thurdsay 10:00am - 2:00pm - Woody ShafferSaturday 12:00pm - 4:00pm - Lynne LukertSunday 12:00pm - 4:00pm - Rick ShafferIf no one shows, the shop may close early. If you plan to arrive at the shop more than a half hour after the opening time, phone the instructor

The purpose of the CULVER CITY ROCK & MINERAL CLUB is to bring together persons interested in the earth sciences, to engage in research and study in this realm, and to assist members in the collection and preservation of rocks and minerals and in the study of lapidary and related arts.........................................................................................................................http://www.culvercityrocks.org

MEETING SCHEDULES

General Meetings are held the second Monday of every month* at 7:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room in the Veterans Bldg., 4117 Overland Ave. Enter from the rear door. Guests are always welcome.

Executive Committee Meetings are held the second Monday of every month*in the Multi-Purpose Room in the Veterans Bldg Auditorium. All club members are welcome.

*Meeting days occasionally change due to Monday holidays or, in July, because of the Fiesta Of Gems show .

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FIRST CLASS

CULVER CITY ROCK & MINERAL CLUB

the Nugget Lynne Lukert, editor 601 N. Bronson Ave Los Angeles, CA 90004