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

JUNE 2013Monday, June 10, 6:30 pm Exec CommitteeMonday, June 10, 7:30 pm General MeetingPROGRAM: “Work Party”

PROGRAMPRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

JUNE 2013

One element of our club that I have missed over the last year or two is the workshops we used to run to share knowledge and skills across our membership. Remedia-tion of the Boy Scout hall took away the extra work space we needed to run workshops in close proximity to the rock shop. But that work is finishing up now, and I’m confident our workshops will begin restarting soon.

Towards that end, I ask for members to send me their choice of topics. In the past we have hosted classes like pearl stringing, making a cabochon, beading, soldered jewelry, lost wax casting, and broom casting. Other topics that can be covered in a three hour session might include bone carving and simple stone setting or perhaps a repeat of one of the topics planned for our July Fiesta of Gems classes, which includes copper etching, beading, chain making, enameling, wire weaving, and filigree. Send your favorite choices to me, and I’ll see if we can make it hap-pen.

If responses show a good interest for a skills building class once or twice a month, we could get the program organized more quickly if we had a volunteer to schedule and facilitate the sessions. Please let me know if you’d be interested in helping out.

PresideentBrad

<Brad@greenheart.com>

It is our club tradition to have a special work party dur-ing our June meeting instead of a formal program. Many members feel this is the best meeting of the year. We have more time to chat with each other as we gather around tables to stick address labels and stamps on the post cards for the Fiesta of Gems in July and to fill the grab bags.

PAGE 2 THE NUGGETJUNE 2013

MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE MEETINGMAY 13, 2013

• Those present: Steve Dover, Felice Ganz, Ana Maria Guimaraes, Lynne Lukert, Ellen Moe, Minda Moe, Bruce Mensinger, Darrell Robb, Ken Rogers, Mary Ellen Schaf-fer, Rick Shaffer and Jette Sorensen.• The meeting was called to order by Steve Dover at 6:30pm.• The April meeting minutes were approved as read in The Nugget issue of May.• Treasurer Report: Darrell Robb reported that the Club is solvent.• Education Report: Darrell Robb informed that Educa-tion Chair Anthony Ferrari had purchased the materials for El Rincon Elementary with the Club’s education grant to the school and was to provide the receipts. There will be a classroom presentation on June 5th and a display unit will be set up. Ken Rogers suggested that the Club provides fliers to the kids on presentation day to advertise the show, provided that the school agrees.• Gem Show Report: Ken Rogers reported that all ven-dors were in. He proposed the Club brings in an ATM to the show premises, as there isn’t one available nearby and several vendors prefer to deal in cash. The proposal was accepted; voting was not necessary as there is no cost to the Club. Mr. Rogers also informed that due to the class-room presentation scheduled at El Rincon Elementary, the Club had secured the 40% discount on the rental rate of the auditorium. In addition, Mr. Rogers indicated that the postcards were ready. Ellen Moe informed that she had not heard back from Reynoso’s Lapidary & Supplies on wheth-er they would sell geodes at a discount to be used as door prizes for kids. Mary Ellen Schaffer brought up the need for purchasing balloons and getting volunteers to set them up at the show. Mr. Rogers was also to confirm with Brad Smith whether there would be space available for the Club to set up a social room as done in previous years. A discus-sion followed as to whether there should be a meeting in July before the show; the consensus was that there should be a meeting so as to help further engage the membership in the show.• Librarian Report: Bruce Mensinger reported that he had obtained digital copies of the GIA Journals beginning 1981 for the electronic library. Jette Sorensen informed she would deliver the computer she donated to the library upon finishing cleaning it up.

• Publications Report: Lynne Lukert reminded everyone that she needed publication materials by the 18th of the month. Problems with delivering The Nugget via email ap-peared to continue as several members had not received the May issue. A discussion followed as to whether a link to The Nugget on the Club’s website should be provided instead of emailing attached PDF files. • Membership Report: Felice Ganz passed around a hard-copy of the membership database records for everyone to review, make necessary corrections and add their telephone number. • Remodeling Update: Rick Shaffer reported completion of the remodeling of the shop, the scout house and the bath-room, which are now ADA-compliant. A discussion fol-lowed regarding the possibility of the Club utilizing the scout house for meetings and events, such as workshops and classes. The scout house can hold about 45 people. The Club has a contract for the current meeting room until year-end, but it should consider whether holding the meetings at the scout house beginning 2014 would save funds.• Program Report: Given that it was decided that a meeting would be held in July, Ellen Moe would work to engage a speaker. There will not be a speaker in June, when the members meet to prepare for the gem show.• Shop Report – Bruce Mensinger reported that members had been negligent about cleaning benches and tools at the shop after use; instructors needed to monitor users more closely. • The meeting was adjourned at 7:22pm.

Recording Secretary Ana Maria Guimaraes

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MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETINGMAY 13, 2013

MAY PROGRAM REPORT

• The meeting was called to order at 7:40pm by Rick Shaf-fer, the Pledge of Allegiance was made; a quorum was es-tablished.• A motion was made and approved to accept the April min-utes as published in the May Nugget.• Six guests and three new members were introduced and welcomed.• Show update:• Ken Rogers informed that all vendors were in for the show. He introduced M. I. Khan from Empire Gems In-ternational, who will be a new vendor at the show and will have a display of aquamarines (the show’s theme). Mr. Khan brought an outstanding sample of aquamarines and other stones to the meeting.• Ken Rogers informed there would be an ATM in the show premises at no cost to the Club. • Ken Rogers asked that members and guests take with them fliers advertising the show for distribution. • Ken Rogers reported that the Tickets Chair and the Prize Chair were still vacant. He briefly described a list of vari-ous jobs available to volunteers at the show. Sign-up sheets will be available at the next two meetings; those interested can also contact Mr. Rogers via email – his email address will be on the next Nugget edition as well as on the Club’s website.• Lorraine Murphy requested for donations of soil, as well as plants and pots to be sold at the show; donations can be dropped off at the shop or brought to the next meeting.• Steve Dover informed that the Club provides 20 display cases for members to reserve for the show at no cost.• Steve.Dover informed that members can donate items for the hourly prize drawings at the show. Mr. Rogers added that the Club was looking for buckets of small geodes; those who could assist should contact Ellen Moe.• Jette Sorensen informed that show classes information would be available at the Club’s website shortly.• Membership Chair Felice Ganz welcomed all the new members and guests. She asked that members came to see her to review a hardcopy of the membership database re-cords, make necessary corrections and add their telephone number. Mr. Shaffer advised new members to obtain their badges with Ms. Ganz at the meeting or look for them at the shop.• Member Ruth Shapiro announced that the Contemporary Crafts Market was taking place June 7-9 for the last time at

Ellen Moe introduced May’s guest speaker Renee New-man. Ms. Newman is a respected gemologist and author of several gem and jewelry guides, such as Gemstone Buying Guide and Rare Gemstones. Ms. Newman discussed how exotic gems are revolution-izing the jewelry market; she has authored three books on nontraditional gems and shared some of her research in the presentation, beging by dispelling the belief that nontradi-tional gems were not suitable for jewelry, since traditional gems, such as pearls and amber also had durability issues – and yet, they have been used in jewelry for centuries be-cause people found them attractive and learned to care for them. With proper care, the right setting, and in some cases the aid of treatment, nontraditional gems can also be used in jewelry. Discussed several nontraditional gems that are increas-ingly being used in jewelry successfully, such as fluorite, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, kyanite, sodalite, bronzite, apa-tite, prehnite, tanzanite and zoisite, sphene, benitoite, phos-phophilite, hodgkinsinite, painite, taaffeite, musgravite and many others. Ms. Newman provided a wealth of information about each stone, including special characteristics, care instruc-tions and aspects impacting price. Her presentation was il-lustrated by beautiful photos of stones and pieces of jew-elry by renowned designers.

Recording SecretaryAna Maria Guimaraes

the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium before the auditorium closes for renovation in July. Free passes can be obtained at www.craftsource.org.• Mr. Shaffer reported completion of the remodeling of the shop, the scout house and the bathroom, which are now ADA-compliant.• The meeting was adjourned at 8:18pm; a break was taken for raffles and refreshments and followed by the May pro-gram.

Recording SecretaryAna Maria Guimaraes

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SHOP REPORT

Equipment AvailabilityAs of May 18 (as I write this report) all shop equipment is working and ready for use.Completed Construction The repair and upgrade construction required to meet federal, state and city regulations is now complete and ap-proved by City inspectors. The major components were to replace the leaking roof, remove or encapsulate old paint where necessary, rebuild the restroom to meet current build-ing code and ADA standards, and construct ADA standard walkways and ramps allowing handicapped visitors access to the Scout House, our shop, and the restroom. Everyone involved has good reason to be proud of this major accom-plishment. As readers of the shop report and users of the shop are well aware, this has been a long process with many delays. Nevertheless, the results are now visible. We should soon have some remaining optional changes agreed upon and implemented. For example: Should we continue to have the property fenced? Do we want to pave the area behind the shop? Should our two storage sheds be left as is, reoriented or replaced? Yes, there is still work to be done.

Continuing Construction Please note that any optional construction work may again require temporary shop closures. Anticipated inter-ruptions will be posted on our web site, www.culvercity-rocks.org.Parking and Access When you visit the shop, continue to park in the park-ing lot parallel to Culver Blvd in front of the Scout House.

The limited parking in the alley behind the shop remains 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 caution and be especially watchful for con-struction related hazards. You now have a concrete and as-phalt walkway from car to shop.

On behalf of the Shop Committee,Bruce Mensinger

Stanley Genser June 1Ted Hanf June 1Woody Shaffer June 1Janelle Williams June 3Ana Maria Guimaraes June 4Jan Ferguson June 4Grace Bruno June 6Kristina Moore June 6John Klutke June 8Aliclia Minette June 11Felice Ganz June 13Anthony Ferrari June 14Zachart Stadel June 16Wilbert Williams June 16Mary Ellen Shaffer June 21Sue Acosta June 24Darrell Robb June 24

JUANE BIRTHDAYS

JUNE 2013THE NUGGET PAGE 5

Waterless, but Interesting Anhydrite is anhydrous calcium sulfate, meaning that it lacks water of crystallization. It is associated with calcite, halite, galena, chalcopyrite, molybdenite, and pyrite. When exposed to water, anhydrite transforms into gypsum by ab-sorbing the water. This process can be reversed by tem-peratures of around 200˚ Celsius, as the gypsum or calcium sulfate hemihydrate will revert. Anhydrite is usually white, but inclusions can make it mauve, rose, pale brown, gray, pale blue, or purple. Crys-tals are rare, as it usually forms in cleavage masses. It has a hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity of 2.9. Anhydrite was first discovered in 1794 in a salt mine in Austria. It is common in salt basins and tidal flats. In the Persian Gulf, it occurs as massive nodules. Anhydrite was named in 1804 by A. G. Warner. It used to be called muria-cite and karstenite, as early mineralogists thought it was a chloride. One variety is called tripe-stone and another is known as vulpinite. Vulpinite is cut and polished for orna-mental purposes. Anhydrite was recently discovered in the giant crystal mines at Naica, in Mexico. The caves formed giant, fac-eted, and transparent gypsum crystals. Some are as long as eleven meters. Mostly, the caves are filled with extremely hot water, so anhydrite cannot form.

-Minda Moe,Mineral Chair

EASIER PRONG SETTING When setting stones in a prong mount, the tool is less likely to slip off the prong if you grind a groove into its face or rough up the face a bit with sandpaper. Some folks prefer a prong pusher for doing this, and others like a set of pliers. Easiest way to cut a slot on the pusher is with a file, and the easiest way to create a slot on one jaw of your pliers is with a cutoff wheel and then do a rough polish with a knife-edge silicone wheel.

FANCY RIVET HEADS For a nice looking rivet head, use brass escutcheon pins. You’ll have perfectly rounded heads that are all the same size and shape. The pins are a little hard to find, so try the best hardware stores first. Be sure to get solid brass pins, not brass plated steel. If unsure, test them with a magnet. The pins are readily available online. Lee Valley Tools

has them in 14 - 18 gauge and lengths from 1/4 inch to 1 inch. Go to http://www.LeeValley.com and do an item search on “brass escutcheon pin” For best results, select a drill that gives you a hole with a close fit to the rivet. Trim the rivet to a leave a little less than one diameter sticking out the back side. Place the head on a scrap of hard plastic on the anvil so as to not flatten the head. I prefer a ball peen hammer (with a small 3/8 inch ball) for setting the rivet.

Tips by Brad Smith also more at

facebook.com/BenchTips/or see the book “

MINERAL REPORTBENCH TIPS

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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

As all of you know, our 2013 Fiesta of Gems show will be on the weekend of July 13~14. And, thanks to our Ven-dor co chairs, Janelle Williams and Dower Jai Gervais, and a few other volunteers our show is coming together and is getting very exciting. We have all of our vendor booths filled, plus we have a waiting list, just incase a vendor must pull out before the show. Demonstrators have been recruit-ed. Our show theme stone is Aquamarine, and our theme display is planned. Over the past few years it proved to be virtually impossible to get a food vendor for our show. This year, D.J., Janelle and I are following up on a few leads and hope to have a good food vendor at our show (but no promises). Brad Smith is putting together a fine slate of classes dur-

ing our show. Janice Metz has been working on and plac-ing publicity for our show. Also, Janice and I (with help) are designing a series of newspaper ads to run in the weeks before our show. Steve Dover has been working on filling our Club Display cases. If you’d like to display your work or collection, in our show, please call Steve, ASAP. Lor-raine Murphy, Plant Sales Chair, is growing and accumu-lating plants to sell at the show. If you have any plants we can sell at the show, please call and get them to her. Mary-ellen Shaffer and Sue Acosta, our Hospitality Chairs are arranging for the care of our vendors and volunteers during our show. Bruce Mensinger, our Book & Magazine sales Chair is gathering magazines & books for sale at our show. Please contact Bruce to donate books and magazines. Also, Bruce will be presenting a slide show of his wonderful pho-tographs of rocks at the Senior Center, in June. By him doing this, our club will save on our venue rental. There are a few other members who have been helping to produce

our show, and I am sorry if I didn’t name you. We are still in need of a Prize Chairperson - please, someone contact me and volunteer. At our next club meeting, we will be preparing our show post cards for mailing, preparing grab bags, bakers will volunteer to bake cookies for our vendors, members will volunteer for jobs in the show, etc.. Lynne Lukert, Raffle Ticket Chair, will pass out books of Raffle tickets to members who are present and send books of tickets to all members who are not present. Each year, all members are required to sell at least one book of Raffle tickets and turn in the stubs for our drawing on Sunday, July 14. If you have any ideas on places to place publicity for our show, or you can take fliers and pass them out, please con-tact me. And, PLEASE volunteer to help YOUR club dur-ing our Fiesta of Gems.

FIESTA OF GEMS SHOW REPORT

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June 8 - 9: LA HABRA, CA North Orange County Gem & Mineral Society

La Habra Community Center 101 W. La Habra Blvd.

Hours: 10 - 5 daily Contact: Loretta Ogden, (909) 598-2456

Email: donogden@aol.com, fbriktr1@aol.com Website: www.nocgms.com

June 14 - 16: WOODLAND HILLS, CA Rockatomics Gem & Mineral Society

Pierce College Farm 20800 Victory Blvd Hours: 10 - 5 daily

Contact: William Rucker, (818) 428-7834 Email: rockhound@rockatomics.com

Website: Rockatomics.comJune 28 - 30: SAN BERNARDINO, CA

Orange Belt Mineralogical Society Western Regional Little League Ball Park

6707 Little League Drive Hours: 9 am to Dusk daily

Contacts: Ken & Jessica Gard, (909) 624-1782, (909) 887-5507

Email: kengard@roadrunner.com Website: http://OBMSrocks.yolasite.com

Stone house in PortugalPhoto: via Moroks 6/13

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

JUNE SHOWS

PAGE 8 THE NUGGETJUNE 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